New to cruising Mediterranean Mediterranean

Indulgence in Italy

These ancient Italian cities are rich in natural beauty and boast more heritage sites than anywhere in the world, finds Steven Short

3 min 06 Sep 2021

Editorial Team

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Explore all of our cruise holidays to Italy here.

Florence: art attack

A visit to the Tuscan capital affords glimpses of some of the world’s most beautiful buildings and art. Michelangelo’s David statue takes pride of place at the Gallerie dell’Accademia, while the poetically named Basilica of St Mary of the Flower boasts a Gothic revival façade in pink and green marble. Florence also produces the best gelato in Italy – taste it for yourself at the artisanal Vivoli gelateria.

 

Explore cruises to Florence (from Livorno) here.

Rome: eternal flame

The Eternal City lures visitors with its roll call of world-famous sights, from the ornate Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps to the country-within-a-city Vatican, which covers more than nine miles together with its museums. Rome is also a shopping hot spot, with Via del Corso at its heart.

 

View cruises to Rome (from Civitavecchia) here.

Building in Rome infront of fountain

Venice: Latin romance

Today, visitors from the world over are drawn to the city’s unique canals, imposing Renaissance architecture and alluring gondoliers. Take a trip along the Grand Canal by gondola or vaporetto (water bus), and then try some local speciality, cicchetti – tapas-style dishes that include juicy meatballs and chopped boiled egg with anchovy.

Venice, Venezia, Italy

Pisa: towering joy

Pisa’s gravity-defying leaning tower has 294 or 296 steps, depending which side you go up, and offers spectacular views. The nearby Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is another architectural gem, clad in bands of green and cream marble. Don’t return to your ship without trying Pisa’s famous biscotti, which come in a variety of tempting flavours.

 

View cruises to Pisa (from Livorno) here.

With of Pisa

Naples: south bound

Overlooked by the imposing Mount Vesuvius, Naples is a good place from which to visit Pompeii, which was destroyed by an eruption in 79AD. You’ll also find artefacts from Pompeii in the National Archaeological Museum, while the Palazzo Reale houses a large collection of tapestries, chandeliers and furniture from the 17th to 19th centuries.

 

View cruises to Naples here.