3 Days in Barcelona: Sagrada Família, La Rambla & More
Three days in Barcelona with old friends, a surprise theft, and a jaw-dropping visit to the Sagrada Família set the stage for our five-part Grand Anniversary journey from Barcelona to Geneva.
Windstar Mediterranean: Barcelona to Venice
This journey aboard Windstar traces the Mediterranean from Barcelona to Venice through Spain, France, and Italy, then continues down the Adriatic to Croatia and Montenegro before looping back to Venice. We started in Barcelona, then sailed to Palamós, where we traded ship life for e-bikes and pedaled to the medieval village of Pals. A last-minute wind-driven detour sent us to Toulon instead of Sanary-sur-Mer, and it turned into one of the highlights.
From Venice, the ship carries on into Croatia and Montenegro before returning to close the loop. Once we disembark for good, Bob and I head to Geneva for five days to wrap up the trip. Follow along as we add each port of call, one story at a time.
Palamós to Pals: A Costa Brava E-Bike Adventure
Our first stop after embarking in Barcelona was just 140 kilometers (87 miles) up the Costa Brava coast at the Port of Palamós. After a full sail-away departure from Barcelona, we cruised slowly and leisurely up the northeast Spanish coast…
Saint-Tropez & Port Grimaud: A Toulon Shore Excursion
A last-minute wind swap sent us to Toulon instead of Sanary-sur-Mer, and it led to one of our best days yet: yachts and old town charm in Saint-Tropez, canals in Port Grimaud, and a surprise driving tour of Toulon itself
One Day in Monaco: Èze, Villa Rothschild & the Rock
From the hilltop village of Èze to the gardens of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and the cathedral and palace of Monaco-Ville, our Monaco shore excursion delivered one of the best days of the whole cruise.
Cannes Food Tour: Wine, Cheese & the Film Festival
A small-group food tour through Cannes with a former restaurant owner as our guide: rosé and cheese, a stuffed zucchini flower, steamed prawns, and a stroll past the red carpet steps of the Cannes Film Festival.
Portofino & Rapallo: Pesto-Making with Guido
Twenty years after our first visit, Portofino is busier than ever, but a ferry ride to Rapallo for a pesto-making class and food tour with the irrepressible Guido turned out to be the highlight of the day.
Elba & Portoferraio: Napoleon’s Island, Wine & History
From Napoleon's brief reign as King of Elba to a wine tasting at a Mediterranean-front estate enclosed by ancient walls, Elba and Portoferraio may be our favorite stop of the trip so far.
Civitavecchia: A Turnover Day Near Rome’s Old Port
With Rome already checked off our list and only a short port day ahead, we skipped the highway to the Colosseum and spent a slow morning exploring Civitavecchia itself, fort, lunch, and all.
Amalfi & Positano: Lemons, Cliffs & a Black Madonna
A boat ride from Amalfi to Positano brought cliffside villages, a legend about a talking icon that gave Positano its name, and enough lemon gelato and giant frozen lemon treats to last the whole Amalfi Coast.
Reggio Calabria: Ancient Treasures on the Strait of Messina
A self-guided day exploring Reggio Calabria's Riace Bronzes and waterfront promenade turned into the perfect backdrop for a milestone we never expected to spend on a ship in the Strait of Messina: our 50th wedding anniversary.
Vibo Valentia & Tropea: A Calabrian Coast Boat Trip
A boat ride along Calabria's Coast of the Gods to swim below the cliffs of Tropea, Italy's most beautiful village, hit a few snags with gear and timing, but the water itself more than made up for it.
Taranto to Ostuni: Mussels, Olive Oil & the White City
A day trip from the working port of Taranto to the dazzling white hill town of Ostuni turned up
Otranto: A Tree of Life, a Sobering Crypt & Italy’s Easternmost Point
Otranto was our first stop on the Italian east coast, and the first one officially in the Adriatic Sea. It’s a walled village with a beautiful sea wall and harbor sitting right at the gates of the old city. The…
Rab, Croatia: E-Bikes, Ancient Walls & a Legendary Wind
A quiet e-bike ride around Rab turned into one of our most memorable days in Croatia. Between pine-lined coastal trails, a sobering piece of WWII history, and conversations with locals who shared their love and hope for the island, Rab reminded us exactly why we fell for Croatia in the first place.
Rovinj, Croatia: A Rib Boat Adventure Down the Croatian Fjord
A rib boat tour out of Rovinj, Croatia turns from swimming and wine tasting along the Lim Fjord into an unplanned rescue at sea, plus a short look at the Venetian history behind this Istrian old town.
Revisiting Zadar: A Stroll Around Town and a Trip to the Country
Our second visit to Zadar combined a walk through the city's historic old town with a memorable afternoon at Srce Bukovice, where warm hospitality, homemade food, and local traditions offered a genuine taste of rural Croatia.
Hvar, Croatia: A Missed Tour and a Perfect Plan B at Robinson’s Cove
A scheduling mix-up costs us our Blue Caves tour in Hvar, Croatia, but a ten euro water taxi to a hidden cove called Robinson's turns into one of our favorite afternoons of the whole trip, complete with a surprise gourmet lunch and a stroll through Croatia's glossy "Riviera" town.
Kotor: Olive Groves, Donkeys, and a Walled City
A second visit to Kotor, Montenegro starts with donkeys, grappa, and a centuries old olive farm run by the Morić family, then winds through the walled old town and a big-ship reality check back at the tender dock.
Two Days in Dubrovnik: Diving, Dining, and a Countryside Feast
A second visit to Dubrovnik brings two dives in the Adriatic, an anniversary dinner at Nautika, and a countryside Peka cooking class that turns strangers into friends, alongside a bit of Republic of Ragusa history.
Piran, Slovenia: Our Last Cruise Stop
Our final port day of the cruise brings a relaxed walk through Piran, Slovenia, a climb up St. George's bell tower, and a memorable lunch in a town shaped by centuries of Venetian rule and salt.
The Best Things to Do in Venice — Plus a Day Beyond the Canals
Venice isn't a city you finish in one visit. From St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace to Murano, unexpected museums and getting wonderfully lost, we're sharing our favorite Venice experiences from two trips — plus an unforgettable day exploring Verona, Lake Garda and Sirmione.
Windstar Wind Surf Review: Our 24-Day Mediterranean Cruise
After 24 days aboard Windstar’s Wind Surf in the Mediterranean, we understand why Windstar guests are so loyal. Exceptional service, excellent food, smaller ports, and a relaxed atmosphere make Windstar one of the best values in small-ship luxury cruising.
Geneva, Chamonix & Yvoire: Three Memorable Days from Geneva
Geneva was the final stop on our 50th anniversary journey through Europe. The city itself left me with mixed feelings, but the Patek Philippe Museum, the mountain scenery of Chamonix, and a beautiful paddle steamer cruise to Yvoire made these three days a memorable finale.