18-night Cruise & Tour: Experience The Best Of Italy

Oct 03, 2027 - Venice

With a great historic past and incomparable art treasures, Venice is renowned as one of the world’s great cities. Its 118 islands are separated by more than 150 canals and spanned by 400 bridges. During Venice's artistic golden age many magnificent structures were erected to create world-famous masterpieces. One of the best sightseeing routes is along Grand Canal, with many palaces lining the famous waterway. St. Mark’s Square offers access to some of Venice’s most famed attractions - St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. From Piazza San Marco, a maze of narrow streets are lined with shops, cafés and restaurants. A popular pastime is sitting at an outdoor café facing the square while people-watching and letting the whole marvelous scenario unfold. Venice’s Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands comprise an area famous as home of Venice’s glass-blowing industry and known for their charm, skilled lace-making and medieval monuments. Relax on a gondola ride, see art treasures in museums, churches and palaces, and have a sumptuous meal - all in this incomparable city.

Oct 04, 2027 - Venice

With a great historic past and incomparable art treasures, Venice is renowned as one of the world’s great cities. Its 118 islands are separated by more than 150 canals and spanned by 400 bridges. During Venice's artistic golden age many magnificent structures were erected to create world-famous masterpieces. One of the best sightseeing routes is along Grand Canal, with many palaces lining the famous waterway. St. Mark’s Square offers access to some of Venice’s most famed attractions - St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. From Piazza San Marco, a maze of narrow streets are lined with shops, cafés and restaurants. A popular pastime is sitting at an outdoor café facing the square while people-watching and letting the whole marvelous scenario unfold. Venice’s Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands comprise an area famous as home of Venice’s glass-blowing industry and known for their charm, skilled lace-making and medieval monuments. Relax on a gondola ride, see art treasures in museums, churches and palaces, and have a sumptuous meal - all in this incomparable city.

Oct 05, 2027 - Venice

With a great historic past and incomparable art treasures, Venice is renowned as one of the world’s great cities. Its 118 islands are separated by more than 150 canals and spanned by 400 bridges. During Venice's artistic golden age many magnificent structures were erected to create world-famous masterpieces. One of the best sightseeing routes is along Grand Canal, with many palaces lining the famous waterway. St. Mark’s Square offers access to some of Venice’s most famed attractions - St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. From Piazza San Marco, a maze of narrow streets are lined with shops, cafés and restaurants. A popular pastime is sitting at an outdoor café facing the square while people-watching and letting the whole marvelous scenario unfold. Venice’s Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands comprise an area famous as home of Venice’s glass-blowing industry and known for their charm, skilled lace-making and medieval monuments. Relax on a gondola ride, see art treasures in museums, churches and palaces, and have a sumptuous meal - all in this incomparable city.

Oct 06, 2027 - Mazzorbo, Venitian Island

Known for its agriculture - hundreds of artichoke fields, vineyards and fruit trees, Mazzorbo is a sister island to Burano.

Oct 07, 2027 - Mazzorbo, Venitian Island

Known for its agriculture - hundreds of artichoke fields, vineyards and fruit trees, Mazzorbo is a sister island to Burano.

Oct 08, 2027 - Venice

With a great historic past and incomparable art treasures, Venice is renowned as one of the world’s great cities. Its 118 islands are separated by more than 150 canals and spanned by 400 bridges. During Venice's artistic golden age many magnificent structures were erected to create world-famous masterpieces. One of the best sightseeing routes is along Grand Canal, with many palaces lining the famous waterway. St. Mark’s Square offers access to some of Venice’s most famed attractions - St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. From Piazza San Marco, a maze of narrow streets are lined with shops, cafés and restaurants. A popular pastime is sitting at an outdoor café facing the square while people-watching and letting the whole marvelous scenario unfold. Venice’s Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands comprise an area famous as home of Venice’s glass-blowing industry and known for their charm, skilled lace-making and medieval monuments. Relax on a gondola ride, see art treasures in museums, churches and palaces, and have a sumptuous meal - all in this incomparable city.

