Italy Cruise: Hidden Treasures from Florence to Venice

Arrive in Florence and transfer to The Westin Excelsior, where you join your fellow A&K guests for an elegant welcome reception.

Gracing the banks of the Arno River, Florence is the definitive cradle of the Renaissance, boasting one of the most impressive collections of art and architecture in the world. Today, you might embark on a walking tour of the historic city center and the Oltrarno District. Alternately, leave the city behind for a truffle hunt in the rolling hills of Tuscany. Art lovers might opt for a tour of the Accademia and Uffizi galleries, home to such Renaissance masterpieces as Michelangelo’s David, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Annunciation and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. Enjoy the evening at leisure in Florence.

The charming region of Tuscany captures the very essence of the Italian heartland. Today, opt for Tuscan adventures in Florence, Pisa or Lucca. You might choose a visit to Palazzo Vecchio, the former residence of the powerful Medici clan; explore Pisa’s grand Baptistery, Campo Santo, Duomo and world-famous Leaning Tower; or stroll Lucca’s picturesque town center, Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, and its impressive 16th-century ramparts. Later, drive to the port of Livorno and board your expedition vessel. Once you are settled in to your cabin, join your fellow guests for a welcome dinner celebrating the anticipation of the exciting cruise to follow.

Disembark in the port of Civitavecchia and transfer to Rome, the former capital of one of the greatest empires the world has ever seen. Built one century on top of the other, the Italian capital’s landscape of iconic Imperial Roman ruins stands layered amid the modernity of a cosmopolitan metropolis. Here, you might explore the Vatican’s incomparable treasures, tour central Rome’s narrow streets and iconic Trevi Fountain (pausing for a private visit to Palazzo Colonna) see the Colosseum and enjoy some free time in the charming Trastevere district, or savor a hands-on culinary experience at a former Papal palace in the hilltop village of Castel Gondolfo.

Arrive in the ancient fortress town of Bonifacio to explore Corsica, the enchanting mountainous Mediterranean island where Napoleon Bonaparte was born in 1769. Once ashore, explore the citadel's medieval houses, chapels, and web of alleyways. Afterward, you may wish to stroll the cobbled streets, historic buildings and quayside of Porto Vecchio’s Old Town. Or, opt for a hike to Castellu d’Araghju for stunning views of the coast.

Today, explore the wild and remote island enclave of Sardinia, coming ashore in its historic port city and capital, Cagliari. Stroll the Old Town, taking in views of the Roman amphitheater, and visiting Saint Mary and Saint Cecilia Cathedrals. Alternately, hike Sardinia’s gentle hills and splendid vistas or sample local varietals and culinary specialties at a local winery.

Hosting a culture, landscape and flavor all its own, Sicily was colonized at various times by the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Aragonese, with each group contributing something to see, taste and hear. Today, come ashore in the eastern Sicilian port of Messina. From here, you might opt for a walking tour of the intimate clifftop enclave, Taormina, pausing to take in stunning views of Mount Etna from the Greek Theater. Alternately, set out on a 4x4 excursion to Mount Etna’s crater or take a scenic drive capped off with a tasting of the region’s distinctive local wines.

Relish a day of relaxation, enjoying the amenities of your ship and engaging presentations by our experts.

Disembark in Bari, vibrant capital of the Puglia region. Today, 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 or a drive inland to explore Matera’s cave dwellings.

Explore Le Marche, a region renowned for its landscapes, history and artistic heritage. Disembarking in Ancona, you might opt to tour the Renaissance art and architecture of Urbino, privately visit the Villa Imperiale in Pesaro or savor a wine experience in the breathtaking countryside.

From its earliest days, Venice’s ethereal, romantic waterscape has bewitched artists, poets, musicians and travellers from around the world. Experience Venice’s beguiling magic firsthand with a private water taxi tour, pausing at St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge. Alternatively, you might explore St. Mark’s Square on foot and go off the beaten path to discover the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, the city’s largest church. Or, escape to the Orto di Venezia winery and the glassworks of the Murano islands.

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