8 Night Cruise sailing from Stockholm roundtrip aboard Wind Surf.
The largest sailing ship in the world, the Wind Surf is a sleek, five-masted sailing yacht accommodating 312 guests. With six decks and a gross tonnage of 14,745, the Wind Surf is the largest yacht in the Windstar fleet.
All staterooms have ocean views, queen beds, flat-screen TV with DVD player and Bose SoundDock speakers for Apple iPods. Wind Surf suites include an extra bath and TV along with sitting area and his-and-her bathrooms. The new spa suites include lush spa robes, tea service and credits for certified organic spa services and fitness classes in WindSpa. Wind Surf bridge suites give guests the additional luxury of a spacious private living room and relaxing whirlpool spa.
Wind Surf has several dining spots. Degrees, is by reservation only and features an alternative menu reflecting the fresh and seasonal preparations of Mediterranean cooking. The Restaurant offers gourmet, course-by-course cuisine in the evenings and the Veranda restaurant offers casual dining for breakfast and lunch. For dining under the stars, two alfresco top deck eateries include Candles for steaks and skewers, and Le Marche, for seafood.
Wind Surf has the most elaborate fitness and spa facilities in the Windstar fleet, outclassing most facilities on other similar-size ships. Additional amenities include casino and lounge, salon, water-sports platform, two pools and two hot tubs. The Yacht Club is the ship's "living room" and library decorated with intimate groupings of comfy couches and chairs, perfect for reading, catching up on news, browsing the internet, or enjoying good conversation with friends.
Highlights of this itinerary:
Stockholm
Sweden's capital is one of the most picturesque major cities in the world. Part of an archipelago consisting of about 24,000 rocky islands, Stockholm delivers a vision of spice-colored buildings rising between vibrantly blue-toned waters and skies during the brief summer, then illuminated by the inviting glow of lights above a blanket of snow in winter. Renowned for its progressive nature in every aspect, Stockholm offers cutting-edge minimalist design, trendy fashions and a world-class club scene. The Södermalm neighborhood is distinguished by high waterfront hills graced by charming old homes, with main streets lined with unique shops, art galleries and nightclubs. The city's center district is a bustling metropolis with boutiques and restaurants the equal of any on the continent.
St Petersburg
Russia's gilded "Window to the West" planned by Peter the Great as a progressive city the equal of any in Europe continues to exceed the expectations of its visionary founder. Combining its fascinating Russian heritage with a distinctly European outlook, St. Petersburg has emerged from the long Soviet era (and its renaming as Leningrad) to recapture its grandeur and claim its place as a thriving, relevant world city. Almost every street welcomes visitors to discover a wealth of history and culture. Touring the major attractions - The Winter Palace, the Hermitage, and Peter and Paul Fortress - will surely provide defining moments in your life. The enticing cafes, restaurants and shops testify to the city's reinvigoration. Nature itself offers such unique wonders as the famous White Nights, the long summer days when the sun barely dips below the horizon.
Tallinn
As one of Europe's most captivating cities, Tallinn is a stimulating mixture of medieval and contemporary - often coexisting in the same urban space. The spires of 14th-century churches set on narrow cobblestone streets rise above decidedly fashion-forward cafes, restaurants and shops located within the stone walls of structures largely unchanged since the middle ages. The Old Town medieval city center isn't merely well-preserved - it's a thriving district of continuing importance to Tallinn. The longest Old Town street is Pikk, the location of impressive guild houses, St. Olav's Church and other architectural treasures. In 2011, Tallinn proudly assumes its role as European Capital of Culture, giving the city a chance to showcase the best of its creative spirit to the rest of the world. Beyond the medieval district, travelers can visit Peter the Great's baroque masterpiece Kadriorg Palace, or head to Pirita or Väna-Jõesuu to enjoy beach culture.