Oct 09, 2027 - Venice

With a great historic past and incomparable art treasures, Venice is renowned as one of the world’s great cities. Its 118 islands are separated by more than 150 canals and spanned by 400 bridges. During Venice's artistic golden age many magnificent structures were erected to create world-famous masterpieces. One of the best sightseeing routes is along Grand Canal, with many palaces lining the famous waterway. St. Mark’s Square offers access to some of Venice’s most famed attractions - St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. From Piazza San Marco, a maze of narrow streets are lined with shops, cafés and restaurants. A popular pastime is sitting at an outdoor café facing the square while people-watching and letting the whole marvelous scenario unfold. Venice’s Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands comprise an area famous as home of Venice’s glass-blowing industry and known for their charm, skilled lace-making and medieval monuments. Relax on a gondola ride, see art treasures in museums, churches and palaces, and have a sumptuous meal - all in this incomparable city.

Oct 10, 2027 - Venice

With a great historic past and incomparable art treasures, Venice is renowned as one of the world’s great cities. Its 118 islands are separated by more than 150 canals and spanned by 400 bridges. During Venice's artistic golden age many magnificent structures were erected to create world-famous masterpieces. One of the best sightseeing routes is along Grand Canal, with many palaces lining the famous waterway. St. Mark’s Square offers access to some of Venice’s most famed attractions - St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. From Piazza San Marco, a maze of narrow streets are lined with shops, cafés and restaurants. A popular pastime is sitting at an outdoor café facing the square while people-watching and letting the whole marvelous scenario unfold. Venice’s Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands comprise an area famous as home of Venice’s glass-blowing industry and known for their charm, skilled lace-making and medieval monuments. Relax on a gondola ride, see art treasures in museums, churches and palaces, and have a sumptuous meal - all in this incomparable city.

Oct 11, 2027 - Vatican City

Vatican City, Italy, is an independent city-state, surrounded by Rome, and the ecclesiastical home of Roman Catholicism. It is bordered by the Tiber River on the east and stretches west (about 3,935 ft/1,200 m long and 2,625 ft/800 m at its widest point).

The first building seen from St. Peter's Square is the largest church in the world: St. Peter's Basilica. The highlights inside include many works by Bernini (the tomb of Urban VIII, the Cattedra and his ornate baldachin over the central altar), Michelangelo's Pieta and what may be the oldest statue of St. Peter in existence (whose foot has been worn completely smooth over the centuries by pilgrims who have rubbed it for good luck).

Plan at least three hours to navigate in and around St. Peter's: Be sure to take the elevator or climb the dome to the roof for a spectacular 360-degree view (try to time it for the beautiful sunsets), visit the treasury museum and see the grotto below the church (where St. Peter and other popes are interred). If you have more time, consider applying for a tour of the Vatican gardens or the Scavi, excavations of the necropolis below St. Peter's. These tours must be arranged in advance at the Vatican information desk.

Other Vatican sights include Bernini's Piazza St. Pietro with its massive colonnade and the various Vatican museums. To many, the highlight of the museums is the Sistine Chapel, whose ceiling, single-handedly painted by Michelangelo, has undergone a controversial restoration that revealed colors much brighter than seen previously.

But the museums offer much more: The Egyptian, Etruscan and Roman collections are among the finest and most extensive in the world; the Raphael Stanze are a series of spectacular frescoed rooms; the Gallery of Tapestries and Maps details the Earth as it was thought to be in the 16th century; and the Museum of Modern Religious Art has works by Rodin, Van Gogh, Matisse, Kandinsky, Gauguin and others from the 19th and 20th centuries. Don't miss the Cortile Belvedere with its ancient sculptures, including the much celebrated Laocoon group and the Apollo Belvedere.

The buildings (excluding the basilica) usually let visitors enter 8:45 am-12:20 pm, with weekday hours extended until 3:20 pm mid-March to October. Galleries remain open for about an hour after the entrance doors are closed. With so much to see in a limited time, you may want to see the Vatican over a period of two mornings, saving St. Peter's for the afternoons; the basilica is open daily until 6 pm (7 pm April-September). The museums are closed on Sunday except for the last Sunday of the month, when entry is free (and the crowds are huge).

