Istanbul to Antalya, off-the-beaten-path itineraries, new ports – and more!

Star Clippers is making the summer of 2027 a summer to remember as they announce several new and exciting Mediterranean itineraries and new ports. Highlighting the list is a new 11-night sailing (10 nights on the reverse sailing) between the 3,000-year-old metropolis of Istanbul and the jewel of Turkey’s southern coast, Antalya. New ports on other Mediterranean sailings run into double digits and include many that are only accessible by smaller ships – in Greece, Albania, Italy, Croatia, etc.

Running between Istanbul and Antalya, the 11-night Turkish Treasures takes guests on a truly memorable journey to some of the world’s oldest cities and ports in Turkey and Greece – steeped in culture and history. With a new port to explore every day, guests interested in the ancient cultures and architecture of Turkey can explore the ruins of Pergamon, once the capital of the Attalid dynasty, when arriving in Dikili; the ruins of theaters, temples and city walls of Knidos (outside the port city of Datca), founded in the 7th-century BCE and once a center for medicine and math; or take a glass-bottom boat tour of Kekova, which fell below the sea after an earthquake in the 2nd century, from the port stop in Kas. For those whose interests lay more in the modern age, there are the tranquil Turkey port towns of Çeşme, where laid-back elegance meets old-world charm with thermal springs and beautiful beaches; and Fethiye, with its lively waterfront and colorful markets; and Greece’s Samos, where fishing boats and yachts share a pretty harbor and waterside cafes. Sailings depart May 29 and June 9, 2027, and start at $3,740 per person, double.

Greece has numerous new itineraries and ports in 2027 with a more off-the-beaten-path approach as the 166-guest Star Flyer and Star Clipper are able to visit some of the unique island gems, inaccessible to larger ships. One possibility (among many) is the new seven-night Authentic Greek Escape, roundtrip out of Athens. Highlights include the hidden treasure of Astypalea where hillside whitewashed houses surround the ancient Venetian Querini Castle, towering over the island, and where guests can share the tranquil charm and unspoiled atmosphere with the local residents; and the Cycladic island of Sifnos, where pristine beaches and a vibrant culinary scene invites guests to settle in and enjoy life without the drama of busier places. Four departures between May and October 2027 are priced from $2,500.

Sicily has always been a strong draw for North Americans and Star Clippers continues to show off the best the island has to offer. The 10-night Sicily Unveiled is a new itinerary that does a deep dive into Sicily as well as some of Italy’s smaller ports along its west coast. One example is the Sicilian port of Trapani has been known for centuries as part of the historic salt trade – a still thriving local industry. This charming city on Sicily’s west coast has numerous well-preserved, centuries-old sites to behold including the 14th-century church of San Agostino, the magnificent Santuario dell’Annunziata (1315–32, rebuilt 1760), and the 15th- and 16th-century church of Santa Maria di Gesù. For guests looking to take in even more history, Trapani offers easy access (by cable car) to the medieval hilltop village of Erice where cobbled streets and ancient stone houses are home to sweeping vistas of the coast, the Mediterranean and the nearby Egadi Islands. Departing August 29, 2027, fares start at $3,350.

For more than 35 years, Star Clippers has been introducing travellers to the thrill of modern tall-ship sailing to remote ports in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Central America. The company operates three of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels: Star Clipper and Star Flyer are traditional clipper ships with modern amenities carrying 166 guests each, while the 227-guest Royal Clipper holds the Guinness World Record as the largest and only five-masted, fully-rigged sailing ship in service today. All three ships have expansive teak decks, swimming pools informal dining, convivial tropical bars on deck, and piano lounges.

For more information or to make a booking, contact your travel agent, or call 800-442-0551 or visit www.starclippers.com.