10 Best River Cruises in Italy 2024 2025

italian river cruise

Bari and the Apulian region were long recognized for their strategic location, attracting a succession of colonizers such as the Normans, Moors and Spaniards, each leaving their mark. A small, quiet, well-heeled city, Ravenna has brick palaces, cobblestone streets, magnificent monuments, and spectacular Byzantine mosaics. The high point in its civic history occurred in the 5th century, when Pope Honorious moved his court here from Rome. Gothic kings Odoacer and Theodoric ruled the city until it was conquered by the Byzantines in AD 540. Ravenna later fell under the sway of Venice, and then, inevitably, the Papal States.Because Ravenna spent much of its past looking east, its greatest art treasures show that Byzantine influence. Churches and tombs with the most unassuming exteriors contain within them walls covered with sumptuous mosaics.

More Luxury Tours in Italy

It’s really no problem if you follow a special diet or have allergies. He created delicious vegan dishes for me, and another passenger had a few food allergies. After lunch, we spent a relaxing and restful afternoon aboard the barge. There’s a piano on the boat and I hadn’t played in a long while.

Padua Walking Tour

An In-Depth Review of Uniworld's Venice River Cruise - AFAR - AFAR Media

An In-Depth Review of Uniworld's Venice River Cruise - AFAR.

Posted: Fri, 10 Sep 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]

It’s why we look to its artists for inspiration, its countryside farms for great food, or its ateliers for fine clothing. Or choose a different trip and opt for a cruise on board the MS Belle of the Adriatic. You will see the most beautiful Amalfi Coast with idyllic landscapes from Naples. The coastline, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, amazes travellers with its intense colours and generous sunshine. There’s also a solo cruise itinerary for those who typically travel by themselves.

Lunch

italian river cruise

You first arrive at the Doge’s Palace and most famous plaza in Italy - St. Mark’s Square. Venetians elected their first doge, or duke, in AD 697 and began building the palace around AD 800. Join a sailing excursion where you'll explore the Po Delta - a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Italy, is an extraordinary wetland where the River Po meets the Adriatic Sea.

Experiences

italian river cruise

At this point, you can either walk or go bike riding on the island. Justin and I hopped on the bikes as we love cycling when we travel. Whether you’re bike riding or walking, we all met at a small gelato shop in Pellestrina for a treat (they had two vegan gelato choices, including a dark chocolate one). Later that same day, La Bella Vita set out on a late afternoon cruise towards Pellestrina. The island of Pellestrina separates the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. We sat on the top deck of the barge and admired the numerous little islands dotted with ancient structures.

Valpolicella Wine Estate Lunch

Essentially the local version of tapas, cicchetti are most commonly small pieces of toast with various toppings, ordered alongside a drink at a bar. Hotel Abbazia has wonderful service (the man who works the front desk is nice and helpful!) and clean rooms. While the rooms don’t have many frills, they are comfortable and offer lovely views of Venetian homes. There is a wall of various kinds of alcohol and liqueur behind the bar, and Francesca can make you anything you like. She can also brew any kind of coffee beverages with the espresso machine or steep some tea for you, too.

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Venice

Take amarone, for example, a deliciously robust red made using a rare air-drying process in Valpolicella. The estate we visit here for our private wine-paired lunch is run by the descendants of one of Italy’s most famous poets, Dante Alighieri of the Divine Comedy. Another experience for both the wine and the history lovers is our visit to Dominio di Bagnoli, one of the oldest wine-producing properties in Europe.

Renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine, Italy may undoubtedly be one of the most beautiful locations in the world. Couple this with enchanting rivers and canals, one would almost think that the country was tailor-made for river cruises. The magic of Italy extends all the way to the rivers of this beautiful country, creating the perfect vantage point for splendour. Choose from a number of river cruise deals that match all budgets and holiday preferences, while also visiting differing ports of call. From Venice to Mantua, enjoy a unique cruise through the heart of three Italian regions.

Act now for the best deals on Yangtze River Cruises, Nile River Cruises, Europe River Cruises or Mississippi River Cruises and sail away with bonus offers such as free onboard spending and free upgrades. Plus, discount river cruises include all meals, accommodations, and countless onboard activities. Discount river cruises are the way to save — plan your cruise vacation of a lifetime before these phenomenal river cruise deals are gone. Luxury hotel barge La Bella Vita navigates the majestic waterways of the historic city of Venice and the mediaeval city of Mantua. Along the voyage, we will stop along the route to visit the region’s most beautiful and historic locations. One of the most popular stops on our cruises around Italy is the coastal town of Chioggia.

Watch a glass-master shape beautiful works of art in their Murano workshop. Before you leave, take some time to roam around the factory’s gallery to view works in a wide variety of styles—from tableware to sculptural, traditional to modern. You can even purchase some for yourself to bring a piece of Murano to your home. Savona is a seaport in the north of Italy and hosts a number of museums and historical sites. Such sites include the Garibaldi monument, a bronze Equestrian Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, and the Priamar fortress and municipal museums, built on the location were the first settlers established. Along the way, we stop at the stunning renaissance city of Ferrara.

Stroll past the largest public square in Italy, Prato della Valle, originally laid out by the Romans and transformed in the 18th century into a graceful, elliptical open space with a serene canal and statues of local nobles. Gaze upon the Byzantine-influenced domes and towers of the vast Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, where you’ll often find a crowd waiting to offer thanks or prayers. Considered by many to be one of the greatest masterpieces of famous 16th-century architect, Andrea Palladio, the Teatro Olimpico is the oldest Italian Renaissance theater...

It’s an interesting way to explore new destinations you might not have heard of before. There are lots of fascinating stops on this Italy river cruise of the Venetian lagoon and the Po River. You’ll return to the ship (or stay on board) for lunch before your afternoon activities. This could include another guided tour, wandering around a new city, or an afternoon cruise.

Step inside with a local expert for a tour of the ravishing interior, then walk across the square and under the splendid triumphal arch that welcomes visitors and shoppers into the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. When you join us on an Italian cruise, you can expect fine regional Italian wines that have been hand-selected to complement each meal that has been lovingly prepared by the onboard chef. Not all cruise lines offer the authentic dining experience you expect. Unlike many larger river cruisers that tries to cater to everybody, our Italy cruises offer a true taste of Italy. So, please, look around, get some ideas, and whenever you feel ready for some assistance, simply fill out the River Cruise Quote Request Form. You will enjoy exceptional value when you book your discount river cruises and discount luxury cruises with RiverCruiseLines.com.

Our small group continued the bike ride along one edge of the island that had a lengthy paved path on the waterfront. We looped back around and arrived back at the barge just in time for dinner (and an incredible sunset!). We docked in Pellestrina alongside a collection of bright and colourful homes.

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