Italian Sojourn With Viking: An 8-Day Adventure On One Of The World’s Most Luxurious Cruises

By Cassie Gill

Take the stress out of planning and sail away with this exquisite itinerary from Venice to Rome.

Whether you’re an experienced cruiser or a first-timer, a Viking cruise is a one-of-a-kind experience. Both their ocean and river cruises are pure luxury when it comes to decor, rooms, food and perhaps most importantly, service.

The Italian Sojourn ocean route is ideal for those who want to experience most of the country’s major spots, kicking off in Venice before concluding in Rome. The trip included stops in the trending Puglia region, the island of Sicily, and food-centric city Naples, to name a few. 

The Viking Star: A Closer Look At The Ship

If you’ve been to Italy before, this is perhaps one of the most relaxing ways to visit the country simply because all of the logistics are planned for you: from flights to day-to-day scheduling, on-ship meals and spa, the only real thinking involves choosing which optional day excursions you and your party want to do. Popular options get booked in advance, so make these selections a priority as soon as you are able.

Despite being a full sailing, the boat never felt crowded with 464 cabins and 930 passengers – even at dinner time. Be sure to make reservations at on-ship restaurant Manfredi's, which is a fine-dining experience. The food here was among some of the best on the boat, with highlights including the parmigiana de pollo (chicken parmesan) and ricotta tortelli. Other dining options include the well-appointed World Cafe which serves a buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner, Mamsen’s café for takeaway coffee and pastries, and sit-down casual spot The Restaurant.

Room sizes are impressive here, with full-size bathrooms and showers, as well as plenty of closet space. Each state room has a veranda overlooking the gorgeous ocean, which is the perfect spot to wake up with a morning tea or enjoy the evening sunset. 

The Viking Star leans into a Scandinavian aesthetic throughout the gorgeous common areas, including the cozy living room (live music in the evenings) and adjacent bar. There is also the enclosed Wintergarden which offers afternoon high tea, and the Explorer’s Lounge with panoramic views. 

The indoor pool and postcard-worthy outdoor infinity pool are both excellent choices to unwind and relax, depending on the daytime temperatures and personal preference. Find a heated hot tub inside the impressive Nordic Spa, along with a steam room and snow grotto for a full hydratherapy experience. Hot stone massages and facials are both fabulous options should you choose to indulge in a treatment: book in advance as word is out on just how good this spa is (trust us).

Day 1 & 2: Venice, Italy 

Iconic Italy at its finest. While Venice can be a popular tourist destination for obvious reasons, the romance of the canals, stunning bridges and narrow, alley-like streets is what sets this ancient city apart from the rest. Cruise ships can run on tight schedules, so that means you have to pick and choose what you want to see on sailing days – with that in mind, we recommend booking an extra night at a hotel to truly soak in the city. 

Various options of tours will be available on your first day of the cruise, with a guide taking you through as much – or as little, depending on which option you choose – of the historical sites of Venice. Highlights include Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica and Campanile. 

Use your free day to enjoy Piazza San Marco and unwind at the legendary Cafe Florian – where Pablo Picasso once frequented – before exploring the luxury shops on the Calle Larga XXII Marzo. There’s plenty of local boutiques through the streets of Venice, too, with artisanal food products, clothing and more. 

Day 3: Šibenik, Croatia 

Šibenik is the oldest town on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, and boasts a well-maintained old town full of history. Architecture takes on a distinct Balkan medieval vibe distinct from the Italian stops on the trip. Opt for the Šibenik Promenande tour to explore the town and St. James Cathedral. There’s plenty of places to eat and drink, but we opted for a casual lunch at Peperoncino Kitchen & Bar (the salads and potato wedge fries were delicious) followed by pistachio cake and a cappuccino at Moderato Coffee & Cakes.

For those who want to commit to a longer day trip, there are also excursions into the delightful town of Trogir, and Split. The latter is home to the Diocletian’s Palace, which was featured in Game of Thrones, and also a wonderful way to see an iconic Croatian landmark. 

Day 4: Bari

Welcome to Puglia, Italy’s current hotspot. Located on the boot, this region is best known for its orechiette pasta, hut houses (known as trulli) and beautiful beaches. We recommend the tour of Puglia’s White Cities, which are Ostuni – famed for its baroque architecture – and Alberobello, home to the trulli homes. This tour is truly a highlight of the trip: on free time, grab an aperol spritz at Ostuni’s Borgo Antico Bistrot for one of the region’s stellar views. For those who want a longer day trip, there’s an option to visit Matera – Italy’s oldest city – or stay close to the ship with a walking tour of stunning Bari. 

Day 5: Crotone

Crotone is a small town that’s the capital of its own province, and best explored on your own. After breakfast on the ship, get some steps in with a short hike up to Castello di Carlo V. Following the castle, stopping into old school Caffè Italia for a cappuccino and pastry is a must (we highly recommend the cannoli’s), followed by a wander through the main streets. This is a perfect spa day back on the ship, or take the afternoon to sunbathe on the outdoor deck. For those looking for a more immersive group activity, don’t sleep on the Ceraudo Winery & Calabrian Family Tradition tour that takes you to one of the regions’ renowned wineries. Saluti! 

Day 6: Messina, Sicily

Sicily has become a more popular spot in recent years thanks to The White Lotus. Our Viking cruise docked at mysterious Messina, where our group was invited to explore the town’s “secrets.” The pasta alla norma with eggplant at Past'ovo was the best off-ship meal we had, while Irrera 1910 was a must for the regions’ most iconic frozen coffee, known as granita.

Viking offered plenty of exploring options on Sicily, including a tour of the charming Taormina – home to the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace – as well as excursions to Mount Etna to name a few. No matter what you choose, be sure to get off the boat on this day: Sicily is best seen on foot.

Day 7: Naples

Naples is renowned around the world for its pizza – but it’s one area of Italy you’ll want to watch for the pickpocketers and stay close to the group. Food lovers may choose the Naples tour, but we opted to go to the legendary island of Capri – and had no regrets. The visit included a tour and optional limoncello tasting: we suggest a lunch at famed lemon grove restaurant Da Paolino, followed by a stroll along the designer shops on Via Camerelle and a visit to the gorgeous Gardens of Augustus. Scenery here is among some of the best in Europe, if not the world.

Day 8: Rome 

Ah, the Eternal City. Rome is in a league of its own when it comes to history and popular culture, and a city to enjoy a little extra time. While the usual suspects – the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, and Vatican City – are all must-sees, there’s plenty more to see and do here when it comes to the culinary scene. This is one city where, like Venice, we recommend staying an extra night or two to truly experience it. Enjoy the garden-like atmosphere over a cocktail at the Bvlgari Hotel, then head over to CiPASSO in the Centro area for dinner. We also suggest exploring the lively Trastevere to get a true cultural taste of the city.