Why a cruise is the best Italian holiday you’ll ever have

Since the days of the Grand Tour, Italy – and its glorious, indulgent way of life – has been a favourite haunt of British travellers. But make no mistake: this is not simply one destination. Rather, it is a series of distinct regions, each with its own dialect, architecture, cuisine and fierce regional pride, bound together by a love of the traditional, of family and of good living. And it is this great diversity which makes the humble cruise so uniquely suited to its exploration, opening up as it does the chance to dip in and out of these regions and to taste their contrasting delights.

Compare, for example, the Amalfi Coast; the offshore islands of Sardinia and Sicily; the grandeurs of Rome and Ravenna – the splendid extremes of Italy – and you will appreciate her all the more more. The southern tip, home to Puglia and Calabria – where locals still speak a dialect of ancient Greek – combines so well with Venice, while a trip along the Po river takes you deep into the heartland, where walled Renaissance cities and the fashion houses of Milan sit side by side. 

Then onwards, where one day you are standing beneath Juliet’s balcony in Verona, and just a few days later, walking amidst the ruins of Arab palaces in Messina. After all, variety is the spice of life – and to nothing does the adage apply 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 north coast of Sicily, climb 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, a half glass of coffee-flavoured granita and cream. Amalfi offers a visit to nearby Positano, said to be the most beautiful town in the Mediterranean. And Sorrento’s city walls, capped with its magical gardens, rise straight out of the sea. In the Pontine islands, Ponza town is rarely visited by tourists so you can enjoy the unspoiled town and harbour.

How to do it: Star Clippers (01473 242666; starclippers.co.uk) has the seven-night ‘Amalfi and Sicily’ cruise on the 166-guest Star Flyer from £1,660 per person. Sailing round trip from Civitavecchia on August 24, 2024, to Lipari, Messina, Amalfi, Sorrento and Ponza.

Floating palaces

There is so much more to Venice than St Mark’s Square: this cruise sails the Venice lagoon and outer islands overnighting in palatial hotels and exploring small fishing communities that see few tourists. The itinerary includes private visits to St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, a visit to the gondola yard, a Murano glassblowing centre, a villa wine tasting, and a trip to Rialto market with the ship’s chef who picks up fresh seafood to serve on board at lunch. This cruise is an immersion of Venice, the lagoon and the Veneto region, allowing you to truly explore the city – and importantly its islands – from a small luxury floating boutique hotel.

How to do it: Uniworld (0808 168 9231; uniworld.com) has the seven-night ‘Venice and the Jewels of Veneto’ cruise 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, departures May-October 2024.

Besta Lucca 

Sardinia is the most rural part of Italy, and this cruise takes you to Alghero, where the street signs reveal its Catalan heritage, and Porto Cervo, the trendiest hangout in the Costa Smeralda with its harbour 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 excursion to absorb the scenery and spectacular, colourful fishing villages along the Italian Riviera. Tour the island of Elba, where Napoleon spent his first exile, then explore Lucca, one of Tuscany’s most fascinating and best-preserved medieval cities, as well as the architectural beauty of Florence.

How to do it: CroisiEurope (01756 691 269; croisieurope.co.uk) has the seven-night ‘La Dolce Vita’ trip along the Italian Coastline cruise on the 130-guest La Belle des Océans, sailing round trip from Nice to Livorno, Portoferraio, Alghero, Porto Cervo, Porto Santo Stefano and La Spezia. From £2,755 per person, departures May 24, July 12, August 16 2024.

Renaissance rivers

A cruise along the valley of the River Po takes you deep into the heart of medieval Italy. This dedicated opera cruise includes front stalls seats at the magnificent Roman amphitheatre Arena di Verona for a performance of Verdi’s Aida, as well as excursions dedicated to opera lovers. It includes a guided tour of Venice, a visit to the Teatro La Fenice, a cruise to the colourful town of Chioggia – often referred to as Venice without the tourists – and a hosted dinner with the countess of the 17th-century Villa Ca’Zen where Lord Byron wrote some of his best poetry. You’ll also visit the Renaissance cities of Ferrara and Mantua, designated as World Heritage Sites for their beauty and cultural importance.

How to do it: European Waterways (01753 598555; europeanwaterways.com) has the six-night ‘Classic Italy’ cruise on the 20-guest La Bella Vita, sailing from Venice to Chioggia, Ferrara and Villa. From £4,500 per person on August 16 2024.

Volcano sojourn

This cruise allows you to sail around the “boot” 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. Situated at the “heel”, Bari is filled with romantic honey-toned 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, from which there are visits to Pompeii and Herculaneum. Sicily’s Messina, meanwhile, offers Greek and Roman treasures, and a trip to Taormina boasts spectacular views of Mount Etna. 

How to do it: Viking (0800 298 97 00; vikingcruises.co.uk) has the seven-night ‘Italian Sojourn’ on the 930-guest Viking Jupiter, from £2,790per person, departing August 4 2024. Sailing from Civitavecchia, Naples, Messina, Crotone, Bari, Sibenik and Venice.

Medieval mosaics

Ravenna is famous for its spectacular mosaics from the 5th and 6th century, found in its cathedrals, palaces and public buildings, while the old world city of Trieste – perched on the Adriatic Sea – is a mixture of Latin, Slavic and Germanic cultures. This cruise sails southwards along the Croatian coast, visiting Dubrovnik before calling at Brindisi – a patchwork of medieval streets and churches with precious interiors. Just 35 miles down the coast from Naples, Salerno has a marvellous collection of parks, natural wonders and unforgettable vantage points to soak up the wonder of the Tyrrhenian Sea along this sublime stretch of Italian coastline.

How to do it: Celebrity Cruises (0344 492043; celebritycruises.com) has the 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, Brindisi, Salerno and CivitaVecchia. From £884 per person, departing August 4 2024.