Windstar Cruises Mediterranean: 18 nights from Venice with Wind Surf
May 13, 2026

Rovinj

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is definitely special. A magnificent curtain wall surrounds marble streets and Baroque buildings exude a pearly light in the Adriatic sun.

Picturesque and artistic, Dubrovnik is a tourist hotspot and port in southern Dalmatia, at the foot of the Srđ mountain. From a historical and cultural point of view, it has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Thanks to its beauty and everything it has on offer for tourists, Dubrovnik is one of the most attractive destinations in the Mediterranean, so much so that the city can be visited all year round. In addition to its world-famous architectural heritage, this place has beautiful rocky beaches, pebble beaches and sandy beaches, enjoys a Mediterranean climate and also has lush vegetation. The main pedestrian street, Placa, is a melange of cafes and shops with monuments at each end.

Churches, monasteries and museums adorned with finely carved stone, recall an eventful history and a rich artistic tradition. Beyond the city there is a paradise of beaches, wooded peninsulas and a crystal-clear sea dotted with lush islands.

The city is also known for its delicious cuisine and its infrastructure of hotels for tourists. The city offers a wide selection of first-class restaurants, numerous sport and leisure activities, as well as cultural and entertainment events

Kotor

The Adriatic Sea penetrates the jagged coast of Montenegro and winds between high mountains until it meets the exquisite and walled medieval city of Kotor.

Along the Adriatic coast of the former Yugoslavia, we find one of the most unique and fascinating European coastal areas, the city hidden in Montenegro, Kotor.
Located at the bottom of a bay, the beautiful medieval city of Kotor is considered a Mediterranean location surrounded by cliffs and an interesting historic wall. The tourist attractions of Kotor are easily reached with a pleasant walk. This small walled city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has compact dimensions that make it comfortable and easy to visit.

The central part of Kotor was built between the XII and XIV centuries. A historic center surrounded by a rather thick wall, four and a half kilometers long and fifteen meters high. This immense fortified wall reaches the bastion of Sveti Ivan (San Giovanni).
Inside the walls, it preserves an urban network cut into the stone. Its most emblematic work is the Cathedral of San Trifone, built in the 12th century. Inside the church it contains objects and frescoes sculpted during the 14th century. Furthermore, The Orthodox Church of San Nicolas, built between 1902 and 1909 in neo-Byzantine style and that of San Luca (13th century) built in Romanesque and Byzantine style.

Together with the churches, the city includes many palaces that tell its history: the Maritime Museum, located in the Grgurina Palace, a splendid baroque building located in the historic center of the country. The Drago house, with its beautiful Gothic windows, the Prima building, where Renaissance and Baroque lines are combined, the Ducal Palace and the Bizanti, both from the 17th century and the Napoleonic theater in the 19th century.
In Kotor, it is very common to see locals located along the rocky coast in the lower part of the city. In the old part of the area you will find many shops and restaurants that will delight your eyes. This location is the classic ideal city to spend quiet days or for a romantic getaway.

Giardini-Naxos

Giardini-Naxos (Giaddini or Giaddina in Sicilian) is an Italian municipality in the province of Messina in Sicily. Formerly called Nasso, it is 40 km from Messina and 39 km from Catania. In 1978, "Naxos" was added to the old name of the town ("Giardini").

Sorrento

According to a Greek legend, it was in the waters of Sorrento that the mythical Sirens once lived. Like them, this location is able to bewitch its visitors.

Dating back to Greek times, Sorrento's strong point is its fabulous location. Straddling cliffs overlooking the Gulf of Naples and Vesuvius, it is ideally located for exploring the surrounding areas: the best of the uncontaminated countryside, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and the archaeological sites and the fabulous island of Capri.

Civitavecchia

The port town of Civitavecchia is about an hour away from the Italian capital and is where ships will dock before bringing lucky holidaymakers into the city of Rome. It is an important port for cruise ships and ferries, connecting to Corsica, Sardinia and Barcelona. Civitavecchia is a town in the heart of Lazio. It is a small, sleepy town that overlooks the sea from behind the busy and chaotic commercial port.

Spreading out along the coast, the town is situated between the Mignon river to the north and the Marangone river to the south.
Civitavecchia is a port town in the heart of Italy, in the province of Rome, 80 kilometres northwest of the capital.

It is shrouded in art and history, and is rich in bays and coves with sandy and rocky beaches. Today the town is the departure point for many cruises and journeys around the Mediterranean. It is an excellent tourist destination where you can simply enjoy 'la dolce vita' or visit the amazing historical monuments. On a level with the majestic ancient capital, in terms of its monuments, gardens, villas and works of art, it also gives you easy access to the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Terme della Ficoncella, and the Etruscan ruins.

Civitavecchia will guarantee you an original and enchanting experience.

Syracuse

Syracuse is an ancient city in the Mediterranean and Europe.
Its vast archaeological site, on the edge of the modern city, is a rare treasure of temples, amphitheaters and an ancient castle.
The island of Ortigia, a labyrinth of fascinating ancient and medieval streets, allows a holiday of sightseeing and shopping.

