Classic Italy & Dalmatian Coast

Explore the shores of Italy, Croatia and Montenegro, discovering the charm of Venice, the magnificence of Rome, and the vast beauty of the Dalmatian Coast. Wander down the ancient cobblestone streets of Taormina, travel up the sparking fjord to Kotor and bask in the allure of small ship cruising as your small ship anchors in the heart of Old Town Dubrovnik while larger ships only pass by. From remarkable small ports such as Rovinj to timeless cities like Venice and Rome, discover the Mediterranean’s most charming and historic destinations in one incomparable voyage.

Looking for more? Go in-land and combine the best of the land and sea with Cruise Tours that include this itinerary:
 

• UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN & DOWN THE DALMATIAN COAST CRUISE TOUR
• VATICAN & CROATIAN COASTLINES CRUISE TOUR
• LAKE COMO & ADRIATIC ROMANCE CRUISE TOUR

Sicilian Splendors

Encircle the Isle of Sicily and discover sparkling resorts favored by emperors, towns frozen in time by legendary volcanoes, Maltese palaces where knights and Grand Masters once gathered … this itinerary has them all. Watch the stunning Amalfi Coast pass by from the deck of your intimate small ship and raise a glass of limoncello to another blissful day in the warm Mediterranean sunshine.

Yachtsman's Harbors of the Rivieras

Enjoy the world’s premier yachting playgrounds in a beautiful small ship that feels like your own private yacht. These beautiful ports string together like perfect pearls, each glowing with its own special beauty. Sparkling cities and charming villages. Secluded harbors and immaculate beaches. Discover the mystique and magic of the Rivieras that only an intimate small ship can show you.

Looking for more? Go in-land and combine the best of the land and sea with a Cruise Tour that includes this itinerary:

Vatican & Italian Riviera Cruise Tour

Lake Como & Adriatic Romance Cruise Tour

Indulge in rustic Italian cuisine, Roman relics and Baroque masterworks on a 11-day odyssey that combines a picturesque overland exploration of Lake Como and Venice with an extensive cruise through the Adriatic and along Italy’s west coast. Delve into the depths of delectable Northeast Italian wine vintages and savor Amarone’s cherry and cinnamon nuances in a cool, underground Valpolicella winery. Overnight provides time to float past Venice’s romantic arched bridges and ancient alleyways on a gondola ride. Dip a kayak blade in the clear waters near old harbor walls outside Dubrovnik. Sample homemade cheeses and sausages in a family-run olive grove near Kotor. Wander between restored mosaics, broken columns and cracked pottery amid Pompeii’s storied ruins. Dine on authentic, handmade pizza while gentle coastal breezes waft through Sorrento’s aromatic citrus trees.

Mediterranean Island Mosaic

Hidden harbors. Legendary landmarks. Everything that makes the Mediterranean magical. This cruise voyage has it all. The colorful kaleidoscopes of Rome and Barcelona invite you to celebrate their high-spirited energy, while the seductive scent of oranges and olives that perfumes the enchanting islands of Elba, Corsica, Mallorca and Menorca entices you to explore their seductive secrets. From the wild green mountains of Mallorca to the striking white pebble beaches of Portoferraio – let us delight your senses and ignite your imagination.

Rome & Grand Prix of Monaco

Surrounded by glitterati on the glistening Wind Surf you fit right in; your insider’s experience at Monaco’s legendary Grand Prix, the jewel in the crown of this exceptional cruise. Visit some of the unique small ports — Portoferraio, Portofino and Portovenere and iconic cities like Rome and Monte Carlo — strolling famous promenades, shopping elite boutiques, and taking in world-renowned beaches. Then during your overnight in Monte Carlo, enjoy exclusive access to special Windstar private Grand Prix events and two days of world-class Formula One time trials and racing. It’s the ultimate expression of Windstar’s style, and open to only a very limited number of guests.
 

