Italy Cruises

Best Italy cruises and areas to visit

The Amalfi Coast

Cruising the Amalfi Coast combines stunning coast views with the best of Italian History. Day trips to Pompeii let you experience the ancient city destroyed and frozen in time by the most famous volcano in the world Mount Vesuvius. Located centrally in Italy, cruising the Amalfi coat also allows you to explore the wonders of Rome. Day trips are arranged to explore the Colosseum, the Circus Maximus, and more. You can also visit the Vatican City to explore St. Peters and see the fantastic Sistine chapel.

Sicily

Cruising Around the coast of Sicily is a fantastic experience with so much to offer. The island is home to some great historical sites, including the Greek theatre of Taormina; this site is the historical highlight of any visit to Sicily. Taormina is also home to one of the biggest archaeological sites in the world, the Valley of the Temples, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Aside from history, the site also has some breathtaking sea views. Taking time out of your cruise to enjoy a day trip driving along the Ionian coast is a great way to learn about Homer’s myths and explore the beautiful rugged coastline. No trip to Scilly would be complete without a visit to Mount Etna. The still-active volcano takes center stage on the island and is an exciting visit to an active Volcano.

Sardinia And Corsica

Often, cruises to Sardinia and Corsica are rolled into one experience, despite Sardinia being Italian and Corsica being French. The islands are so close that the straits between them are less than 20Km long. There are many old towns and cities to explore In Sardinia, including the Capital, Cagliari, and Alghero. Heading over to Corsica, there are even more wonders to explore, including one of the most fascinating natural landscapes in the Mediterranean, Les Calanques de Piana. One of the highlights of visiting Corsica is its capital, Calvi. The stunning town is the perfect blend o history, beautiful beaches, fine dining, and spectacular topography.

Best time to cruise in Italy

The best time to visit and cruise Italian waters and Mediterranean waters, in general, is the late spring through early fall. Typically the weather and sea conditions are best from April through November. During the winter, the weather is not ideal for cruising, with sea conditions tending to be rough. Also, many tourist-orientated businesses tend to close their doors and take their annual leave.

Travelers who prefer the weather to be hot should look to visit during the summer months when daily temperatures can regularly reach or exceed 30C/86F. If you want to explore the Italian coast at slightly cooler times, you are better off going during April and May or October and November, when the daily temperatures are, on average, a much more comfortable Low 20'sC/68F.

Visiting during the summer months is also when Italy's flora and fauna are in their prime, and the country is blooming. While visiting during the fall also has its charms and beauty, the flora and fauna are not as magnificent as during the height of summer.

How to get to Italy

Getting to Italy is relatively straightforward from virtually every corner of the planet. The country is a major European destination with a wide range of international airports across the length and breadth.

Italy's primary aviation hub and airport of choice if you are going to explore the Amalfi coast is Rome's Rome-Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci" Airport. If you want to explore the delights of Northern Italy before beginning your voyage or at the end, you can always choose to fly from the city of Milan, which is served by two international airports. If you are looking to embark on a cruise leaving from one of the more southern cities of Italy, then opting to fly into Naples' International airport is always a great option.

For cruises around Sicily, you can fly to the Islands' main airport in Palermo. If you are taking an Intra-European flight, you can fly to Sicily's smaller airport in Catania. Sardinia also has several international airports, although these tend to be more challenging to get to directly for flights from outside of Europe.

Italy Cruise Tips

What to pack

While you should bring all the usual toiletries and sunscreen and such, don't forget to pack a windbreaker and a sweater or two. Even in the summer, the breeze can be a little chilly if you are out at sea, and a light sweater or windbreaker is the perfect antidote. Also, if you plan to take lots of excursions, especially those to archaeological sites, then bringing along a good pair of walking trainers is a must.

Often, when the boat is at anchor, you have the opportunity to take a dip in the water. Along with your swimwear, bring along your mask and snorkel to fully explore and experience the rich waters of the coast of Italy. Also, many religious sites will ask that ladies cover up their shoulders and hair, so make sure to pack a large scarf or shawl in your bag.

Travel Insurance

While Italy is a modern European country with excellent health care facilities, medical bills can mount up quickly if you have an unfortunate accident. So make sure to take out appropriate travel insurance that covers you and any pre-existing medical conditions you may have.

Plan Your Travel

Italy has a very well-developed public transport system that is ideal for exploring its cities. Some train tickets can be bought in advance while others can be purchased on the day. But make sure you have a plan and know which buses or trains you plan on taking. If you take a train or bus, you need to validate your ticket at one of the validation machines, or you will receive a fine.

Keep some cash on hand

While most big shops and restaurants in the major cities take every type of credit card, some still only accept cash. This is especially true in smaller shops and restaurants in small towns and cities. So it is always worth your while to have a reasonable amount of Euros in your pocket.