As with most of Italy's museums and churches, hours do change and visitors sometimes arrive to find the museums closed—we recommend confirming the times so you won't be disappointed. Also remember that the Vatican museums are a good distance away from St. Peter's Square—you may want to take a cab.

On Sunday at noon, the pope blesses the crowd from his apartment window. He holds audiences on Wednesday at 11 am (except in August, when they are held at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, just south of Rome). To reserve a place, contact the Office of the Prefettura, phone 06-6988-3114.

Alternatively, you can apply in person (9 am-1:30 pm) by going to the Portone di Bronzo (Bronze Doors) on the right side of St. Peter's Square, under the colonnade, where you will see members of the Swiss Guard. They will be able to give you tickets (if available), which will give you access to the square on the day of the audience. If you want seats, you must go a step farther and apply at the office inside. Then, you have to go back to the Portone di Bronzo to pick up the tickets for your seats on the Tuesday before your audience, 3-8 pm. Take your passport with you to the audience.

For best viewing of the Vatican's art and museums, traditional wisdom holds that you should get in line before opening hours and steel yourself for tremendous crowds. Since this is everybody else's strategy as well, you may find shorter lines 11 am-2 pm, or else head to the museums the first thing Wednesday morning, when most visitors are packed into the piazza for the papal audience. Alternatively, if you purchase your ticket online, you can skip the lines altogether.

No passport is needed to enter the Vatican, but it does have a very strict dress code. Shoulders, midriffs and knees must be covered, or you will not be permitted inside any of the buildings, gardens or excavations. Regardless, summertime crowds are always very large. As in Rome, beware of thieves and pickpockets who prey on tourists—especially on buses bound for the Vatican.

Oct 12, 2027 - Rome

Sprawled across seven legendary hills, romantic and beautiful Rome was one of the great centers of the ancient world. Although its beginning is shrouded in legend and its development is full of intrigue and struggle, Rome has always been and remains the Eternal City.

Rome enjoyed its greatest splendor during the 1st and 2nd centuries when art flourished, monumental works of architecture were erected, and the mighty Roman legions swept outward, conquering all of Italy. These victorious armies then swept across the Mediterranean and beyond to conquer most of the known world. With Rome's establishment as capital of the western world, a new ascent to glory began.

Today's Rome, with its splendid churches, ancient monuments and palaces, spacious parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafes and elegant shops, is one of the world’s most attractive and exciting cities. Among the most famous monuments is the Colosseum. As you walk its cool, dark passageways, imagine the voices that once filled the arena as 50,000 spectators watched combats between muscled gladiators and ferocious animals.

Stop to see the remains of the Forum, once the city's political and commercial center. In later times, Rome's squares were enhanced with such imposing structures as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and grandiose fountains like the Fontana di Trevi. Join the millions who stand in awe of Christendom’s most magnificent church and admire the timeless masterpieces of Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel.

Rome jars the senses and captures the soul. Grasp all you can during the short, precious time you have available in the Eternal City. With so much to see and do, a day or two will only allow you a sampling of the city's marvelous treasures.

Caution: As in many big cities and tourist destinations purse snatching and pickpocketing is common. Valuable jewelry and excess cash are best left in a safety deposit box in your hotel.

Shopping For most visitors shopping for beautiful Italian leather articles, designer shoes, fashions for men and women, linens, knitwear, silk scarves and ties is a favorite pastime. Except for tourist-oriented shops, the majority of stores are closed on Sundays. Some of the department stores, such as Rinascente, open in the late afternoon on Sundays.

Cuisine Rome's choice of restaurants is mindboggling as is the variety of cuisine. Whether your meal is at a top-rated restaurant or a rustic trattoria, you can be sure that you will enjoy your food, especially when accompanied by wines from the hill towns surrounding Rome.

Other Sights Rome's attractions are endless, and depending on how much time you have at your disposal a careful selection has to be made about what to see. Be aware of horrendous traffic conditions and major construction work all around the city in preparation of Jubilee 2000, the Holy Year. Some of the sights not to be missed:

Piazza Venezia - This busy square is easily recognized by its imposing Vittorio Emanuele II Monument. The white marble structure was inaugurated in 1911 as a symbol of Italy’s unification.

