Before and After Your Italy River Cruise
The Renaissance cities, lakes and food capitals that make a Venice cruise a whole-region trip.
Get Free Italy River Cruise QuotesCities Within Reach
Padua
Giotto’s frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel, the Basilica of St Anthony and the vast Prato della Valle square.
Bologna
Porticoed streets, medieval towers and Italy’s most celebrated food; pasta-making is a favourite excursion.
Verona
The Roman arena, Juliet’s balcony and the Adige river; summer opera in the arena.
Lake Garda
Italy’s largest lake, with castle-guarded Sirmione at its southern tip; a relaxing post-cruise stay.
Ferrara
Este Castle and a cycling-friendly Renaissance city close to the Po.
Mantua
The Gonzaga palaces and Giulio Romano’s Palazzo Te.
Longer Combinations
Many travelers fly a long way for Italy and want more than a week. Fast trains link Venice with Florence and Rome, so a classic plan is a few days in Rome or Florence and then the cruise, or the other way round. Some lines package Rome or Slovenia with their Venice cruise. Our cruise advisors can build either, with hotels and trains included.
For more on Italian ports and excursions by sea, see Adriatic Sea Cruising and Europe Port Excursions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I see Bologna on my own or on the excursion?
The included excursion is a good introduction; food lovers often add a night or two in Bologna after the cruise to eat their way through it at leisure.
How far is Verona from Venice?
Verona is a short fast-train journey west of Venice, making it an easy day trip or a stop on the way to Lake Garda.
Which cities can I visit on an Italy river cruise?
Depending on itinerary: Padua, Bologna, Ferrara, Verona and Mantua by coach or barge, alongside Venice and the lagoon towns.
What is a good pre- or post-cruise add-on?
Rome or Florence by fast train, Verona and Lake Garda, or Slovenia’s Lake Bled and Ljubljana; some lines sell these as combined packages.
Sample Ways to Extend
| Plan | How it fits | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Rome first, then Venice | Fly into Rome, take the fast train north, board in Venice | First trips to Italy |
| Venice cruise, then Florence | Train from Venice to Florence after disembarking; fly home from Florence or Rome | Art lovers |
| Verona and Lake Garda | A short train or transfer west of Venice; a calm post-cruise stay | Couples, slower travelers |
| Bologna food days | An easy train south of Venice or Ferrara | Food lovers |
| Slovenia | Ljubljana and Lake Bled are within road reach of Venice | Travelers adding a second country |
Open-jaw flights — into one city and home from another — usually make these plans simpler and avoid backtracking. Allow at least one night in Venice before embarkation; international flights can be delayed, and boats will not wait. If you are combining with an Adriatic ocean cruise instead, Venice’s region also has several cruise ports, covered on Adriatic Sea Cruising.
Build Your Italy River Cruise Trip
Tell us which cities you would like to add. We will put the cruise, hotels and trains together.
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