Italian Splendors Cruise

July 10–20, 2025

Join the Purdue President’s Council on a 10-night cruise experiencing Southern Italy’s treasure trove of history, culture, and cuisine as you sail to Sicily, Malta, and the Amalfi Coast aboard Windstar Cruises’ 342-guest sailing yacht the Wind Surf.

Your participation supports the
President’s Council Enrichment Fund
Your travel-package registration fee includes support for ongoing adventures, events, and lifelong educational opportunities with the President’s Council family. As a part of your overall price, a $500-per-person, tax-deductible donation to the President’s Council Enrichment Fund helps underwrite the involvement of Purdue educators and administrators to enhance your personal travel experiences—a benefit exclusive to Purdue President’s Council members.

Itinerary Highlights:

  • 10 nights cruising Southern Italy aboard the Windstar Wind Surf, the world’s largest sailing ship
  • Exclusive President’s Council Catania Tour with a visit to glamorous Taormina and Gambino Winery with Lunch 
  • Exclusive President’s Council Valletta Tour to the Blue Grotto, Mdina & Valletta with Lunch
  • In Gozo, visit Ggantijja Temples, The Citadel, or embark on a 4×4 adventure
  • From Porto Empedocle visit to the Valley of the Temples or Sant’Angelo Muxaro Village
  • Explore Valletta’s Palace of the Grand Masters or medieval Mdina
  • From Trapani visit the mountaintop medieval town of Erice or nearby Marsala known for its renowned wine
  • Enjoy the old town, beaches, and seafood on the Aeolian Island of Lipari
  • Sorrento is your gateway to ancient Pompeii or 4th-century Herculaneum
  • On the Amalfi Coast visit the pastel-colored, cliffside villages of Amalfi, Ravello, or colorful Positano
  • Optional four-night pre-cruise package in Tuscany

President’s Council Package Includes:

  • President’s Council Welcome & Farewell Receptions
  • Open-seating dining in a choice of four dining venues featuring specialty dining under the stars and 24-hour room service
  • All beverages including wine, beer, cocktails, soft drinks, specialty coffee, bottled water, and mini-bar items
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi and prepaid gratuities for housekeeping, bar, and dining staff
  • Watersports platform with complimentary snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards and water trampoline
  • Newly redesigned leisure areas, full-service spa, lounges, fitness center, pool, pool bar, and hot tubs, plus onboard entertainment
  • $500-per-person, tax-deductible donation to the President’s Council Enrichment Fund
  • Purdue President’s Council and Global Tracks staff
  • $100 shipboard credit per person

Optional Pre-Cruise Package: Tuscany (waitlisted)

July 6–10 // 2025

Plus, optional Rome: Rest & Recover Hotel Package on July 5

Join the Purdue President’s Council on a four-night pre-cruise package at the beautifully renovated 18th-century estate Poggio Alla Sala in the heart of Tuscany. Immerse yourself in the charm of hillside medieval villages, savor local Tuscan cuisine and wines, and delight in stunning landscapes. Explore enchanting Orvieto, the famous hilltop town Montepulciano, and enjoy a President’s Council Farewell Tuscan Cooking Class, plus free time for optional visits to Sienna and Pienza.

Cruise Itinerary:

Thursday, July 10, 2025 | Rome, Italy

Embark onboard the Windstar Wind Surf.

During our leisurely day at sea, enjoy the amenities of the Windstar Wind Surf.

Catania is a historic city located on the eastern coast of the island of Sicily, Italy. Nestled between the Ionian Sea and the majestic Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano, Catania is known for its rich cultural heritage, Baroque architecture, and vibrant street markets.

Exclusive President’s Council Shore Excursion: Taormina and Gambino Winery Tour, Tasting & Lunch

Take an adventure through eastern Sicily to the cliff-side town of Taormina to visit the 3rd-century Greco-Roman theater, an ancient amphitheater partly etched into the rocky cliffs, and stroll along the Corso Umberto. Continue with a scenic drive to Gambino Winery, known for its mesmerizing vineyards and stunning panoramas over the volcanic terrain.  Enjoy a tour of the winery, tasting, and group lunch.  (Included in cruise package).

Xlendi is a small village located on the west coast of Gozo Island, which is one of the multiple islands that form the Maltese Archipelago with beautiful blue water and steep cliffs.  Choose a guided tour to visit Ggantijja Temples – “the Giant’s Tower”, erected about 3500 B.C. and The Citadel in Gozo.   Or opt for 4×4 Jeep adventure to explore the beautiful hidden corners of Gozo!

Malta’s capital city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts a rich cultural heritage, with museums, churches, and theaters scattered throughout its narrow streets. The city overlooks the scenic Grand Harbour and offers stunning views of the surrounding sea. The city was founded in 1566 by the Knights of St. John and, incredibly, built in just 15 years.

Exclusive President’s Council Shore Excursion: Blue Grotto, Mdina & Valletta with Lunch

Set sail on small boats in picturesque Blue Grotto sea caves to see the brilliant phosphorescent colors. Next, enjoy a guided walking tour of Mdina Medieval City, often referred to as the “Silent City,” known for its charming narrow streets and impressive fortified walls.  Back in Valletta, discover its historical marvels on a walking tour, featuring an inside visit to the stunning St. John’s Co-Cathedral.  Enjoy a group lunch in the heart of the city at Is-Suq tal-Belt (Valletta Market).  (Included in cruise package).

Situated in the Agrigento province, Porto Empedocle is strategically located on the southern coast of Sicily, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. With its bustling fishing harbor, there is a lively maritime atmosphere with fishermen bringing in their daily catches. Choose a guided tour of Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Sicily’s most significant archaeological complexes.  Or explore Sant’Angelo Muxaro, a charming hilltop village with a unique blend of history and authenticity.

At once ancient and contemporary, Trapani is a city of contrasts. From the salt marshes that produce much of the Mediterranean’s signature-colored salts, to the intricate mosaics of Mozia and the famous wines of Marsala, to the best view in all of Sicily from the medieval hill town of Erice where the colorful gardens are rivaled only by the cannolis for pure sensory delight. The line of 17th-century windmills, still hard at work in ancient Phoenician salt marshes beckons you to return to Trapani again and again.

Take time on shore to explore the beautiful village and enjoy the exclusive access that only a small ship can provide in a port large cruise ships cannot reach. An optional tour will introduce you to the highlights of the largest of the seven Aeolian Islands, well-known for its mythological connections and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites abound in Sorrento. Optional tours will take you to the archaeological areas of Pompeii and Torre Annunziata, or the 4th century BC city of Herculaneum. Perhaps your choice will be a boat ride to Positano, the legendary home of the Sirens. Perched on a terrace on the spectacular Amalfi Coast, Sorrento offers exceptional views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.

The town of Amalfi lies at the mouth of a deep ravine surrounded by dramatic cliffs and coastal scenery. As part of the Amalfi Coast, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an important tourist destination. The whole region is famed for its lemons, which are about double the size of other lemons, and the production of the limoncello liqueur. An optional tour can take you to the UNESCO archaeological areas of Pompeii, Positano, and Ravello.

 

Disembark the Windstar Wind Surf in Civitavecchia.