Lightning over the rainforest – a cruise through the green heart of Africa
6. September 2026
Venetian splendour, the wind in your face, dolphins at the bow and islands on the horizon: being on board the Star Clipper is a stylish experience that blends adventure, indulgence and the relaxed atmosphere of a cruise
Wooden planks creak, ropes whir round brass winches, and the wind blows through hair and skirts. The Star Clipper glides across the Ionian Sea at eight knots. It is our seventh day on board the sailing ship – and for the first time during the eleven-day cruise from Venice to Athens – the wind alone is our propulsion. Some of the 81 passengers are relaxing on the sun loungers by the two pools, whilst a smaller group watches the action on the bridge. Every few minutes, Captain Vadim Novikov gives the helmsman brief instructions to adjust the course towards the Peloponnese. 3,365 square metres of white sail arch above us. It’s a fascinating sight, almost like travelling back in time to the 19th century, when fast sailing clippers transported tea, coffee and spices across the world’s oceans. Suddenly, there’s a crackle over the loudspeaker. The voice of the cruise director, Frédéric Jansen, rings out: “Dolphins on the port side.” A few pirouettes in the air, then the animals have dived back down.
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- A photo stop somewhere on the high seas, heading towards the Greek islands: the passengers circle the Star Clipper under sail in the dinghies, whilst the crew wave from the jib boom
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- On the way to the Cyclades: the Star Clipper is sailing with the wind fully behind her, gliding across the sea at around eight knots
A week earlier, we had boarded the ship in Venice. The Star Clipper is one of the few ships which, due to its size, is permitted to dock in Dorsoduro on the Giudecca Canal near the Church of I Gesuati – just a ten-minute walk from the Grand Canal and St Mark’s Square. The giant ocean liners we would later encounter in the ports of Dubrovnik, Kotor and Corfu are not allowed to do so.
As the sun sets, it’s time to ‘cast off’. Against the backdrop of a deep-red sky, Venice’s landmarks come into view: the imposing Baroque dome of Santa Maria della Salute and the towers of St Mark’s Square. Almost all the passengers are standing on deck, filming and photographing the scene, the beauty of which is hard to beat.
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- After sunset, it’s ‘cast off’ on the Star Clipper, and we sail past Venice’s landmarks, such as the tower of St Mark’s Basilica
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- The Grand Canal in Venice: one of the most famous views is from the Accademia Bridge
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- You can also reach Venice from Marco Polo Airport by water bus (one-way fare approx. 18 euros). The Alilaguna services run directly to Zattere station on the Giudecca Canal, where the smaller boats and yachts are moored, including the Star Clipper
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- La Serenissima – to kick off our trip, we stroll through Venice, walk across St Mark’s Square and pop round the corner to Harry’s Bar for a Bellini. It was invented here – just like the carpaccio
As the Star Clipper sets sail into the night, heading for the Croatian islet of Lošinj, dinner is served in the restaurant. After salad and soup, guests can choose between fish, meat or a vegetarian dish. Cheese and dessert round off the menu, which is enjoyed in a cosy, maritime atmosphere with a view of the sea through the portholes. No one leaves here hungry. The head chef also comes up with some great ideas for lunch: there are appealing buffets with various cooking stations. Afterwards, a nightcap at the Tropical Bar beckons. Guests can choose between heading to the foredeck beneath the sparkling starry sky or joining in with the entertainment at the bar. Fashion shows, quiz nights, film nights, dance classes, pirate parties or white parties – there’s a convivial, relaxed atmosphere on board. But you shouldn’t fall into your cabin bed too late, as another highlight awaits the very next morning.
Islands full of discoveries
“Good morning,” calls Inge Schöps. A good dozen yoga enthusiasts are early risers and gather on the aft deck shortly after sunrise. Every morning, against a fiery red backdrop over the sea, they practise the Sun Salutation and the Lotus Pose under Inge’s guidance. What a revitalising way to start the day.
Around midday, the Star Clipper drops anchor off Mali Lošinj. The tender service runs every half hour to the harbour of this picture-perfect island town, and guests can tailor their excursion entirely to their own tastes.
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- Every day, Cruise Director Frédéric Jansen explains the day’s programme to the passengers – what excursions are on offer, and when the last tender returns to the ship
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- Upholstered benches and sea views through portholes: the Star Clipper’s restaurant exudes a cosy maritime atmosphere
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- Magically beautiful: whilst the Star Clipper sails through the night, the crew puts on a music and light show on the upper deck by the pool
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- A lunchtime buffet on the deck of the Star Clipper, overlooking the sparkling blue sea – that’s what a holiday’s all about
Twenty-four hours later, steep rock faces and pine groves glide past, almost close enough to touch. The crew navigates the Star Clipper through the St Anthony’s Channel. The strait leads from the Adriatic Sea to Šibenik. We pass the Fortress of St Nicholas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which the Venetians had built in the 16th century as a mighty defensive wall. How about an excursion to the roaring waterfalls of Krka National Park? Or a stroll through Šibenik, one of Dalmatia’s most beautiful port cities, with St James’s Cathedral, one of Croatia’s most extraordinary churches?
