Known for its incredible food and world-class art and fascinating history, it’s no wonder Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Italy even contains more World Heritage sites than any other country. With so many options, it can be hard to decide how to plan your visit — that’s why we asked our Shore Excursions team to pick their favorite Italian experiences.
1. Taste your way through Rome
What: Take a walking tour of Rome’s most renowned markets and eateries while learning about the city’s time-honored culinary traditions.
Cool factor: Some of the incredible foods you’ll sample may include fried codfish from a popular Jewish Ghetto delicatessen, pizza Bianca from the famous Campo de’Fiori market, and fried risotto balls in the Trastavere neighborhood.
Find it in: Rome, Italy
What: Navigate down the soft rapids of the Nera River on a raft, then enjoy free time to explore the hilltop medieval village of Narni.
Cool factor: Along the way, you’ll see the stunning Marmore Falls, a man-made waterfall created by the ancient Romans and one of the tallest cascades in Italy.
Find it in: Rome, Italy
3. Visit the Pope’s summer residence
What: Tour the Pope’s private summer residence, the Pontifical Villas in Castel Gandolfo, admiring the 15th-century farmhouse, gardens, fountains and Roman ruins. Then head to Vatican City to see the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.
Cool factor: You’ll be among the first to see the residence: Pope Francis decided in 2014 to open the Pontifical Villas to the public for the first time in their history.
Find it in: Rome, Italy
What: Hop into an Ape Calessino, an iconic Italian three-wheeled vehicle that’s kind of like a covered Vespa. Ride around Rome, checking out the Colosseum, the Forum, the original city walls and more.
Cool factor: The Ape was originally used to help rebuild the city of Rome after World War II.
Find it in: Rome, Italy
5. Cycle your way through Neapolitan sights
What: Take an epic pedaling journey to see the art, history and culture of Naples, including a 12th-century castle, the city’s most famous square, the San Carlo Opera House and more.
Cool factor: You’ll ride through the small fishing village of Borgo Marinari, where sirens seduced Ulysses.
Find it in: Naples, Italy
6. Experience Capri, Sorrento and Pompeii
What: Visit the most iconic destinations near Naples in one day: The seaside town of Sorrento, the idyllic isle of Capri and the archeological ruins of Pompeii, the ancient Roman city that was destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in the year 79 AD.
Cool factor: See the incredibly well-preserved ruins of Pompeii (thanks to their sudden burial in more than a dozen feet of ash) firsthand.
Find it in: Naples, Italy
7. Delve into the delicious world of pasta
What: Tour the family-run Martelli pasta factory, where they’ve been making four shapes of pasta since 1920. You’ll learn to make authentic Italian pasta in the kitchen of a countryside wine estate.
Cool factor: Chow down on a three-course meal, paired with a tasting of five local Tuscan wines.
Find it in: Livorno (Florence), Italy
8. Explore the beautiful Cinque Terre
What: Take a guided tour through two of the amazing towns along Italy’s Ligurian coast—you’ll see the historic sights of Portovenere and taste a few of the local delicacies (including bruschetta, salami, wine and pesto) in Monterosso al Mare, which is one of the five villages of Cinque Terre.
Cool factor: Picturesque views and photo ops of the coastline from a motorboat that will take you from Portovnere to Monterosso al Mare.
Find it in: Livorno (Florence), Italy
9. See the birthplace of the Renaissance
What: Visit the highlights of the Renaissance city of Florence, including the Accademia Museum (home of Michelangelo’s “David”), the Piazza del Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio.
Cool factor: No visit to Florence is complete without a delicious Florentine meal, included on your tour. Florence is the birthplace of gelato, so make sure you top things off with a sweet, cold treat.
Find it in: Livorno (Florence), Italy
10. Visit the Tuscan countryside
What: Explore two of Tuscany’s lovely hilltop Medieval villages—San Gimignano and Volterra—and visit a rustic country farmhouse to sample Tuscan cuisine and wines.
Cool factor: San Gimignano is known for its striking towers, and Volterra for its sparkling piazzas and 1st-century Roman theater.
Find it in: Livorno (Florence), Italy
Royal Caribbean offers many ways to explore the Old World and the Mediterranean. Learn more about traveling in Europe here.
