by Joanne DiBona  ·  Editorial  ·
photos Tony DiBona

Our Italian Sojourn cruise begins in the port of Civitavecchia, where my husband Tony and I board the majestic Viking Saturn to explore the truly unforgettable destinations along Italy’s peninsula for the next eight days. We settled into our comfortable stateroom and savored a delicious lunch, which reminded us of the pleasure of cruising that awaits us. As we learned long ago, only on a cruise can you unpack once, enjoy a delicious meal, and watch the beauty of the world sail by from the comfort of your veranda.

In the early evening Viking Saturn sets sail for Naples.

Tour of Naples, Italy
Our ship docks in the historic port of Naples. Nostalgia quickly captivates us as we are reminded of our Italian ancestors who departed from the docks of this port to cross the Atlantic Ocean and begin a new life in America. Coincidentally, Tony’s father was aboard the Italian liner Saturnia, the same name (in English) as our Viking cruise ship, Saturn. In our minds we could imagine the excitement and unknown experiences these young immigrants would be facing as they sailed to their new, faraway home.
There were many interesting tour options to choose from in this port and we selected the included “Scenic Naples” tour. The tour ascends the hills surrounding the Neapolitan landscape, bringing us to magnificent vistas of the Vesuvius volcano and the Bay of Naples below.

And if soaking in all this beauty makes you hungry, know that Naples is known for creating the best pizza on the planet. 

Messina, Sicily
The next port call of our Italian Sojourn cruise was Messina, Sicily. As the Viking Saturn neared the Sicilian coast, the fabled Straits of Messina loomed ahead. The straits are an amazing geological creation. Only 2.5 miles separate Italy’s boot from Messina. The European and African tectonic plates converge here creating a narrow, deep channel of 3000 ft depths that up-wells krill and nutrients, perfect for a thriving fishery from tuna to swordfish and sea basses. Many myths were imagined through the thousands of years which included monsters of the sea to swirling eddies capable of swallowing ships!

Among the many interesting tour offerings available from this port, we selected the “Sicilian Ride through Rustic Villages” excursion. It was a truly memorable experience that made for wonderful photo opportunities as we drove up the winding mountain trails to the summit leading to the towns of Savoca and Forza D’Argo, which were film locations for Francis Coppola’s epic film, The Godfather. Our very knowledgeable guide, Rosario, explained all of the fine details of the movie and we were treated to visit the actual locations and interiors of some of the buildings and church. The bus ride alone was a remarkable feat as our expert driver, Salvo, threaded his way down the twisting former donkey routes to deliver us safely back to our Viking Saturn home.

Crotone Italy
After rounding the toe of Italy’s peninsula, we arrive at the port of Crotone. Situated on the coast of the Ionian Sea, this ancient town with history dating back to the 7th century B.C. was home to the Greek philosopher Pythagoras. We toured Crotone on our own using the available shuttle buses from the pier to the town, located a short distance away. The old and the new intertwine here with highly visible remains of fortifications and castles.

We enjoyed a delicious late lunch and a soothing glass of Sauvignon Blanc at the Pool Grill, as Viking Saturn maneuvers out of the small port and sets sail for Bari.

BARI Puglia Tour
After our departure from Crotone, the Viking Saturn sailed during the night to the Port of Bari in the province of Puglia. We chose the Trulli House tour and once our ship was secured behind the port’s breakwater, we met our tour guide on shore. The bus ride took us through the town of Bari and proceeded up the hills to the small town of Alberobello where the UNESCO Heritage site of the Trulli houses is located. The Puglia region is noted for its delicious focaccia bread, fresh pressed olive oil, and other natural products grown in this region.

We made a stop at the Masseria Geliso Antico, a farm with bucolic stone buildings that boasts a lovely restaurant. The atmosphere was festive, with rustic furnishings that created an Old World vibe. We were treated to the products that are the pride of Puglia. These included the delicious focaccia bread dipped in local olive oil; the “orecchiette” pasta in fresh tomato sauce; and the sweet fig marmalade and cheeses paired with the local wines. This rural feast was a definite hit among the Viking guests.

The Trulli of Alberobello, A World Heritage Site
Following our memorable luncheon, our group arrives at the fabled Trulli houses site. This little community of unique buildings was constructed during the times when Alberobello was developing farmlands and invited regional workers to help with the labor tasks. Housing was required and from the limestone quarries of the area an interesting architecture was employed to construct the houses from the material at hand. The stone walls and the cone shaped circular roofs made from the flat limestone pieces have withstood the test of time and weather. Many of these houses are still used for residences and small shops, taverns and trattorias. It is, indeed, a location with its cobbled stone streets and unique design.

Our return offered beautiful views of the Adriatic Sea as we descended towards our home-away-from-home, the luxurious Viking Saturn.

Croatia- SIBENEK
A short transit of 172 miles across the Adriatic Sea brings us to the quaint Croatian port of Sibenek. We chose to explore the seaport town on our own walking tour. Our path was along the embarcadero and we enjoyed the stroll past the shops lining the adjoining roadway. The walk led us to the port’s lovely old town where we spent some time photographing the monuments and statues we found at every corner.

In the early evening there was excitement in the air as the Viking Saturn made its way to our last port of the Italian Sojourn cruise, Venice.

Fusina — Venice
Our northward and final sail brings us to Fusina, the docking port for Venice. The early morning sunrise gives way to a backdrop of the snow-capped Alps in the distance. It’s a beautiful day and fitting weather for our farewell to this fabulous Italian sojourn cruise. A short water shuttle ride takes us into the popular St. Mark’s Piazza, where we begin our visit to experience the ancient city’s magnificent buildings, basilicas, churches, and the timeless architecture that overwhelms our visionary senses. Along the piazza a talented ensemble of musicians fills the area with melodic strains of beautiful Italian music. No matter how many times one visits Venice, a return to this beautifully preserved and cherished ancient city is always a welcome event.

Sailing with Viking has always been an exceptional, and truly memorable, travel experience. The luxurious comfort of our stateroom aboard the Viking Saturn, the excellent cuisine we enjoyed daily, and the camaraderie with the crew and guests will be missed. Ci Vediamo…Until the next time!