From Barcelona to Venice · Mediterranean · 15 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.
Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia, is one of our favourite ports of call. From the warren-like medieval streets of the Barri Gòtic to the fantastical modernist architecture of Antoni Gaudí, from the dizzy heights of Mount Tibidabo to the golden sands of Barceloneta, there's never a dull moment in this most beguiling of cities. Take a stroll along the Ramblas, soak up the wonderful art of Picasso and Miró, or experience the electrifying atmosphere of a match at the Camp Nou. Barcelona is truly a city with something for everyone.
Nice enjoys a marvellous setting on one of the most glorious stretches of the Côte d’Azur, the sweeping Bay of Angels, so it’s no wonder that tourists have been flocking here since the 19th century.
Genoa has a legendary seafaring heritage, and was once a powerful maritime republic. However, the city’s most famous son, Christopher Columbus, was spurned by the Genoese elite when he came looking for funds for his expedition, and his discoveries for the Spanish Crown ironically played no small part in Genoa’s downfall.
The faded port town of Livorno serves as a gateway to Tuscany’s star attractions. Wonderful Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is resplendent with beautiful architecture and unrivalled artistic treasures, while nearby Pisa is of course famous for its precarious Leaning Tower.
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed centre of Naples rewards exploration, and in addition to the many cultural treasures waiting to be unearthed Neapolitans are rightly proud of their food; this is where you’ll find the best pizza in Italy. The city also acts as a gateway to the fascinating remains of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the beautiful Amalfi coast.
Situated on the north eastern tip of Sicily, so close to the Italian mainland you can almost touch it, Messina is the busy main entry point to the island. The city was flattened by an earthquake in 1908, and again by Allied bombing in 1943, so few historical sights remain, although the cathedral is one of Sicily’s most impressive.
We never fail to be moved when we see the terracotta roofs and honey-golden walls of Dubrovnik, and a stroll around the perfectly preserved old town is a highlight of any visit to the Dalmatian coast. Make sure you take the time to walk around the walls and soak up the marvellous sea views.
Located on the quieter northern stretch of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, the walled port city of Zadar is an intriguing blend of old and new, where Roman ruins and psychedelic modern art installations sit alongside one another.
Venice is a city like no other, a marble maze of turquoise canals criss-crossed by beautiful bridges, overflowing with palaces, churches and charming little piazzas. No matter how many times you’ve seen it in photographs, that first glimpse of the Grand Canal will simply take your breath away.
