by Since the days of the Grand Tour, Italy – and its glorious, glamorous way of life – has been a favorite of British travellers. But make no mistake: this is not just a destination. Rather, it is a series of distinct regions, each with its own dialect, architecture, art and fierce regional pride, bound together by a love of tradition, family and good living. And it is this great variety that makes the humble cruise so suitable for his exploration, giving him the opportunity to go in and out of these regions and taste their contrasting delights.
Compare, for example, the Amalfi Coast; the offshore islands of Sardinia and Sicily; the magnificence of Rome and Ravenna – the great extremes of Italy – and you will appreciate her even more. The southern tip connects Puglia and Calabria – where the locals still speak a dialect of Ancient Greece – as well as Venice, and a trip along the Po river takes you deep into the countryside, where walled cities are located. the Renaissance and Milanese fashion houses sit side by side.
Then on, where you are standing one day under Juliet’s balcony in Verona, and just a few days later, walking among the ruins of Arab palaces in Messina. After all, variety is the spice of life – and the adage applies to nothing more perfectly than la dolce vita.
Sicilian sailing
Explore the Italian coast in style. In Lipari, one of the seven volcanic Aeolian Islands, just off the northern coast of Sicily, take narrow streets to the medieval castello and sail past Stromboli, watching the sky for volcanic fireworks. Messina is the gateway to Sicily – try the famous mezza con panna al caffè, half a glass of granita and coffee flavored cream. Amalfi visits nearby Positano, said to be the most beautiful town in the Mediterranean. And the city walls of Sorrento, bounded by its magical gardens, rise straight out of the sea. In the Pontine islands, the town of Ponza is rarely visited by tourists so you can enjoy the unspoilt town and harbor.
How to do it: Star Clippers (01473 242666; starclippers.co.uk) has a seven-night ‘Amalfi and Sicily’ cruise on the Star Flyer for 166 guests from £1,660 per person. Round trip sailing from Civitavecchia on August 24, 2024, to Lipari, Messina, Amalfi, Sorrento and Ponza.
A floating palace
There is much more to Venice than St. Mark’s Square: this cruise sails the Venetian lagoon and the outer islands overnight in palatial hotels and explores small fishing communities rarely seen by tourists. The itinerary includes private visits to St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, a visit to the gondola yard, a Murano glass blowing center, a Villa wine tasting, and a trip to the Rialto market with the ship’s chef to pick up fresh seafood to serve on board. at lunch time. This cruise immerses you in Venice, the lagoon and the Veneto region, allowing you to truly explore the city – and especially its islands – from a small luxury floating boutique hotel.
How to do it: Uniworld (0808 168 9231; uniworld.com) the seven-night ‘Venice and the Jewels of Veneto’ cruise is on the 126-guest SS La Venezia, sailing from Venice and calling at Burano and Chioggia, Mazzorbo, Torcello , Padua and Vicenza. From £3,889 per person, departing May-October 2024.
Good luck Lucca
Sardinia is the most rural part of Italy, and the cruise takes you to Alghero, where the street signs reflect its Catalan heritage, and Porto Cervo, the most fashionable hangout in the Costa Smeralda with its harbor overflowing with luxury yachts . Visit Siena – looking much as it did in the 14th century – and experience the Cinque Terre by train on a full day trip to absorb the scenery and wonderful, colorful fishing villages along the Italian Riviera. Tour the island of Elba, where Napoleon spent his first exile, then explore Lucca, one of the most interesting and best preserved medieval cities in Tuscany, as well as the architectural beauty of Florence.
How to do it: CroisiEurope (001 800 768 7232; croisieuroperivercruises.com) has a seven-night ‘La Dolce Vita’ cruise along the Italian coastline on the 130-guest La Belle des Océans, round-trip sailing from Nice to Livorno, Portoferraio, Alghero , Porto Cervo, Porto Santo Stefano and La Spezia. From £2,755 per person, departures 24 May, 12 July, 16 August 2024.
Rivers of the Renaissance
A cruise along the Po River valley takes you deep into the heart of medieval Italy. This dedicated opera tour includes front row seats at the magnificent Roman amphitheater Arena di Verona for a Verdi performance. Aida, as well as tours dedicated to opera lovers. It includes a guided tour of Venice, a visit to the Teatro La Fenice, a cruise to the colorful town of Chioggia – often called Venice without tourists – and dinner hosted by the 17th-century Countess of Villa Ca’Zen. where Lord Byron wrote some of his best poetry. You will also visit the Renaissance cities of Ferrara and Mantua, designated World Heritage Sites for their beauty and cultural importance.
How to do it: European Waterways (01753 598555; europeanwaterways.com) The six-night ‘Classic Italy’ Cruise is on the 20-guest La Bella Vita, sailing from Venice to Chioggia, Ferrara and Villa. From £4,500 per person on 16 August 2024.
Sojourn volcano
This cruise allows you to sail around the “shoe” of Italy. It includes a stop at Crotone in Calabria, founded in 710 BC as the Greek colony of Kroton, where you can explore ancient ruins or visit Le Castella, a fortified island village. Located on the “heel”, Bari is filled with romantic honey-potted houses and Romanesque and Baroque churches, while Alberobello hosts a forest of tiny conical, beehive-shaped huts called trulli. Next is Naples, sitting at the foot of towering Vesuvius, which leads to visits to Pompeii and Herculaneum. Meanwhile, Sicily’s Messina offers Greek and Roman treasures, and a trip to Taormina offers stunning views of Mount Etna.
How to do it: Viking (0800 298 97 00; vikingcruises.co.uk) has a seven-night ‘Italian Sojourn’ on the 930-guest Viking Jupiter, from £2,790 per person, departing 4 August 2024. Sailing from Civitavecchia, Naples, Naples, Messina Crotone, Bari, Sibenik and Venice.
medieval mosaics
Ravenna is famous for its magnificent mosaics from the 5th and 6th centuries, found in its cathedrals, palaces and public buildings, while the old world city of Trieste – located on the Adriatic Sea – is a mix of Latin, Slavic and Germanic cultures. This cruise sails south along the Croatian coast, visiting Dubrovnik before visiting Brindisi – a patchwork of medieval streets and churches with precious interiors. Just 35 miles down the coast from Naples, Salerno has a wonderful collection of parks, natural wonders and unforgettable vantage points to soak up the wonder of the Tyrone Sea along this stunning stretch of Italian coastline.
How to do it: Celebrity Cruises (0344 492043; celebritycruises.com) has a 10-night ‘Best of Italy and Croatia’ cruise on the 2,000-guest Celebrity Constellation, sailing from Ravenna, calling at Trieste, Zader, Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor , Salerno, Brindisi and CivitaVecchia. From £884 per person, departing 4 August 2024.
