Wind Surf, Greek Grandeur & Roman Holiday ex Athens to Rome
Cruise Line Windstar Cruises
Ship Wind Surf
Destination EU Mediterranean
Nights 17
Departure Date 12 Jun 2021
Description 17 Night Star Collector: Greek Grandeur & Roman Holiday Cruise sailing from Athens to Rome onboard Wind Surf.

Civilizations rise and fall, and you’re a witness to it all on this voyage from Athens to Rome. More than a dozen UNESCO sites transcribe cool stone into stories of days gone by. Walk the ruins of ancient Epidaurus where ill people once slept so the gods could tell them how to regain their health. In Rhodes, explore the Temple of Athena in Lindos, gnarled olive trees, and their branches of peace, supposedly created by the goddess herself. And find surprising discoveries even among well-known ruins, like the nearly hidden Peribleptos monastery in Mystras, built into the rock and seeming to emerge from it, its turret-shaped façade holding a treasure trove of 14th-century frescoes. When you’re not delving into the past, get closer to local culture in smaller and less-visited harbors like Patmos, Ermoupoli, Monemvasia, Gythion and colorful Ponza. Revel in the beauty of Santorini, Mykonos, and Sorrento. Marvel at the emotional magnetism of Athens’ Acropolis and the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel. And dine in the moonlight in front of the Celsus Library in ancient Ephesus—a complimentary Windstar Destination Discovery Event designed exclusively for you.

Highlights of this cruise:

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.

Mykonos, Greece
Wake this morning to the postcard-like scene of Mykonos, the classic Greek isle dotted with hundreds of whitewashed churches and thatch-roofed windmills, in a harbor bobbing with fishing boats and luxurious private yachts. An optional tour including a scenic ferry ride takes you back to the 6th century B.C. to the tiny island of Delos, a UNESCO site and the mythical birthplace of Apollo.

Kusadasi, Turkey
Few places offer such a rich combination of history and scenic beauty. In Ephesus, one of the greatest outdoor museums in the world, you’ll explore legendary sites steeped in history. Also visit the houses of Bulbul Mountain, where the roof of one forms the terrace of the next. This evening we present our Destination Discovery Event -- dinner in the moonlight and a concert at Celsus Library in Ephesus.

Rhodes, Greece
This gracious oasis, known as the “Island of Roses,” was home to the legendary Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today it is a yachting paradise, whose shores are lined with sparkling beaches and lush green mountainsides. A scenic drive leads you through quaint villages and lemon groves to the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, standing guard over the picturesque town or to the Old City of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Santorini, Greece
As our ship approaches the spectacular cliffs rising from the deep azure sea, you’ll understand the magic of this area, where some say the ruins of Atlantis remain hidden. Visit the village of Oia and see the iconic Santorini blue domes or take a guided tour of Bronze Age excavations at the UNESCO site of Akrotiri. Toast the day with a crisp, cold glass of local Assyrtiko wine.

Monemvasia, Greece
This Gibraltar-like town tied to the mainland by a single thread of causeway holds treasures that are old even by Mediterranean standards, with town walls and several churches dating to the 12th century. Climb to the upper town for an up-close look at the castle and Agia Sophia, a Byzantine church. Wander the lanes of the lower town lined with Venetian mansions, many of which have been lovingly restored. Savor the sun on a smooth pebble beach.

Gythion, Greece
Cheerful pastel houses are littered among intriguing whitewashed lanes and staircases. Playful sculptures welcome you to the harbor’s cheerful shops, coffee houses, and waterfront cafés. This is a perfect place to enjoy a cup of rich coffee or a glass of ouzo while you watch the world go by. Or go exploring on an optional tour of Mystras, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Messina (Taormina), Italy
The cobblestone streets of Messina, Sicily, are the perfect launching point for an optional visit to nearby Taormina. Stroll along flower-filled streets in search of a delightful lunch or an artist’s palette of colorful gelati. The ancient Greek Theater is an ideal place to sit back and admire shimmering waters below and Mount Etna, languidly smoking in the distance.

