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One Day In Arezzo Itinerary: What To Do & See

Looking to explore Tuscany beyond the usual tourist spots? Why not venture off the beaten path and discover the charming medieval town of Arezzo with this perfect one day itinerary.

Arezzo is a bustling town that seamlessly blends its medieval heritage with modernity.

The compact town center is mostly car-free, making it perfect for leisurely strolls. There’s plenty to keep you entertained, from exploring historic landmarks to indulging in delicious local cuisine.

Before starting a recent Tuscany bike tour , I had the opportunity to visit Arezzo for a day. As it’s not a typical tourist hotspot, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by the town’s vibrant atmosphere. It’s a mini-tsunami of high culture, architecture, and history all set amid a cobbled old town.

Short History of Arezzo

Arezzo is an ancient city. Before Rome was founded, it was one of 12 cities that formed the Etruscan League.

The Etruscans named the town Aritim , which the Romans later transformed into Arretium . The symbol of Etruscan Arezzo was the Chimera, a hybrid creature from Greek mythology.

In the 3rd century B.C., Arezzo was captured by the Romans. Arezzo was on an important trade route, the Via Cassia, so its fate was inevitable.

Like most Roman towns, Arezzo once had a Roman amphitheater, forum, and arena. You can still see the ruins of the amphitheater today.

In the Roman period, Arezzo became renowned for its ceramics. The town began to export ceramics, which became its main source of wealth.

When Rome fell, the Lombards conquered Arezzo. They laid the foundations of medieval Arezzo.

In the Middle Ages, Arezzo (like everyone else) did battle with Florence. In 1289, the Ghibellines of Arezzo (the imperial party) were heavily defeated by the Florentine Guelphs (the papal party).

Being “owned” by Florence meant a loss of economic and political independence. Arezzo was isolated during the Renaissance until Cosimo I de’ Medici became interested in the town.

He helped “Renaissance” the city, bringing in Florentine artists to fresco the churches. He also built the Medici Fortress for defensive purposes.

Here’s a snapshot glance of what you can see in Arezzo:

• Basilica of San Francesco
• Arezzo Cathedral
• Casa Vasari
• Clock Tower
• Piazza Grande
• Santa Maria La Pieve
• Ivan Buschi Museum
• Roman Anphitheater
• Archaeological Museum
• Medici Fortress
• Arezzo Chimera

Arezzo In One Day

1. basilica of san francesco.

The top attraction in Arezzo is the Basilica of San Francesco, or St. Francis. It’s has a rough brick facade paired with an airy barn-like interior. The church houses Arezzo’s top attraction, Piero della Francesca’s   Legend of the True Cross fresco cycle.

It’s hugely important, considered one of the great and most influential frescos of the early 15th century.

Piero used a then still innovative single point perspective. He populated the frescos with serene figures with his trademark perfectly oval heads.

Piero was a subtle artist who used a harmonious combination of color, light, and exactitude of line. His work is elegant and extremely refined.

The Legend of the True Cross cycle was based on a 13th century book of the same name by Jacobus de Voragine.

The fresco tells the story of the cross on which Christ was crucified. Amidst many narrative twists, the cross is lost, rediscovered, buried, stolen, and recovered in battle. The idea is that the cross remained the same throughout history.

You see scenes from the death of Adam, the meeting of Soloman and Sheba, and Constantine’s Dream.

There are two great battle scenes. Knights ride exquisite dancing horses amid a forest of lances.

One scene depicts Constantine’s battle for power against rival emperor Maxentius. The other shows Heraclius’ trump over Chosroes, who stole the cross.

Piero’s images are so potent and pure that they ravish hearts. Giorgio Vasari claimed that the frescos were “so well-executed that but for the gift of speech they seemed alive.”

One of the most beautiful images is of Constantine’s Dream, with its interplay of light and darkness.

Constantine sleeps in his tent dreaming he will win the coming battle under the sign of the cross. When his dream came true, the emperor converted to Christianity.

Unfortunately, the frescos are damaged. It’s a wonder that, like other Piero works, they didn’t completely vanish.

