Ciao, bella Italia!

Can you think of a better way to get over the months-long confinement than to visit one of the most beautiful countries in the world as soon as we're allowed to travel freely again? That's right! We're talking about Italy, the ideal year-round destination for any type of traveler. Located close to Greece, it is accessible by boat, which makes it one of the most popular vacation destinations for Greeks. It is also a gateway to many other European countries: Switzerland and Austria to the north, France to the west and Slovenia to the east.

Dolomites in Italy

Numerous archaeological sites, vineyards, volcanoes and golden beaches reignite the COVID-dormant thrill of travelling and are waiting for you to discover them! So, wait no more! Take advantage of the early booking discount in ticket fares that many ferry companies offer to all major ports in Italy. Also note that for the first time, shipping companies are waiving cancellation fees if for any reason you need to change or cancel your travel plans.

PORT OF VENICE - TRIESTE

Verona: An Italian love story begins
Start a truly enjoyable roadtrip from the northeast side of Italy at the port of Venice, the city with the gondolas and the lace-like canals, and drive south towards Verona, considered by many to be one of the most romantic Italian cities. After going up the red-brick Scaliger Bridge and visiting c, a castle built right on top of the city rock, walk around Piazza delle Erbe and enjoy some authentic Italian pasta.

The imposing Castelvecchio, Italy

Now, if you feel like taking it up a notch, try paragliding on Lake Garda. Get the right equipment, hire qualified paragliding trainers and get a bird's eye view of the blue waters and green steep mountains of the lake. Feel your adrenaline rise and experience the unbeatable sensation of flying. We left the best for last: the place that inspired William Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet, the Capulet Mansion and Juliet's famous balcony. Look for it at Via Cappello, No 23.

Juliet's famous balcony, Verona, Italy

Lake Como: Italian Nature with Hollywood Vibe!
Headed towards the north, your next stopover is the scenic Lake Como. When you first see it, it almost feels like this lake is taken straight out of a movie! If you prefer crowd-free vacations, you're better off planning this trip during autumn or spring, since most tourists visit Lake Como during the summer.

The view of the scenic Lake Como

Bellagio's abundance of trees and flowers, narrow streets, picturesque alleys and high hills around the lake make it an ideal place for a walking. There is no prescribed way on what to do to have a good time there: You can turn this into a lavish, worldly and sophisticated, romantic, or sporty experience. You can rent a bike or a boat to wander around the lake, climb up to La Punta Spartivento to get a panoramic view of the lake, or go hiking (trained staff will tell you all you need to pay attention to and will provide you with the right equipment) and then choose one of the wine bars in the area to unwind overlooking the most spectacular view!

Bellagio's abundance of trees and flowers, narrow streets, picturesque alleys

Cosmopolitan, lavishly green and with some of the finest accommodation in the world, Lake Como is a popular retreat for many celebrities and a top tourist attraction for thousands of people every year. Who knows, maybe you get to enjoy an espresso right next to George Clooney, or run into business magnate Richard Branson or fashion designer Donatella Versace and her glamorous friends. All you have to do is book your ferry tickets to Trieste or Venice, one of Italy's northernmost ports of. Enjoy a safe and easy trip while unwinding in a comfortable cabin of the ships that travel daily to all ports of the country.

PORT OF ANCONA

Ancona port in Italy

San Marino. The fifth smallest state in the world
Located 120 km from Ancona, San Marino and its historic center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The three magnificent medieval castles of Guaita, Cesta and Montale are picturesquely perched on Mount Titano, from there you can also see the Dalmatian coast. The state of San Marino is the oldest democracy in the world and although it is not part of the European Union, you can enter San Marino without a passport and use euros to purchase goods and services. The tour of San Marino is full of surprises, the first being the aerial cable car (Funivia di San Marino) you'll have to take to get to its center. There are also two specialty museums you can visit if you've got the time: The Wax  Museum (Museo delle Cere), featuring 100 wax figures of famous people in history; and  The  Museum of Curious Objects, where, as the name implies, one can see a one-of-a-kind collection of unusual and peculiar objects, such as… a mousetrap made some four centuries ago.

