I’m about to go for it…next late summer (2024), Venice to Athens (with stops in Croatia, Montenegro, and several smaller Greek islands). Solo. Continuing on for a land journey (not solo, meeting best friend who can’t sail) Barcelona, Beaucaire (France) & Paris. It’s a bucket list trip. And I needed it to be unique…I think I found my unique!
Have you gone on Windstar? Your take? I especially love their reduced single supplement is 20% right now.
I totally applaud you and jealous! Sounds fab!! It’s hard for most to do any solo trip and while I’ve never done such a big trip on my own as you’ll be undertaking it is beyond empowering to go do what you want, when you want without answering to others and worrying about them.
I can’t wait to hear about it!
I haven’t been on Windstar but have only heard good things but I’ve been to many of the places on your bucket list and I think it sounds like a great trip!
Not one is a repeat for me, and I’ve been a world traveler since the early 70s - I love new places. I’m not intimidated and am quite street savvy. I will really need to up my game in Spain though, sadly the pickpockets are rampant! All credit cards and cash will be in my underwear. No joke. If you can get in there, you can have it! Except for the one credit card I stash on my ankle in an ankle pouch (they’re used for runners).
Last night my D asked, so when’s the safari? Oh yes, it’s probably in the cards, but it’ll have to wait, this one is really calling me!
Yes, Barcelona is famous for pickpockets but you’ll be fine as long as you are aware. Sounds like you already know how to fend them off. They go for easy picking though and just knowing what to watch for will help tremendously. You will have a fab time I’m sure! Travel light!!!
Take two different credit cards with you. Stashed different places. Best insurance.
That sounds like a fantastic trip! I have been dying to go on Windstar for so many years, but it just never happens. All of their itineraries sound amazing. Costa Rica, Mediterranean, your Venice trip. Sigh, maybe one of these years. And actually we get a discount where many of the cruises we can pay about 25% of the listed price, it’s almost cheaper than staying home. I don’t know why we haven’t done this yet.
Would love to hear people’s experiences on Windstar.
My parents did. back to back cruises in Europe on the windstar Legend last fall (followed by another 18 day cruise on a different ship). I know they enjoyed it very much and their pictures of the ship look amazing. Is there anything in particular you wanted to know?
Edit - I also looked back at their pictures. They have sown 2 carribean cruises on the Wind Star sailboat around Xmas the past 2 years. I know they really enjoyed that ship. And at the time, especially for the first trip, they were very impressed with their strict covid protocols. They tested everyone on the ship every day in addition to the usual pre boarding requirements. I doubt that’s still in place though.
Nothing in particular - general observations. Was the boat in nice condition, is the hype about the small ship sailing accurate or marketing? I make my own entertainment, so I’m not worried about that (I’ll bring watercolor supplies and plan to paint a lot), how was the water sports platform? What types of gear? Could snorkel gear be borrowed in different ports. That sort of thing. Were there other solo sailors and could they get reservations for outdoor dining (I would much prefer that to inside dining room)?
Edited to correct the name of the vessel…
This journey is on the Wind Surf.
My bucket list trip was a Baltic cruise to Russia. Probably will not happen in my lifetime or anytime soon.
It’s ok. Shows you life and experiences aren’t for certain.
Not much of a traveler but the Viking River Cruise we did last year was pretty perfect. We plan on going on another one next year.
I’m pretty sure that wind star invited a few YouTube cruise bloggers on a trip to Norway recently. The ones I follow do a great job showing the ship if you want to look that up.
I’ll look for that! Thanks for the tip.
Bucket list:
Hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro.
Visiting all seven continents, including Antarctica (so far only at 2, so got a long way to go).
Decision made! I added 3 nights sailing in order to include Mykonos and Santorini both places I’ve always wanted to visit.
Itinerary and a photo of my “home” for 11 nights in late summer 2024! Thrilled with my decision.
I’ll be meeting my friend for 2 additional weeks as we navigate Barcelona, Beaucaire (France) and Paris.
Star Clippers, Star Clipper. Nothing fancy, but lots of water toys come along (SUPs, water skiing(!), kayaks and snorkel gear) - I’m certain to appreciate the entire experience!
Feel free to toss recommendations on any of my ports if you’ve visited.
So happy for you. Enjoy your travel dreaming!
That’s a beautiful boat. Sadly DH gets seasick so cruises are not in the cards! We just signed up for a Hadrian’s Wall walk. You do the walking, they carry the bags. It’s 85 miles we’ll be hiking 9 days with a rest day in the middle. I’ve wanted to do this for eons.
Randomly, we will be in Venice Sep 4th. Apparently so is the Venice Film Festival, so expect large(r) crowds.
Is this 2023? My sailing is in 2024 (but now I’m interested to know about the film festival!)
Ah, yes - 2023. We didn’t know it when we booked.
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