The basilica was repeatedly hit with earthquake, floods, and a perpetually leaking roof. Candles and fires left greasy stains on the frescos.

In the 18th century, Napoleon’s troops stayed in the church and gouged the frescos with swords.

There were attempts at restoration that failed. In the early 1990s, the frescos were properly restored and you can now see their vivid colors.

The frescos are also well lit. There’s no need to throw a euro in a box to light them up.

To enter the basilica and see the frescos, you need to pre-book a time slot reservation Only 25 people are allowed in at one time.

You can’t make a reservation online. You can do this in the ticket office, which is just around the corner to the left of the church facade. I was able to pop in and get a reservation in two hours time.

There’s sometimes a guided tour at night, at least on Saturdays, for one euro.

2. Arezzo Cathedral

The Cathedral of San Donato has a rather austere exterior. It’s an early Gothic church, dating from the 13th century. It took over two centuries to build. The pointy bell tower, added in the 19th century, is the symbol of the city.

Like most duomos in Italy, the cathedral holds religious art and funerary tombs. The 14th-century tomb of Pope Gregory X is in the right aisle.

You’ll find a luminous  Mary Magdalene  portrait by Piero della Francesca, a Baptism of Christ painted by Vasari, and some beautiful terra cotta ceramics by della Robbia.

Piero’s madonna is hidden in a corner. Unliked the basilica frescos, it’s in excellent condition.

There are also some striking 16th century stained glass windows with dazzling compositions and colors. They were created by French artist Guillaume de Marcillat.

Click here to book a cathedral ticket.

3. Casa Vasari

Art lovers should visit the House of  Giorgio Vasari , the famed Florentine architect and artist. Vasari was born in Arezzo and was a local hero. You’ll see his name everywhere.

If you’ve seen his fresco cycles in Florence in the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio, this is a unique opportunity to see his very own home.

Vasari painted frescos in six rooms between 1542-68. The sumptuous frescos depict biblical scenes, mythological scenes, and sacred and profane allegories.

Vasari’s home is the best preserved artist’s house from the era and a triumph of the late Renaissance style of  Mannerism .

I loved it, as I always love visiting an artist’s house museum. It was unexpectedly charming. There’s a 10 minute video you can watch for background information.

You’ll also find several Vasari paintings and his correspondence with  Michelangelo and  Cosimo I de Medici .

Here’s my complete guide to Casa Vasari , with must know tips for visiting. You have to make a time slot reservation to visit and can only stay for one hour. But that’s plenty of time to see everything.

4. Climb The Clock Tower At Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici

Arezzo’s clock tower at Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici is located a corner of the Piazza Grande. The palace mixes Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

The Aristotelian-Ptolemaic Clock was built and installed in 1552. It’s still working after five centuries. 

You can climb the clock tower for some amazing views. There’s a small terrace at the top. Unfortunately, there’s no lift. But it’s only 57 stairs to the top.

From the rooftop, you can see most of Arezzo and into the Tuscan hills.

The palazzo also houses Arezzo’s Civic Museum. You’re greeted by a sculpture of Pallas Athena . The museum holds some minor works and the private collection of the  Bartolini family, consisting of paintings, sculptures, and drawings.

5. Piazza Grande

Piazza Grande is Arezzo’s massive sloping main square. It reminded me of the Piazza del Campo in Siena . It’s definitely one of Europe’s most eye catching piazzas studded with amazing old word architecture.

On the north side is a beautiful loggia designed by Vasari. It’s an open gallery enclosed by a line of arches. It’s reminiscent of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, a building that Vasari also designed.

This is also where you’ll find the Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici, which I mentioned above. You can see the apse of La Pieve. And you can also admire the Palazzo del Tribunale, which is a Baroque building from the 18th century.

The Piazza Grande is the perfect place to sit down, sip a glass of wine at Cafe Vasari, and people watch.

6. Santa Maria La Pieve

La Pieve is a beautiful Romanesque church that dates from the 11th century. The church is built in the Pisan style of architecture and is Arezzo’s most important sacred building.

There are three levels of arcades built on top of each other. There are blind arches on the bottom and loggias on the top two floors.

