Today kicks off our newest contest, and, boy, are we excited about it!  Our biggest giveaway to date, the grand prize is a Seven-Day voyage for two from Rome to Venice, beginning in the Tyrrhenian Sea, travelling through the Ionian Sea and finishing in the Adriatic aboard Windstar Cruise’s luxury, white-sailed yacht.  You’ll enjoy days of exploration and evenings of fine wine and dining over the glistening waters aboard this privatised liner where the crew members know you by name. 

 The cruise takes you to a different port nearly every morning, allowing you to explore each beautiful location every day. And, since Windstar’s yacht’s are smaller and more private than your typical cruise ship, with a maximum capacity of  just over 300 guests, they are able to visit some of the more intimate and exclusive ports along the Italian coast and in the surrounding seas. 

The adventure begins on July 25, 2010,  in one of the oldest and most interesting cities in the world, Rome, a city where the rich history of viticulture is intertwined with the very fabric of ancient and modern civilization. You’ll want to make sure to spend a day or more exploring and losing yourself in the city before you set sail.

After a night’s sail, you’ll wake up the first morning in the port of the idyllic Island of Capri, just off the coast of Naples. With any luck and the most calmed waters, you’ll have the opportunity to kayak through the island’s famed grotto’s to view the spectacularly neon blue waters.  If you’re feeling active, the island offers moderate hikes through the town’s outskirts, or perhaps renting a scooter to visit the far stretches of the island and private beaches will be more your style… 

The second morning you’ll arrive at the base of one of Sicily’s top travel destinations, Taormina. Located approximately 200 meters above sea level, the town offers an array of visual sensations, mixing history with modernity. You’ll want to visit the town’s medieval quarter and  Greek theater, but never be too far from some of the greatest modern shops and restaurants the area has to offer.  June through August boasts the Taormina Arte Festival, a celebration of all facets of human creativity, with emphasis on music, theater, movies, dance and canvassed art. You won’t want to miss it!

Windstar Sailing Past Portofino

On Wednesday, July 28, you’ll enjoy a day at sea aboard the yacht as you make your way around the southern tip of Italy. On board you’ll have the chance to explore and indulge in the many on board activities including the luxurious WindSpa – “The most tranquil place on earth, at Sea”, the Fitness Center, Casino, Library or just relax on the Fly Bridge. Actually, the Stateroom in which you’ll be staying is a luxury in itself, with a Queen sized bed, flat screen TV with DVD’s, and Room Service delivered with the same polished quality as The Restaurant, so maybe you’ll want to just stay in for the evening!

Day four you’ll wake off the coast of Montenegro headed to its beautiful port of Kotor, a sea port of the finest calibre with many stories within its borders. This midieval city was constructed sometime between the 12th and 14th centuries, and is a well preserved visualization of life in the middle ages. In fact, UNESCO gave the maritime city the high honor of  a “World Heritage Site” – a place that is of such a calibre of cultural and natural heritage of humanity that it is to be preserved under this title.  

Elite destination town of Dubrovnik

On Friday and Saturday, you’ll have the opportunity to explore two towns in Croatia, Dubrovnik and Hvar. Another UNESCO World Heritage site, the city of Dubrovnik has been nicknamed the pearl of the Adriatic, a place most definitely ”to be seen.” Croatian history is deeply rooted in the city, where much of its language was developed, and has been home and vacation home to many notable figures, including  diplomats, nobles, and celebrities.  The island of Hvar, alternatively, offers a different kind of splendor, a more rural setting as it is off the mainland of Croatia and is famous not only for its nautical positioning, but for its tranquil beauty. Not to be missed in the town of Hvar is the cathedral of Hvar, the fortress Fortica, famous theater built in 1612 and the Franciscan monastery.  You’ll want to lose yourself in the stone lined streets where undoubtedly you’ll find at least a few quaint cafes and family run restaurants.

You’ll say goodbye to Windstar Cruises on your seventh morning as you land in Venice, Italy, where hopefully you’ll still have some energy in your reserves to explore all that this City of Canals has to offer…

We hope you’re as excited about this sea adventure as we are! Enter to win today by visiting Our Entry Form page.  The drawing will be held on June 30, so it might be a good idea to start looking at flights just in case… From all of us at Gold Medal Wine Club, GOOD LUCK!