13 nights · Italy · Departs Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy) · Visiting Lipari Island, Palermo, Trapani, Porto Empedocle, Valletta, Siracusa, Giardini Naxos-Taormina, Sorrento, La Spezia, Bonifacio · Aboard Windstar Cruises on the Star Legend
Image courtesy of Windstar Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Windstar Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Star Legend |
| Duration | 13 nights |
| Port calls | 11 |
| Departures | 2 sailings |
| From fare | $3,941 per person |
| Year built | 1992 |
| Guests | 343 |
| Cabins | 156 |
| Crew | 190 |
| Length | 159 m |
| Beam | 19 m |
| Cruising speed | 15.0 kn |
Your ship docks at Civitavecchia, Rome’s seaport, about 50 miles northwest of the capital. Rome’s great monuments are within reach, but the port town rewards a closer look. Walk the waterfront to Forte Michelangelo, a 16th-century fortress begun under Pope Julius II; explore the old streets and market. Prefer a quieter day? The town’s seafront and nearby beaches offer an easy change of pace. Choose Rome for art and antiquity, or Civitavecchia for coastal life beyond the terminal.
Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic chain off Sicily’s northern coast. The town rises around a citadel, home to the Aeolian Archaeological Museum and its collection of island finds. Walk the old lanes to Marina Corta, then choose a waterfront table for fresh seafood. Beyond town, pumice quarries and coastal viewpoints reveal a landscape shaped by fire and sea.
Palermo rewards curious travellers with a vivid mix of Arab-Norman architecture, lively markets and Sicilian cooking. Start at the cathedral, where Norman, Gothic and Baroque details reflect the city’s layered past. Then walk through the Capo market or visit the Palatine Chapel, famed for its Byzantine mosaics. Leave time for pasta con le sarde or arancini; Palermo’s strongest impressions often arrive at the table.
Trapani sits on Sicily’s western tip, where salt pans, fishing boats and old stone streets define the waterfront. Erice rises above the coast, reached from Trapani by cable car in about ten minutes. Stay in town for the Basilica-Santuario di Maria Santissima Annunziata and the lively lanes around the fish market. Local menus bring couscous, tuna and seafood to the table, reflecting Trapani’s long links with North Africa.
Porto Empedocle is a working Sicilian port with an unusually distinguished neighbour: Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples. Just a short drive inland, this UNESCO-listed site preserves some of the finest Greek temples outside Greece. Closer to shore, the pale cliffs of Scala dei Turchi rise above the water near Realmonte. Come for ancient history, then linger over Sicilian seafood and the unhurried rhythms of a port town.
Valletta makes a powerful first impression, its honey-coloured walls rising above Grand Harbour. Founded by the Knights of St John in 1566, Malta’s compact capital rewards exploration on foot. Enter St John’s Co-Cathedral for Caravaggio’s monumental paintings, then follow Republic Street to cafés, palaces and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. From the terraces, watch ferries cross the harbour and look towards the Three Cities. Allow time for steep lanes and quiet side streets.
Siracusa rewards visitors who look beyond its handsome waterfront. On Ortigia, the old island heart, Greek temples, Baroque palaces and lively markets sit within an easy walk. Across the channel, Neapolis Archaeological Park preserves a Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre and the famed Ear of Dionysius. Pause for granita or fresh seafood, then watch the light soften over the Ionian Sea.
Giardini Naxos sits on Sicily’s Ionian coast, beneath Mount Etna and a short drive from Taormina. Its waterfront pairs pebble beaches with cafés, gelaterie and views across the bay. Sicily’s first Greek colony was founded here in 734 BC. A nearby archaeological park preserves traces of its ancient streets and walls. Come for a seaside day, or use the port as a gateway to Taormina. There, the Greek Theatre commands sweeping views of Etna and the coast.
Sorrento rises above the Bay of Naples, facing Mount Vesuvius across water busy with ferries. From here, ferries connect with Capri, while the town rewards a slower day among old lanes, churches, and sea-view terraces. Follow the scent of citrus to shops selling Sorrento lemons, locally made limoncello, and finely crafted marquetry. Then pause over lunch: the region’s seafood and Campanian produce are best enjoyed without hurry.
Your ship docks at Civitavecchia, Rome’s seaport, about 50 miles northwest of the capital. Rome’s great monuments are within reach, but the port town rewards a closer look. Walk the waterfront to Forte Michelangelo, a 16th-century fortress begun under Pope Julius II; explore the old streets and market. Prefer a quieter day? The town’s seafront and nearby beaches offer an easy change of pace. Choose Rome for art and antiquity, or Civitavecchia for coastal life beyond the terminal.
La Spezia sits at the head of the Gulf of Poets. Here, Liguria’s steep hills meet a sheltered stretch of Mediterranean coast. Its working harbor gives the city a lively maritime character, while cafés and broad streets reward an easy stroll. Trains connect La Spezia with the villages of the Cinque Terre; ferries sail to Portovenere. Allow time for the city itself, not just its celebrated neighbors.
Bonifacio clings to limestone cliffs at Corsica’s southern tip, its old town rising above a narrow, sheltered strait. From the harbor, climb through the medieval citadel’s steep lanes for sea views reaching Sardinia on clear days. Below, boats thread the fjord-like inlet, while the famed King Aragon’s Staircase descends 187 steps toward the water. Come ashore ready for slopes, stone, and a striking sense of history.
Your ship docks at Civitavecchia, Rome’s seaport, about 50 miles northwest of the capital. Rome’s great monuments are within reach, but the port town rewards a closer look. Walk the waterfront to Forte Michelangelo, a 16th-century fortress begun under Pope Julius II; explore the old streets and market. Prefer a quieter day? The town’s seafront and nearby beaches offer an easy change of pace. Choose Rome for art and antiquity, or Civitavecchia for coastal life beyond the terminal.
Published August 9, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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