Eat, pray and love your way through tasty trattorias, calming cathedrals and romantic retreats with a cruise to Italy.
Cruise to Italy and contemplate world-class art and architecture, timeless natural scenery and a food and wine scene against which all others are judged. Roam the lively streets of the Eternal City of Rome, and see the Colosseum in its massive, ancient glory. Check out the unmistakable Duomo ('dome') of Florence, and taste your way through the wineries of the nearby Chianti hills. Ride a gondola down the serpentine canals of Venice, see the brilliant gold mosaics of St Mark's Basilica, or hike volcanic Mount Vesuvius and refuel with a classic Neapolitan pizza in Naples. Discover the magic with an Italy cruise.
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THE ULTIMATE HISTORY CLASS
Whether you traipse through the 'Eternal City' of Rome or get lost in the museums and chapels of Florence, history lives in Italy – and outside it. Trips to the city-states of San Marino and Vatican City make for great excursions during your holiday onboard the best Italy cruises.
LOOK UP!
History class comes alive in Italy's iconic structures and celebrated art galleries. From gazing upward at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, to combing through the dozens of timeless works that make Florence's Uffizi Gallery famous (including 'The Birth of Venus'), Italy's artistic heritage is as impressive in the big picture as it is in the finer details.
LIVE FOREVER IN ETERNAL CITIES
Rome is Italy's Eternal City, with its massive Colosseum and the ruins of the Roman Forum, but there are other spots here with roots equally as deep. In Florence, visit the Gothic church of Santa Maria del Fiore, built on the site of a 7th-century chapel. In Venice, you can set foot in 9th-century St Mark's Basilica and see the dazzling gold mosaics from Byzantine times.
VISIT A CITY-STATE (OR TWO)
Regardless of your religious beliefs, no trip to Rome is complete without a tour of Vatican City, where the splendour transcends its Catholic identity. From Florence or Venice, visit the mountainous micro-country of San Marino, which boasts an 11th-century citadel that rests hundreds of feet above the ground.
JOURNEY ON FOOT AND FORK
Take advantage of Italy's varied topography with hikes in the hills of Tuscany or through the villages of Cinque Terre. Enjoy world-class food scene, perfect for culinary aficionados who don't mind a little indulgence when you cruise to Italy.
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Who says Italy is only churches, pizza and high-brow art? Take a hike through the hills of the Tuscany region or have a dip in the crystalline waters of Capri, where the harbour is filled with yachts as far as the eye can see. From the pristine coasts to the rolling hills, Italy is a natural beauty.
DARE TO STRAY
Even if you stick to 'mainstream' Italian destinations, you can still spice up your time in Italy. Ride a vaporetto (a local form of taxi boat) from Venice to the colourful island of Burano, or take a westward train ride from the port city of La Spezia to the lush coast of Cinque Terre. These are great alternatives to going south and east to Florence or Pisa.
TWIRL YOUR FORK
Sophia Loren famously said that she'd rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size zero, which is a great attitude to have while visiting Italy. Indulge in the notorious pizza of Naples or the award-winning pastas of Rome's Trastevere district – you'll need the energy for exploring cities on foot.
Best Italy Cruises
A cruise to Italy is filled with exciting destinations, each with its own style and vibe. Discover Italy onboard the Best Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships.
GET ROMANTIC IN ROME
Before boarding the best cruises from Rome, explore the ancient streets once trodden by gladiators and great artists alike. Kick off your dreamiest cruise yet by feasting on pasta, pizza and local wines.
SET FOOT ON EXOTIC SHORES
Cruise to the warm, crystal-clear waters of the Amalfi Coast, Greece, Spain and France. Relax on the world's most unique beaches, explore ancient historical architecture and indulge in favourite local dishes.
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Bring along a dictionary or download Italian in your phone's translation app. In spite of its popularity as a travel destination, English isn't commonly spoken, particularly in the south.
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Mind your valuables: pickpocketers crowd Italy's popular tourist areas.
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Pick two to three activities per day, max. Part of enjoying Italy is living at the local pace, and Italians are never in much of a hurry.
FOR FOODIES
CUISINE WITH A PAST-A
Italian cuisine is popular all over the world, but you've never really eaten it until you've had it in Italy. From familiar favorites like pizza and pasta, to a delightful variety of Italian meats and finishing touches like bitter espresso and sweet gelato, food is an essential part of the Italy travel experience.
LEANING TOWERS OF PIZZA
As its name suggests, Dal Presidente Pizza in Naples is famous because President Bill Clinton enjoyed its pizza during a visit. Whether you choose a simple margherita (mozzarella and tomato) or a complex capricciosa (the heat cooks the raw egg on top of it), Neapolitan pizza is sure to get your vote.
NEXT-LEVEL NOODLES
Pasta in Italy will change your life, whether you choose egg-and-bacon carbonara or pasta primavera, which pairs farfalle with fresh seasonal vegetables. No matter where in the country you are, choose a place that makes its pasta fresh –— and one where patrons speak more Italian than English.
SCOOP IT UP
Gelato is not just 'Italian ice cream'. It uses more milk and fewer eggs (zero, in fact) than ice cream, but that's just the start of why it's essential to Italian dining. Try classic flavours like rich stracciatella (milk flavour with chocolate shavings) and fruity amarena, which tastes like cherries.
RELATED PORTS
Want to learn more about the best Italy cruise ports? Visit Civitavecchia to explore the port of Rome, bustling Naples and the yacht-filled Isle of Capri. Venice is more than just canals and gondolas, while La Spezia is an ideal entry point to both Florence's Renaissance-era art and Pisa's Leaning Tower.
