You will be transferred from the ship by local tender boat to Athinios port, where you will join the waiting motor coach. From here you will proceed toward the southern part of the island where you will make a quick photo stop at the ruins of an old windmill that has a panoramic view. You’ll re-board the coach and continue on your short narrated journey to the Akrotiri Archaeological Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the covered excavations of this advanced Bronze Age civilization. You will be taken back in time as these amazing ruins leave you to imagine what life was like before the village was destroyed around 1650 B.C., by the eruption of the volcano.  It remains a question why there were no people left in the village at the time of the eruption, as it was abandoned for reasons unknown.  It is often said in a whimsical way that perhaps Akrotiri is really the lost city of Atlantis. Next head to Oia with its picturesque, blue-domed churches, old 2-story mansions, and narrow cobblestone streets. It is the perfect place to fully appreciate the beauty of this remarkable island. As you traverse its narrow-cobbled streets you will come across many tiny shops which offer an unusual collection of handmade works of ceramic art, paintings and semi-precious jewelry. Coffee shops perched on the edge of the cliffs offer spectacular views of Fira and the volcano. Make your way back to the ship.
 

Please note:  This tour involves winding roads and high altitude.

           

 

 

 

Get ready to set sail on the exquisite Santorini during this scenic, relaxing ride around the volcanic islands of Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni and Thirassia. You will board a Catamaran sailing vessel for a 3.5-hour tour . Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni represent the volcano’s most recent activity. Palea Kameni, or Old Burnt Island, is less than 2,000 years old, while Nea Kameni, or Young Burnt Island, began forming just 425 years ago. Your boat will drop anchor into the green sulfur waters where you will enjoy an opportunity to swim in the warm waters of the thermal spring. A delicious Greek lunch  of chicken, pasta, Greek salad, fruit and beverages will be served on board while sailing.

 

Please note: Bring your swimsuit, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and your camera.

           

 

 

 

 

Please note:  This tour involves winding roads and high altitude. 

         

 

 

You will be transferred from the ship by a local tender to Athinios where you will join the waiting motor coach.  A short journey brings you to one of Santorini’s foremost wineries where you will be able to sample some of the most famous wines of Santorini. Leaving Santo Winery you will travel to visit the unique, underground labyrinth Wine Museum of Santorini where you will navigate the history of wine and have the opportunity to try four of the best wines.  Board your coach and travel to the most northern point of the island, Oia Village. This dramatic little village, has many of its dwellings nestled in niches hewn into the volcanic rock.  As you traverse its narrow cobbled streets you will come across many tiny shops which offer an unusual collection of handmade works of ceramic art, paintings and semi-precious jewelry. Coffee shops perched on the edge of the cliffs offer spectacular views of Fira and the volcano. Finally, you will board your coach and go to Fira town where your tour will end after a short walk to the Metropolis Church. From there you may decide whether to stay in the town and do a bit of shopping or to make your way back to the ship directly by taking the cable car to the pier below.

 

Please note: None of these destinations are wheelchair accessible. 

            

 

 

 

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own car. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. 

 

Please note:  Capacity: 1-2 guests. Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private car, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it’s in the area and does not exceed the duration of 4 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

           

 

 

 

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own van. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. 

 

Please note:  Capacity: 3-6 guests. Private vans are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private van, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it’s in the area and does not exceed the duration of 4 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

           

 

 

 

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own car. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. 

 

Please note:  Capacity: 1-2 guests. Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private car, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it’s in the area and does not exceed the duration of 8 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

            

 

 

 

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own van. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. 

 

Please note:  Capacity: 3-6 guests. Private vans are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private van, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it’s in the area and does not exceed the duration of 8 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

             

 

 

 

Your private vehicle will pick you up at the port and bring you to the new luxurious Kempinski Barbaros Bay Hotel. This wonderful 5-star hotel has amazing services for a relaxing day in luxury. Its location on a private bay with an exclusive beach and the most fabulous views of the Aegean Sea is perfect for a day to remember. Upon entering the hotel you will be greeted and receive your complimentary welcome drink. Choose the perfect location within the hotel complex to locate your lounge chair/umbrella/towel and bottle of water. A wonderful lunch will be served in the Beach Restaurant Bar area including the opportunity to try a glass of local wine. The hotel has one of the best spas in Turkey – The Sanitas Spa & Wellness. If you’d like to indulge in a spa treatment, a 10% discount is available for Windstar guests. After your relaxing day together with friends, your private vehicle will take you back to the port to embark the ship.