Star Collector: Ancient to Avant-Garde Mediterranean

A perfect blend of antiquity and artistry, this 14-day cruise sails from the ancient ruins of Athens and makes a dozen port stops in Greece, Italy and France before disembarking among the contemporary architecture and gleaming, cosmopolitan wonders of Barcelona, Spain. Stroll the narrow streets inside the concealed medieval walls of Monemvasia, Greece and take an exhilarating tour of Corsica’s narrow winding coastal roads outside Calvi, France. From the Greek and Roman funerary steles - ancient marble reliefs depicting venerable people engaged in everyday life - to the vibrant and radiant impressionist paintings and dizzying mosaics of Antoni Gaudí’s Barcelona architecture, this is an ideal journey for passionate historians, art lovers and all seeking unforgettable cultural immersion.

Star Collector: Cruising on the Rivieras

Indulge in unhurried pleasures among steep coastal cliffs, tiny vineyards and romantic villages throughout the Rivieras and Western Italy during this 17-day, autumn cruise. During the fall winemakers are racking fresh wine into barrels, and new olive oils are sampled for the first time. Stroll uncrowded avenues and discover fresh, distinctly nutty porcini mushrooms served fresh on pastas and sautéed into tapas at sidewalk cafés, browse open markets and inhale the fall aromas from ripe apples, plump grapes and early season citrus. Test your luck in a Monte Carlo casino, hike the desolate Crateri Silvestri on the southeast slope of Sicily’s Mount Etna, and learn about Malta’s noble heritage inside the precipitous medieval walls of 4,000-year-old Mdina — The Silent City.

Star Collector: Culture & Charms of Italy & Croatia

Roam between the broken monoliths and columns in the Roman Forum, Western Civilization’s former epicenter. Gaze across Catania’s umber-hued, terracotta-tiled skyline to the steaming summit of Mount Etna as you sample authentic Sicilian dishes like densely textured handmade pasta topped with aromatic variations like sundried tomatoes, golden-brown dried grapes, fresh basil and minced garlic. This exquisite cruise around Italy’s Apennine Peninsula is abundant in opportunities to explore the lesser-known landmarks and narrow ancient streets of sleepy villages throughout the central Mediterranean. Sip citrus-sweet limoncello from frosty glasses while locals haggle over the proximities of their bocce balls on nearby gravel courts. Land at the tiny port of Lipari in the Aeolian Islands north of Sicily, and explore a Norman Castle built in medieval times, or master the art of Sicilian-style pizzas as you combine local ingredients into your own culinary creation. Step inside the cool and shady Romanesque splendor of Kotor Cathedral in Montenegro, or venture to the nearby pedestrian-only village of Perast and sample sweets recreated from Baroque-era recipes. Capture the Old World ambiance of Split’s Diocletian Palace in the right light during a hands-on photo tour with an award-winning international photojournalist. Your delightful journey concludes in Venice among romantic gondolas and exquisite Italian architecture, where you can reflect on your cruise memories as you float canals or search for last-minute souvenirs small, family-owned artisan shops featuring handcrafted glassware and ornamental metalwork.

Star Collector: Greek Grandeur & Roman Holiday

Civilizations rise and fall, and you’re a witness to it all on this voyage from Athens to Rome. More than a dozen[KSO1]  UNESCO sites transcribe cool stone into stories of days gone by. Walk the ruins of ancient Epidaurus where ill people once slept so the gods could tell them how to regain their health. In Rhodes, explore the Temple of Athena in Lindos, gnarled olive trees, and their branches of peace, supposedly created by the goddess herself. And find surprising discoveries even among well-known ruins, like the nearly hidden Peribleptos monastery in Mystras, built into the rock and seeming to emerge from it, its turret-shaped façade holding a treasure trove of 14^th-century frescoes. When you’re not delving into the past, get closer to local culture in smaller and less-visited harbors like Patmos, Ermoupoli, Monemvasia, Gythion and colorful Ponza. Revel in the beauty of Santorini, Mykonos, and Sorrento. Marvel at the emotional magnetism of Athens’ Acropolis and the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel. And dine in the moonlight in front of the Celsus Library in ancient Ephesus—a complimentary Windstar Destination Discovery Event designed exclusively for you.

