Dubrovnik to Civitavecchia

Ports

• Dubrovnik, Old Town
  

  Jutting into the southern Adriatic Sea coast, Dubrovnik—dubbed the “Pearl of the Adriatic”—is perhaps the most picturesque city on the Dalmatian Coast. A key Mediterranean maritime power from the 13th century, Dubrovnik has preserved its storied mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces, and fountains. Its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site adorned with the ancient city walls and Rector’s Palace. SeaDream anchors off the walled city as a port of call and tenders directly to the town gate.
• Kotor
  

  Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro. The old Mediterranean port of Kotor is surrounded by an impressive city wall built by the Republic of Venice and the Venetian influence remains dominant among the architectural influences. In 1979 the Bay of Kotor, City of Kotor and the surrounding territory have been listed in the UNESCO Heritage as a Cultural Site. SeaDream usually navigates close by the small islands of St. George and Our Lady of the Reef. The Bay of Kotor stretches 28 km and is one of the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea. It is sometimes called the southern-most fjord in Europe (though it is actually a submerged river canyon called a ria). SeaDream typically docks steps away from the town. SeaDream has arranged a few different Yachting Land Adventures. One of them is a walking discovery and the other will show you the heritage and countryside of Montenegro. For the active guests, there’s incredible biking along the coast as well as a hike up to the fortress. On occasion, SeaDream may dock in the bay and tender directly to the town. We regret that watersports are not allowed in this protected area.
• Sarande (Butrint), Albania
  

  This attractively situated port and the seaside town lies in the very south of Albania, close to the border with Greece. The Greek island of Corfu can be clearly seen across the channel. The town is built back from a small beach with a pleasant palm-fringed esplanade. Located close by are not one, but two different UNESCO World Heritage sites! The first is the ancient city of Butrint which is now a national park where the remains of 3,000 years of occupation are piled on top of one another. The other site is the town of Gjirokastra, where the old town is a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman town.
• Corfu
  

  Corfu’s rich multicultural heritage, historic monuments, and unsurpassed natural landscape make the island notable as one of the most cosmopolitan of all Mediterranean destinations. Corfu is the second largest Greek island in the Ionian Sea, situated so far north that parts of its coastline lie off the Albanian coast of Sarandë. In Greek, the island is named Kerkyra, Homer’s beautiful and rich land described in The Odyssey and Odysseus’s last stop on his ten-year journey home to Ithaca. With vibrant wildflowers and slender cypress trees rising from olive groves, Corfu is considered by many to be the most beautiful—and greenest—of all the Greek Islands. Unlike the rest of Greece, Corfu never fell under the Ottoman oppression. Due to the successive domination of the Venetians, French, and the British over the centuries the island has become part of the Western rather than the Levantine world. Venetian culture wielded strong influence throughout the island, the town of Corfu reminiscent of Venice and Florence, Italy. In the beautifully preserved Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2007, Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical influences came to be successfully applied to local artistic traditions. The cobblestone streets and pastel-colored Venetian architecture of the Old Town are a gem for sightseeing, boasting the fifteenth-century Old Fortress of Corfu, constructed on the site of a former Byzantine castle. To the West, the Venetian-constructed New Fortress features a network of underground tunnels and views that overlook the harbor. The Archaeological Museum contains artifacts from the Archaic period, including bronze and marble statues, clay pottery, and parts of ancient temples. Best explored by foot, visitors to Old Town note the charm of Spianada Square and Liston Street, reminiscent of Rue de Rivoli in Paris. Nearby, explore the Achillion Palace, built in 1890 as the summer retreat of Austria’s Empress Elizabeth. Nature lovers will find unmatched scenery at secluded La Grotta Beach, where swimming, snorkeling, and cliff diving opportunities are plentiful, and the Corfu Trail, extending from Asprokavos along the south coast up to Agios Spiridon in the north. This off-the-beaten-path hiking trail passes through rolling olive groves, rugged gorges, traditional Greek villages, and ancient monasteries that line its route.
• Paxoi
  

  Paxi or Paxoe is the name given to the smallest group of the Ionian Islands (the Heptanese). In Greek mythology, Poseidon created the island by striking Corfu with his trident, so that he and wife Amphitrite could have some peace and quiet.
• Taormina (Etna) Sicily
  