 

Please note: Access to the Kempinski Barbaros Bay Hotel is exclusive to those guests who have purchased this tour through Windstar Cruises. Water sports are also available for purchase. The tour maximum is 14 guests to secure social distance in the vehicle.

              

 

 

 

Combine a visit to historic Bodrum Castle with a scenic cruise aboard a traditional “gulet” wooden boat. A 15-minute ride will bring you to the Castle of Bodrum, which was created by the Knights of Rhodes using stone plundered from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Your visit will include the Sunken Boat Museum, showcasing underwater artifacts dating from the Bronze to the Middle Ages. Next, it’s all aboard a typical boat (“gulet”) to cruise among the Bodrum Peninsula’s magnificent coves. These sturdy wooden sailing craft have been plying these waters for centuries. Swim in idyllic local bays and enjoy a traditional lunch of Turkish specialties. Additional alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. There is a short walk back to the ship from the gulet drop off. 

 

Please note:  As the walking tour of the castle involves many steps which may be smooth and slippery, comfortable, rubber-soled shoes are recommended. The castle has unshaded areas so wear a hat and sunscreen as temperatures can be high. A narrow ramp must be negotiated to board the “gulet.” Wear your swimsuit under your clothing. Changing cabins are available on the boat. Use of the sails is optional, based on weather or other technical reasons.

            

 

 

 

This exclusive culinary tour for a maximum of 10 guests starts with a visit to a Turkish public market where you will shop together with a local chef for the ingredients you will use when cooking. Enjoy the vast array of fresh produce, olives, homemade jams, vegetables and fruits – a beautiful display of vivid colors. Mix with the locals as they do their daily shopping and experience the sights and sounds of a Turkish Market. Then onward to Erenler Sofrasi where you will learn the art of Turkish Cuisine. In addition to being the refined product of centuries of experience, Turkish Cuisine has a very pure quality. The variety and simplicity of the recipes and the quality of the ingredients are guarantees of delicious meals.  Lunch will be served at the restaurant including the recipes you have cooked with your own hands, complimented by a glass of Turkish wine or beer. After lunch you will return to the port with wonderful memories of your day with the locals. 

 

Please note: Book early; this exclusive tour only accommodates a maximum of 10 people to secure social distancing in the cooking class. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

              

 

 

 

 

Please note: This is a walking tour involving many steps which have been worn smooth with time and can therefore be slippery. Wear comfortable, rubber-soled shoes. As some areas of the castle are not shaded, wear a hat and sunscreen. It can get very warm here! Bring your camera. Mausoleum is closed on Mondays but, a special opening will be arranged for tour passengers.


             

 

 

Depart from the ship by boat with your PADI-qualified local dive instructor for an introduction to the wonderful marine life of Bodrum. Whether you are newly certified or an advanced diver, the area has all the diving opportunities you could want. The Big Reef displays varieties of multicolored fish, pieces of wreckage and more. The depth starts at 25 feet and goes down to 100 feet. Also in this area is the Small Reef which also offers a wonderful array of marine life. The depth ranges from 15 feet down to 50 feet and is just 15 minutes from the harbor. Your dive instructor will choose the area for the dive depending on the weather conditions. After your diving experience you will be taken back to the ship by boat. This tour is available for both one- or two-tank dives. Those booked for the one-tank dive will wait on the boat while the second-tank dive is done. 

 

Please note: The Dive Tour being offered is for Certified Divers only. Certified Divers need to bring their PADI - CMAS Cards or other proof of certification, including a log book. Waiver release forms must be signed and medical conditions must be disclosed. Bring your C-card. Participants under 18 years old must be accompanied on the diving tour by a parent or responsible adult 21 years of age or older. Minimum weight required for participation is 100 lbs. and maximum weight allowed for participation is 260 lbs. If over 260 obs. Consent will be given by the dive instructor.  Please wear your swimsuit under your clothing, bring a towel, spare t-shirt and sun block.

