Italy

Genoa

Genoa Shore Excursions

23 February, 2018

Located on the Ligurian Sea, the ancient city of Genoa is best known as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus which has long been one of the Mediterranean’s most important seaports. The city’s historic centre is filled with beautiful palaces which bear testimony to a time when Genoa was on a par with Venice as a maritime power. In spite of such architectural treasures it wasn’t until 2004 that the city appeared on the European tourism map when it was designated

Taormina (Giardini Naxos) Shore Excursions

15 February, 2018

Dating back to the 6th century BC when the Greeks first settled here, the town of Taormina on Sicily’s north-east coast is no stranger to foreign visitors. Yet 2017 was a historic year for this beautiful, cliff-top location as Donald Trump and other world leaders dropped into town for the 43rd G7 summit. Already well established as a holiday destination and long regarded as a popular spot by many celebrities, Taormina suddenly found itself the focus of the world’s media

Cagliari

Cagliari Shore Excursions

9 February, 2018

The Italian island of Sardinia is the second largest in the whole Mediterranean region. Lying south of Corsica and west of mainland Italy it has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times. Reminders of the many civilisations which have settled here including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans are visible today at a number of historic sights around the island. An interesting reminder of the past is evident in the north-western town of Alghero where the people still speak Catalan,

5 Sicilian Troves: Our Transfer from Catania Airport to Taormina

5 February, 2018

If you’re heading to Sicily’s east coast to enjoy a break in the beautiful hilltop town of Taormina, consider yourself lucky! This charming town, situated under the shadow of Mt. Etna, has been weaving its magic on visitors since the nineteenth century, and its elegant streets, ancient ruins and breathtaking ocean views create an irresistible appeal. We dare you not to fall in love. But before you get struck in the eye by the big pizza pie of amore, you

Brindisi

Brindisi Shore Excursions

5 February, 2018

Dating back to 312BC, the Appian Way was one of the most important roads ever built under the Roman Empire. Heading south out of Rome this thoroughfare would eventually reach the port city of Brindisi in the ‘heel of Italy’ from where shipping routes with Greece and Egypt were established. The city’s strategic importance remains important to this day in helping facilitate trade with Greece and the Middle East. The port is more accustomed to seeing ferry traffic than cruise

Venecia

Venice Shore Excursions

29 January, 2018

Today’s visitor to the former Republic of Venice is met with the decaying grandeur of what was once one of the world’s wealthiest city states. The proceeds from its involvement in the lucrative world of commerce and shipping helped finance the construction of many grand palaces, churches and piazzas mainly between the 9th and 13th centuries. Such a wealth of attractions has contributed to Venice becoming a victim of its own success as a tourist destination as 30 million visitors per year threaten the fragile ecosystem of the city and its lagoon. Such is this threat that UNESCO are considering

Bari

Bari Shore Excursions

27 January, 2018

The city of Bari in south-eastern Italy has long played an important strategic role in the Adriatic Sea. Today it is the capital of the Italian region of Puglia (Apulia) which is well known for its historic hill towns, beautiful coastline and exquisite regional cuisine. For many cruise ship passengers this relatively unknown destination proves to be a pleasantly surprising port of call. Within a short walk of the cruise terminal visitors can wander into the city’s historic centre where life goes on as it has done for centuries. A number of key sights reside in this old town otherwise

Messina

Messina (Taormina) Shore Excursions

22 January, 2018

For many centuries the north-east coast of Sicily has been considered of major strategic importance to the many civilisations who have settled here. Messina is the region’s busy ferry port which serves as a major transport hub for the high volume of traffic and passengers arriving from the mainland. Not the most beautiful of places it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1908 then was again reduced to rubble during the Second World War. Most cruise ships visiting Messina do so to allow passengers to visit the beautiful town of Taormina which lies just down the coast or Mount Etna

Lake Garda

Intriguing Italian Routes: Our Transfer from Verona to Lake Garda

14 January, 2018

So, you’ve planned the ultimate holiday by booking a trip to Lake Garda, located in the stunning Italian lakes district? Feeling pretty smug, aren’t you? And rightly so, because the area is truly one of the most picturesque, exciting and culturally important ones in all of Italy. But before you set your itinerary in stone, allow us to introduce you to some of the many attractions that you’ll be able to catch sight of along the one-hour transfer route from the airport at Verona to Lake Garda. There’s a lot more than meets the eye to be found, experienced, eaten

Catania

Catania Shore Excursions

26 December, 2017

The port city of Catania lies in the shadow of Mount Etna on the east coast of Sicily. Standing at more than 3300m, Etna is Europe’s largest and most active volcano which continues to erupt several times per year. Its most destructive eruption in 1669 destroyed many local villages and the lava flow caused some damage to buildings in Catania which lies 45km to the south-east of its crater. Following an earthquake in 1693 which destroyed the city, Catania was rebuilt using lava brick in the Baroque style which remains evident today. Cruise ship passengers visiting Catania are in for

Ancona

Ancona Shore Excursions

22 December, 2017

The city of Ancona on Italy’s north-east coast was originally settled by the Greeks as far back as 387 BC. Its role as an important seaport on the Adriatic was secured centuries later when the Roman Emperor Trajan developed its harbour in the 2nd Century AD so as to facilitate trade with Dalmatia. By the Middle Ages Ancona was a semi-independent maritime republic which established commercial ties with the Byzantine Empire whilst remaining on good terms with the Turks. As such it became an important trading post for commerce with the East. The city played an important role in both

’Sno Laughing Matter: the Cortina Snow Run

14 December, 2017

If you adore the stunning Alpine setting of Europe’s ski resorts but want a new challenge that doesn’t involve skis, then why not try the Cortina Snow Run. This 17km night time run – held on 25 February next year – will take you through the stunning Dolomites scenery, running on prepared pistes, on a course which organisers believe should take no more than five hours.

Rome

How to Roam Rome: An Alternative Guide

6 December, 2017

Rome is Italy’s historic capital. Renowned for its Roman heritage, most travellers stick to the traditional tourist checklist. They visit of the Colosseum, then the Pantheon and won’t leave until they’ve tossed a coin into the Trevi Fountain. If you’re looking to be more adventurous, though, you’ll see that Rome isn’t the tourist trap everyone makes it out to be. This beautiful city has so much more to offer. If you venture out of the crowded centre, you can discover the mysteries that are hidden in Rome’s lesser known districts. Follow this off-the-beaten-track guide for my top picks of secret

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