Wind Surf, Mediterranean Island Hopping Adventures ex Barcelona to Athens – 24 Aug 2021

10 Night Cruise sailing from Barcelona to Athens onboard Wind Surf.

Set an unforgettable course from busy Barcelona to the silent ruins and relics high above Athens. Savor spicy tapas plates and fruity sangrias at a Palma de Mallorca beachside café. Delve into Bronze-age catacombs and learn Menorca’s strategic importance for Roman and Carthaginian trade. Visit a local winemaker’s Sardinian farmhouse and learn about Vermentino, Cagnulari, and Cannonau grapes as you sip and sample blends and vintages. Wander among imposing Greek statues and monuments in the Neapolis Archaeological Park outside of Catania, Sicily. Lean against the towering arches of Valletta’s Upper Barrakka Gardens as you take in breathtaking views of a fortified harbor unclaimed by centuries of kings and conquerors. This extraordinary passage along many Mediterranean island stops concludes in Athens, the cradle of democracy and Western Civilization. Take in the viewpoints from the Acropolis ruins over the city skyline or share your photos and memories in a quiet garden café among family, friends and grilled gyros paired with cool tzatziki.

Highlights of this cruise:

Barcelona, Spain
The old meets the new in this sunny Catalan metropolis, where narrow alleyways contrast with grand boulevards, trendy cuisine meets homemade tapas, and everywhere you’re greeted by the warm, welcoming smiles of the fashionable locals. Don’t miss UNESCO sites like the mind-boggling architecture of Antoni Gaudí or La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, with its eight decorative spires soaring hundreds of feet into the sky.

Alghero, Italy
A fortified wall complete with impressive towers heralds your arrival to the charming town of Alghero in Sardinia. Within the city walls, cobblestone streets lead to attractive little squares lined with lively shops and cozy tavernas. Enjoy the first signs of evening sunset from the landscaped esplanade along the Lido.

Catania, Italy
In this fascinating city nestled at the foot of Mount Etna you’ll find a thriving downtown that is not only the active city center, but a historic UNESCO World Heritage Site, combining the best of ancient and modern city style. Your options are as wide as your imagination. Explore the temperamental volcano that has reshaped the city many times, visit the beautiful setting of Taormina where stunning views and beautiful antiquities vie for your attention or the UNESCO site of Tantalica. If you prefer, explore the ancient city of Syracuse, called by Cicero himself “the most beautiful of all,” and another UNESCO site.

Valletta, Malta
Malta’s capital city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is among the world’s smallest, yet definitely most charming. Graced with the paintings of Caravaggio and kissed by beautiful shorelines, you’ll find photographic icons at almost every turn. Not to be missed is a visit to the stately Palazzo Parisio to glimpse the enchanting lifestyle of Malta’s nobility. Our stay here also allows the exquisite romance of an evening walk through the beautiful lanes of Mdina, Malta’s enigmatic “Silent City.”

Athens, Greece
With 3,000 years of history, you can’t turn around in Athens without encountering the past. The Acropolis, a UNESCO site, the Plaka, and the Acropolis Museum are must-sees. But leave time if you can to climb Pnyx Hill for photos of the Parthenon at sunset, to buy your own set of Greek komboloi (worry beads), and to explore the metro stations that serve as mini-museums for the relics that are constantly being unearthed.