Why March May Be the Mediterranean’s Best-Kept Secret

March was never on my radar for planning a European getaway — until this year, when I was scheduling back-to-back trips — a Windstar cruise to the Mediterranean and a culinary tour in Sicily.

Part of the appeal of the timing was that it was at the end of winter (so not too cold), but still early enough in spring to avoid the onslaught of travelers arriving for spring break in late March and early April.

The shoulder seasons for travel, April and May, along with early September through the end of October, have long been my preferred times to visit Europe. These months offer nearly perfect temperatures, lower prices, fewer crowds, and none of the summer madness.

But as more cruise lines offer extended seasons in the Mediterranean and larger ships with many thousands of guests call at major port cities, the lure of the shoulder seasons has changed as those times of year have become incredibly busy, too.

Windstar’s “Local Season” Mediterranean

Windstar Cruises refers to its winter itineraries as the “Local Season,” a time that’s more reflective of what destinations are like for “locals.”

When I travel, I want to experience the culture and cuisine of a place — not just what’s for tourists — and connect with people who live there. I enjoy chatting with locals at restaurants or bars, browsing boutiques and talking with shop owners, and taking my time exploring museums or attractions. I stroll the streets, people- and dog-watching, and marveling at the scenery, all of which are much more enjoyable in the off-season.

Airfares and hotel prices are also lower during the winter (typically November through March), restaurants aren’t as busy, the streets are quieter, and the attractions and shops (if they’re open) are less crowded.

One drawback — You might find some places closed during this time of year (I found this especially true in Naples, Italy and in Zadar, Croatia), as businesses, museums, and other venues often schedule renovations or close for lack of business during the slower months. In addition, some transportation (such as tour buses) may not operate as frequently, but to me, it was worth the tradeoff.

Quieter and Cooler Travel in the Winter

Thanks to the moderate Mediterranean climate, I had many beautiful sunny (and even quite warm) days during my two pre-cruise nights in Rome and on the cruise in mid-March.

After several sweltering summer trips to Rome, Dubrovnik, and Venice for work over recent years, I welcomed the opportunity to see these iconic cities without the throngs of tourists. Rome’s Spanish Steps weren’t as packed with people, Dubrovnik’s streets were empty the morning I arrived, and I could make my way through Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) in Venice without having to dodge thousands of selfie-taking tourists!

While in Rome, I stayed at the beautiful Hotel de la Ville. The historic hotel, housed in an 18th-century palazzo, sits just above those famous Spanish Steps. The weather was so lovely the first evening that I savored an Aperol Spritz while watching the sunset over the city (with views of St. Peter’s Basilica’s dome at the Vatican in the distance) at the rooftop bar. Then, I dined in the hotel at Café Ginori, a lovely venue that’s a partnership with Ginori 1735, a luxury brand of Italian porcelain. The evening was relaxing and quiet, not hurried, as the bar and restaurant were busy, but not overwhelmed.

The next day, I took a full-day train tour from Rome to Naples, where our small group visited Pompeii and Herculaneum — and the excursion wasn’t at full capacity. While there were tourists at the ancient archeological sites, there were far fewer than I anticipated. The guide said the only reason we saw as many people as we did was because it was Saturday. Had it been midweek, we would have had even fewer visitors at the sites.

Winter Italy and the Dalmatian Coast: Rome to Venice

My eight-night Windstar cruise was aboard Star Legend, a ship I’ve sailed on three times. The first cruise was in October 2009 when I traveled with my husband from Monaco to Barcelona. Back then, the ship was owned by Seabourn and was called the Seabourn Legend. The second cruise was after Windstar purchased the vessel. We were invited on a James Beard culinary-themed voyage from Lisbon to Dublin in the summer of 2016, almost ten years ago. That itinerary was extraordinary, with stops in the legendary walled city of St. Malo and Bordeaux in France, as well as the Asturias region of Spain.

In 2021, Star Legend underwent an impressive modification to increase guest capacity to accommodate 312 guests (up from the original 212) as part of the “Star Plus Initiative.” An 84-foot-wide midsection was added to the ship (and to its two sister ships in the fleet, also purchased from Seabourn) during the $250M project. The enhancements included 50 new suites, two new restaurants, and reimagined public spaces. While it was the same ship I remembered, Star Legend definitely felt different, with more guests on board and updated public spaces.

The March weeklong itinerary included stops in Naples and Messina (Taormina), Italy; an overnight in Dubrovnik, a day in Zadar (Croatia); and an overnight in Venice before disembarking the ship.

The Pearl of the Adriatic: Dubrovnik

The last time I visited Dubrovnik and Zadar was early October 2022. While Zadar was not very busy that fall (since the port receives mostly smaller ships), Dubrovnik, on the other hand, was inundated with tourists on that warm fall day, especially with groups on Game of Thrones (GOT) tours.

It was my first time seeing the enchanting walled city of Dubrovnik, and I walked everywhere, including up and down the steep, narrow steps and labyrinth of alleyways connecting the higher, less-visited sections of the Old Town. I tracked down filming locales for specific scenes in GOT, including the Jesuit Staircase where the “Walk of Shame” was filmed. I even made my way to the very top of the city (walking along part of the ancient wall), where I then took the somewhat unnerving cable car ride to the peak of Mount Srđ. Once you’re at the summit, you’re rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views overlooking the Adriatic Sea, the Old Town, and the neighboring Elaphiti Islands. A point of view you’ll want to experience to see the city from high above, especially if you’re a GOT fan.

I had a most memorable day visiting Dubrovnik that October, which lives up to its name as the Pearl of the Adriatic. However, I also remember how warm and crowded the city was during the trip.

Things were very different in mid-March 2026, when I enjoyed many of the same experiences, minus the heat and multitude of GOT tour groups.

Venice, The City of Bridges

It was another gorgeous day when we arrived in Venice in March, but admittedly, I almost didn’t leave the ship.

I’ve been fortunate to visit the city many times — and the glamour of it all never gets old (even when St. Mark’s Square is underwater), but I hesitated because of the crowds and congestion I anticipated on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in early spring.

We’d had the dramatic sail-in through the Grand Canal, which was spectacular. With very few ships permitted to travel that route and dock in the city (only those vessels weighing less than 25,000 gross tons and no more than about 590 feet high), it’s a privilege to see the city from that perspective and an experience you won’t forget.

In the end, I left the ship (I was in Venice after all), and meandered through the streets to find my way to St. Mark’s Square and the San Marco district, which was bustling as expected, but nothing like recent trips in the spring, summer, or fall.

I spent time browsing the shops, stopped in several churches to look for rosaries as gifts (which I found), and ended my day in the City of Bridges with an Aperol Spritz at Terrazza Aperol Venice, which has become a tradition every time I visit.

I was glad I saw Venice again, and in a different time of year. With fewer tourists and more locals out enjoying a warm Sunday afternoon after church, I was reminded of why I loved the city so many years ago, when I first traveled there — and before these popular destinations became so overrun with tourists.

The “Local Season” may be a quieter time of year to visit the Mediterranean for now, but this secret season (especially the month of March) won’t be a secret for long.