           

 

 

 

Here’s the ultimate “gulet” experience cruising among the Bodrum Peninsula’s magnificent coves.  These sturdy wooden sailing boats, typical of those found in this region are fully equipped with a restroom and sunbathing area.  You will have the opportunity to swim in idyllic bays and savor a delicious lunch of local specialties accompanied by chilled white wine. You will be able to while away the afternoon as you soak up the sun watching bays with exotic names slipping by.  When your relaxing afternoon is over you will be able to walk the short distance back to the ship from the gulet drop off point.

 

Please note: Wear your swimsuit under your clothing. A narrow ramp must be negotiated to board the “gulet.” Changing cabins are available on the boat. Use of the sails is optional, based on weather or other technical reasons. Maximum 4 people/gulet.

 

               

 

Depart from the ship by boat with your PADI-qualified local dive instructor for an introduction to the wonderful marine life of Bodrum. Whether you are newly certified or an advanced diver, the area has all the diving opportunities you could want. The Big Reef displays varieties of multicolored fish, pieces of wreckage and more. The depth starts at 25 feet and goes down to 100 feet. Also in this area is the Small Reef which also offers a wonderful array of marine life. The depth ranges from 15 feet down to 50 feet and is just 15 minutes from the harbor. Your dive instructor will choose the area for the dive depending on the weather conditions. After your diving experience you will be taken back to the ship by boat. This tour is a two-tank dive. 

 

Please note: The Dive Tour being offered is for Certified Divers only. Certified Divers need to bring their PADI - CMAS Cards or other proof of certification, including a log book. Waiver release forms must be signed and medical conditions must be disclosed. Bring your C-card. Participants under 18 years old must be accompanied on the diving tour by a parent or responsible adult 21 years of age or older. Minimum weight required for participation is 100 lbs. and maximum weight allowed for participation is 260 lbs. If over 260 obs. Consent will be given by the dive instructor.  Please wear your swimsuit under your clothing, bring a towel, spare t-shirt and sun block.

            

 

 

 

Please note: As this excursion involves extensive walking, comfortable shoes with non-slip soles are recommended. At Terrace Houses, guests will walk on glass-covered platforms. 

            

 

 

Meet your professional guide and set off to visit the ruined city of ancient Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded by the Carians and Lelegs. Today, this is one of the most magnificent and best-preserved archaeological sites in the world. You will see the glorious Celsus Library façade, restored and reconstructed in the 1970s, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Great Theatre with a seating capacity of 25,000 people. Then, you will visit a new ongoing excavation site of the Church of Mary inside Ephesus. The church is located in the south stoa of the Olympian next to the harbor of Ephesus. This is a very important church for Christianity because it was the first one devoted to the Virgin Mary. The Council of Ephesus and the Synod declared that church as the center of Christianity in 449 A.D.  Your guide will share some little-known details about the life and times of the ancient city. You will also visit the Ephesus Archaeological Museum. This small museum in Selcuk boasts an incredible collection of Hellenistic and Roman statues, carved reliefs and artifacts unearthed from the ruins of Ephesus. The famous statue of Artemis (goddess of fertility) is housed here. At the end of your tour, you will stop for refreshments and a carpet demonstration at a local weaving village. Enjoy watching the skilled artisans spinning and dyeing yarn and weaving carpets. From here you can either return directly to the ship or stay in Kusadasi. Guests who wish to stay in town to shop or explore on their own are welcome to do so, but must return to the ship on their own.

 

Please note: This tour involves a great deal of walking over uneven terrain. Comfortable walking shoes with non-skid soles are highly recommended.

