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# 70 •OCTOBER 19 , 2015
Italy, with its 7500 km
(4,660 mi) of coastline,
practically
overflowing
with indentations, gulfs
and coves, natural landfalls and touristic ports,
stands out as a cruise destination, and is one of the
primary cruise departure
points in Europe. Ever higher numbers of tourists
are choosing a cruise as
an all-inclusive vacation
that combines fun, relaxation, culture, and the possibility to see a number of
destinations in one long
itinerary at sea – and, one
might add, without having
to change hotels!
The Bel Paese is a protagonist among sea destinations, both on an international level and within
the Mediterranean, thanks to its favorable climate
and marine conditions, as
well as easy port access
and varied touristic divertments, all on a year-round
basis.
Italy not only offers innumerable ports from which
passengers can embark
on a cruise (more than any
other country – one passenger in three departs
from an Italian port), but
even more often the Pe-
ninsula is a destination of cruiselines: a Sicilian
point for many cruises.
port, it serves as a stop
from which to visit some
Among the major ports of the most beautiful spots
are Civitavecchia, Venice, on the island, like TaormiNaples, Livorno, Savona, na.
and Bari. Particularly, the
port at Civitavecchia, be- Those departing from,
sides being at the top of embarking or stopping
the European rankings for at Ligurian ports (Genumbers of embarkations, noa, Savona, La Spezia),
disembarkations and tran- will be astounded by the
sits, represents an ideal magnificent
panorama
mooring post for excur- overlooking the towns of
sions to Rome.
the Cinque Terre and the
other splendid Ligurian
Naples, even though not borgoes on the sea, e.g.
a typical docking point for Portofino.
passenger loading and It goes without saying that
unloading, is still one of a renewed increase in cruthe primary sea ports of ise traffic that leaves from,
call in all of Europe, as se- visits or lands in Italy has
afarers can take a number taken place in recent yeof different trips to the ne- ars (as in the Loire Valley
arby islands (specifically, and on the Nile River, for
Capri, Ischia and Procida), instance). Similarly, deas well as to the glorious stinations have become
Amalfi Coast.
more focused, meaning
pas sengers can spend
The port at Venice, on the days visiting Venice and
other hand, is one of the its Lagoon, or the Po River
most frequented by both Delta, by boat.
Italian and foreign naviga- Italy, other than being one
tion companies; after all, it of the most important Euis one of the most beauti- ropean destinations for
ful cities in the world, and the cruise sector, is also
thus a huge attraction for among the nations with
numerous sea cruise itine- the highest number of
raries.
cruise company owners,
Messina, as well, is another offering sea cruises throulanding place for a variety ghout the world.
WE THE ITALIANS | 13
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