The Forum - Once the civic heart of ancient Rome, today the remains include a series of ruins, marble fragments, isolated columns and some worn arches.

Colosseum - No visit to Rome is complete without a stop at this awe-inspiring theater, which is among the world’s most celebrated buildings. Here ancient Rome flocked to see gladiatorial contests and numerous other spectacles.

Trevi Fountain - Take a stroll to Rome's famous fountain. A spectacular fantasy of mythical sea creatures and cascades of splashing water, the fountain is one of the city's foremost attractions. Legend has it that visitors must toss a coin into the fountain to ensure their return to Rome.

St. Peter's Square - Part of Vatican City, this square created by Bernini is considered one of the loveliest squares in the world. Twin Doric colonnades topped with statues of various saints and martyrs flank either side of the square. In the center stands an 84-foot obelisk, brought from Egypt in 37 A.D.

St. Peter's Basilica - At the head of the square stands Christendom's most magnificent church, which was begun in 1452 on the site where St. Peter was buried. Throughout the following 200 years, such Renaissance masters as Bramante, Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini worked on its design and created an unparalleled masterpiece. Of special note are Michelangelo's Pieta and the bronze canopy over the high altar by Bernini. The immense dome was designed by Michelangelo.

Vatican Museum - To see this museum's immense collection would take days. As you enter, there are special posters that plot a choice of four color-coded itineraries. They are repeated throughout the museum and are easy to follow. It is a good idea to pickup a leaflet at the main entrance and concentrate on exhibits of major interest. Of course, the Sistine Chapel is a must. Most likely you may have to wait in line to enter.

Oct 12, 2027 - Pompeii

The ancient city of Pompeii, Italy, 20 mi/30 km southeast of Naples, was quite prosperous in Roman times. But the city, at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, was destroyed in AD 79 following the infamous volcanic eruption that covered it with 13-20 ft/4-6 m of pumice and ash. The modern city of Pompei is just a few miles/kilometers to the east.

Pompeii and Herculaneum (Ercolano) remained covered until the 1700s, when a farmer discovered Pompeii while digging a well.

Archaeological explorations took place in the mid-1800s, and Pompeii remains one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, providing a complete picture of Roman life at the height of the Roman Empire.

Pompeii was a city of nearly 20,000 in Roman times, and in the summer it can be exhausting to see it all. The best way to see the ancient city is by using an audio guide or an authorized guide (who should wear proper identification) in order to focus on the highlights.

Oct 12, 2027 - Capri (or Sorrento)

Oct 13, 2027 - Capri (or Sorrento)

Oct 14, 2027 - Capri

Known as the "Island of Love" since the days of the Roman Empire, Capri offers stunning views, dozens of international cafes, fine Mediterranean restaurants and sophisticated resort shopping. Enjoy a boat trip around the coast to witness the hypnotic beauty of the Blue Grotto.

Oct 14, 2027 - Assisi

Assisi is a well-preserved medieval town that's, after the Vatican, Italy's second most-popular religious-pilgrimage destination. Located high on a hilltop, it has an air of mystical serenity in keeping with its history. Assisi was the home of St. Francis (the founder of the Franciscan order of friars), and the churches and crypt that bear his name draw a steady stream of pilgrims and sightseers every year. Although the town was rocked by an earthquake in 1997, much of the damage has been repaired. One of the most severely damaged buildings, however, was the treasured Basilica of San Francesco, known for its vivid frescoes by Giotto that depict the life of the saint. The upper basilica has recently reopened and, though restoration continues, many of the beloved frescoes can be admired again. The lower basilica and St. Francis' tomb are also open to the public.

Other places of interest include the Church of Santa Chiara, a medieval fortress (La Rocca Maggiore), the Piazza del Comune (the old town center) and St. Peter's church. Or just stroll the narrow, picturesque streets and listen to the musicians practicing nearby (though they may be drowned out by construction noises -- many buildings are still under renovation).

