One of the things that both Blaik and I had on our travel bucket list is a trip aboard one of the Windjammer sailing cruises. Not quite the tall ships of Master and Commander that Blaik would like to crew for a voyage, more like a relaxed, inclusive adventure for grown ups who like their creature comforts. The challenge has been in finding the right time and cruise to embark on.
Apparently this week the Windjammer people have announced two new cruises for the fall of 2011. They are both 9 day outings (a perfect length of time for landlubbers). You get the magic of the tall ships, the chance to really get to know your sailing companions, and the opportunity to really feel like you are sailing. These are more than just the typical Caribbean island hop.
The first called The Hidden Treasures of the Ionian, features sailings between Athens and Malta. The vacation includes a 7-day voyage, complimentary hotel accommodations for two nights in Athens at a Windstar designated hotel, complimentary transfer and invitation to Windstar’s Yacht Club Party. This is a chance to let your hair down and see the Mediterranean the way it was meant to be seen. It’s also a chance to highlight the rich history and culture of enchanting destinations, UNESCO World Heritage sites, ancient Greek civilizations, charming coastal villages and breathtaking islands.
The second is the” I dream of Turkey” (okay that’s just my name for it) cruise. It’s the Cyprus and Turkey cruise that lets you re-live the voyages of the swashbuckling sailors in the movies of our youth.
The press release reads:
“The intoxicating aromas of exotic spices and luxurious oils beckon from Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. Lobster risotto and other decadent treats call from the restaurants of Mykonos. The ruins of Ephesus near Kusadasi invite you to wander along their well-worn paths. Celebrate another brilliant Santorini sunset with a glass of ouzo. See Ottoman mansions and wooden yatis the way they were meant to be seen – from a small boat sailing the Bosporus. Delight in the pleasure of discovering an energy and earthiness found nowhere else in the world.”
I don’t know about you, but it has moved way up on our bucket list. We’ll let you know how it goes after we give them a whirl at some point in the (hopefully) not-too-distant-future.