The arches and columns grow smaller and more numerous with each rising story — 12, 24, and 32. The third level is beautifully lit up at night.

La Pieve also has a fine bell tower. At 10 stories, it’s the tallest building in Arezzo.

The interior of the church is a study in harmony. The high altar was designed by Vasari. It has a beautiful polyptych by Pietro Lorenzetti depicting a madonna, child, and saints.

7. Ivan Bruschi Museum

This museum is a house museum that was the home of Ivan Bruschi, the inventor of the antique fair. Arezzo still holds an antique fair on the first Sunday of the month in Piazza Grande.

The museum holds a precious and eclectic collection of antiques. There are over 10,00 pieces from all over the world, including Etruscan, Greek, and Roman artifacts.Yyou’ll find sculpture, coins, furniture, books, and jewels.

The museum is located in front of La Pieve. The collection is displayed over three floors. The museums also holds special exhibitions and educational workshops.

At the top, there’s a terrace with a fine view.

8. Roman Amphitheater

The Roman Amphitheater of Arezzo was built in the 2nd half of the 2nd century, when Hadrian was emperor. By the 15th century, it was looted and became a ruin.

Excavated in 1915, the amphitheater was restored several times after World War II. Only part of the grandstand and the aisles can still be seen.

9. Arezzo Archaeological Museum

The Arezzo Archaeological Museum , which you can see on the right of the photo above, is right next to the Roman ruins. It sits on the site of a former Roman arena, where gladiators used to perform.

It’s a beautiful curving building that was a former convent. It has a loggia and windows that look out on a garden.

The museum is a little gem and one of the best things to do in Arezzo. It houses a large collection of Etruscan and Roman artifacts. Some date as far back as the 8th century B.C.

There’s a fine collection of red pottery vases with delicate reliefs. They are called coralline or Aretine ceramics. Arezzo was renowned for these ceramics in its Roman period.

10. Medici Fortress

The Fortezza Medicea is a fine example of military architecture from the 16th century.

The fortress has a pentagonal shape and 5 defensive towers. You can walk in the grounds of the fort and climb up to the top of the battlements.

From them, you’ll stunning 360 degree views of Arezzo and the surrounding countryside.

There are informative plaques in English, which detail the history of the structure. You should do the Medici Fortress at the same times as the cathedral because of their proximity.

11. Arezzo Chimera

You should also see the famous Arezzo Chimera. The 4 feet original dating from 400 B.C. is the Florence’s Archaeological Museum. It’s considered the supreme masterpiece of Etruscan bronze casting.

The chimera was discovered in 1553 near Arezzo. Cosimo I de’ Medici, the ruling grand duke at the time, quickly claimed it and placed it in the Palazzo Vecchio . He hired blacksmith and sculptor Benvenuto Cellini to restore the piece.

There are two exact replicas in Arezzo. One is in a fountain at the entrance to the town. The other is in Arezzo’s Archaeological Museum.

The Chimera is a splendid example of the imagination turned real. It has a terrifying appearance, but no teeth.

It’s a howling fusion of a lion, serpent, and goat. The gaunt chimera looks ready to attack, perhaps fighting for his life.

12. Stroll The Medieval Streets

The well-preserved old town of Arezzo is well worth serendipitous strolling. The street architecture is stunning. There’s almost no building more recent than the 16th century.

You can feast your eyes on ornamented doors, hand cut stone, and faded medieval walls.

The main drag of Arezzo is Via Cavour, which turns in Via Mazzini and Via Pesconi.

13. Joust of the Saracens

Arezzo has an annual medieval festival called the Joust of the Saracens . It takes place twice a year in June and September. “Saracen” is a term referring to the enemy of the Christian knights during the Crusades.

The Joust of the Saracens was a chivalrous tournament, somewhat akin to the Palio of Siena . The joust faded over time and was only revived in 1931.

In the modern day tournament, men dressed as medieval knights reenact the exercise in the Piazza Grande. The competitors ride as a group on eight horses. The four districts of Arezzo are each represented by two knights.

