From Bordeaux to Lisbon · Mediterranean · 8 nights
Windstar’s new sister ships, Star Seeker and Star Explorer, will each have 112 suites and a staff-to-guest ratio of 1:2, offering Windstar’s brand of laid-back luxury with some enhancements.
Each yacht will maintain the intimate atmosphere of Windstar’s
other ships, and will feature Windstar’s classic watersports
platform with new staircase access, as well an intimate forward
whirlpool and spacious open deck perfect for Windstar’s famous deck
barbecues, alongside a two-level spa and fitness centre. Dining
options include dishes from James Beard Foundation-affiliated
chefs, as well a Yacht Club café and lounge. Star Seeker joined the
fleet in December 2025, and Star Explorer will join in December
2026.
Bordeaux sits at the centre of the world's most famous wine region, and is home to a beguiling blend of beautiful buildings, sophisticated gastronomy and high culture. What's more, the city has been transformed over the last few years: the grandiose 18th century facades have been scrubbed clean, a shiny new public transport system has been installed, and a wonderful new promenade has been created alongside the river Garonne. We think Bordeaux is a marvellous place to spend some time, whether it's a day sampling wines, an evening at the opera or a night on the tiles.
Biarritz basks in its reputation as a glitzy seaside resort, where the emperor Napoleon III’s wife Eugenie famously built a palace on the beach in 1854 (now the Hotel du Palais). The glamour of old also lingers on in the town’s belle époque villas, while the broad sandy beach is a popular spot for surfers.
The lovely little city of San Sebastián, set on the golden sands of Playa de la Concha, is a real foodie favourite, famous for its Michelin-starred restaurants and bars serving pintxos (Basque tapas). Spend some time exploring the buzzing old town, and take the funicular to the top of Monte Igueldo for magnificent views.
It’s not so long ago that Bilbao was a grim and unappealing place, scarred by heavy industry, but the Basque Country’s biggest city has reinvented itself as a cultural hub since the opening of the shimmering Guggenheim Museum in 1997.
Gijón is the largest city in the Asturias region of northern Spain, an important industrial port but also a lively and youthful place, ideally positioned for exploring the Costa Verde. The most interesting area is the historic fishing village of Cimadevilla, which sits on a peninsula that divides the bay in two.
Vigo is the biggest city in Galicia, Spain’s verdant northwest corner. The city itself is a busy fishing port with limited tourist appeal, but it’s a great base for striking out into the countryside, visiting the lovely Cíes Islands just offshore or joining the pilgrims in Santiago de Compostela, 60 miles to the north.
Blessed with a dramatic setting on the steep banks of the river Douro, Portugal’s second city is currently enjoying something of a renaissance, and is best known as the home of the country’s most famous export, port wine.
Spread across steep hillsides that overlook the Rio Tejo, Lisbon’s colourful cityscape includes Gothic cathedrals, majestic monasteries and quaint museums. But for many the best times will be had wandering the narrow lanes of Lisbon’s lovely backstreets, with their great local food, wine and music.