Sorrento, Italy
UNESCO World Heritage Sites abound in Sorrento. Optional tours will take you to the archaeological areas of Pompeii and Torre Annunziata, or the 4th century B.C. city of Herculaneum. Perhaps your choice will be a boat ride to Positano, the legendary home of the Sirens. Perched on a terrace on the spectacular Amalfi Coast, Sorrento offers exceptional views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.

Ponza, Italy
Welcome to the island where real Romans go to vacation. Cars are scarce here and with only one main street and a casual, laid-back atmosphere that will have you relaxing in no time. There is little shopping available here and simplicity of this island adds to its charm. Check out the botanical garden or the blue grottoes. Take the bus around the entire island, find a beach to hang out at or sit with the locals and watch the fishing boats come and go.

Rome, Italy
In this enchanting city the past and present intersect in perfect harmony. Casually intermingled among ancient ruins and majestic cathedrals are the trappings of a modern metropolis: Skyscrapers,cafes, boutiques selling designer footwear. But of course what you seek first in the heart of Rome is its breathtaking history. A good place to begin is the Vatican, with its Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Works by Bernini, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Raphael are just a few of those on display, any one of which is worth hours of contemplation. Then the ancient ruins—Colosseum, Forum, Circus Maximus. And of course the Trevi Fountain for the obligatory coins promising your return to the Eternal City.
Sailing Dates
  • 12 Jun 2021
Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

DayDateActivityArriveDepart
1 12/06 Athens (Piraeus) Greece 05:00 PM
2 13/06 Navplion, Greece 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
3 14/06 Mykonos, Greece 08:00 AM overnight
4 15/06 Mykonos, Greece 07:00 AM
4 15/06 Ermoupolis, Greece 10:00 AM 05:00 PM
5 16/06 Kusadasi, Turkey 07:00 AM 11:00 PM
6 17/06 Patmos, Greece 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
7 18/06 Rhodes, Greece 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
8 19/06 Aghios Nikolaos, Greece 10:00 AM 10:00 PM
9 20/06 Santorini, Greece 09:00 AM 09:00 PM
10 21/06 Monemvasia, Greece 12:00 PM 06:00 PM
11 22/06 Athens (Piraeus) Greece 07:00 AM 05:00 PM
12 23/06 Monemvasia, Greece 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
13 24/06 Gythion, Greece 08:00 AM 04:00 PM
14 25/06 At sea    
15 26/06 Messina, Sicily. IT 08:00 AM 02:00 PM
16 27/06 Sorrento, Italy 10:00 AM 11:59 PM
17 28/06 Ponza, Italy 09:00 AM 04:00 PM
18 29/06 Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy 07:00 AM
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

* Unless otherwise noted all pricing is on a per person twin share basis. All prices based on cash payment - credit card fees may apply. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Special conditions may apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Any pricing not in Australian Dollars will be converted on the day of payment into the relevant currency based on our daily rate of exchange. Please note that many of the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. Whilst we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ slightly from the live prices in our booking system. All pricing and offers are subject to availability at time of booking. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Please submit any data errors/omissions you may notice on this site.

Unless otherwise expressly noted, all materials, including images, illustrations, designs, icons, and photographs appearing anywhere on this website are protected by worldwide copyright laws and treaty provisions. The copyright on such materials is held by the original creator of the materials. None of the materials may be copied, reproduced, displayed, modified, published, uploaded, posted, transmitted or distributed in whole or in part in any form or by any means other than as provided by Cruise Factory and Cruise Traveller to its clients, or with the prior written permission of Cruise Factory and Cruise Traveller. All rights not expressly granted in these Terms are reserved. Any unauthorised use of the materials appearing on this website may violate copyright, trademark and other applicable laws and could result in criminal or civil penalties.