When I found out that Windstar Cruises had begun winter sailings to the Mediterranean, I couldn’t book fast enough.
I’d visited France, Italy, and Greece during the summer months before, and I had grown increasingly disillusioned each year as Mediterranean Europe became more crowded, expensive, and uncomfortably hot.
It seemed like a January cruise would help me avoid a lot of my past grievances, so I booked Europe’s Winter Riviera eight-day itinerary on Windstar, sailing from Barcelona to Rome with stops in Nice, Genoa, and Livorno, the port city for excursions to Florence, Pisa, and Lucca.
After a week of seeing these iconic destinations in a whole new light, I went home with the conviction that winter is the absolute best time to take a Mediterranean cruise.
I loved feeling like I had the Mediterranean to myself
Rather than stumbling through hordes of tourists filling Barcelona’s streets, trying to find towel space on a beach in Nice, or waiting hours in lines to enter the Vatican museums, I felt like I had a lot of memorable places to myself.
That’s probably because I visited during what Windstar calls the “Local Season,” the time between late fall and early spring, when this area typically welcomes far fewer tourists.
Fewer crowds and shorter lines meant I could see more of each city I visited throughout the cruise. I took all the time I liked exploring each place and capturing it all without having to erase throngs of people from my photos.
On one excursion, my small group climbed the medieval village of Èze on the French Riviera — a popular spot often filled with cruise passengers and tourists — and never saw another person. I loved taking in the sweeping views of the sea, unobstructed by massive cruise ships.
In Florence, no more than 20 people circled Michelangelo’s famous David statue. And in Rome, my husband and I purchased tickets to the Colosseum 15 minutes before our scheduled entry time and were allowed to enter even earlier.
We felt like VIPs with special access to the best of the region — quite different from the summer months when we had to wait for hours just to get close to an attraction.
Though we had to adapt to the weather, the special winter experiences were worth it
We may have escaped the sweltering heat the Riviera is famous for in the summer, but we did experience some chilly weather.
By our hometown of Houston’s standards, it was cold, with morning temperatures dipping into the 40s and afternoons hovering in the 50s — and we were not prepared. Luckily, hats and scarves were readily available and cost about 10 Euros, so we managed.
And, we had to give up some usual summer fun, including relaxing on the ship’s deck, which meant spending a bit more time indoors.
I really didn’t mind, though, especially since sailing during this season came with some special seasonal activities and spots.
Some winter itineraries include cities Windstar only visits (or spends extra time in) during winter, when there are typically fewer crowds and ships.
Another perk of cruising during the winter is the opportunity to experience seasonal events and activities.
For example, while docked in Nice, France, cruisers can travel less than an hour from the port to visit Menton’s Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival), held annually starting in mid-February. The two-week festival features giant floats and structures made of fruit, as well as performances, parades, markets, and more.
All in all, I think winter is the absolute best time to visit
As an added bonus, our winter sailing was hundreds of dollars cheaper than a similar one at peak season in June and July.
Of course, if your dreams of the Mediterranean include sunbathing on the beach or swimming in the sea, this isn’t the vacation for you.
But for me, the positives far outweighed the negatives. We got to see so much more than we could have during the summer months, without the crowds — and for that, I’ll pack a cozy hat and gloves any day.
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