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July 8, 2024

On board the Wind Surf from September 21 to October 1, 2024, a true “Wine Cruise: Sicilian Splendors” will be hosted.

Sicily, thanks to its position at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, has always attracted merchants, invaders, and immigrants. First the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans, then Byzantines, Arabs, and Vikings. Finally, Normans, Germans, and Spaniards.

The cruise, themed around wine tasting, will be curated by Maze Row Wine Merchant. This American company, an importer and exporter of fine wines from world-class artisanal producers, treats wine production as an art passed down through generations. Producers such as Allegrini, Argiano, Brancaia, Jermann, Poggio Al Tesoro, Pieropan, Ratti, Tornatore, Bodega Lanzaga, and the new brand from pioneering winemaker Randall Graham, Language of Yes, will showcase the best of old-world style wines in small batches.

The itinerary is captivating, featuring legendary Sicilian cities with their volcanoes, palaces where the Knights of Malta gathered, and the stunning Amalfi Coast. All this is enveloped by the glittering sun shining on the Mediterranean Sea, while being gently rocked by the voyage.

The “Wine Cruise: Sicilian Splendors” will depart from the Eternal City, Rome, on September 21, 2024, where past and present continually blend to create a unique spectacle. The Vatican with its Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, the ancient ruins of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Circus Maximus, not to mention the great works of Bernini, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Raffaello.

After a day of sailing, we reach Lipari, a beautiful village where large ships cannot dock. An island full of mythological charm and a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is the largest of the seven Aeolian Islands, surrounded by 13th-14th century walls and dominated by a 16th-century Norman castle. Between the islands of Lipari and Vulcano, in the Bocche di Vulcano, you will admire rocks reminiscent of druid stones, including the Pietralunga, a basalt rock almost 240 feet (72 m) high.

The next day, the stop will be at another UNESCO World Heritage site, Catania. Located at the foot of Mount Etna, the city is shaped by its temperament. From here, you can visit Taormina with its beautiful antiquities, the necropolis of Pantalica, and Syracuse, described by Cicero as “the most beautiful of all.”

Leaving Italy, the cruise continues to Gozo, the island long considered the mythical Ogygia from Homer’s Odyssey. According to the story, Calypso fell in love with Odysseus and held him captive for seven years. The famous Calypso’s Cave is just one of the many intriguing caves on the island. Don’t forget the Ggantija Temples, the Citadel with its Cathedral, Archaeological Museum, Folklore Museum, and Old Prisons.

The following day, the itinerary includes arrival in Malta, easily recognizable by its bastions and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. The visit will wind through alleys leading to St. John’s Co-Cathedral, the conventual church of the Knights of Malta, where you will have the opportunity to see Caravaggio’s famous masterpiece: the Beheading of St. John. The majestic Palazzo Parisio offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Maltese nobility.

After a week, the cruise brings us to Porto Empedocle and then to the legendary Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Here lie the finest ancient ruins of the entire Mediterranean, with imposing buildings dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries BC. This splendid archaeological park consists of eight temples (and various other remains), including the Temple of Concordia (one of the best-preserved) and the Temple of Olympian Zeus (the largest), almost all situated in the same area on rocky ridges south of modern Agrigento.

September 28 will be dedicated to Trapani, the Italian city of sailing and a land of contrasts. From the salt pans producing much of the Mediterranean’s colored salts, to the intricate mosaics of Mozia, the famous wines of Marsala, the medieval hilltop town of Erice, and the row of 17th-century windmills.

The last two days will be dedicated to Sorrento and Amalfi. Sorrento offers an exceptional view of the Gulf of Naples and Vesuvius. From there, excursions range from the archaeological sites of Pompeii (with baths, theaters, temples, markets, and the enormous forum with Nero’s Arch) to Herculaneum or a boat trip to Positano with the Galli Islands, the legendary home of the Sirens.

Amalfi, in the Middle Ages one of the four Maritime Republics, is surrounded by spectacular cliffs and coastal landscapes, with its historic monuments (Piazza Duomo, the Cathedral of St. Andrew, and Villa Rufolo). It is famous for its enormous lemons used to produce the tasty liqueur limoncello.

This unforgettable “boutique” cruise with fewer than 350 guests will end in Rome. Windstar thoughtfully designs various itineraries, and the shore excursions are tailored to each destination.

Keep following us on our Cruising Journal website for all the latest news, new itineraries, and curiosities from the world of cruising.

Lucia Angeli

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