Cruising to Italy with P&O

Italy is full of amazing places and things to see and do, many of them very accessible from the coast which makes cruises in this area a great way to see parts of Italy.

P&O Cruise Holidays have a variety of cruise ships who sail the Western Mediterranean, and almost all of them dock in Italy, but where you stop depends on the trip you’re taking.

Some of the ports which are commonly found on P&O’s itinerary are Florence (Livorno), Naples, Rome (Civitavecchia), Sicily, Genoa, and of course Venice.  All have something fabulous to offer visitors, and of course the food and friendly Italian welcome you’ll receive will be fantastic no matter where you go.

Genoa is one of Italy’s gems, this eclectic city has daring architecture and fabulous frescos as well as noble palaces, cathedrals and abbeys.  Christopher Columbus was born here and you can visit the house where he grew up as well as enjoying pesto which originated here.  One of Genoa’s most charming areas is Via Garibaldi.  The Palazzo Rosso here, is now a museum and holds some fascinating items.

Of course it’s not just about where you visit, your cruise ship is important too, and from the  Oceana to the Aurora all of P&O’s cruise ships are designed with your comfort in mind.  Bars and restaurants, shops and lounges, sun decks, pools, and plenty of on board entertainment all go to help make your trip something special.

Florence
When visiting Florence, the ship actually docks in Livorno the official Florence port town which is about 90 minutes away.   But travelling into Florence is quick and easy, and there’s plenty to see along the way.  In Florence the Piazza del Duomo is a great place for souvenirs, and the Duomo itself is a fabulous structure.  At the Galleria dell’ Accademia you can see the statue of David, and if you don’t want to queue, book your tickets in advance!

A side trip to Pisa is well worth taking especially as the wonderful leaning tower here has recently been re-opened to the public after more than a decade of being closed for repairs.

Rome
One of the most incredible and important cities in the world, Rome is easy to visit and easy to get around in.  a short coach or train journey from the port of Civitavecchia through beautiful Italian countryside will bring you here, and then you can explore the attractions.  The Vatican city with the chance of seeing the pope, and or course the Sistine Chapel.

Your visit to Rome wouldn’t be complete if you didn’t see the Colosseum, and for many the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon are just as important.

Wherever you stop in Rome you’ll find many things to entertain and wow you, and always you’ll have the comfort of your cruise ship to return to afterwards.