Syracuse was a center of Greek, Byzantine and Jewish civilization. Testimonies of these three cultures can still be seen today,
making Ortygia a fascinating place to visit for anyone curious about the historical heritage we have inherited from classical mythology,
ancient Christianity and medieval Judaism.
Located near the southeastern corner of Sicily on the Ionian coast, Syracuse is built on an ancient Greek settlement founded by the Corinthians in 734 BC.
More than any other modern city in Sicily, Syracuse manifests a visible continuity from its ancient Greek past, both historical and mythological.

Valletta

Malta is one the smallest States in the Mediterranean. Few European countries have such a concentration of history, architecture and, beautiful beaches in such a small area. Malta is one of the most concentrated areas of historical interest anywhere in the world, for this reason it was called La Valletta when Unesco awarded it the title of World Heritage Site. The city is therefore the ideal city for art lovers and it is renowned for its massive fortifications and architectural excellence.

One of the most concentrated areas of historical interest elements in the world, so La Valletta was described when Unesco awarded it the title of world heritage site, the city is therefore a guarantee for art lovers and certainly renowned for its massive fortifications and architectural excellence.

Gozo

Porto Empedocle

Porto Empedocle (Marina di Girgenti or 'a Marina in Sicilian) is an Italian municipality in the province of Agrigento in Sicily.

It is very linked from a socio-economic-cultural point of view with the provincial capital, Agrigento.

Trapani

Coastal city in southwestern Sicily, Trapani, surrounded by baroque atmospheres and architectures in luminous stone, extends towards the enchanting sea and strong in its rich history. Much of its income comes from fishing (mainly tuna), the extraction of corals, the export of salt and the production of wine. Also famous for the Phoenician archaeological remains, main attractions of the area.

The important port of Trapani in north-western Sicily, with its historic center and the historical, cultural and natural beauties in the surrounding area is an increasingly popular tourist destination. In Roman times the city of Trapani had the shape of a curve, hence the name Drepanon, which means sickle. Even today, from certain panoramic points you can clearly appreciate the sickle shape of this splendid city. The central position on the west coast makes Trapani the ideal starting point for exploring this beautiful Sicilian region. In the vicinity of Trapani there are unique fishing villages, where you can experience the true and authentic Sicily. In the surroundings there are numerous excavations and ancient ruins to discover, such as those of Segesta.

Lipari

Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands, located in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the north coast of Sicily. During a cruise ship stop, there are many fascinating things to do and see.

First of all, you can visit the historic center of Lipari, with its picturesque streets, local craft shops and welcoming cafes. The Castle of Lipari, which dominates the city, is a must-see: it offers a breathtaking panoramic view and houses the Aeolian Archaeological Museum, where you can admire finds that tell the ancient history of the island.

Nature lovers can take an excursion to panoramic spots such as the Belvedere Quattrocchi, which offers spectacular views of the cliffs and the intense blue sea. The beaches of Lipari, such as Spiaggia Bianca and Spiaggia di Canneto, are ideal for a day of relaxation in the sun and for swimming in the crystal clear waters.

A boat trip to explore the sea caves and the jagged coasts of the island is a must, perhaps stopping for a dip in the transparent waters. Some excursions also include snorkeling or scuba diving to discover the rich marine life.

 

Finally, don't forget to taste the local cuisine. Lipari restaurants offer delicious fresh fish dishes, capers, Aeolian malvasia and other Sicilian specialties.

In summary, a stop in Lipari during a cruise offers a perfect combination of history, culture, nature and gastronomy.

Sorrento

According to a Greek legend, it was in the waters of Sorrento that the mythical Sirens once lived. Like them, this location is able to bewitch its visitors.

Dating back to Greek times, Sorrento's strong point is its fabulous location. Straddling cliffs overlooking the Gulf of Naples and Vesuvius, it is ideally located for exploring the surrounding areas: the best of the uncontaminated countryside, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and the archaeological sites and the fabulous island of Capri.

Amalfi

Terraced cliffs with fragrant lemon groves mirrored down in shimmering seas; whitewashed villas precariously clinging to the harsh slopes while sea and sky merge into a vast blue horizon.

Terraced cliffs with fragrant lemon groves mirrored down in shimmering seas; whitewashed villas precariously clinging to the harsh slopes while sea and sky merge into a vast blue horizon.

Civitavecchia

The port town of Civitavecchia is about an hour away from the Italian capital and is where ships will dock before bringing lucky holidaymakers into the city of Rome. It is an important port for cruise ships and ferries, connecting to Corsica, Sardinia and Barcelona. Civitavecchia is a town in the heart of Lazio. It is a small, sleepy town that overlooks the sea from behind the busy and chaotic commercial port.

Spreading out along the coast, the town is situated between the Mignon river to the north and the Marangone river to the south.
Civitavecchia is a port town in the heart of Italy, in the province of Rome, 80 kilometres northwest of the capital.

It is shrouded in art and history, and is rich in bays and coves with sandy and rocky beaches. Today the town is the departure point for many cruises and journeys around the Mediterranean. It is an excellent tourist destination where you can simply enjoy 'la dolce vita' or visit the amazing historical monuments. On a level with the majestic ancient capital, in terms of its monuments, gardens, villas and works of art, it also gives you easy access to the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Terme della Ficoncella, and the Etruscan ruins.

Civitavecchia will guarantee you an original and enchanting experience.