It’s a high speed horse race where riders plunge their spears into the shield of the dummy (the Saracen figure). The pair that strike the most blows win. The prize is a golden lance.

Tips For Visiting Arezzo

Here are some must know tips for visiting Arezzo.

1. Guided Tours Of Arezzo

With one day in Arezzo, you may want to book a  guided walking tour  to get the lay of the land and learn about the top attractions.

Arezzo is also a good place to take a  food and market tour or pasta making class .

2. How To Get To Arezzo

Arezzo is an easy day trip from Rome, just an hour by high speed train from Rome’s Termini station. You can also visit Arezzo and Cortona on a full day guided tour from Rome .

Arezzo is also an easy  day trip f ro m Florence . You can drive or take the train. 

Trains leave every half hour. You can also book a private transfer from Florence .

If you’re driving, park on the outskirts of town or at the Arezzo train station. You don’t want to drive into the chaotic historic center. 

Arezzo’s train station is in the new part of town. But it’s only a 10 minute walk to the historic center.

3. Where To Eat In Arezzo

Foodies will be happy in Arezzo. But I advise eating in a side street, not right on Piazza Grande. I had a completely mediocre meal at the highly touted Dario e Anna.

But I had two really excellent meals at Antica Fonte and La Pieve .

One of Arezzo’s most famous local dishes is the  all’aretina pappardelle , which consists of pappardelle pasta with hare sauce. 

4. Where To Stay In Arezzo

I stayed at the  Graziela Patio Hotel  right in the historic center and it was quite lovely.

Another great place to stay just outside the city is  Badia di Pomaio . It’s a luxury hotel housed in a restored 17th century abbey.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to what to do in Arezzo. You may enjoy these other Tuscany travel guides:

• 10 Days in Tuscany itinerary
• 7 Days in Tuscany itinerary
• 1 Day In Florence Itinerary
• 2 Days in Florence itinerary
• 3 Days in Florence Itinerary
• Best museums in Florence
• Hidden gems in Florence
• 1 Day In Siena itinerary
• Best Things To Do in San Gimignano
• Best Things To Do In Montepulciano
• Best Things To Do In Pienza

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Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

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An intimate and welcoming city

Arezzo is a gem suspended in time, where past and present intertwine in a harmonious dance. A journey through time, amid flavours, events, stories and antiques, evocative glimpses and vintage charm. This is a city where art, history and culture characterise every corner of the historic centre. Easy to visit on foot, Arezzo is a city full of museums, historical monuments and places where you can breathe in the unmistakable Tuscan atmosphere.

A place you will want to return to

A special place in your heart

[…] Arezzo is also a calm and luminous city, perched on the slope of a hill, with the Duomo at the top […]. Arezzo has remained one of my strongest Italian loves.

José Saramago, Nobel Prize for Literature

A unique territory to explore

Four valleys surround the city of Arezzo, making it the perfect destination for nature and art lovers. In this land, the rich natural heritage blends harmoniously with the artistic one, offering unforgettable emotions and experiences whose only common denominator is beauty.

An enchanting nature to plunge into

Between the valleys of the Tiber and Arno rivers, you can get lost in the wooded landscapes of the National Park of the Casentino Forests, one of the most important in Italy, and then find yourself in places of the soul such as the Sanctuary of La Verna and the Hermitage of Camaldoli. An area rich in parks and reserves, splendid natural oases where nature is protected and cared for, incredible natural landscapes, places of peace and memory.

In search of new experiences

The city and the area offer many opportunities for unique experiences. Outdoor activities, canoeing on the river or cycling along cycle paths or walking in nature along extraordinary trails. A journey through history between art and memory, experimenting with one’s own abilities and learning new skills. In search of the most genuine flavours, among vineyards and olive groves, wineries and kitchens.

Monte San Savino

Share the most beautiful images

Share on Instagram the images and videos of your visit, the places you love, the emotions, the food, the friends, the story of your trip, the experiences you have lived.

