15 nights · Spain Costa Daurada · Departs Tarragona (Spain) · Visiting Palamos, Port-Vendres, Toulon, Monte Carlo, Cannes, Portofino, Portoferraio, Civitavecchia-Rome, Sorrento, Messina, Gythion, Monemvasia, Piraeus-Athens · Aboard Windstar Cruises on the Wind Surf
Image courtesy of Windstar Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Windstar Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Wind Surf |
| Duration | 15 nights |
| Port calls | 14 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $4,388 per person |
| Year built | 1990 |
| Guests | 376 |
| Cabins | 171 |
| Crew | 178 |
| Length | 187 m |
| Beam | 20 m |
| Cruising speed | 15.0 kn |
Step ashore in Tarragona, where Roman Tarraco meets the blue sweep of the Mediterranean. An amphitheatre still faces the sea, while ancient walls trace the edge of the old city. UNESCO-listed monuments, a Gothic cathedral and lively Rambla Nova make the historic centre rewarding to explore on foot. At the Balcó del Mediterrani, take in the coast before settling at a terrace for Catalan seafood and local wine.
Palamós brings you to the heart of Spain’s Costa Brava, where a working fishing port meets a handsome old town. Its waterfront is famed for the prawns landed here, best sampled at a local table. Walk the promenade, visit the Fishing Museum, or follow coastal paths towards rocky coves and clear water. Girona and medieval villages lie inland, but Palamós rewards a slower day close to the sea.
Port-Vendres is a working harbour on France’s Côte Vermeille, where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean. Fishing boats and cargo vessels share its deep-water port, giving the town a distinctly maritime character. Nearby Collioure offers galleries and a colourful waterfront, just a short drive away. Back in Port-Vendres, look for local anchovies and wines from the surrounding hills.
Toulon is a working Mediterranean port, framed by limestone hills and one of Europe’s finest natural harbours. Look beyond the waterfront to the old town, where Cours Lafayette’s market fills the street with Provençal produce. For a wider view, ride the cable car up Mont Faron, then visit its memorial to the 1944 Allied landings. Nearby, the Îles d’Hyères, local beaches and cafés offer an easy-paced taste of coastal Provence.
Monte Carlo makes a striking first impression, with superyachts in Port Hercule and the Alps rising behind the coast. A short walk leads to Casino Square, where Belle Époque architecture frames the famous casino and designer boutiques. For a quieter contrast, climb to Monaco-Ville for the Prince’s Palace, cathedral and views across the harbor. The principality is compact and easy to explore on foot, though its steep streets reward comfortable shoes.
Arrive in Cannes and the Riviera’s polished glamour is immediately on show. Follow the palm-lined Croisette past Belle Époque hotels, designer boutiques and the Palais des Festivals, home of the film festival. Then climb into Le Suquet, the old quarter, for narrow lanes and views across the harbour. At Marché Forville, local produce and Provençal specialities offer a taste of everyday life. Ferries to the Lérins Islands make an easy escape to pine-scented shores.
Portofino is a small Ligurian harbour, framed by green hills and pastel façades. On its crescent waterfront, fishing boats share the view with polished yachts. From the piazzetta, lanes climb to Castello Brown, a former fortress overlooking the harbour and coast. Walk on to the lighthouse at Punta del Capo, or take a boat to nearby Santa Margherita Ligure. A table by the water offers the best reason to linger.
Portoferraio rises above Elba’s deep-blue harbor, its honey-colored walls reflecting the ambition of Cosimo I de’ Medici. Walk the steep lanes between the Medici fortresses, then visit Villa dei Mulini, Napoleon’s residence during his 1814–15 exile. Beyond the old town, clear coves and pale beaches invite a swim. Vineyards and coastal roads reward a longer stay. This is Tuscany with salt air and a storied past.
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.
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.
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.
Gythion gives you a gentler gateway to the southern Peloponnese, where the Mani begins in stone and sea. Once Sparta’s seaport, this harbor town faces the water with neoclassical houses, fishing boats, and café-lined quays. Walk to Marathonisi, the islet linked by a causeway, or follow the coast to Mavrovouni’s long beach. From here, the Mani’s tower villages and the caves of Diros make rewarding excursions. Choose Gythion for an unhurried introduction to a rugged, less-traveled corner of Greece.
Monemvasia rises from the sea as a sheer rock, joined to the Peloponnese by a narrow causeway. Step through its medieval gate into a stone-built town of vaulted lanes, Byzantine churches and Venetian-era mansions. Cars stay outside the lower town, leaving its steep alleys to walkers. Climb to the ruined upper fortress for wide views across the Aegean, then return for local wine and seafood.
Piraeus is Athens’ working harbour, not a resort port—and that is its appeal. From here, the capital’s ancient landmarks are within reach, while the waterfront keeps its own busy, distinctly Greek character. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, then linger over grilled fish in Mikrolimano, a small harbour lined with tavernas. Metro connections make central Athens straightforward. Or stay near the water and watch ferries depart for the islands.
Published September 25, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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