Star Collector: Italian Trio

Discover the culture, history and cuisine on both sides of the Italian peninsula during this 15-day cruise of the Adriatic, Ionian, Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas. This back-to-back cruise is ideal for optimizing shore excursion time in Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Monaco, France, and Spain. Stroll through Roman ruins in Rovinj, Croatia, sample olives and smoked hams at a centuries-old family farm in Montenegro, or savor an unforgettably romantic evening dinner at Château Eza in Èze 1,400 feet above the beaches of the French Riviera.

Star Collector: Racing for the Grand Prix Along the Rivieras

Few Mediterranean cruises offer the unique combination of romance and racing like this Star Collector adventure from the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo to the premier yachting playgrounds. Along the way you’ll explore the art, architecture, and cultural customs and cuisines throughout Italy, Monaco, Spain and France. Taste local wines paired with homemade cheese along the Riviera coastline. Discover secluded harbors and immaculate beaches, the mystique and magic of the Rivieras best seen by small ship. Witness Saturday qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix prior to an exclusive tour of the storied pits. After evening festivities and an overnight stay in Monte Carlo, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the track on race day, along with a gift package that includes ear plugs, high-definition binoculars and seat cushion

Star Collector: Riviera Rhapsody

Oohs and ahhs over the sublime scenery alternate with oohs and ahhs over magnificent manmade creations on this voyage along the Dalmatian Coast, Ligurian Riviera, Côte d’Azur, and Costa del Sol. This is a stretch where Blue Flag beaches have to jostle for elbow space and castles, palaces and cathedrals take every form known to man – and then some. This is where the imaginations of Cezanne, Monet, Matisse, Picasso, Dali, and Gaudí were ignited. Here is where great romances blossomed: Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in Portofino, Princess Grace and Prince Rainier in Monte Carlo, Romeo and Juliet near Venice. Sail through waters where the legendary sirens are said to live, watch fearless castellers climb human pyramids, play a game of picign with gregarious Croatians. Our small ships take you to smaller and less-visited ports like Sanary-sur-Mer and Portoferraio, and get you closer to town than the big ships can get in places like Dubrovnik, Venice, Barcelona, and Málaga. What you do with the extra time is entirely up to you.

Under the Tuscan Sun & Down the Dalmatian Coast Cruise Tour

From the grandeur of ancient Rome to the Renaissance splendors of the Western Civilization’s greatest artists, few countries have influenced the modern world like Italy. This 11-day cruise tour visits both sides of the Italian peninsula with stops in romantic Venice, small ports along the scenic Dalmatian coast, and a delicious and captivating land tour of both Tuscany and Rome. Float along Venetian canals while listening to singing gondoliers. Soar to expansive Adriatic views as a tram sweeps you high above Dubrovnik’s ancient walls and rustic old town charms. Slurp rich Spaghetti alle Vongole, blended with fresh clams, rich shrimp or fried calamari at a table overlooking the Sorrento seashore. Walk around the towering white marble statue of Michelangelo’s David, a Renaissance masterpiece embraced by Florentines as a symbol in defense of civil liberties. Sniff and sip the red, black and sour cherry aromas and flavors characteristic of the best Chianti wines. Wander Roman piazzas, ancient gathering spaces for families and neighbors for over 2,000 years.

Vatican & Croatian Coastlines Cruise Tour

Delve into architectural and epicurean wonders on both sides of the Italian peninsula during this 10-day adventure that combines an Adriatic and Dalmatian Coast cruise with a Vatican tour, Colosseum visit, and foodie market tour in Rome. Listen to the Venetian clock tower bells of Torre dell’Orologio strike the hour as hundreds of pigeons scatter about St. Mark’s Square. Sip crisp and dry Verdicchio paired with octopus salad or garlic-flavored black risotto in delicious Dubrovnik. Drift past the blue domes of Our Lady of the Rocks, a sanctuary for Kotor’s local fishermen for nearly 2,000 years. Sample succulent baked cardoon stalks harvested from Sicilian thistles and dusted with melted aged Parmesan cheese near the precipitous slopes of Mount Etna in Giardini Naxos. Experience an exclusive tour deep into the storied shadows of the Colosseum, and the Sistine Chapel, and dine in a Rome restaurant featuring authentic Italian dishes.