Earlier this yr, in mid-January the truth is, it occurred to me that combining a three-night keep in Venice, a cruise homeport, with certainly one of Windstar’s “locals’ season” European voyages, may very well be an uncommon method to kick off the brand new yr. My seven night time voyage from Venice to Rome on Star Legend began with an in a single day proper within the metropolis middle and included stops at Cut up, Dubrovnik, Taormina, and Naples.
Having visited usually in spring, summer time and fall, La Serenissima-in-January was a chilled revelation. How so? After visiting the Guggenheim museum on a cloudy day that served to light up Peggy Guggenheim’s colourful, chaotic assortment, I wandered by its present store and have become fascinated by a guide I discovered there. Instantly bingeing on The Politics of Washing: Actual Life in Venice by Polly Coles, I discovered it captured a temper and atmosphere that I’d by no means earlier than skilled right here.
“You can not dwell in a spot that’s three elements delusion to 1 half each day life and never have interaction with it in ways in which vary from the banally pragmatic…to the profound: how would all of the world be if it had been free of the tyranny of a automotive,” she writes. “What impact does water have on the soul? How may a toddler conceive of his place within the current when rising up in a atmosphere so palpably chiseled out of centuries of historical past?”
Whereas guests to Venice won’t ever in the end actually know the way it feels to be a neighborhood there, a visit in “locals’ season” – and her story — gave me a glimmer into life in Venice that sits under the floor. It’s an expertise that also surprises and delights in surprising methods.
For these contemplating a winter getaway, listed below are my favourite the reason why Venice is a superb port of embarkation (or debarkation) round which to construct a Mediterranean cruise.
Fewer Guests
Whereas there have been handfuls of vacationers who congregated across the nonetheless somewhat-busy Rialto Bridge, the world round Stazione Santa Lucia, elements of central neighborhoods adjacent-to-the-Grand Canal, and the marquee vacation spot, the Piazza San Marco, the tempo in different spots was distinctly extra laid again than throughout every other go to. The aforementioned Guggenheim wasn’t abandoned however it wasn’t packed, both. Eating at alfresco cafes (see climate, under, you’d be stunned), whether or not on piazzas, alongside canals or in actually cozy indoor spots that you just’d not have in any other case observed, there was all the time a desk.
On one outing at a Murano glass manufacturing facility, the grizzled glassmaker demonstrated his craft to an viewers of 1 (nicely, simply me and a information who translated his course of in what was not meant to be a personal go to). Within the outlets hooked up to the manufacturing facility, I browsed, languidly. There have been no crowds to struggle with. The invention that moved me most was a go to to the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, a lesser-known museum that celebrates the work of Renaissance artist Tintoretto, who educated beneath Titian. Not being very educated about artwork from that interval, I used to be captivated by its huge and dramatic canvases that captured spiritual themes with daring colours and dramatic mild. To actually see canvases on the ceiling and excessive on the partitions, the museum gives you with (heavy although moveable) mirrors that enable you see up shut.
I used to be certainly one of only a handful of tourists to Scuola Grande di San Rocco that day and felt as if I had been misplaced in a dream of time and place.
Right here’s a journey trace: If one of many advantages of visiting Venice is the much-reduced variety of guests and the straightforward accessibility of outlets, cafes, museums and glass factories, the flip facet to that’s a few of them could also be closed throughout your go to (not throughout Carnival or the festive holidays however presumably within the weeks between them). Guidebooks beneficial this season to go to Murano and Burano; my expertise in Murano was that past my glass manufacturing facility go to its eating places and outlets had been just about closed down. Additionally: even in busier areas, it helps to be versatile. A pal who adores Venice gave me a complete record of locations to go to; a few of them had been “on trip” throughout my keep.
Chances are you’ll need to contemplate totally different standards when selecting your resort or home-away-from-home for a pre- or post-cruise keep
Having traveled on Star Legend a number of occasions, I already knew what to anticipate from my cruise ship. Selecting a resort for my three night-pre cruise go to was a bit more difficult. Even in January, there are such a lot of selections.
Usually on visits to Venice you need to stroll all over the place. Even in January I deliberate to get my steps in, however one uncommon standards for this journey was that I needed to be shut sufficient to a vaporetto station that might get me all over the place if I needed to take a trip (and generally I hopped on simply because I like the expertise of crusing down the Guidecca and Grand canals). The resort wanted to have companies, so {that a} restaurant was out there if I didn’t really feel like venturing out at night time.
And it wanted to be charming as a result of in winter, you need to be cozy. I selected Ca ‘di ‘Dio, simply reverse the Arsenale cease (and proper about the place the Grand and Guidecca canals meet) within the Castello district. Arsenale is even a cease on the airport-to-Venice route. The 13th century resort, which started as a pilgrim’s hostel within the 13th century, had simply emerged from a large refurbishment. The place had a heat that stunned me — not simply in its centuries‑outdated partitions, but additionally in the way in which the workers welcomed me with an surprising improve that made me really feel immediately at house.
Plus, this property supplied great proximity to neighborhoods the place individuals do dwell year-around, so there have been loads of companies (markets, indoors and out, pharmacies and easy-going cafes) open close by.
