Piedmont & Liguria Cruises: Top Sailing Tours Explored

Dreaming of Italy? Yeah, so many people are, it seems. Specifically, maybe you’re picturing yourself gliding across glittering waters, the sun warming your skin, the landscapes of Piedmont and Liguria slowly rolling past. It’s such a cool visual, really. These regions up in northwest Italy have some pretty amazing coastlines and countryside. Exploring them from the sea really offers, like, a completely different perspective. I want to talk about five tours, five cruises that could seriously make that Italian dream into your reality, so listen to this. Think of wine, seafood, and breathtaking views—it’s really something else.

1. Exploring the Cinque Terre Coastline

You want to visit Cinque Terre? Everyone seems to want to. I mean, it’s no surprise since it’s arguably one of Italy’s postcard spots, right? Picture this: five little villages, each basically clinging to rocky cliffs, painted every color possible. Taking a boat tour along the Cinque Terre is truly quite a cool experience. Several options exist, typically, you know, they leave from bigger nearby ports, from places like La Spezia or Levanto, right? These tours usually give a scenic cruise past all five villages. You have a chance to snap tons of pictures. What’s cool too is many of them will drop anchor at one or two of the villages, and that allows a little time to actually, you know, go explore. It’s almost a super-personal thing. That gives the tour a personal appeal, doesn’t it?

Some cruises will be half-day trips, basically they focus on the highlights, very to the point. Others may run the entire day, perhaps with an option of, such as, including a lunch onboard. Or maybe, what do you think about a stop in a restaurant, I’m thinking like one of those family-run places, smack in one of the villages? Tip: Book in advance, you know? That area gets, like, really busy, especially during summer. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Cinque Terre boat tour). Read our full review: Cinque Terre Boat Tour Full Review and Details

2. Portofino and the Gulf of Tigullio by Sailboat

Ever dreamed of, say, the ultra-glam Italian Riviera? This is a good spot to feel a sense of what that’s like. This area, what do you know, Portofino, it’s, in many ways, so chic and iconic. Think turquoise water. Think colorful houses, I mean really, what else? So, setting off from somewhere, maybe Santa Margherita Ligure, really what a dreamy little coastal town that is, on a sailboat is, maybe arguably the very thing to do to soak it all in. Day trips basically sail you along the Gulf of Tigullio. They give, such as, stunning perspectives on the coastline, a total highlight of the day, for me. Snorkeling, now that might be very awesome, maybe, during a swimming break, especially in those crystal-clear waters. And they might drop the anchor in the bay for lunch. Very picturesque and really a great place for pictures, and social media. That does sound pretty dreamy, am I wrong?

Private sailing tours, basically those allow for super custom itineraries. You might want, say, more time in a secluded cove or maybe to explore the villages up close and personal, it does come to preference in the end, so remember to pick something that will appeal to you and others on the cruise. These boat trips, they sometimes offer, such as, aperitivo on board. Could be sipping some local wine as the sun dips? Can you picture anything more perfect than that? I guess, if I could paint a perfect picture, I’d start there. Heads up: the sea can be rather unpredictable, usually. Especially check on conditions before, and if motion makes you queasy, prepare yourself just a bit. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Portofino sailing tour). Read our full review: Portofino Sailing Tour Full Review and Details

3. Whale Watching from Genoa

Genoa has a pretty big port. Okay, it’s also Italy’s biggest port city. A lot of people wouldn’t think, in a way, of it as a prime spot to jump on a whale-watching tour, I mean that’s pretty fair. Did you know that just offshore, what do you know, the Pelagos Sanctuary exists? Turns out that it’s a protected marine area that has tons of marine life, right? These tours are usually a full day deal. You could sail off, what, to certain points where several kinds of whales, dolphins, various species can be spotted, like, easily. They often have marine biologists aboard, maybe even, who help you ID, well, who offer info, which adds just a little depth to the experience. So very nice.

The tours will explain a bit about what they do to protect the mammals, which has real value if you’re asking me. These things do depend, you know, greatly on the weather. Sometimes sightings just, actually, happen more than others. Keep that in mind. These tours usually have a no-sightings policy. Sometimes they will offer you, like, another chance, perhaps another trip that you could go on later. What they will likely guarantee is that there’s dedication to the experience, basically giving nature enthusiasts, a great day to appreciate, hopefully, the amazing sea life in the Mediterranean. Remember this: If you want to make this trip happen, basically spring is supposedly ideal, you see migrating whales coming into those waters! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Genoa whale watching tour). Read our full review: Genoa Whale Watching Tour Full Review and Details

4. La Spezia: Sailing the Gulf of Poets

Want something with just a bit of, well, literary charm and natural charm? La Spezia might be that, or rather, this cruise! A bit scenic, for one thing. This spot is so often dubbed as the Gulf of Poets. Now why, you might say. Once it held all sorts of writers, thinkers. All inspired. This is, too it’s almost ideal to see via, perhaps, a boat trip. Sailing from La Spezia you could see a lot. Tellaro might interest you. Portovenere will almost certainly impress. In both you find great architecture and some stellar coastline views, is that interesting to you?

The tours might stop off for swimming and sun. How about a break along Palmaria Island? That’s possible, but a lot of that is dependent on time, of course. So a really awesome thing that can happen is a sunset tour from La Spezia. Yes it gives off major romantic vibes. Consider that! Then this is an experience you might tell friends, too it’s almost certainly a winner. Note well: What time of year really matters. The boats here tend to run only seasonally, but generally with very experienced local captains. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (La Spezia sailing tour). Read our full review: La Spezia Sailing Tour Full Review and Details

5. Savona: Coastal Cruise with Wine Tasting

Maybe you’re just a fan of wine, honestly that’s fair, or do you, by chance, like the combo, boats, coasts and wine? A lot of people love Savona because it features all three. Now just a little more inland you see some big wine regions. Basically there are cruises available that will sail the coast then incorporate wine tastings.

These boat tours are, very often, designed as a chill day outing. You just get the sun, some awesome landscapes of Liguria. Plus sample all those Italian wines. Often, as a matter of fact, the guides pour local, regional selections and also educate the sippers on wines from Piedmont as well. In many instances this all pairs nicely with regional cuisine too! These are generally crafted to provide a, well, relaxing and quite informative experience. One that lets people take in Italy via taste, visually, all senses covered actually. Side note: In peak months these cruises can fill rapidly. That is not what anyone wants. Try booking ahead a ways, so it’s one less thing to worry over. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Savona wine cruise). Read our full review: Savona Wine Cruise Full Review and Details

Those coasts? So memorable! These options, just to give you an idea, will hopefully, let you pick something cool to remember always. This area holds history. Incredible views. Maybe some seafood, local style? Maybe a wine will catch your fancy? Well all of these are right there waiting along the coast.