Tour Italy, France and Spain aboard Star Legend earlier this year Unexpectedly spectacular. I say unexpected because I learned then that this part of the Riviera had been a winter haven for Norsemen for centuries. I understand now. It’s a nice cool week in late winter and I love the calmer atmosphere than summer, lots of sunshine most of the time, and plenty of culture, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. It was a sunny day in Nice and people were even stretching on the beach.
If it was a well-kept secret that Windstar first came to the region last winter, there's good news: European winter is set to return next season, and Windstar's initial itinerary sailing from Civitavecchia in Rome to Livorno, with stops in Florence and Lucca, Nice, Marseille and Barcelona, offers some expanded options. There are currently five itineraries focusing on Spain, the Adriatic and the Christmas market season.
Apparently, I'm not the only traveler to find this experience. Check”Traveling with Denela Richard” Ri’chard chronicles her travels in the critically acclaimed TV series “Travels with Denella Ri’chard,” which airs from July 13th. Watching “Traveling with Denella Ri’chard” reminded me that this is a fresh and new area to travel to at the moment, and I thought I’d share five handy tips to help you experience the best of the Mediterranean during winter.
Package? Plan in layers and don’t forget your swimsuit
On my trip in early March, the weather was always pretty comfortable, with comfortable temperatures (highs in the 50s, lows in the 60s during the day, warm in the sun, cool in the shade), and sunny most of the time, although a sudden thunderstorm in Rome was surprising. Bring a good jacket (I chose a poncho style raincoat to keep me dry), a fleece and a good scarf – I just wear it during the day and call it my “uniform”. Bring a pair of sturdy shoes; the cobblestone sidewalks and streets can be slippery if wet. The nights are definitely cooler; dress in layers if you plan on going out. The ship's hot tub is always open, so tuck your swimsuit in your suitcase.
Embrace Mediterranean Christmas Traditions
If you like Europe's Christmas markets along the Danube and Rhine rivers, you'll love this Mediterranean holiday feastCities such as Rome, Florence, Genoa, Nice, Monaco (an easy train ride from Nice) and Barcelona are all celebrating. Celebrations include local festive dishes, crafts, ice skating, music and entertainment and local mulled wine. Markets begin in mid-to-late November and run until Christmas (some even longer). The market is open from morning to night, and evening is the most magical time to visit.
Your boat and your suite are your home away from home more than usual
Ri'chard calls Windstar's Star Legend a “luxurious and comfortable sanctuary,” and that resonates with me. On a soggy morning in Barcelona, I spent some time in the not-so-crowded La Boqueria, the famous market there, but it felt good to be back on board the Star Legend, curled up in a chair with a good book and ordering lunch through room service. Prepare to spend more time dining at indoor venues, but don't be surprised if the weather warms up enough for outdoor dining.
Your schedule can be more open and flexible—with a few exceptions
Whenever you visit the great art museums in Florence and the Vatican in Rome, it is recommended that you book your tickets in advance. Beyond that, because winter in Mediterranean cities is a more laid-back time, I find that I can pretty much plan my day around what appeals to me. In Nice we stayed overnight and spent two days exploring, I spent one day visiting the museums and enjoying a long, leisurely lunch at the year-round market.
Another day I took the train to Monaco and wandered the streets to soak up the atmosphere. One discovery I made was Windstar’s new range of “self-guided” tours. I tried it in Livorno and it was the perfect way to experience the city, it's a long train or taxi ride from the port. “On My Own” there was a guide with maps and information, and we had safe and secure transportation to and from the boat – but we could spend the day however we wanted.
This is the best time of year to explore Mediterranean cities
Keep this in mind: Mediterranean winter is generally more suitable for urban travel than for rural and picturesque villages. Cities on various itineraries such as Naples, Genoa, Rome, Valencia, Messina in Sicily and more are incredible destinations at this time of year.
Editor's note: “Wind Star”mediterranean winterAn episode of “Traveling with Denella Ri'chard” is Available for streaming. Denella Ri'chard is a sought-after world traveler, travel expert and industry thought leader who is a frequent speaker at conferences about the future of travel, women in travel, travel innovation and diversity in travel. Her weekly television show is in its seventh season.
