12 nights · Marghera-Fusina, Italy · Departs Venice (Italy) · Visiting Rovinj, Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Messina, Sorrento, Civitavecchia-Rome, Bonifacio, Golfo Aranci · Aboard Windstar Cruises on the Wind Spirit
Image courtesy of Windstar Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Windstar Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Wind Spirit |
| Duration | 12 nights |
| Port calls | 10 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $3,703 per person |
| Year built | 1988 |
| Guests | 163 |
| Cabins | 74 |
| Crew | 84 |
| Length | 134 m |
| Beam | 16 m |
| Cruising speed | 13.0 kn |
Arrive in Venice by water, where the lagoon’s canals replace ordinary streets. St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace anchor the celebrated Piazza San Marco. Take a vaporetto along the Grand Canal, then explore a quieter neighborhood on foot. Confirm your ship’s terminal and transfer arrangements before setting out; cruise access varies. Near Rialto, the market and bridge offer a lively glimpse of the city’s trade. Give yourself time to leave the main routes and follow smaller canals.
Rovinj rises above Istria’s western shore, its old town gathered on a peninsula. Follow narrow lanes uphill to St Euphemia’s Church and its landmark bell tower. From the summit, look across red roofs, harbor boats, and the Adriatic. Along the waterfront, restaurants serve Istrian seafood and local wines. Allow time for the marina and nearby coves; the center is best explored on foot. Rovinj rewards a slow walk, particularly in the quieter morning hours.
Split is Croatia’s second-largest city, but its heart feels remarkably intimate. Inside Diocletian’s Palace, Roman walls frame cafés, shops and homes. The cathedral and Peristyle recall the emperor’s former residence. Walk the Riva for views across the harbor and its working waterfront. Then climb Marjan Hill for a broad panorama of red roofs and Adriatic islands. Few ports make history so easy to enter on foot.
Spend a day inside Dubrovnik’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, best explored on foot. Walk the city walls for close views of fortifications, roofs, and harbor. Then follow Stradun to Rector’s Palace and the Franciscan monastery. Book wall access in advance during busy months, and start early in summer. Mount Srđ offers a higher view, reached by cable car or road. Leave time for side lanes; their quieter corners reveal the city’s daily rhythm.
At the head of Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, the old town sits beneath steep mountains. Enter through the Sea Gate and follow stone lanes to St Tryphon’s Cathedral. Venetian-era walls frame squares, churches, and cafés within a compact UNESCO-listed center. For a broader view, climb toward San Giovanni Fortress; the steps are demanding. Take water and allow time for the ascent, especially in summer heat. From the harbor, the bay’s changing light makes a memorable arrival and departure.
Messina faces Calabria across the narrow Strait of Messina, with mainland Italy visible from its waterfront. At noon, figures move across the cathedral’s clock tower, a daily spectacle best seen from the square. Nearby, Montorsoli’s 16th-century Fountain of Orion rewards a closer look. Excursions reach Taormina and Mount Etna, but Messina’s compact center also merits an unhurried walk.
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.
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.
Golfo Aranci puts northeastern Sardinia within easy reach, with Olbia about 15 kilometres inland and the Costa Smeralda farther north. Yet this working ferry town rewards a slower start: its waterfront, small harbour and clear-water beaches are close at hand. The marine reserve around Tavolara and Molara makes boat excursions a compelling choice, especially for swimmers and snorkellers. Come ashore for northern Sardinia’s pleasures, then choose a beach, a boat trip or a drive towards the coast.
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 15, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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