Swimming stop at sea
Back on the Star Clipper, the relaxed life on board really feels like a holiday – and all the more so when, somewhere out at sea just before Dubrovnik, the loudspeaker crackles again: “Swimming stop on the starboard side!” So, time to get into your swimwear. Almost all the guests head down the gangway and jump into the refreshing water.
Then Dubrovnik, where we’ll be docked until late in the evening, Kotor in Montenegro and the Greek island of Corfu. There’s plenty going on everywhere, with exciting excursions on offer – organised by the Star Clipper team or on your own.
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- In the heart of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, ‘Game of Thrones’ fans flock to the Baroque Jesuit Staircase. It was here that the series’ legendary ‘Walk of Shame’ scene was filmed
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- No mass tourism and a picture-perfect coastal town: Šibenik in Croatia is an insider’s tip for your next holiday
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- Kotor in the early morning: it’s still quiet in this picture-perfect town in Montenegro. Later on, tourists from large cruise ships will fill the narrow streets
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- A highlight of the trip: shortly after sunrise, the Star Clipper manoeuvres into the narrow Bay of Kotor. A specialist in these waters is on board to assist
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- A paved area instead of sand, with laid-back beach clubs and restaurants on Faliraki Beach in Corfu Town. Here, below the fortress, the people of Corfu have been enjoying a dip in the sea for centuries
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- Small boutique hotels, museums, shops, restaurants and cafés: Corfu Town is well worth a visit
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- We’ll take a dinghy to the harbour at Gythio in the south of the Peloponnese
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- Just three kilometres from the harbour in Gythio, the long Mavrovouni beach, with its free sun loungers and family-friendly tavernas, is the perfect spot for a day by the sea amongst Greek families
The wind carries us on to the Cycladic island of Milos. We explore the white rocky landscape of Sarakiniko on the north coast, with its daring cliff-divers, and visit the site where the Venus de Milo was discovered. The world-famous marble statue of the goddess Aphrodite was discovered here by chance by a farmer in April 1820 and, after an eventful journey by sea, eventually found its way to the Louvre in Paris.
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- A deep-blue sea and snow-white cliffs of volcanic rock: Sarakiniko Beach on Milos is exceptionally beautiful and popular with cliff-divers
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- A replica of the world-famous sculpture of the goddess Aphrodite now stands at the site where the Venus de Milo was discovered
Two days later, we arrive in Piraeus, near Athens. We have covered around 1,100 nautical miles. A wonderful sailing cruise is drawing to a close – and with it, a journey in which the wind has dictated not only the course of our ship, but also the rhythm of our days.
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- Moments on Milos: Cosy tavernas beckon in the narrow streets of Plaka, the main town on this Cycladic island
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- Cheers to a wonderful sailing cruise from Venice to Athens, with romantic sunsets
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- The crew are waving from the jib boom
The Star Clipper
Anyone stepping aboard the Star Clipper, built in 1991/92, will see it straight away: this is a different world of cruising – not a floating holiday resort, but a genuine tall ship. Measuring 115.5 metres long and 15 metres wide, the four-masted vessel rises 63 metres into the sky and is the elegant star of every port. Under sail, she reaches an astonishing 17 knots. A 1,360 PS twin diesel engine provides the necessary additional power.
With a maximum of just 170 guests, the atmosphere remains pleasantly intimate. 84 cabins, including nine suites, are spread across four passenger decks. 74 crew members look after the guests’ well-being. Between excursions, guests can enjoy two swimming pools, a restaurant, a piano bar and a tropical bar.
The ambience is cosy and maritime: a teak deck, polished brass, nautical décor and a library with a fireplace all contribute to the feeling of being on a private yacht. A ship for anyone who prefers to combine cruising with a good dose of seafaring romance.
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- A picturesque island in the Saronic Gulf and a popular day-trip destination for Athenians: Poros – not to be confused with the Cycladic island of Paros – is a real hidden gem with beautiful beaches, a charming main town and no tourist crowds
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- Treasures of ancient Greek art, as well as exhibitions on spectacular new excavations, can be admired at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens
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- Fancy one last lunch in Athens before your flight home? The Attic Urban Rooftop restaurant and bar serves delicious food and offers a fantastic view of the city and the Acropolis
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- The market in the old part of Corfu Town is open every day except Sundays. As well as freshly caught fish, fruit, vegetables and local specialities are also on sale
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- To ensure my photos of the Star Clipper under sail on the Ionian Sea off the coast of Zakynthos turn out well, I get to enjoy a trip on the Zodiac
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- The Star Clippers in the Ionian Sea off Zakynthos with their dinghies
Further information:
Getting there:
e.g. with Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Venice and back from Athens from approx. 450 euros, www.lufthansa.de
Price example:
Eleven-night sailing cruise from Venice to Athens on the Star Clipper, e.g. from 16 to 27 June 2027, from 4,365 euros per person in a double cabin, full board included
Photo credit:
Petra Kirsch (28), Anja Stinshoff (1)
