Aboard a Riva Aquarama
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Aboard a Riva Aquarama
And other ways to get on the water in Italy
One of the great things about Italy is that there are so many ways to get on a boat. City and overnight ferries, sailboats, and gondolas—you’re likely to encounter some waterborne transportation or leisure craft while in Italy.
So here are just a few ideas—a capsule collection of the time-tested and the brand new—for getting out on the water.
Do it yourself
For private boat rentals and yacht charters, there’s Sailo or Samboat, both of which have skipper-optional (bareboat) and skipper-mandatory sailboats, motorboats, and catamarans for day trips. Fancy sailing the Ligurian Sea to get a glimpse of Cinque Terre? Rent Mauro’s sailboat in Genoa for the week.
By the way, if you intend on commandeering the boat yourself, make sure you have a boating license.
Houseboat it
More and more Italians are turning houseboats into vacation rentals. Though houseboats are not always the most spacious of accommodations, they are a great idea if you want to be on or near the water as much as possible.
You can choose from hundreds of houseboats in ports from Palermo to Venice on sites like VRBO and Expedia. They range from basic, like this one in Bisceglie (on the Puglian coast), and luxurious, like this yacht in Capri.
Your own private water shuttle
A resort on its own Venetian island? I have mixed feelings about privately-owned islands. On the other hand, I have had great experiences with J.W. Marriotts. With its private water shuttle from Piazza San Marco upon arrival, the J.W. Marriott Venice Resort & Spa provides travelers with the sort of fairy tale experience they might envision when planning a trip to Venice.
Complimentary shuttle service that takes you to and from St. Mark’s Square on the regular is one of the best hotel amenities you can look for when booking a hotel in Venice. You can find it most dramatically at the J.W. and at the legendary Hotel Cipriani on Giudecca. But there are several other hotels in Venice with shuttle service, including the NH Collection Venezia Grand Hotel Palazzo dei Dogi and the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice.
More ideas for getting on (or around) the water
A Traditional Sailor’s Supper In The Venetian Lagoon (EatWith)
Capri and Blue Grotto Experience (Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities)
“G for Good” Local Living Experience in Sorrento ( G Adventures)
4 Great Reasons to Go to Gallura in Northern Sardinia (Italofile)
It was such an enjoyable boat to drive, turning sharp with the twin engines. When the hull slapped it was a much softer sound than fiberglass. There was a sense of grace and performance, especially considering its age, that I hadn’t felt before. I had the helm a few hours but let the captain dock it, as the mahogany finish was flawless and I didn’t want to leave any scratches. I know it’s over-hyping it, but I have to say my day aboard Gala—probably because I knew so much about Aquarama’s history—was one of my most memorable days on the water after 30 years of testing boats. —Michael Verdon, author of Riva Aquarama