You may want to visit during one of Assisi's numerous celebrations: the Feast of Calendimaggio, a five-day coming-of-spring festival with medieval costumes, dances and songs (around the first week of May); a month of folklore and musical events in August; or the Feast of St. Francis (4 October), which celebrates the saint's transition from this life into the next. During this two-day festival, the entire town is illuminated by oil lamps. If you are going to Assisi at one of these times, reserve accommodations well ahead of time -- the city will be filled with pilgrims.

Oct 14, 2027 - Perugia

Perugia is a very ancient town, which rose to power during the time of the Etruscans. It was controlled by the Romans and invaded by the barbarians after the fall of the Roman Empire. In the 11th century a Free Commune was set up, reaching great power and splendor in the 13th and 14th century. After an obscure period of internal fighting, in 1540 it was conquered by Paolo III Farnese and remained under the dominion of the Church until 1860, when it became a member of the Italian State. Today Perugia is a splendid city of art, the capital of the region of Umbria and the residence of a famous university. It has a very lively center, rich in beautiful buildings and monuments, where countless artistic and cultural events take place.

Oct 15, 2027 - Perugia

Perugia is a very ancient town, which rose to power during the time of the Etruscans. It was controlled by the Romans and invaded by the barbarians after the fall of the Roman Empire. In the 11th century a Free Commune was set up, reaching great power and splendor in the 13th and 14th century. After an obscure period of internal fighting, in 1540 it was conquered by Paolo III Farnese and remained under the dominion of the Church until 1860, when it became a member of the Italian State. Today Perugia is a splendid city of art, the capital of the region of Umbria and the residence of a famous university. It has a very lively center, rich in beautiful buildings and monuments, where countless artistic and cultural events take place.

Oct 15, 2027 - San Gimignano

Welcome to San Gimignano, Italy - An Italian and European Paradise. -- It's no wonder Italy is one of top destinations in Europe. San Gimignano, Italy is a wonderful destination for even the most discriminating traveler. Come explore San Gimignano. It's no wonder San Gimignano, Italy is one of top destinations in Europe. It offers a traveler a feast of opportunities to fall in love with this charming country. There's no escaping it San Gimignano, Italy means history, ruins, food, art and love...There's layers of the stuff! Activities usually involve nothing more strenuous than eating, drinking and listening to good music. Find a cafe at twilight and watch the shades of pink turn to gold and copper before night finally falls. After dinner you can stroll by the fountains and have a gelato or an espresso, and pause in the early evening to experience the charm of San Gimignano, Italy as evening comes.

Oct 15, 2027 - Florence

The creative explosion of the Italian Renaissance happened right here, leaving petite Florence more art treasures than most national capitals. View the masterworks of local heroes like Michelangelo and Botticelli, visit countless unforgettable basilicas, then climb up into Brunelleschi's soaring dome to watch the sun set among cypress-clad Tuscan hillsides.

Oct 16, 2027 - Florence

The creative explosion of the Italian Renaissance happened right here, leaving petite Florence more art treasures than most national capitals. View the masterworks of local heroes like Michelangelo and Botticelli, visit countless unforgettable basilicas, then climb up into Brunelleschi's soaring dome to watch the sun set among cypress-clad Tuscan hillsides.

Oct 17, 2027 - Florence

The creative explosion of the Italian Renaissance happened right here, leaving petite Florence more art treasures than most national capitals. View the masterworks of local heroes like Michelangelo and Botticelli, visit countless unforgettable basilicas, then climb up into Brunelleschi's soaring dome to watch the sun set among cypress-clad Tuscan hillsides.

Oct 17, 2027 - Pisa

The Leaning Tower is, of course, Pisa's main attraction. Even before three of its eight stories were constructed (building began in 1173 and continued until 1350), it had begun to lean. In 1990, the instability of the tower made it necessary to close it to visitors. Fortunately, an extensive program to rebalance the tower was successful in slowly righting the structure to its original degree of "lean." Now, thanks to modern engineering, the tower and its 294 stairs are once again open for climbing.