Right here’s a journey trace: Of all the factors I weighed earlier than selecting this resort, a very powerful was its location. One other resort that caught my eye was La Calcina, within the Dorsoduro district on the Guidecca Canal, once I stopped in for a comfy (indoor lunch) and met a pair who had simply checked in for a pre-cruise keep earlier than departing on our Star Legend voyage. One further profit right here is that for those who don’t have an amazing quantity of bags you may actually stroll to Star Legend’s docking spot.
The climate wasn’t as winter-ish as I anticipated. Nonetheless, pack well.
My first full day in Venice was only a attractive one. The sunshine throughout the Guidecca/Grand Canals was heat and melting. After strolling by way of the world, together with the gardens on the Arsenale, which I’ve all the time beloved however maybe by no means totally appreciated, I got here again to my resort, the place the alfresco café, with heaters, for certain, was doing a brisk however not too busy enterprise. What a view!
On different days, it may very well be wet and foggy, and I’d packed and deliberate for that (not only for Venice but additionally for the remainder of our Adriatic cruise from Croatia and round southern Italy). The climate dictated my plans for the day and it felt liberating to be versatile. Some days it was all about strolling alongside the canals. Different days, I actually loved prioritizing museum visits, lengthy lazy lunches at cozy boites, just like the restaurant at La Calcina, and wonderful late afternoon naps.
Mockingly, even within the rain Venice has a moodiness that’s otherworldly.
Right here’s a journey trace: As a result of I like Windstar’s onboard laundry service, it’s transformed me to being a carry-on dedicated gal. Nonetheless, I wanted to plan forward for my pre-cruise journey; there have been two pairs of footwear, one for being onboard, the opposite for extra intense outside trekking. I had one wool sweater, and one other, a cotton, washable sweater. There have been two pairs of simply washable pants that transformed from energetic days to beautiful, indulgent evenings (I’m touring to Windstar’s locals’ season cruise in Spain, quickly, and can pack simply the identical). And a few silk tops to make evenings really feel a bit extra festive.
Essentially the most helpful combo, although, was a down vest, to maintain me heat if it was wanted, and a incredible (if not terribly flattering) Finnish rain poncho, that I might put on on prime, and that might preserve me dry. It doesn’t matter what, I used to be ready.
Venice celebrates in winter. You possibly can, too
Venice could also be quieter in winter, however don’t be fooled — the town nonetheless is aware of the right way to have fun. Carnival might be the busiest “off‑season” expertise you may have right here, rivaling the power of summer time. The masks, parades, and pageantry remodel Venice right into a residing stage, and the ambiance is unforgettable (in February 2026, Windstar is that includes two cruises that decision at Venice throughout Carnival, together with its Godmother Celebration (hosted by Star Legend’s godmother, Gloria Bohan) and Winter Italy and the Dalmatian Coast.
In 2027, Windstar’s new Star Explorer, which debuts in December 2026, will probably be visiting Venice throughout Carnival.
A Winter Voyage with Windstar
Windstar’s native seasons cruises have turn out to be one thing I stay up for annually. Final yr I sailed from Rome to Barcelona, additionally on Star Legend. And shortly, I’ll embark Star Seeker to discover southern Spain’s ports of name.
Venice in winter was a revelation — quieter, extra intimate, and endlessly rewarding for those who take the time to wander. On this final afternoon, as my go to started winding up, I turned a nook within the colourful and central neighborhood of Santa Croce and abruptly noticed Star Legend ready there, tucked into the town as if it belonged. That second captured the magic of small-ship journey and the way in which it folds seamlessly into on a regular basis life.
The Adriatic itinerary itself unfolded with its personal surprises. Dubrovnik, usually crowded in summer time, felt reworked in January. With out the crush of tourists, the town revealed a extra native rhythm, and my tour there, venturing to a farm the place we discovered how to make a standard Croatian dish, grew to become certainly one of my most memorable experiences. On the Teatro Antico di Taormina in Sicily, on a stunning sunny, cool day, you might actually see eternally. Naples was one other delight — it’s not all the time on Windstar’s summer time routes however a pleasure to discover at a slower tempo. I spent the day strolling its storied streets, pausing for a protracted lunch with crisp native white wine, and savoring the seasonal calm.
Again in Venice, Star Legend docked in a single day in Santa Croce. I dropped my bag, reconnected with acquainted crew, and loved dinner at Amphora. That’s the essence of Windstar: after days of exploration, stepping again onboard seems like coming house.
And departing Venice? That was one other surprising spotlight. Crusing out by way of the gulf towards the Mediterranean, you witness the engineering marvels designed to guard the town from rising waters. Venice’s flood‑safety system is known as the MOSE mission, a collection of cell limitations designed to guard the Venetian lagoon from the Adriatic’s excessive tides and flooding by way of enormous gates on the inlets of Lido, Malamocco, and Chioggia.
This journey captured what I like most about Windstar’s native season itineraries in Europe: the steadiness between exploring cities of their quieter months and returning to a ship that feels private, welcoming, and restorative. Even in January, the Adriatic supplied heat of a special sort, not simply in local weather, but additionally in connection.
