From Tarragona to Portoferraio (Elba) · Mediterranean · 8 nights
Windstar’s flagship sailing yacht is a stunning sail assisted cruise ship, which combines the refinement of a modern vessel with the romance of a tall ship.
Gracious staterooms provide a compact yet comfortable retreat.
Facilities include several dining options and a variety of bars and
lounges, a small swimming pool with two whirlpools and even a
watersports platform. The décor is fresh and modern and the ship
emerged from the first phase of a multi-year refresh in 2024,
boasting upgrades to several public areas including Amphora and the
pool deck. The second phase of the refresh which includes stateroom
redesigns will occur in 2026.
The busy port of Tarragona, situated on the Catalan coast to the south of Barcelona, is a city full of history. This was the base from which the Romans launched their conquest of the Iberian peninsula, and there are plenty of reminders of this period, including an impressive seafront amphitheatre.
The bustling fishing village of Palamós is one of the loveliest spots on the Costa Brava, surrounded by beautiful beaches and rugged coves. You can also use your stop here as a jumping off point for exploring nearby medieval villages, the historic city of Girona or the fantastic Salvador Dalí museum in Figueres.
The pretty seaside resort of Collioure sits on French Catalonia’s Côte Vermeille, close to the border with Spain. The town has an impressive artistic heritage, providing the inspiration for the Fauvist movement amongst artists such as Matisse, Picasso and Bracque, and today there are more than 30 galleries and workshops.
Toulon is not the sort of place you would expect to find on the Côte d’Azur, a gritty port city that’s home to France’s most important naval base. It’s not completely without charm, however, and for some travellers it may come as a breath of fresh air after the glitz of the Riviera. For the best view, take the cable car to the top of Le Faron mountain.
Renowned for its casino, its Grand Prix and its oligarch-friendly tax policies, Monte Carlo is glamour and hedonism personified, with a price tag to match. This little principality enjoys a lovely setting, the villas and penthouses tumbling down the hillside towards the sweeping blue expanse of the Mediterranean.
Few ports conjure up images of glitz and movie star glamour quite so readily as Cannes. May is when the glitterati roll into town for the Film Festival, but there’s still plenty to divert you the rest of the year, including the old quarter, Le Suquet, and the dazzling Croisette.
This tiny village on the Ligurian coast must be one of the most photographed spots in Italy, and no wonder; brightly coloured houses cling to the hillside overlooking a delightfully picturesque little harbour, where fishing boats gently bob alongside luxury yachts.
The island of Elba, just off the Tuscan coast, is where Napoleon Bonaparte was famously forced to live in exile between 1814-15. It’s hard to feel too sorry for him, though; the views from his plush Villa dei Mulini, situated high above the town of Portoferraio, are quite spectacular.
