Civitavecchia (Rome) - Civitavecchia (Rome)

Ports

• 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.
• Bonifacio, Corsica
  

  Bonifacio is one of our favorite arrivals! As we approach, the Captain navigates along the limestone cliffs giving guests a sea view of incredible Bonifacio as well as the great Aragon steps leading to the water’s edge. Shortly after the pilot will embark and the Captain will turn the yacht around and back into this very impressive fjord-like marina. This could be one of our highest rated arrivals as the guests always find it both impressive and awe inspiring.
• Porto Cervo, Sardinia
  

  Porto Cervo is an Italian seaside resort in northern Sardinia in an area called the Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast). SeaDream is most likely the only commercial vessel allowed to call to this amazing port of call. There have been several restrictions navigating and calling to ports within the protected national park zone. The best solution rather than anchoring was to get permission to dock next to the other super yachts “stern to” (backing into the pier using the marina platform to access to the port). The village is the main centre of the Costa Smeralda. It was created by Prince Karim Aga Khan and various other investors. The village houses some amazing boutiques, a newsagent, bars, restaurants and supermarkets. Guests like to visit incredible properties such as Cala di Volpe, Patrizza, Romazzino as well as the Pevero Golf Club for some amazing golf and tennis options. SeaDream’s Land adventure takes guests to all the sights of the Costa Smeralda.
• Trapani, Sicily
  

  Trapani is a city on the west coast of Sicily in Italy and was founded by Elymians. SeaDream docks in the center of town and allows incredible access for strolling into town or meeting the motor coach for the scheduled land adventures. The city is still important for fishing and is the main gateway to the nearby Egadi Islands. This Carthaginian and later Roman city is an exciting gateway to Sicily's historic, gastronomic and natural attractions, offering access to beautiful medieval towns as well as Greek archaeological sites. We highly recommend that you participate on one of our interesting land adventures and not miss the amazing sites located about 30 minutes by road from Trapani including Erici, Segesta, Marsala and more.
• Porto Empedocle (Agrigento), Sicily
  

  Porto Empedocle is a town and comune in Italy on the coast of the Strait of Sicily. Kindly do not judge the destination for what you could witness here. This port is the closest outlet to one of the best preserved Greek sites on the planet and has been rightfully awarded Unesco Heritage Site Status. The ancient Greek city and temples of Agrigento. Located only a few miles inland from the port and known for its mild climate even in the “cold season,” the Greeks choose their location wisely in an exceptionally fine natural setting with stunning views of the Mediterranean countryside. We hope you will join us on this adventure and, following your walk through history, you may wish to take advantage of the SeaDream marina for the rest of the afternoon for a refreshing swim (depending on the daily conditions and approval from the local authorities). Don’t forget to bring your camera; the massive Doric temples and their columns make for very impressive photos. Other options include golf at the Verdura golf and spa resort as well as a visit to the new Agrigento and the ancient city of Eraclea Minoa.
• Marina De Ragusa, Sicily
  

  In the southern Sicilian region of Italy, this UNESCO-listed town comes to life in the summer months with visitors. Enjoy the people-watching from numerous Italian eateries, and be sure to stroll the Piazza and explore the Duomo, and take a visit to the Museo Archeologico to see the interesting artifacts from the region’s history. Good food, good company, beautiful views, and of course a fabulous gelato rounds out a perfect visit to this charming town.
• Valletta
  

  Established in the 1500s by the Knights of St. John, this fortified city on a hilly peninsula soars between two of the finest natural harbors in the Mediterranean. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Valletta is defined by its sites of historical significance, with architecture dating back to the 16th century. Valletta is a pleasant and charming city to stroll, with little vehicle traffic and lots of stories to be discovered around every corner.
• 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.
• Lipari, Sicily
  

  Lipari is one of seven islands of the Aeolian Island group in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the northern coast of Sicily. The charming seaside town boasts a fortified castello and the impressive Aeolian Archaeological Museum. For centuries the world center for pumice production, Lipari has the finest white pumice dust on its beaches. The water off Spiaggia Bianca (White Beach) is as clear as the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, and perfect for exploring with SeaDream’s signature Marina platform. There are also several black sand beaches on the island worthy of exploration. On every voyage that calls on Lipari, enjoy a lovely scenic sailing past impressive Mt. Stromboli, one of the four active volcanoes in Italy.
• Scenic Cruising, Stromboli Volcano
  

  On certain routes, SeaDream has planned to stop late evening so guests can view and hear the power and beauty of this active volcano. Stromboli is one of 8 small islands in the Aeolian group in Tyrrhenian Sea. It’s located just off the north coast of Sicily, containing one of the three active volcanoes in Italy. It has been almost constantly erupting in some manor for the past 200 years. Some refer to this island as the "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean".
• Positano
  

  Positano is one of the most picturesque villages along the UNESCO awarded Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana), in Campania, Italy. The town itself is perched on an enclave on the face of a hill and winds down towards the sea. This incredible setting has been enjoyed by writers, movie stars and millions of tourist each year. John Steinbeck visited in the 50's and stated “Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.” The movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" and several others have been shot on location here. Besides the incredibly romantic atmosphere, it offers excellent shopping, beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a few world recognized and award winning hotels such as Le Sirenuse and Il San Pietro di Positano amongst others. As large coaches cannot navigate down to the pier, only private arrangements are available here. You can book a very nice sedan or van to take you to the neighboring villages or even to Pompeii. As SeaDream anchors just of the pier, you may have the opportunity to access the yachts marina and water toys (conditions and local approval permitting).
• Sorrento
  

  Sorrento is a small town in Campania just south of Naples in southern Italy. It is a highly popular tourist destination which can be reached easily from Naples and Pompeii, as it lies at the south-eastern end of the Circumvesuviana rail line. The town overlooks the Bay of Naples and is considered the key place of the Sorrentine Peninsula. It allows many viewpoints including Naples, Vesuvius and the Isle of Capri and Ischia. The most popular attraction from here and the absolute “must do” would be to visit the Unesco Heritage Site of Pompeii. Other Land Adventure options include a “hands on” cooking class at the Villa Ida and by special request, you can take a speed boat around the peninsula to Nerano to dine at the Quattro Passi. SeaDream provides a shuttle service to transfer guests from the marina to Piazza Tasso (Main square), although several also take the more active route – the stairs. There’s loads of sites and shopping opportunities here as well as great restaurants, cafes and pizzerias. Perhaps we even have a surprise activity for you as well?
• 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.