San Marino, the fifth smallest state in the world

Florence and Siena: The most intoxicating drive!
What comes to mind when you hear the word “wine”? Is it green and fertile Italian meadows, vineyards and blossoming vines creeping on brick walls and terracotta-tiled courtyards? If so, you're very close to how this area truly is…only even more beautiful! The geographical diversity of the area located west of San Marino, ranging from sandy beaches to tall hills, is the reason behind the its great wine variety. Enjoy the drive between Florence and Siena that is sure to reward you with unique and pleasing to the eye scenery. This roadtrip is a must should you find yourself in the Port of Ancona. Visit many internationally renowned wineries that offer wine tasting accompanied by authentic parmesan cheese and prosciutto ham. Did we whet your appetite? If so, book now your ferry tickets to the port of  Ancona, the closest port to Florence and get ready for …la dolce vita!

Beautiful Florence in Italy

Discover the unexplored side of Rome
A three-and-a-half-hour drive from the port of Ancona lies the eternal city. Rome is sure to offer you more than enough to compensate for your driving there. If you want to skip the huge waiting lines to get a selfie in front of the Fontana di Trevi or to enter the Colosseum, there are some alternative city walks that will give you a genuine Italian feel.

The unexplored side of Rome

In the neighborhood of Trastevere you will find the most beautiful trattorias, while in Villa Borghese you can enjoy a leisurely walk or a Segway ride among tall trees and historic buildings with works of art, such as the Galleria Borghese.

PORT OF BRINDISI – BARI PORT

Bari port in Italy

Puglia. A countryside with many trulli houses
Puglia, the "heel" of boot-shaped Italy, is one of the most famous areas of the Italian South bursting with Mediterranean charm. Bari, Puglia's capital, and Lecce, the capital of baroque architecture considered to be the Florence of the South, are definitely worth visiting. Endless acres of land covered with olive trees will remind you of Greek villages. And the scattered trulli of dry stone huts - originally built as temporary settlements for the villagers who cultivated the land - may give you the impression that you're driving through a fairytale town. In Rione Monti you will find more than 1000 trulli. Do not forget to visit a medieval village in Alberobello, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Also, make sure to stop at Santa Maria di Leuca to enjoy diving in crystal clear waters and discover its velvety beaches.

The lost city of Pompeii
Three hours away from Bari and about three and a half from Brindisi lies the mysterious city of Ancient Pompeii, which was buried intact under a thick layer of volcanic ash. Today, tourists can visit the archeological site of Pompeii's various parts, such as the Agora, the Street of Abundance and the Amphitheater. A few kilometers away is Mount Vesuvius volcano, which when it erupted it killed the people of Pompeii. Leave your car in the parking lot and follow the path leading to the volcano's crater.

The lost city of Pompeii

Sicily. At the top of the volcano
Accessible by boat, Sicily is a place where many tourists prefer to go by car or motorcycle to better explore on their own. If you're one of them, the fastest route is Patras-Bari or Patras-Brindisi. From there, in about five hours you will reach Reggio, Calabria and cross to Messina by ferry.
The bustling island of Sicily offers beautiful beaches, Greek-speaking villages, impressive buildings with murals, stories from the Mafia and an active volcano. What else can one wish for! In Palermo, the capital of Sicily, visit Teatro Massimo, the biggest theater and opera house in Italy and the third largest in Europe. Right on the Teatro Massimo stairs, scenes from the “Godfather – Part III” were shot. Make sure to take a trip to Mount Etna, to visit the highest active volcano in Europe and one of the most active volcanoes in the world. If Etna is calm and there is no smoke, you may even be able to take a peek inside! How's that for a travel experience! On your way back, shake off the volcanic heat at the beach of San Vito Io Capo, west of Palermo. When back to the enchanting Italian city, try authentic gelato and say hello to real ice cream!

Palermo, the capital of Sicily

Book in advance ferry tickets to Italy in 2021 at Let's Ferry and take advantage of ferry companies' early booking offers. Remember; for the first time, shipping companies are waiving cancellation fees if for any reason you need to change or cancel your travel plans. Travel in a comfortable ship cabin and have absolutely no safety concern: these companies enforce all the COVID hygiene protocols, and have frequent disinfection of all public areas, sanitization of sheets, use of mask, completion of COVID-forms and relevant paperwork and observance of social distancing.

Canal in Venice, Italy

Italy connects to Greece by ferry and there are frequent itineraries from Greece's Patras and Igoumenitsa ports to Italy's Bari, Ancona, Venice, Trieste and Brindisi. The ferry companies traveling to these ports are Super Fast Ferries (jointly operated with ANEK Lines) and Minoan Lines.