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Italy Cruise: Hidden Treasures from Florence to Venice
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Italy Cruise: Hidden Treasures from Florence to Venice

Italy, France12 days

The journey

Overview

Experience Italy reframed on an all-encompassing voyage that sheds new light on some of Europe’s most iconic destinations. Venture off the beaten path in Florence, then cruise south to Sicily and back north to Venice, going ashore with the region’s foremost guides to unearth your own Da Vinci Code of discoveries. Along the way, your small explorer ship affords access to Matera, Urbino, Sardinia, the French isle of Corsica and other ports of call most cruises miss.

Highlights

  • Begin with a stay in one of central Florence’s finest hotels
  • Cruise for 10 days on an exclusive charter of Le Dumont d’Urville
  • Choose from a list of curated shore excursions led by Worldway Travels x A&K’s expert local guides
  • Go off the beaten path in Corsica and Sardinia
  • Explore the flavors of Sicily and Puglia with exclusive farmhouse visits and cooking lessons
  • Immerse yourself in the timeless romance of Venice

Day by day

Day 1

Arrive Florence, Italy – Beating Heart of the Renaissance

You can barely move for masterpieces in the Tuscan capital: Michelangelo’s David, centerpiece of the Galleria dell ’Accademia; the Uffizi; the romantic Ponte Vecchio; and the Duomo, a holy canopy of terracotta high above the rooftops. Even the streets are an elegant, edifying showcase of Italian culture.

Day 2

Florence – Legacy of the Great Masters

Take in Florence’s living exhibition as you walk the historic city center and the Oltrarno District. Or, tour of the Galleria dell’Accademia and the Uffizi to see the works of the Renaissance masters in the flesh.

Day 3

Tuscany – Choose Your Own Adventure in Florence, Pisa or Lucca

A cypress-dotted vision of Italian beauty, Tuscany charms like a Medici prince, capturing the very essence of the nation’s heartland. Set out into this timeless realm of storybook hilltop towns and undulating green landscapes as you choose your own Tuscan adventure. Head to Lucca to stroll its picturesque town center, Piazza dell’Anfi teatro, and its impressive 16th century ramparts. Pisa’s iconic

Day 4

Bonifacio, Corsica; France – Walking in Napoleon’s Footsteps

The birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, the mountainous island of Corsica juts imposingly from the Mediterranean, as bold and proud as the French emperor himself. Here, explore the fortress town of Bonifacio’s medieval houses, chapels and web of alleyways. Afterward, stroll the cobbled streets, historic buildings and quayside of Porto Vecchio’s Old Town. Or, hike to Castellu d’Araghju for stunning v

Day 5

Cagliari, Sardinia; Italy – Bronze Age Mysteries Wrapped in Coastal Beauty

Though Sardinia glints with some of the most breathtaking shores in the Mediterranean, its culture has been defined by its rustic interior more than its coast: a landscape of mysterious Bronze Age monuments and ancient shepherd tracks that wind through forests of oak and myrtle. Come ashore in Sardinia’s historic port city and capital, Cagliari, where you stroll the Old Town and visit Saint Mary a

Day 6

At Sea – Unwinding on the Med

Relax as you cruise southward through the Mediterranean, taking advantage of the ship’s amenities along the way. En route, the Expedition Team sets the stage for tomorrow’s shore excursion with a series of enriching presentations.

Day 7

Syracuse, Sicily – Playground of the Ancient Greeks

Presided over by fiery Mount Etna, Sicily is a red-hot mix of sunbaked temples, sizzling sea views and sensational produce grown on its fertile volcanic slopes. Come ashore in the iconic port of Syracuse, a place Cicero described as “the greatest Greek city and most beautiful of them all.” Explore Syracuse’s Old Town of Ortigia, a tangle of cobbled streets wending this way and that, lined with fab

Day 8

At Sea – Cruising around Italy’s Heel

As you cruise onward around the heel of Italy’s “boot,” the Expedition Team prepares you for tomorrow’s shore excursion to Bari.

Day 9

Bari – Youthful Face of the Puglia Region

Bari serves as your seaside gateway to the time-warp villages and sweeping countryside of the Puglia region. This university town’s youthful, urban vibe plays well with its grand boulevards lined with historic architecture. Once ashore, choose from a culinary experience at a local farmhouse, a visit to the intriguing Castel del Monte, a nature trek through the hills of Alta Murgia National Park, o

Day 10

Ancona – Off the Beaten Path in Le Marche

Le Marche’s pebbled beaches, cliff-flanked bays and medieval hill towns often fly under the radar. But those who have experienced this region’s enchanting landscapes, history and artistic heritage are happy to have it to themselves. Staging your day from the port of Ancona, set out to tour the Renaissance art and architecture of Urbino, privately visit the Villa Imperiale in Pesaro, or savor a win

Day 11

Venice – Ethereal Magic of the Canals

A heady dream of Carnival, canals, basilicas and Byzantine relics, Venice bewitches from the very first breath. Nowhere else in the world can you turn from a grand marble palace floating amid the canals, and into a warren of stirring, salty-aired passageways, where life has ebbed and flowed with the rhythm of the water for centuries. Experience Venice’s beguiling magic firsthand with a private wat

Day 12

Depart Venice – The Journey Ends

Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight or set sail on Worldway Travels x A&K’s Adriatic Voyage: Croatia, Montenegro and Greece.

What's included

  • Expert local guides & seamless transfers
  • Carefully selected luxury accommodations
  • Selected meals & signature experiences
  • Private arrival & departure transfers

Not included

  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas where applicable
  • Gratuities & personal expenses

Accommodations

  • The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence
  • Choose From three Included Excursions
  • Livorno
  • Le Dumont d’Urville
  • Bonifacio
  • Choose From four Included Excursions

Frequently asked questions

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