            

 

 

 

Visit the ruined city of ancient Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, founded by the Carians and Lelegs. You will see the glorious Celsus Library façade, restored and reconstructed in the 1970s, the Grand Amphitheater and the Temple of Hadrian. Visit the “Terrace Houses” located opposite Hadrian’s Temple, a newly excavated area. Next you will discover the beauty of Sirince Village, the perfect synthesis of Turkish-Greek culture where you will stroll through the streets and see the typical Greek houses. You will have time to purchase some local handicrafts that the village ladies sell on the streets. The  tour features a charming church dedicated to St John that you can view high above the village. A private lunch has been arranged for you in a beautifully restored local building, with spectacular views overlooking an amazing valley of fruit and olive trees and lots of grapevines. Here you will experience the local cuisine with the best of Turkish hospitality. Taste a few of the local wines throughout your private lunch. Upon your return to Kusadasi, you may enjoy a carpet-making demonstration and have some time for shopping. Explore the town and return to the yacht on your own.

 

Please note: This tour involves a great deal of walking over uneven terrain. Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.

            

 

 

 

 

 

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own van. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own.

 

Please note:  Capacity: 1-10 guests. Private vans are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private van, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it’s in the area and does not exceed the duration of 4 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

             

 

 

 

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own van. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own.

 

Please note:  Capacity: 1-10 guests. Private vans are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private van, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it’s in the area and does not exceed the duration of 8 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

           

 

 

 

 

Please note:  There is a lot of walking on this tour with many steps and rough and uneven terrain.  Flat, comfortable shoes are highly recommended.  The last 3 miles to the Virgin Mary’s House is a winding road up to an altitude of 1,250 feet. 

            

 

 

Please note: As there is extensive walking on this tour, comfortable shoes are recommended.  
            

 

 

 

 

A tour of Mykonos that includes a cheese factory, winery, and walking tour of Mykonos town is an excellent way to experience the island's rich culture, history, and delicious local products. Start your tour with a visit to a local cheese factory. This tour will give you the opportunity to learn about the production of organic dairy products and taste some of the best Mykonian cheese. Here, you'll learn about traditional cheese-making methods and get to taste some of the delicious cheeses made on the island. You can also take a tour of the farm, which includes a visit to the organic gardens and a chance to meet the farm animals. Next, head to a local winery.  Here, you'll learn about the island's wine-making traditions and sample some of the local wines. You can take a tour of the vineyard and wine cellar and learn about the different grape varieties grown on the island. Then take a walking tour of Mykonos town, which is known for its picturesque, white-washed buildings and charming narrow streets. Your tour guide will show you around the town's famous landmarks, such as the Windmills, Little Venice, and the Panagia Paraportiani Church. You'll also have the opportunity to browse local shops and cafes and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of this charming town. Don't forget to bring your camera, as there will be plenty of photo opportunities along the way!
 
Please note:  During the summer there is not much shade so it is advisable to wear a hat or visor, sunglasses, and bring sunscreen. Wear comfortable walking shoes.


            

 

 

 

This private cruise to Delos & Rhenia islands guarantees vast doses of relaxation, culture and unique moments. Departing from Mykonos on a short and enjoyable boat trip, you will reach the small port of Delos Island, from which you can see the ancient monuments of the island. This holy island for Ancient Greeks, according to mythology, was revealed through the waves of the Aegean Sea by Poseidon, when Leto – persecuted by Hera – arrived there to give birth to Apollo and Artemis. You will leave Delos and head for the nearby Rhenia island, transformed into a vast necropolis when the Athenians imposed clearance on the island of Delos, ordering no one to give birth or die on the holy island. But it is all in the past and today Rhenia is a true heaven on earth. This magnificent island possesses virgin beaches with crystal blue turquoise waters that magnetize anyone who is fortunate to see them. The most famous one that you will be heading to is Skinos, known as “Blue Lacuna.” Here you will have the time to swim in the crystal clear waters, sunbathe on the beautiful golden sandy beach, stroll around the coast and enjoy your stay on the boat with the drink and snack that will be served. After Skinos, you will also explore some nearby beaches of Rhenia such as Lygia, Glyfada, Strada, Lia and Ambelia, which stand out for their unique beauty.

 

Please note: Wear your swimsuit and bring sunscreen. Beach towels, snorkel equipment, cool beverages, fruit and snacks will all be included on the boat.

Please note:  This shore excursion is priced by boat for a maximum of 6 people. This shore excursion is non-refundable. If you booked Trip Protection through Windstar Cruises this shore excursion is covered under the trip protection plan.  As a result, your trip protection premium will increase.