What if, traveling throughout the islands of French Polynesia, you could choose to sail and to cruise, both? It turns out that you can. Beginning in February 2027 and continuing through 2028, Windstar is shifting its 148-guest Wind Star to its new year-round homeport of Papeete where it joins 312-guest Star Breeze, already ensconced there. The […]
In summer, Windstar’s yachts, hosting only 148-342 guests, offer a chance to travel to Mediterranean towns and villages that aren’t typically on bigger ship itineraries.
The best Mediterranean cruise for summer is a small ship, yacht-style sailing that explores coastal destinations across Italy, Greece, France, Croatia, and Montenegro while allowing travelers to stay cool on the water.
FAQ: Discovering Just the Right Yacht-Style Experience During Summer in Europe Read More »
And soon we were being guided to Wind Spirit where she stood waiting, docked, just back from a previous voyage but shipshape and awaiting her new and eager voyagers. It’s not a big ship. It only has about 130 cabins. But it’s a sleek, tight sailing vessel with six sails that would soon be unfurled.
What It’s Like: Sailing the Islands of Greece on Wind Spirit Read More »
Reds bleed into pinks, purples complement blues, and oranges meet fiery golds. Once a year, from mid-March to mid-May, the Netherlands and Belgium become drenched in natural colours. Such is the brilliant beauty of tulip season. The vibrancy of the colors is reason enough to plan to visit in the Spring. Which also helps illuminate
Full Bloom: Why Should You Cruise in the Netherlands and Belgium During Tulip Season? Read More »
If you’re heading to Northern Europe, you may be dreaming of high tea, ancient castles and quaint villages. Or perhaps you envision sophisticated cities with gourmet restaurants, art museums and shopping. What might surprise you, though, is just how untamed this region becomes the farther north you go, with landscapes shaped by prehistoric forces of
Windstar’s Passport to Northern Europe: Our Guide Read More »
I arrived in Malaga a day early to get my body attuned to the time change – and what better way to do that than to luxuriate in a ritzy hotel? The Gran Hotel Miramar, beautifully decorated for Christmas, is as posh as it gets and it’s just two blocks from the seaside promenade.
What It’s Like: Cruising Coastal Spain During Locals’ Season Read More »
I was told my borrowed horse Luther had just two speeds as we headed out for our sunset ride through El Salobre on the island of Gran Canaria: “slow and super slow.” This, on my second to last day of touring the Canary Islands on Windstar Cruises’ Wind Star, felt like provenance, a gift. I
What It’s Like: Cruising Around Spain’s Canary Islands Read More »
One of the more mysterious islands in the Mediterranean is Corsica, one of France’s 18 regions. Nearby Sardinia, which is part of Italy and often paired with Corsica on summer itineraries such as Treasure Troves of Corsica & Sardinia, is known for its beaches and crystal-clear waters. Corsica, on the other hand, has a very diverse landscape with dramatic mountain ranges, forests and historic cities and towns.
Why is Corsica One of the Mediterranean’s Best Discoveries? Read More »
Barcelona has it all – beaches, a collection of fantastical Antoni Gaudi works including perhaps the most incredible church you will ever see and thousands of years of history. To that you can also add a food scene which many would say is unrivalled in Europe, world-class museums and galleries and an atmosphere of
Barcelona’s Famed Antoni Gaudi Is Just One Reason to Explore this Magical City Read More »
When I went to book our Christmas break trip, I knew I wanted to go somewhere warm, where my husband and two boys (ages 13 and 16) could be surrounded by nature, and where we could get off the boat to safely explore, and maybe see some native creatures, like sloths, tropical birds, lizards, and dolphins.
Why is Costa Rica Such a Special Part of a Panama Canal Cruise? Read More »
Setting sail from Piraeus, Greece with seas a deep blue and fluffy white clouds floating lazily above Mount Olympus, the city of Athens appears as a granite backdrop to the impending enchantments just over the horizon.
We Travel Around Greece’s Peloponnese and Italy’s Amalfi Coast Read More »
The best bars in the Caribbean have certain attributes: The drinks are frosty, the view is dreamy and the nearby sea laps the shores ever so gently. That wonderful set of criteria, however, narrows our list of favorites only slightly, so we’ve done a little more research to find some of the best. Using our
Best Caribbean Beach Bars Where Cuisine is Also Divine Read More »
The Marquesas are the most isolated islands in the world — farther from any continental landmass in the world
5 Things I Learned in Polynesia’s Remote Marquesas Islands Read More »
Earlier this year, in mid-January in fact, it occurred to me that combining a three-night stay in Venice, a cruise homeport, with one of Windstar’s “locals’ season” European voyages, could be an unusual way to kick off the new year. My seven night voyage from Venice to Rome on Star Legend started with an overnight
Surprising Perks of Visiting Venice in Winter Read More »
There’s a reason they call these islands Europe’s Hawaii. From black-sand beaches to cities with Spanish and Portuguese influences, it always felt to me like it was everything you could want in a vacation destination.
Windstar’s Passport to the Canary Islands: Our Guide Read More »
