Price: From $29,779
Stay: 51 nights
Travel Dates: Sunday 7th of July 2019 until Tuesday 27th of August 2019
Description: Grand Mediterranean ex Lisbon to Barcelona - 51 Nights aboard Wind Surf - from $29779* per person.
Cruise Overview:
51 Night Cruise sailing from Lisbon to Barcelona aboard Wind Surf.
Accomplishments of a lifetime deserve vacations of a lifetime, and this 51-day day cruise spanning the length of the Mediterranean is a perfect reward for milestones big and small. Depart from Lisbon and sail down the Atlantic side of the Iberian Peninsula where you’ll learn terroir secrets and the long history of sherry aging and sample dry, bready “fino” and dark, nutty “oloroso” sherries in the countryside outside Cadiz, Spain. Admire colorful mosaics and detailed stone latticework as you learn about kings and caliphs tied to the Moorish palace of the Alhambra above the port city of Almeria. Wander a medieval castle in Catania and learn how geology and nearby Mount Etna carried this coastal fortification nearly a mile inland. Listen to a private concert and attend an exclusive dinner among the towering pillars of the Celsus Library in the ruins of Ephesus, Turkey in our complimentary Destination Discovery Event. Wander the ancient baths, markets and forum at the excavated archaeological site of Pompeii. Stroll between century-old olive trees and vineyards surrounding an old French farmhouse outside Sanary-sur-Mer, then sample wines and olive oils in the intimate company of winery staff. Your epic odyssey ultimately concludes in the Catalonian capital of Barcelona, where you can board a cable car bound for Montjuïc Castle, or wind your way along Las Ramblas, an iconic, pedestrian mall lined with tapas bars, small shops and kiosk vendors. It’s an ideal way to find your own space to sip Catalonian Grenache red wine and reflect on your journey while tourists, shoppers and families flow by your table.
Highlights of this cruise:
LisbonThe rhythm of Lisbon invites you to join its captivating dance. This splendid capital city on the banks of the Rio Teja offers a warm welcome and an unparalleled blend of architectural styles. Elegant outdoor cafés line the cobbled sidewalks. Turn-of-the-century funiculars climb the scenic hills. Find the UNESCO sites of the Tower of Belem and the Monastery of the Hieronymites. And, everywhere, the city engages you with its easy style and remarkable charm.
CadizCádiz is the most southern province of the Iberian Peninsula. It is extremely rich in natural beauty and some of the most important Natural Parks of Spain and Europe are found here including Sierra de Grazalema and los Alcornocales. Both are rich in flora and fauna, including species under threat of extinction. Many birds find their resting and feeding place here just after or before making the jump from or to Africa.
MalagaHere, on the shores of Costa del Sol, the Andalusian spirit thrives. Be sure to include an optional visit to see the brilliant and comprehensive collection of Picasso’s work at Museo Picasso Málaga, a tribute to this artistic genius in the city of his birth. Or you may choose to opt for a visit to the beautiful village of Mijas, where picturesque Andalusian country life creates some of the world’s best wines.
CartagenaThe walled town of Cartagena is a popular seaport with a large naval shipyard. The seashore offers a wide range of activities from windsurfing to good snorkeling to sailing. From Cartagena you can easily explore the ancient city of Murcia, the coastal resorts of Mazarrón, Cala Cortina, and Cabo de Palos or a little further north, the world famous resort of Mar Menor.
BarcelonaThe 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.
MallorcaMallorca is steep, green, and fringed with enticing coves and more than 200 lush beaches. But all that natural beauty is just the beginning. Stroll along the tree-shaded Paseo de Born in search of tapas. Shop for a Siurell; a traditional red, green, and white clay whistle dating back to the time of the Moors. Watch the street performers on the piazza around the church, or cross the island to beautiful Sóller. Not to be missed is the cultural landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
AmalfiThe town of Amalfi lies at the mouth of a deep ravine surrounded by dramatic cliffs and coastal scenery. As part of the Amalfi Coast, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an important tourist destination. The whole region is famed for its lemons, which are about double the size of other lemons, and the production of the limoncello liqueur. An optional tour can take you to the UNESCO archaeological areas of Pompeii, Positano and Ravello.
GythionCheerful 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.
MykonosWake 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.
KusadasiFew 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.
RhodesThis 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
MonemvasiaThis 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.
CorfuOne 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.
KomizaKomiza 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.
RovinjFollow the savory aroma of sardines grilling to the colorful quay, or let your lust for leather lead you to the old town’s shops and 18th century buildings. In ancient Silves, once a Moorish capital, the castle and cathedral are right next to each other in town. How thoughtful of them to make sightseeing so easy.
SorrentoUNESCO 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.
PortofinoWith its golden ochre and terracotta buildings, designer shops, and chic cafés, Portofino represents the height of Italian artistry and sophistication. Sip a cappuccino along the fabled marina or enjoy a day of shopping in one of the town’s tempting little boutiques. As you look out over the harbor from the famous Hotel Splendido, it’s hard not to admire the sleek, streamlined beauty of your Windstar ship.
CannesSpend a day wandering among the rich and famous in the chic epicenter of the French Riviera — a world of exclusive boutiques, palm-fringed boulevards, sun-drenched beaches, and elegant sidewalk cafés. Be sure to visit the Avenue of the Stars, where you can place your hands in the prints of international celebrities. An optional escorted walking tour guides you through the best of this extraordinary and stylish city.
Conditions: Prices, availability and inclusions may change at any time without notice. Prices displayed are indicative only. At time of booking, please check current pricing and inclusions. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations at any time. Travel agent professional service fees where charged, will be additional to the advertised prices.
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