The tower is on the Campo dei Miracoli, a large, grassy square that's a pleasant place to relax. While you're there, visit the Baptistry, which contains a beautiful baptismal font and pulpit by Nicola Pisano; the Romanesque Cathedral di San Zeno, with its silver altar and figures by Brunelleschi; and the Camposanto Cemetery. All in white, the medieval buildings and the wall of the cemetery form a beautiful thematic whole. Stop at the 16th-century church and Palazzo dei Cavalieri, the piazza and the National Museum of San Matteo (excellent collection of 12th- through 15th-century art). And if you have time, visit Pisa's other leaning tower at the Church of San Michele degli Scalzi: Completed in the 13th century, this seldom-visited tower is worth a look, too.

It's also fun just to walk around Pisa. The city is very compact, with many narrow streets and a great ambience. We suggest seeing it on a day trip from Florence, perhaps in combination with Lucca, just 13 mi/20 km northeast. Another possible stop is Pistoia, which has a cathedral and baptistery in the Pisan-Romanesque style and the Ceppo Hospital (L'Ospedale de Ceppo), which has a brightly painted and enameled terra-cotta frieze by Giovanni della Robbia. If you want to see Pisa and another town all in one day, get up very early.

Oct 17, 2027 - Rapallo

Rapallo is well known in Europe as a main tourist resort area. Offering the typically idyllic Mediterranean climate, it is a perfect place to relax and soak up the essence of Italy.

Oct 18, 2027 - Rapallo

Rapallo is well known in Europe as a main tourist resort area. Offering the typically idyllic Mediterranean climate, it is a perfect place to relax and soak up the essence of Italy.

Oct 19, 2027 - Venice

With a great historic past and incomparable art treasures, Venice is renowned as one of the world’s great cities. Its 118 islands are separated by more than 150 canals and spanned by 400 bridges. During Venice's artistic golden age many magnificent structures were erected to create world-famous masterpieces. One of the best sightseeing routes is along Grand Canal, with many palaces lining the famous waterway. St. Mark’s Square offers access to some of Venice’s most famed attractions - St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. From Piazza San Marco, a maze of narrow streets are lined with shops, cafés and restaurants. A popular pastime is sitting at an outdoor café facing the square while people-watching and letting the whole marvelous scenario unfold. Venice’s Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands comprise an area famous as home of Venice’s glass-blowing industry and known for their charm, skilled lace-making and medieval monuments. Relax on a gondola ride, see art treasures in museums, churches and palaces, and have a sumptuous meal - all in this incomparable city.

Oct 20, 2027 - Venice

With a great historic past and incomparable art treasures, Venice is renowned as one of the world’s great cities. Its 118 islands are separated by more than 150 canals and spanned by 400 bridges. During Venice's artistic golden age many magnificent structures were erected to create world-famous masterpieces. One of the best sightseeing routes is along Grand Canal, with many palaces lining the famous waterway. St. Mark’s Square offers access to some of Venice’s most famed attractions - St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. From Piazza San Marco, a maze of narrow streets are lined with shops, cafés and restaurants. A popular pastime is sitting at an outdoor café facing the square while people-watching and letting the whole marvelous scenario unfold. Venice’s Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands comprise an area famous as home of Venice’s glass-blowing industry and known for their charm, skilled lace-making and medieval monuments. Relax on a gondola ride, see art treasures in museums, churches and palaces, and have a sumptuous meal - all in this incomparable city.

Oct 21, 2027 - Venice

With a great historic past and incomparable art treasures, Venice is renowned as one of the world’s great cities. Its 118 islands are separated by more than 150 canals and spanned by 400 bridges. During Venice's artistic golden age many magnificent structures were erected to create world-famous masterpieces. One of the best sightseeing routes is along Grand Canal, with many palaces lining the famous waterway. St. Mark’s Square offers access to some of Venice’s most famed attractions - St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. From Piazza San Marco, a maze of narrow streets are lined with shops, cafés and restaurants. A popular pastime is sitting at an outdoor café facing the square while people-watching and letting the whole marvelous scenario unfold. Venice’s Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands comprise an area famous as home of Venice’s glass-blowing industry and known for their charm, skilled lace-making and medieval monuments. Relax on a gondola ride, see art treasures in museums, churches and palaces, and have a sumptuous meal - all in this incomparable city.