How To Prepare For A River Cruise In Italy

Out of all the ways to spend a holiday, a river cruise in Italy is one of the best options out there. These excursions can suit just about everyone, whether you are looking to have a relaxing time floating down a waterway, are in the market for a culinary cruise on which you can try the region’s cuisine or if you want to explore the country’s rich and fascinating history. No matter how you’re planning to spend your nautical adventure (and there are so many different ways that you can), you’ll want to make sure you know how to get the maximum amount of enjoyment out it.

To make sure your river cruise in Italy is nothing but smooth sailing, take note of the following top tips.

Plan Ahead

Before you do anything else, you should book your place on a river cruise in Italy via a reputable luxury hotel barge provider – that should go without saying. Once you’ve got that sorted, you should buy everything else you may need for your trip, such as plane tickets, transfer arrangements and accommodation reservations if you’re planning to stay in the country before or after your cruise (many vessels will have rooms available on board so you will likely be set during the voyage itself). Make sure that you spell your name correctly and accurately enter in your date of birth when booking. This may seem like an obvious tip, but you’d be surprised how many people make a silly mistake and end up having to delay or even cancel their trip.

As your river cruise in Italy approaches, it’s a good idea to keep track of your flights online so you are aware of any changes soon after they are made. You should also make sure that you don’t forget your passport with you and, if you plan to travel to other countries before or after your trip, any necessary visas you may need.

Pack Light

It’s a possibility that there won’t be much storage space on your river cruise in Italy, so it never hurts to pack lightly to ensure your quarters aren’t overrun with your stuff. Additionally, the fewer things you bring with you, the fewer bags you’ll have to lug around with you – so resist the urge to over pack!

Currency

You’re definitely going to want to buy souvenirs when you drop anchor and head ashore, so make sure that you change some pounds into Euros to spend while you’re exploring. Sure, you may have your credit or debit card with you, but some places may only take cash. Plus, it’s a good safety net to have in case your card stops working for some reason.

Exploring Italy via river cruise is one of the best ways to get to know this fascinating country – and now that you have these top tips, your voyage down its waterways is sure to be smooth sailing.

Author Plate

Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, the UK's most respected provider of all-inclusive luxury barge holidays. If you're looking for a fantastic river cruise in Italy, or cruises to other great destinations, they are the go-to experts. 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.