NORWEGIAN LAUNCHES ITALY CRUISETOURS

Italy (Courtesy Norwegian)

When visiting a great port of call in Italy, ever wish you had more time? We have. One day in Rome or Florence just isn't enough. Now guests on select Norwegian sailings can explore the best of Italy with their new Cruisetours, available on 2013 sailings and beyond. Ranging in length from 11 to 15 days, all tours feature "an English-speaking Italian tour manager, first class hotels, time for optional exploring, whisper technology-enhanced touring, some meals including wine and mineral water, and air-conditioned motor coach transportation."

Here are more details from Norwegian:


"For guests traveling on board Norwegian Jade’s seven-day Eastern Mediterranean & Greek Isles or Adriatic cruises from Venice, as well as Norwegian Epic’s seven-day Mediterranean Cruise from Civitavecchia, the 15-day Classic Italy Cruisetour features seven nights of the best the country has to offer. Beginning in Venice, with walking tours including St. Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace and the island of Murano, the tour proceeds to Pisa, where guests have the opportunity to view the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, as well as experience a wine tasting on a Tuscan countryside farm. Traveling onto Florence, guests will explore The Accademia of Fine Arts, housing Michelangelo’s David, and Signoria Square. The Classic Italy cruisetour finishes in Rome and Vatican City, where guests will visit the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica.

"Those guests wishing to explore Italy’s cultural side will delight in the 14-day Wine & Art of Northern Italy Cruisetour, which features the wine region of Piedmont, the cliffside villages of Cinque Terre and the medieval town of Parma. With activities including Barolo & Asti Spumanti wine tastings; Parma ham and Parmesan cheese tasting; city tours in Milan, Turin, and Parma; and an aged Balsamic vinegar sampling, this tour is available to guests on Norwegian Jade’s seven-day Eastern Mediterranean & Greek Isles or Adriatic cruises from Venice.

"For those with an adventurous spirit, the five-day Italian Lakes & Parma Cruisetour, offered with Norwegian Jade’s seven-day Eastern Mediterranean & Greek Isles or Adriatic Cruise from Venice, highlights the villages and Alpine landscapes of Lake Como, the medieval town of Parma and the fashionable city of Milan. It features a scenic cruise to Bellagio, the beautiful Italian lake district, and city tours in Milan and Parma.

"Guests who have limited time to explore Italy before or after their cruise can see Rome and Vatican City’s best features on the 11-day Rome & The Vatican tour, offered for guests sailing on Norwegian Epic’s seven-day Eastern Mediterranean Cruise from Civitavecchia. Including such legendary sites as the Forum and Colosseum in Rome and the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, this Cruisetour provides guests with the ultimate Italian historical experience."

Norwegian is offering these tours with Gate 1 Travel, a leader in escorted tour programs worldwide for more than 30 years. Further information can be found by visiting Norwegian’s Europe Cruisetours website.