7 Nights Hidden Harbors of the Cote d'Azur: Nice to Barcelona

Cruise Ship

Europe | Windstar Cruises - Wind Surf

Departure Dates:

June

Ports of Call:

Nice, France; Bastia, Corsica, France; Antibes, France; Le Lavandou, France; Marseille, France; Sanary-Sur-Mer, France; Palamos, Spain; Barcelona, Spain

General Info:

If you had a private yacht, this is the part of the French Riviera you’d frequent—where the beaches and scenery are just as grand, but a bit more authentic and less developed. Discover ports off the beaten path, where vegetable stands and daily fish auctions are still a part of everyday life and where local specialties like Provençal bouillabaisse and Palamos prawns taste better than any you’ve ever eaten. Stroll palm-lined promenades and go windsurfing in waters worthy of all the praise. Feast on Corsica’s French/Italian culture and eclectic architecture. Travel to Arles to see the yellow café immortalized by van Gogh, or to Aix-en-Provence for a look at Cezanne’s lavender fields. Visit museums dedicated to Picasso and Matisse Bathe in the ever-present sunshine and breathe in the rarified air that inspired all of the above.

Type of Vessel

On any day, the 310-guest flagship, Wind Surf, draws admiring glances as she glides majestically into port with her tall sails billowing. And her beauty is far more than skin deep. Starting beautiful furnishings in suites and staterooms, Wind Surf brings you some of the most beautiful public spaces at sea. During their cruise, guests will find the perfect setting for ‘making an entrance’ in the beautiful new reception area and, appropriately, that’s only the beginning. When you return to your stateroom, the luxury gets personal. Windstar’s signature bowls of flowers and fresh fruit will still be waiting for you, along with rich tufted headboards, soft seascape colors, beautiful new upholstery, and fine count Egyptian cotton linens welcome you to an oasis of relaxing indulgence.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Nice, France: With its flower-lined streets, flourishing markets, and interesting museums (the Musée Chagall and Musée Matisse are highlights), Nice is a charming introduction to the spirit of the Riviera. Pull up a chaise bleu on the wide sunny Promenade des Anglais and watch the world sail by. Or stop for bouillabaisse, a specialty of the area, in a local restaurant.

Day 2 | Bastia, Corsica, France: As the principal port of Corsica, Bastia has vibrant historical neighborhoods with narrow streets and alleys between ancient shuttered buildings of the 18th century. One of the main squares is the Place du Marche, home of a morning market and the impressive 16th century Saint-Jean-Baptiste church. On the other side of the harbor sits the substantial citadel, the beautiful gardens of Jardin Romieu and the once very-elegant houses of the Terra Nova district.

Day 3 | Antibes, France: Here is the picture-perfect seaside town on the Côte d’Azur. In the luxury harbor many mega yachts are docked. Take a walk through Old Town Antibes with its narrow cobblestone streets and a daily flower and vegetable open market. Antibes is full of shops and cafés and other highlights include the Picasso Museum, Old Town Antibes, the Napoleon Museum, the Cap d’Antibes promontory, and the beautiful variety of beaches.

Day 4 | Le Lavandou, France: Le Lavandou is a very popular area for get-aways and is known as one of the prettiest towns in France with spectacular beaches. There are several lovely pine-shaded coves, each with a different color of sand. Water sports here include windsurfing, snorkeling, swimming and kayaking. Le Lavandou is also popular for the delicious rosé wine of the region. You don’t have to travel far to find a local vineyard for a wine tasting or to visit the charming medieval village of Bormes Les Mimosas.

Day 5 | Marseille, France: France’s oldest city was named the 2013 European Capital of Culture by the European Union. Head in to the old heart of the city for a bowl of the city’s signature bouillabaisse, or drive into the Provençal countryside for a look at the timeless landscapes that inspired Cézanne and other greats.

Day 6 | Sanary-Sur-Mer, France: France’s sunniest city, located on the French Riviera, was originally a small fishing village and still is adorned by a large collection of traditional wooden fishing boats. This is the home of a group of local artisan fisherman who sell their catch daily on the pier and where Jacques Cousteau had a residence, the Villa Baobab.

Day 7 | Palamos, Spain: Palamos is famous for the locally caught prawns found in the beautiful bay it sits beside, also known for the excellent swimming, surfing, snorkeling and windsurfing there. Here is the place to try fresh local Catalan cuisine. Two great highlights near Palamos are the Dali Museum, located in his home town of Figueres, and the UNESCO city of Girona, with its medieval architecture, walled Old Quarter and the Roman remains of Forca Vella Fortress.

Day 8 | Barcelona, Spain: The 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.

Food and Dining

All meals in all venues at all times, including room service menu available 24 hours. All non-alcoholic beverages, including cappuccino, espresso, and other specialty non-alcoholic drinks are offered to guests. There is also a welcome cocktails reception as well.

Onboard Activities/Events

Guests are allowed unlimited access to use all water sports equipment and there is also on board entertainment. A casino, lounge, pool, two whirlpools, and various restaurants and bars are also available for guests at their leisure.

Shore Excursions

Explore beautiful landmarks throughout your journey between Spain and Rome on many highlighted excursions. Below are just a few of the many that you can experience on your voyage.

Corsican Tales and Legends
Golden Corniches & Cannes
Villages of Bormes Les Mimosas
Flavors of Castellet
Castellet & Tasting
Segway in the Vineyards

Staterooms or Cabins

Guests can enjoy amenities including a queen size bed with luxurious linens, a waffle weave robe and slippers, a flat screen TV with DVD player, a full stocked minibar and refrigerator, safety deposit box, direct dial phone, luxury bath amenities, Wi Fi access, fresh flowers and fruit, granite vanity with makeup mirror, wake in closet with ample drawer space, bathroom with granite countertop, full size tub and a shower, and hairdryers.
Gracious Staterooms offer stylish comfort and ocean views welcome you in 188 square feet of beautifully designed comfort. Your queen bed is swathed in luxurious Egyptian cotton linens. Before or after you enjoy an invigorating massage shower with soothing L’Occitane® bath products, wrap up in your waffle-weave robe, have a snack from the fresh fruit bowl, or simply stretch out and smell the flowers.
Spacious Suites with 376 square feet, you’ll find the perfect space for time together and plenty of room for time to yourself. You’ll even enjoy two full separate bathrooms. All the amenities of the staterooms await you, plus a beautiful sitting area, and two flat-screen television sets with DVD players.
Opulent Bridge Suites are the ultimate in space and style surrounds you in 495 square feet of pure indulgence. Separate bedroom and living room with an in-suite dining area is an invitation to relaxation. And possibly best of all, your expansive bathroom features both a whirlpool spa tub and a massage shower.

Spa

WindSpa is available to guests who wish to take time and relax after an adventurous day out exploring.

Fitness

There is a fitness center on board for guests who want to continue their workout while sailing.

CALL YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR OR

800.837.0420

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