Shore Excursions | Italy is the ideal destination for a cruise holiday

Why Shore Excursions?

Imagine this:
Seafarers agree – Italy is the ideal destination for a cruise holiday. Smack dab in the middle of the Mediterranean, Italy offers smooth sailing, abundant sea life, balmy climate and 4722 miles of gorgeous coastline. PLUS we have our local seas – subsets of the big Med, since Italians must always find a way to elaborate: the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian seas off our west coast, the Adriatic to the east and the Ionian Sea to the south. You could easily do a month just cruising around Italy, but for a little diversion from sun and salt air, shore excursions are the way to go. Good way, too, to distance yourself from those 24-hour buffets.

Your ports of call present you with four choices:

1Stay aboard. And miss the gelato? No way!
2Take the path of least resistance by signing up for the ship’s shore excursions. Otherwise known as ‘follow the herd – an expensive herd.’
3Set out on your own. Rely on your apps and social media to show you around – or not!
4Let the pros at Selected Tours Italy meet you at the dock. You are whisked to where you want to go with a minimum of waiting, your individual preferences are accommodated and you get back to the ship on time, with utter reliability.

Imagine it and we can make it happen.
You see, comfort and value for money aside, it’s all about your time – and limited time when you’re talking about a shore excursion. Are you going to spend it waiting for other cruisers to meander back to the bus – or are you going to jump in and out of your private vehicle, with times set to accommodate YOU? Are you going to be stopping for meals at large-scale eateries that can cater to 100 passengers coming in at the same time for passable food, or are you going to be taken to small local trattorias, the recommendation of your personal guide? Are you going to have 20 minutes at major sites, or will you be able to organize your day with the advice of a driver who knows about drive times, special access, and nearby parking that can accommodate a car but not a bus? Do you want to wander through Italy’s chic cities with a name badge and headset so you can hear the guide, struggling to keep up with the red flag halfway down the block, or would you prefer to walk incognito with your guide, hearing every word and being able to stop at will? Want to endure lengthy shopping stops at overpriced enterprises where no local would shop, or would you prefer to shop – or NOT to shop – according to your own preferences? Either way, you won’t have to worry about missing the actual boat (but that should be a given.)

Selected Tours Italy’s private shore excursions allow you to have your cake and eat it too – your touring, your way, seeing more of the destination while adjusting the pace to your comfort level. Have a few couples? A small group cuts the per person cost. No apps, no GPS, no stress, no worries – plus you’ll come away with a much better understanding of what you have seen. We have the best English- speaking driver-guides and operate in most of Italy’s tourism ports. And it’s so easy… just fill in this form and in 24-hours we’ll get back to you with the best options. Your holiday begins immediately since we do all the work for you.

Client Testimonials

Well worth it Image

We chose Ana based on TripAdvisor reviews and she did not disappoint in the slightest. She was passionate, organised and incredibly informative every step of the way and is perfect for private tours. I went with my mother and sister and all of us agreed how amazing she is. She really makes you feel comfortable and ensures you have a great time, and made the booking process a breeze, even from Australia. Ana led us on a tour of the Vatican and the Ancient City, showing us areas off the beaten track that even I’d never seen before, having done different tours of the same places. She went above and beyond for us, giving us directions and recommendations even after we had finished the tours. I will definitely be using Ana again for Rome, and any other place or tour she would be offering. You’d be crazy to go for any other tour group when such amazing private tours are available. She made our Roman experience truly memorable.