From Venice to Athens (Piraeus) · Mediterranean · 7 nights
The second and third yachts from Ritz-Carlton, Ilma and Luminara, offer all-terrace suite accommodation and luxurious surrounds for 450 guests.
These ships are almost double the size of Ritz-Carlton’s first
yacht Evrima, offering more space per guest than any other ship.
Onboard it is all about the yachting lifestyle with stylish suites
and public areas, a diverse choice of dining including alfresco
options, and a marina for direct access to the ocean.
Venice is a city like no other, a marble maze of turquoise canals criss-crossed by beautiful bridges, overflowing with palaces, churches and charming little piazzas. No matter how many times you've seen it in photographs, that first glimpse of the Grand Canal will simply take your breath away; it hardly seems credible that such an eye-popping scene could exist outside of a Canaletto painting. Of course Venice is a city that draws big crowds, especially in summer, but don't let this put you off; even the busiest areas are never more than a few steps from a quiet courtyard or a secluded square.
Pretty little Piran grew rich thanks to the salt trade, and thrived under both the Venetian Republic and the Austro-Hungarian empire. The well-preserved old town is the highlight of Slovenia’s short stretch of coastline, set on a small peninsula jutting out into the Adriatic.
Hvar is the most popular of Croatia’s islands, a ruggedly beautiful place carpeted with lavender fields and dotted with little villages. The island’s capital, Hvar Town, is a charming collection of marble streets arranged around a harbour, and it gets very busy in the summer months.
Kotor sits at the head of a beautiful, fjord-like bay, hemmed in by glowering mountains. The compact, walled old town is Montenegro’s star attraction, a warren of little alleyways and shady squares that is often described as a ‘mini Dubrovnik’.
We never fail to be moved when we see the terracotta roofs and honey-golden walls of Dubrovnik, and a stroll around the perfectly preserved old town is a highlight of any visit to the Dalmatian coast. Make sure you take the time to walk around the walls and soak up the marvellous sea views.
Nafplion is one of the most beautiful cities on the Greek mainland, situated on the Argolic Gulf overlooked by the imposing Palamidi Fortress. The narrow streets of the old town are home to a beguiling mix of Venetian, Turkish and Greek architecture, while just offshore is the little island castle of Bourtzi.
Athens is a city awash with historical and cultural significance, but it's much more than an open air museum; this is a dynamic, bustling metropolis, and a place where history is still very much unfolding.
