Wind Surf, Antiquities of the Adriatic & Greece ex Athens to Venice
Cruise Line Windstar Cruises
Ship Wind Surf
Destination EU Mediterranean
Nights 8
Departure Date 13 Sep 2021
Description 8 Night Cruise sailing from Athens to Venice onboard Wind Surf.

The timeless grandeur of the Acropolis and the volcanic vistas from Santorini’s blue-domed villages are perfect preludes to this detailed 8-day exploration of Greece and the Adriatic. Wander the elegant gardens surrounding the white-pillared Achilleion Palace in Corfu, an expansive summer home built by the former empress of Austria prior to World War I. Admire Monopoli’s 4,500-year-old urns and ancient artifacts, then stroll along the formidable walls of Castle of Carlo V, a pentagon-shaped fortification built to counter an emerging age of cannons and sails. Wander the uncrowded streets of tiny Komiza, then board a small boat and experience the azure and emerald iridescent magic within the limestone walls of the Blue and Green Grottos. Sit, sip and listen as Zadar’s shoreline waves create a concert of random music along the waterfront. This memorable journey culminates among Venetian gondolas and glass-blowers, where you can stroll with the pigeons in the Piazza San Marco or browse one-of-a-kind artisan shops featuring intricate jewelry or ornamental handmade masks.

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.

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.

Corfu, Greece
One of the most beautiful and popular islands, located on the Ionian Sea, Corfu has wonderful beaches and small villages throughout the island. Take in the Venetian influence at the two fortresses located in Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Monopoli, Puglia, Italy
Quaint and charming, Monopoli has many sites within easy walking distance. Start at the colorful street market and head toward the cathedral, built in 1693 with a tower that is 197 feet high. Past the cathedral is part of the seafront and a promenade and the beautiful Church of Santa Maria della Zaffira and the impressive Charles V Castle, built in 1552. The little harbors that make up the port are full of brightly colored boats and fishermen busily mending their nets.

Dubrovnik, Croatia
While larger ships pass by, we anchor right beyond the famous walled city so you can admire its beauty with every glance. Tender ashore and step right into Old Town, a UNESCO site where no cars are allowed, just eons of history. Capture the exhilarating views on your camera — and in your memory. End your day at the Buza Café (if you can find it) watching bold divers leap off the cliffs into the crystalline sea.

Komiza, Croatia
Komiza and the island of Vis have a reputation for gastronomic delights, partially because of the high quality of their local produce and the abundance of delicious seafood, accompanied by the well-respected playa wines produced there. To work up an appetite take a hike up 1,926-foot-high Mount Hum with its glorious views over Komiza or a boat ride out to the Blue Cave, or wander the streets of this beautiful old stone fishing village.

Zadar, Croatia
Something here will capture your heart. A Roman amphitheater, 9th century churches, and museums packed with Byzantine-era artworks crowd the peninsula that tidily contains the Old Town. It’s a tempting way to spend the day for sure. While away the day listening to Zadar’s giant Sea Organ, a haunting musical improv performed by the surging Adriatic or share a bench with a sun-drunk cat as you bite into a truffle.

Venice, Italy
No other sea approach in the Adriatic raises goose bumps like Venice, where the entire city and its lagoon are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On your luxurious home-away-from home, you arrive already equipped with a sense of what it’s like to live in the city that’s neither land nor water. Add your own sigh to the Bridge of Sighs, sip a spritz al bitter as you plot your agenda, and let the water taxis do your navigating unless you don’t mind getting lost. Not such a bad prospect, with serendipitous discoveries around every corner.
Sailing Dates
  • 13 Sep 2021
Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

DayDateActivityArriveDepart
1 13/09 Athens (Piraeus) Greece 05:00 PM
2 14/09 Santorini, Greece 09:00 AM 07:00 PM
3 15/09 At sea    
4 16/09 Corfu, Greece 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
5 17/09 Monopoli - Italy 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
6 18/09 Dubrovnik, Croatia 08:00 AM 10:00 PM
7 19/09 Komiza, Vis Island 09:00 AM 04:00 PM
8 20/09 Zadar, Croatia 07:00 AM 02:00 PM
9 21/09 Venice, 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.