  SeaDream yachts anchor in the bay of Giardini Naxos and offer fantastic views of recently awarded UNESCO Natural Site of Mt. Etna (2013) as well as Taormina perched on the cliffside. Shuttle bus service has been arranged to transport guests from Giardini Naxos to the entrance gate of Taormina town up to Castelmola which provides amazing views of the surrounding areas. Perhaps the “must do” adventure here would be to ascend Mt. Etna with your fellow SeaDreamers. Kindly check the Land Adventure tab for the specifics. Other options include an incredible and authentic feast at the Godfather Villa. As we are anchored and if conditions allow, we will offer water sports both in the morning and in the afternoon.
• Amalfi
  

  Amalfi is a picturesque town in the province of Salerno, in the Campania region of Italy. With its incredible views, it is the central town that makes up the very famous and UNESCO awarded Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana). Amalfi sports some impressive medieval architecture including; its cathedral of Sant'Andrea (St. Andrew), the church tower, the convent of the Cappuccini, founded by the Amalfitan Cardinal Pietro Capuano. They richly represent the artistic movement prevailing in Southern Italy. From Amalfi, we have created two exciting land adventures for you. One to Scenic Ravello and the other to Fascinating Pompeii. You may also choose to play from the yacht’s marina (Permission and conditions pending) or go on a very scenic hike with one of the officers.
• Capri
  

  Sitting pretty in the Gulf of Naples, just off the Sorrentine Peninsula, the island of Capri is well known today for its breathtaking landscapes and upscale beach resorts. The island has two harbors, Marina Piccola and Marina Grande. While human presence on the island can be dated back to the Neolithic and the Bronze Age, it was Emperor Augustus who most famously developed Capri by building villas, temples, and planted gardens. Popular to both visitors and native Italians alike, Capri is known for its boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and annual international film festival, and is a favorite yachting destination. The island also offers many historic landmarks and highlights, including Grotta Azzurra, Villa Jovis, Giardini di Augusto, Certosa di San Giacomo, Villa San Michele di Axel Munthe, and the uniquely shaped Faraglioni Rocks. Mt. Solero marks the highest point of Capri, at 589 meters (about 1932 ft) at its peak. There is also a statue of Emperor Augustus on the mount, who first landed on Capri, over 900 species of vegetation, and, of course, incredible views. Two different hiking routes lead up the mountain and are worthy of exploration. On many itineraries, SeaDream yachts dock alongside in Capri until midnight, allowing guests to step off the yacht and into Capri with ease, without tendering ashore—a unique experience due to the intimate size of our yachts. For those who may not be familiar with the island, Capri offers a sophisticated charm that comes alive in the evening. A guest favorite includes boarding the funicular that runs between the port in Marina Grande and the Piazzetta in Capri town above, where incredible views, buzzing bistros, and luxe boutiques await.
• Rome (Civitavecchia)
  

  Civitavecchia is a major port located in Rome, primarily utilized for maritime transportation of goods, as well as a fishing port. The commune’s name means “ancient town” and is one of the “Motorways of the Sea” in the Mediterranean, functioning as one of the main links between the mainland of Italy and Sardinia. The ancient name of the port was “Centumcellae,” first mentioned in a letter written by Pliny the Younger in 107 A.D., although scholars debate on whether the name was about the number of rooms of the Trajan Villa, or the number of natural creeks on the coast. Civitavecchia is a part of the Lazio Territory, an area which was confirmed to have social groups since pre-historic times, and the modern town was built over a pre-existing settlement of the Etruscan people in 107-108 B.C.E. (who debated to have founded Rome). In the beginning of the 2nd century, the harbor and town of Centumcellae were simultaneously developed by Emperor Trajan in the territory of Aquae Tauri. As the town became more popular for ships traveling westbound, the Thermal Baths were constructed on the hill of Ficoncella. Centumcellae flourished in the Imperial Age, and by 538 A.D., it had become a Byzantine stronghold. In 728 A.D., it became a member of the Papal States. The Saracens raided Centumcellae many times in the 9th century, prompting Pope Leo VII to have a newer and more secure settlement built by 854. The town, then known as Civita Vetula, was under the rule of several lords, and the Popes temporarily lost control during the French Rule in 1798-1815. In 1870 it entered the Kingdom of Italy. Civitavecchia was severely damaged during WWII, destroying many of the ancient monuments including Forte Michelangelo, which would be rebuilt in the 1950’s. Popular points of interest include the Forte Michelangelo, Terme Taurine, and Cattedrale di San Francesco. There is a wealth of Roman and Vatican architecture and tourists are encouraged to visit many of the museums and take the cultural tours available in this important sea port.