What is the best way to experience Europe in the summer?
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.
In summer, sailing to Europe’s most intriguing marquee ports and hidden harbors offers a distinctive, playful travel experience. Blending sun-drenched days on beaches or in nature and evenings in port, there’s a sense that you’re actually traveling, not just in Europe but in European style.
Guests can swim directly from the ship, paddle board or kayak from the onboard Marina, or simply unwind on AquaBana floating loungers. It’s an effortless way to enjoy Europe’s coastlines while avoiding the inland heat—blending refreshing sea days with immersive time in port.
Windstar’s Wind Class ships, which are Wind Star, Wind Spirit and Wind Surf, shine on these Mediterranean itineraries, with guest capacity ranging from 148 – 342. These yachts-with-sails can nip into small harbors and intimate villages with ease.
Where can you travel by yacht in Europe during summer?
Top summer destinations for a small ship or yacht-style adventure are found throughout the Mediterranean. These itineraries let you explore a variety of countries, including Italy, France, Greece, Croatia, and Montenegro. You can customize your journey to visit a mix of famous ports and hidden gems across these regions, or even combine all of them in one unforgettable trip.
More specifically? We’ve chosen some favorite Mediterranean summer cruises.
- Italy: On Bella Italia, between Rome and Venice, small ship ports in Italy are primarily featured (with a stop at Croatia’s Rab). These include Amalfi, Vibo Valentia, Reggio Calabria, and Otranto and Taranto, both located on Italy’s boot.
- Greek Islands: Windstar’s Treasures of the Greek Islessummer season voyages are roundtrip from Athens, and visit both off-grid and popular ports like Nafplio, Monemvasia, Santorini, Patmos and Mykonos and, in Turkey, Kusadasi. Another option for Greece in summer is Off the Beaten Path. Also Athens- (or rather the nearby port city of Piraeus) based, this itinerary heads to islands like Milos, Syros, Samos, Naxos and Folegandros, with a trip to Turkey’s Kusadasi for Windstar’s signature evening experience at Ephesus.
- Combining Italy and the Adriatic: Classic Italy and the Dalmatian Coast, from Venice-Rome, spotlights Sorrento and Sicily’s Giardini Naxos (for Taormina) before heading on up the Adriatic, where Montenegro’s Kotor, Croatia’s Dubvrovnik, Split and Rovinj. If you’re longing for a deeper Adriatic dive, the Venice-based Iconic and Hidden Croatiavisits Poric, Rovinj, Opatija, Zadar, Sibenik, Korcula, and Pomena, along with Split and Dubrovnik.
- France and the Italian Riviera: Perhaps the most iconic summer sailing region is Windstar’s Jewels of the Italian and French Rivieras, where you’ll travel roundtrip from Rome to Cannes, Monte Carlo, Genoa, Portofino, Porto Ercole and Corsica’s Bastia.
Why should you choose a small ship yacht cruise to explore the Mediterranean in the summer?
- Overnight stays: During the long summer nights, Windstar’s Sail Class yachts often feature late night – or overnight – stays in port, offering travelers a chance to experience dining and nightlife in destinations.
- Gorgeous summer sunsets:There’s nothing more magical than a Windstar signature sailaway, with special music and cocktails as ships depart.
- Swim, paddle, and play from the ship: take a refreshing dip directly from the yacht, or explore by paddle board or kayak from Windstar’s Marina. Lounge on Aquabana floating platforms and enjoy the sea at your own pace.
- Stay cool along the coast: while inland Europe heats up in summer, sailing keeps you close to the water—where sea breezes and swim stops offer a naturally refreshing escape.
- Local immersion: indulge in authentic experiences while visiting off-grid ports, from visits to wineries, hands-on cooking classes, and exploring small medieval villages.
Build your own voyage
From short getaways to those that combine several itineraries into one for an immersive experience, there are options beyond the traditional seven night sailing.
- Star Collector: Voyages dubbed “Star Collector” offer maximum experiences, building several itineraries into one seamless cruise. We love the Star Collector: the Sole of Italy and Coast of Croatia, a 20-night sailing between Venice and Rome that concentrates on southern Italy, Montenegro, and Croatia. There are 19 different ports of call, one sea day, and an overnight in Dubrovnik.
- Quick Getaways: A relatively new concept for Windstar, these short voyages between 3 – 5 nights offer a getaway for the time-pressed – or those who want to combine summer land and sea vacations. A three night La Dolce Vita in Italy and France sails from Rome and visits Portovenere and Corsica’s Bonafacio. Another option? Travel from Barcelona to Rome on Yachtsman’s Harbors of the Rivieras, a five night trip that visits Portofino, Monte Carlo, France’s Sanary-sur-Mer, and Spain’s Palamos.
- Cruise Tours: A wonderful way to combine sea and land discoveries, Windstar’s cruise toursadd pre- or post-cruise visits to existing itineraries. On a weeklong Lisbon to Barcelona itinerary, you can add a five night Portuguese experience, spending immersive time in Lisbon and Sintra. And a 10 night voyage between Venice to Rome’s Civitavecchia features a three night add-on that hones in on a select series of Vatican tours.
