Star Clippers offers third season of popular `Art Afloat’ voyages in 2013

Tall ship specialist Star Clippers (0845 200 6145/www.starclippers.co.uk) is once again offering guests the opportunity to learn sketching and watercolour painting on two `Art Afloat’ tall ship cruises in 2013. This is the third year running Star Clippers has operated these exciting themed voyages, which have been a great success among guests, regardless of existing artistic ability.

On the voyages, participants can learn to paint and draw, or hone their existing skills, in the company of successful British artist Richard Nichols, who specialises in seascapes and coastal scenes.

Richard will run workshops on board each cruise using a variety of media, aimed at all levels of experience and helping artists to capture the dazzling turquoise of the sea along the Croatian coast, the texture of a cream sail filled with wind, or the ochres and terracottas of the houses lining the chic little bay of Portofino.

Included in the price of the cruise is a special artist’s backpack that converts into a seat for sitting and sketching on location. The backpack contains sketchbooks, paper, watercolours, brushes and pencils, so guests do not need to supply any equipment.

Against a backdrop of a beautiful tall ship under full sail, in some of the Mediterranean’s most stunning locations, the two voyages between them visit the French Riviera and, new for 2013, the beautiful Croatian coastline, sailing out of Venice, one of the most alluring cities in the world for artists.

The ‘Art Afloat’ cruises are:

Monaco round-trip on Star Clipper, seven nights, departing April 27, 2013 and calling at Calvi, Bonifacio, Costa Smeralda, Portoferraio, Lerci and Santa Margarita (for Portofino). From £1,599 per person including flights to Nice, transfers, full board on the ship, all art equipment, daily tuition and welcome cocktail party. For travel by rail with a one-night stay in Monaco before the cruise, the price per person is from £1,849.

New for 2013, Venice round-trip on Royal Clipper, eight nights, departing September 27, 2013 and calling at Kotor, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Rovinj and Piran, with a night inVenice before the cruise. From £1,995 per person including flights to Venice, transfers, one night’s B&B accommodation in Venice, full board on the ship, all art equipment, daily tuition and welcome cocktail party.

To book, tel. 0845 200 6145 or visit www.starclippers.co.uk.