Arezzo: Master of Etruscan Gold Artistry

By: Author Claudia Flisi

Arezzo’s current population of 100,000 is many tines what it was during Etruscan and, later, Roman rule, but the city has remained a commercial and cultural center for millennia. One of the hallmarks of Etruscan civilization – the working of gold to produce fine filigree jewelry – has continued to the present day: Arezzo is one of Italy’s three recognized gold districts (the others are Vicenza in Veneto and Valenza in Piedmont). Arezzo produced up to one-third of all Italy’s gold jewelry until recently, when the industry was hit by the high cost of gold and the low cost of Chinese and Indian competitors. It is still a major manufacturer, however, and its annual trade show, Oroarezzo, is one of the top gatherings for the gold industry globally. (Note: try to avoid visiting Arezzo during this event).

Arezzo’s city walls date to Etruscan times, but what we see is more medieval than-pre-Roman

Glittering Arezzo

There are more than 1,200 gold jewelry manufacturers here, but the best examples of fine, gold jewelry are to be found in the Archeological Museum ( Museo Archeologico Gaio Cilnio Mecenate ). Glittering examples of Etruscan gold-working artistry are on display; especially noteworthy are items of jewelry discovered in the nearby Poggio del Sole necropolis. Some of the designs feel so contemporary that you could wear them to the opera without feeling out of place.

The entrance to the old city of Arezzo is by stairs or escalator

The Archeological Museum is located in the ex-monastery of St. Bernardo, which in turn was built on the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater from the early second century AD. You can see ruins suggesting the once-imposing 13,000-seat amphitheater outside, and some elements have been integrated into the museum itself during its latest renovation. You will also find the world’s largest collection of vasi coralline (table vases) from first century BC to first century AD, which is testimony to the Etruscans’ outstanding skill in ceramics.

Sadly, the Etruscan presence in Arezzo is visible only here and in bits of the city wall and the archeological zone of Castelsecco-San Cornelio on the outskirts of the city. The rest was destroyed or carried off in the wake of invasions by the Lombards, the Florentines, the French, and (in World War II) the Germans. One of the saddest examples of plundered Etruscan artistry is the “Chimera of Arezzo”, a bronze status from around 400 BC. It was discovered in Arezzo in 1553 but was taken by those insatiable Medici to Florence, where it is currently on display in that city’s Archeological Museum.

Renaissance coats of arms can be seen on major buildings from that period

A short distance from the Museo Mecenate, just past the escalator or the MANY steps by which you are likely to have entered Arezzo from Via Giuseppe Petri, is the Cathedral of Arezzo. It is also known as the Cattedrale di Ss. Donato e Pietro , for the city’s patron saint, and boasts magnificent stained glass windows, the tomb of Pope Gregory X, a baptismal font with a relief by Donatello, terracottas by Andrea della Robbia, and a fresco by Piero della Francesca .   (What it doesn’t have are the actual relics of Saint Donatus, which reside in a church in Teramo, Abruzzo). An architect or art historian can point out the various phases of development of this structure, begun in 1278 and completed more than six hundred years later in 1914.

The cathedral of Arezzo, is dedicated to St. Donato and is rich with Renaissance artwork

Piazza Grande is the cultural heart of Arezzo. Its spacious trapezoidal shape encompasses an architectural jumble of medieval, Gothic, and Renaissance styles from the 13 th to the 16 th century. Each tower, church, colonnade, and palace has a story to tell; a guide is advised who can take you through the history of the city through its buildings and other structures. Some of them may look familiar; Roberto Benigni used Piazza Grande in scenes for his Oscar-winning film, La Vita è Bella (Life is Beautiful).

A partial view of the splendid piazza Grande of Arezzo

A more visceral way to live this city’s landmarks, at least through its medieval period, is to visit on the next-to-last Saturday in June or the first Sunday of September, when the Giostra del Saraceno is re-enacted in Piazza Grande. This is a competition among riders from the city’s four quartieri to charge – on horseback — a mannequin posted at one end of the piazza. The riders have lances, the mannequin a shield, and the idea is to strike the latter in the most vulnerable spot. The quartiere amassing the greatest number of points wins. Origins of the competition date back to the 1500s; Dante wrote about it in The Inferno . Hundreds of locals dressed as nobles, musicians, knights, flag carriers, artisans, and acrobats crowd the streets, along with dozens of horses and thousands of visitors. The June version is held at night, the September event is during the day, but the rest is the same – a genuinely local festival, full of joy and color, not tainted by the cruelty to horses that mars the better-known Palio di Siena.

