The beauty and wonder of Italy will take your breath away, from its glorious coastal resorts and mesmerising scenery to its magnificent cities where you’ll discover incredible historical landmarks and architecture, superb cuisine and a plethora of wonderful attractions. Magnificent cities such as Rome, Naples, Milan, Genoa and Florence will wow you with their splendour and a myriad of picturesque villages will impress you with their charm and traditional Italian way of life. Rome is home to famous treasures such as the Colosseum and the frescoes of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel inside the Vatican Romantic; the seaside village of Portofino offers stunning views of the Italian Riviera and Venice will amaze you with its glorious canals and famous landmarks. There’s no shortage of vibrant nightlife in Italy when you want to party after dark and shopaholics will be in their element, with designer stores, up-market malls and glitzy boutiques among the delights. Unrivalled hospitality, fabulous weather and awe-inspiring attractions all combine to ensure Italy is the perfect choice for couples, families and solo travellers craving the cruise holiday of a lifetime.

A great time to visit Italy during a Mediterranean cruise is spring and autumn, when crowd numbers are lower and temperatures are pleasant and comfortable. Temperatures in southern Italy are mild in winter but the north of the country is normally wet and cold, with some snowfall, especially in the mountains. The summer months of July and August see the highest temperatures with the mercury normally around 27°C and rising to 31°C at the height of the day. The cities are less hectic in August, the month that many Italians take off completely to escape the stifling temperatures. Conditions in September are normally very pleasant, with an average temperature of 25°C. Unless you visit the country during the winter months, it’s almost inevitable that the big cities like Rome and Florence will be inundated with tourists.

There’s so much more to Italian cuisine than the old classics we often associate with the country such as pizza, lasagne and risotto. You’ll discover gastronomic delights in cafes and restaurants all across Italy which will send you taste buds into raptures. Ribollita is a hearty Tuscan soup made with vegetables and bread, instead of meat, which was more affordable for centuries to residents of the Italian countryside. Ossobuco is a delicious dish which consists of cross-cut veal shanks which are braised with vegetables and garnished with wine and broth. Another great dish is the ever-popular Spaghetti alla Carbonara which is made with fresh eggs, guanciale (pork jowl), Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper, all resting on a perfectly cooked bed of spaghetti. No visit to Italy would be complete without trying some flavoursome gelato, an ice cream-like treat which is made with butterfat whole milk and sugar and produced in many different flavours. Tiramisu is a classic Italian dessert consisting of ladyfinger cookies, instant or espresso, mascarpone cheese, sugar, eggs, Marsala wine, rum and cocoa powder. Italy is renowned for its superb wines produced in many regions including Tuscany, Piedmont, Lombardy, Sicily and Veneto. Other popular tipples include Sambuca, Campari and Grappa which is a wonderful grape-based pomace brandy.

There are so many great things to see and do in the resorts and big cities in magnificent Italy. This captivating country is a goldmine of historical landmarks, architectural wonders, enchanting coastlines, pulsating nightlife and thrilling sports and leisure activities. Castles, cathedrals, museums, art galleries, theatres, walled villages, piazzas and cobbled streets are all waiting to be discovered. Key attractions include the Colosseum, Pantheon and Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome; the Rialto Bridge, Grand Canal and Doge's Palace in Venice; La Scala opera house in Milan; the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence; the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and Mount Vesuvius, the only active volcano in mainland Europe. Family attractions which deliver a feast of fun include a giant aquarium in Genoa, gondola rides in Venice, Acquatica Park in Milan, Zoosafari in Fasano and the Gladiator Training School in Rome. Invigorating outdoor activities in Italy include kayaking in Naples, scuba diving in Parco Sommerso di Baia, hiking in the Dolomites, canyoning in Umbria and white-water rafting in Calabria. An incredible 8,000 kilometres of jawdropping coastline is home to a myriad of golden sandy beaches, inviting turquoise waters, idyllic coves, charming resorts and plenty of thrilling water sports action.