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 Winery Lunch near Mt. Etna
  • Exclusive President’s Council Gozo Tuk Tuk Tour with a Gozitan Lunch
  • Explore Valletta’s Palace of the Grand Masters or medieval Mdina
  • Exclusive President’s Council Tour from Porto Empedocle to the Valley of the Temples and visit Sant’Angelo Muxaro Village
  • 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 Rome Pre-Cruise Package. More details to be announced!

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

Cruise Itinerary:

Thursday, July 10, 2025 | Rome, Italy

From the Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO), transfer to the port in Civitavecchia and 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: Catania, Taormina, and Winery Lunch

Take an adventure through eastern Sicily to the cliff-side town of Taormina to visit the 3rd-century Greco-Roman theater and stroll along the Corso Umberto. Enjoy wine tasting and lunch at a local winery located on the north slopes of Mt. Etna. Return to Catania, visiting Piazza Duomo, the city’s main square, where we find the Church of Sant’Agata, and many small boutiques with local handmade souvenirs. (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. The village is among the prettiest with its ancient temples, beautiful blue water, and steep cliffs.

Exclusive President’s Council Shore Excursion: Gozo Tuk Tuk Tour with Lunch

Enjoy a fun-filled tour of Gozo to explore the most popular sightseeing spots as well as the hidden gems on the island. Key landmarks and villages include the Sannap Cliffs, Xlendi Bay, Fungus Rock, the island’s capital of Victoria, and Calypso Cave. Learn about Gozo’s rich history and culture from our guide and enjoy a motorboat ride past the famous Blue Lagoon. Conclude with a traditional Gozitan Lunch. (Included in cruise package).

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. Highlights include landmarks like St. John’s Co-Cathedral, the beautiful lanes of Mdina, Malta’s enigmatic “Silent City”, the Grand Master’s Palace, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

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. Nearby you’ll find what are widely acclaimed as the best ancient ruins in the entire Mediterranean.

Exclusive President’s Council Shore Excursion: Valley of the Temples and Sant’Angelo Muxaro Village Visit  

Begin with 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. Marvel at the grandeur of the eight temples which date back to the 5th century BC. Continue the journey towards Sant’Angelo Muxaro, a charming hilltop village with a unique blend of history and authenticity. Enjoy a brief walking tour followed by free time to wander the narrow streets adorned with shops, restaurants, and friendly locals. (Included in cruise package).

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 and transfer to the Rome–Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) for your flight home.

President’s Council Rates:

Category & Deck Double
Per Person 		Single
Price
Standard and Deluxe Cabins | 188 sq. ft.
Category B | Deck 1 | Forward/Aft waitlisted $5,510 $7,985
Category BX Deluxe | Deck 1 | Midship $5,910 $8,685
Category A | Deck 2 | Forward/Aft $6,210 $9,205
Category AX Deluxe | Deck 2 | Midship $6,510 $9,735
Category TX Deluxe | Deck 3 | Forward/Aft or Midship $6,810 $10,255
Suites
Suite | 376 sq. ft. | Deck 3 | Forward/Aft or Midship $8,810 $15,410
Officer's Suite | 242 sq. ft. | Bridge Deck 5 | Forward $9,110 -
Bridge Suite | 495 sq. ft. | Bridge Deck 5 | Midship waitlisted $11,180 -

The opportunity to travel with President’s Council is an exclusive benefit of membership. Read how to become a President’s Council member or contact us to learn more.

Rates include port taxes of $221 per person.

Double pricing is based on double occupancy or two people per stateroom.
Single pricing is based on one person per stateroom and is capacity-controlled by Windstar and subject to change.

Required Deposit: $1,500 per person for double occupancy and $1,750 for single occupancy and a non-refundable Global Tracks administration fee of $100 per person

Final Payment: March 12, 2025

Save $250 per person for all Windstar Yacht Club Members (if you have previously cruised with Windstar)

Cancellation Schedule: Cancellation penalties apply once deposit is paid, so please review policy below.

Airfare is not included: Global Tracks will book your air arrangements for a $100 per person ticketing fee, or you may choose to handle your own reservation.

Airport Transfers to and from the Windstar Wind Surf are not included and can be purchased from Windstar Cruises. The cost of the transfers are to be determined.

Passports: Passports are required for all guests and must be valid for six months after the end of the cruise, or January 20, 2026.

Beginning mid-2025, an ETIAS travel authorization will be required to visit 30 European countries. Please note applications have not yet opened, so no action is required at this time. More information can be found on the official ETIAS website.

Global Tracks offers optional travel insurance. Travel insurance is strongly suggested and will give you the opportunity to recover monies lost through cancellations. We offer Allianz Travel Insurance as an option. Premiums vary depending on your age and the cost of your trip. Purchase within 15 days of deposit for additional benefits.

Onboard Laundry Service:
Windstar offers an unlimited laundry service package for $19 per day for two people based on double occupancy ($190 total) or $9.50 per day for single occupancy ($95 total).  The package can be pre-booked or added on the first day of your cruise.

You can also pay for laundry service as needed with individual articles of clothing ranging from $3 to $7 per item.  Windstar does not have self-service laundry facilities on board.

Booking Terms and Conditions:

Cancellation Penalties: All cancellations must be made in writing to Global Tracks. Travel insurance and airfare are non-refundable once purchased. Any payment to Global Tracks constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set herein, including but not limited to the cancellation terms. All cancellations are subject to the Global Tracks administration fee of $100 per person paid at deposit in addition to the below schedule:

Cancellation & Penalty Schedule Penalty Applicable
From time of deposit until March 12, 2025 $250 per person penalty
From March 13, 2025 to May 11, 2025 50% of total package penalty
After May 11, 2025 100% of total package penalty

For more information or to book your suite, please contact Sheila!
Direct: 303-729-3543 or Toll-Free 800-989-1204
sheila@globaltracks.com or info@presidentscounciltravel.com