The old town of Arezzo has a decidedly medieval feel

The piazza also hosts the Fiera Antiquaria (Antique Fair) on the first weekend of every month, drawing thousands of visitors from  through out Italy. It’s the oldest antique fair of its kind in Italy and the largest: between 400-500 exhibitors display furniture, books, objets d’art , musical and scientific instruments, jewels and costume jewelry, as well as collectible items of all kinds. If you happen to miss the fair, don’t worry: Arezzo boasts more than 100 antique stores, so you can still browse regardless of your timing.

No big department stores in the old town of Arezzo, but lots of specialty shops

Not into browsing? or jousting? Arezzo’s outstanding attractions include the Leggenda della Vera Croce (Legend of the True Cross), a series of frescoes painted by Piero della Francesca in the Cappella Bacci (Bacci Chapel) of the Basilica di San Francesco between 1458-1466. The theme is loosely the story of the cross on which Jesus was crucified, including the tree from which it was made. The artist interwove events and personalities from this era into the imagery, and a capable guide will take you through them, enriching the vivid artwork and expanding your knowledge of history. Visitors enter in 30-minute intervals to avoid crowding; reservations are mandatory.

One of the dazzling frescoes by Piero della Francesca that decorate the Bacci Chapel

Undervalued by international tourism, Arezzo has much to offer the Tuscany-loving traveler, and it doesn’t have to depend on the gold industry for its glitter.

Written by and photos by Claudia Flisi for EuropeUpClose.com

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A Texas mother was arrested after she allegedly abandoned her two young kids to go on a cruise — leaving the children home alone for nearly a week, officials said.

Lakesha Woods Williams, 29, was hit with two charges of child endangerment last Thursday after officers found her 8-year-old and 6-year-old alone in their high-rise apartment complex in Houston with no adult supervision, according to the Harris Country Constable- Precinct 5.

Williams left her kids to take her solo vacation on April 4 and returned the night of April 10. She was arrested the following day.

Concerned neighbors called emergency responders after worrying about the siblings’ welfare, according to the constable.

The neighbors saw Williams leaving the building with luggage on April 4 and noticed she failed to come home after several days, according to court records obtained by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Deputies visited the apartment on April 9 and found the two kids alone in the apartment trashed with garbage and food all around the floor and a “potent smell of urine,” the documents state.

The place was in “complete disarray,” deputies said.

The children said their mother had left to go on a cruise and was communicating with them through a camera in the apartment and via text messages to the 8-year-old.

The kids were checked by paramedics as well as Child Protective Services. They were removed from the apartment and are now in the care of their aunt.

Neighbors told deputies it was “not the first time” they had been left at home with no adults.

“We are still putting together the facts and circumstances of how these children were left alone for several days,” Constable Ted Heap said. “But the important thing is they are safe now and those responsible should be held accountable for leaving these kids in an unsafe situation.”

Williams was booked into Harris County Jail on a $40,000 bond, according to jail records.

She is set to be in court Monday.

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Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has nine ships with oceanic destinations spanning from the Arctic and Europe to the Caribbean and Australia. Meanwhile, if you find yourself in France, you may want to check out Scenic’s beloved river cruises, in which you can tour the Seine in the utmost style.

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Ponant has a fleet of 13 luxury cruise ships with destinations dotting the globe. The award-winning French cruise line is beloved for its tailor-made voyages, in which guests have access to myriad bespoke experiences both on and off board, from in-room dining to once-in-a-lifetime immersive excursions.

Since Ponant ships offer smaller capacity—more akin to a private yacht experience—they’re able to navigate private ports and preserved locations that large-scale cruise ships are unable to access. While aboard Ponant’s all-inclusive ships, you can anticipate exceptional French cuisine, delicious fine wines, complimentary Champagne and spirits, room service, and more.

