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For those who like the finer things in life - warm summer air, world-class food and wine, architecture and history like no other place on earth - an Italian river cruise might just be the perfect getaway. There are few places that can offer such a cacophony of sights, smells, tastes and experiences – whether you’re touring the country for a week or a year, you’ll never get bored. Perhaps the most famous of all the Italian river cruise destinations is Venice; it’s a place unlike any other, and one that is truly best experienced from the water. Below are some of the things that make this city a true gem of the waterways. St. Mark’s Square Perhaps the most famous of all sights in Venice, and for good reason, this powerful place is enough to captivate even seasoned travellers of Italy. It’s classically Venetian, and close to other key sights such as the Basilica and the Chiesa del Redentore. Italian river cruises will always include this as a part of the tour, and you’ll be very glad they did! Walking Tours The sights and smells of Venice are tremendous, and stepping off your luxurious river boat for a while to wander the historic streets is a great way to really get to know the city. Some sights just can’t be accessed any other way than on foot, and in the case of the amazing Bridge of Sighs, only through a guided tour. The Grand Canal The Grand Canal is one place that almost everybody will know from books or photographs, with its incredible architecture and set back against the water as gondolas pass over its rippled surface. It’s truly the stuff that postcards are made of. Many cruises start and finish in or around Venice, so there may be multiple opportunities for you to explore the majestic sights the Grand Canal has to offer. Excursions With Venice as your starting point, your Italian river cruise will also take in some other wonderful towns and cities in the nearby area as you make your way along the waterways. Places such as Ferrara and Chioggia are both key stops on a Venice-centric barge tour, and visitors will get to enjoy literary and artistic history like nowhere else in the world. Food, Food, Food With the city so encompassed by water you’ll be able to enjoy seafood that is really quite rare anywhere else other than this region. The unusual make-up of Venice’s canals and lakes means that produce from the area is unique. In the classic Italian style, it’s prepared with a flair and finesse that brings out flavours expertly. You can enjoy these dishes on board your vessel prepared by the chef, or in one of the many restaurants in the city. The Benefits of Water Booking a tour like this is a great way of seeing the best of what a country like Italy and a city like Venice have to offer. Nowhere else can you enjoy architectural wonders, spellbinding food and artistic might so tangibly. Barge cruising is a great way of having an itinerary that works for you, and booking with a reputable tour operator will ensure you get your perfect trip. Author Plate Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, the UK's most respected provider of all-inclusive, luxury Italian river cruise itineraries, as well as barge holidays in other great destinations. Part of a team of experienced barging aficionados, Paul is first in line to endorse the perks of a slow-paced barge cruise to anyone looking for a unique holiday experience.
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