Of course, if you need further inspiration to look into the cruise line, perhaps the fact that three-mast yacht, Le Ponant, is part of the Relais & Châteaux portfolio will do the trick.

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Crystal is renowned for its personalized voyages all over the world, not to mention its palatial suites that will leave you picking your jaw up off the floor. In addition to well-appointed design, the cruise line offers an impressive dining experience, with authentic cuisines from all over the world. So whether you’re in the mood for American, Italian, Peruvian, or Japanese food, you’ll have ample options to choose from.

It’s also worth mentioning that the luxury cruise line took it to the next level with its spa, Aurora Spa. The gorgeous, sea-view spa offers a variety of face, body, salon, and healing treatments, including massages, facials, acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and even IV drip therapy—so you won’t have to worry about feeling hung over at sea (especially considering the cruise line offers complimentary Champagne, fine wines, and premium spirits).

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Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises operates a six-ship fleet dedicated to extraordinary sailing experiences. With small ships that carry less than 350 passengers, Windstar prides itself on offering guests intimate, aesthetic, unforgettable voyages spanning from Asia and Australia to Italy and Iceland.

While the staterooms and suites are stunning and the shore excursions are aplenty, it’s the food that really stands out aboard Windstar. As the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation, Windstar offers a number of themed culinary cruises with food and bev from some of the most notable chefs of today, including Maxime Bilet (The Cooking Lab) and Jose Mendin (Pubbelly Noodle Bar, Habitat, Baja Bao).

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The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

The Ritz-Carlton is synonymous with luxury, so it’s no surprise that the company extended into oceanic adventures with a fleet of three superyachts. Where the Evrima was built in 2021, the Ilma and Luminara yachts are forthcoming in 2024 and 2025.

While classic cruise lines have a capacity in the thousands, often edging upward of 4,000, the Ritz-Carlton superyachts offer a more curated experience to 500 passengers or less. From the outside, the yachts are sleek and serene, fitting in beautifully with the sea. Within Evrima’s walls, though, moody modern interiors with magnificent ocean views await.

Guests can look forward to soaking tubs, expansive private balconies complete with sun beds and a whirlpool, walk-in wardrobes, and more. As far as destinations are concerned, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection embarks on oceanic adventures in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

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Seabourn is a luxury cruise line that speaks to our soul—and for more reasons than the simple fact that it touts a “Veranda Suite Upgrade.” The luxury cruise line sets sail in the Arctic, Canada and New England, the Amazon, Arabia, Africa, and India, and more.

Each of the fleet’s yachts, which carry between 458 and 600 guests, is outfitted with ocean-view suites only, so no matter what excursion you book, you can anticipate traveling in luxury style with a picturesque backdrop. You can also look forward to mouth-watering cuisine courtesy of renowned chef Thomas Keller.

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Cunard is known for its iconic black funnels, yes, but more so for its unparalleled large-scale onboard experiences. Although each of the cruise line’s ships carries upwards of 1,500 passengers, the four-ship fleet is adored for its luxury itineraries, stylish design, tranquil spa offerings, delectable cuisine, and unmatched comfort at sea.

Truly, if your goal is to book an unforgettable, Instagram-worthy cruise, Cunard is the way to go. From the stunning suites (decked out in pops of rich color, sumptuous textiles, and spectacular lighting) to the picturesque destinations, Cunard has it all.

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Regent Seven Seas Cruises

If you want to get the most bang for your buck when booking a luxury cruise, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is a prime pick. The all-inclusive cruise line crafts a new definition of the category with complimentary roundtrip airfare, free unlimited shore excursions, include 2- to 3-night land programs, on-the-house bar and lounge experiences, and more.

The six-fleet cruise line is also known for its gorgeous interiors, complete with modern aesthetics, Art Deco embellishments, stunning chandeliers, and more. When traveling with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, guests can traverse the seven seas, with destinations in Africa and Arabia, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Caribbean and more. And if you don’t want to pick a single destination, there’s always the option to book a grand voyage or world cruise, which can last up to 168 days and cost upwards of $100,000.

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