Cruise

Uniworld’s Reimagined S.S. La Venezia to Sail Venice and Northern Italy

by Olivia Liveng

Uniworld’s forthcoming ten-day Venice & the Gems of Northern Italy program, the company’s first cruise since the pandemic began, and the inaugural sailing for the brand new Super Ship S.S. La Venezia, things are looking pretty good. This completely reimagined ship will take guests on a journey of a lifetime along Northern Italy’s exquisite coastline. Culture, cuisine, and adventure are paramount on this itinerary, which snakes through history and some of southern Europe’s most magical landscapes.

A Journey Around Northern Italy

Much like the winding rivers of southern Europe, the itinerary for this program takes guests on a sweeping adventure. On the first day, travelers arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport, greeted by a Uniworld representative, and transfer to the Rosa Grand hotel. A Mecca for Italian fashionistas and its illustrious innovative design and stylish flair, Milan is a culturally rich city to begin the cruising adventure. And speaking of adventure, the fun begins right away with opportunities to explore Milan’s hulking and stoic Gothic cathedral and bear witness to the majesty of Da Vinci’s revolutionary “The Last Supper” mural. To truly maximize time in Milan, guests may opt to take the city highlight tour.

The third day may evoke memories of romantic success from Romeo and Juliet, as the tour continues in Verona, the literary hometown of Shakespeare’s notoriously star-crossed teen lovers. Wine connoisseurs will enjoy a feast at a historic wine estate owned by descendants of Dante and learn about one of the unique Italian wines, Amarone di Valpolicella. Stuffed–both literally and with culture–already, the evening is where the real fun begins. Arriving in Venice, guests embark on their Venetian Lagoon, ready to explore this stunning part of the world.

Venice is often hailed as the most romantic city in the world. With nicknames like “The City of Canals” and “The City of Bridges,” with ornate architecture that stands majestically perpendicular to aqua water, it’s quite understandable why. The next day of this Uniworld Cruise invites guests to marvel at ease, with an early morning at Doge’s Palace, enjoying the entire estate in peace. Another possible excursion is a bit more local, inviting guests to wander through a Venetian neighborhood and experience daily life in an authentic Venetian residential quarter. Later in the evening, cap the day off with a private, once-in-a-lifetime experience at an after-hours lighting ceremony inside St. Mark’s Basilica without the crowds.

The fifth day of the adventure allows guests to choose between a full day in medieval Padua, home to Italy’s second-oldest university, or a Venice walking tour and a choice of several exciting ways to see Chioggia: riding on a traditional bragozzo or biking through this authentic fishing town.

As the boat continues meandering Italy’s breathtaking countryside, potential excursions for guests include exploring the country’s culinary capital, Bologna, on a full-day tour packed with an exclusive pasta-making workshop (how Italian!) and lunch or exploring Ferrara on a half-day tour.

The following day allows guests to feel local by visiting a lively and authentic market on the coastal Chioggia, home to historic towns and winding alleyways, including a stop at the local and lively market. And, after a tiring but enthralling day of walking, enjoying a lovely evening stroke in Burano, a picturesque town widely known for its brightly-colored fishermen’s houses and its casual eateries serving seafood from the lagoon.

A week into the trip and the culture continues. The eighth day of the program is spent exploring the northern lagoon of Venice and three of its captivating islands. Cruise passengers can even explore a basilica with an art historian in Torcello before heading to the peaceful, agricultural island of Mazzorbo. This tour ends, fittingly, with a stroll through Burano’s rainbow of colorful homes and visiting a lace-making atelier.

The final two days of the trip are spent back in Venice, reveling in its art and history. Guests return to the City of Canals in style at the Rialto Bridge and Fondaco dei Tedeschi. The iconic stone arch bridge sits at the narrowest point of the Canal Grande and holds numerous shops and restaurants. Following an intimate Captain’s Farewell Dinner, the journey ends, and the following day, guests disembark the ship, feeling satiated with culture, cuisine, history, and beauty.

Onboard The S.S. La Venezia

Though, of course, the highlight of this sailing is the magnificence of Northern Italy, life aboard The S.S. La Venezia is still cherished and luxurious. The Super Ship was designed to embody Italy’s timeless beauty influenced by the local Venetian design house, Fortuny. Onboard dining and bars bring the local gastronomy to life with ingredients sourced straight from the local markets, with four dining options to choose from. The ship also boasts a fitness center, library, and spa. As a brand, Uniworld is known for creating authentic yet luxurious experiences for guests in dynamic locations with the high crew-to-guest rations–and without a doubt, the voyage aboard The S.S. La Venezia encompasses all of this.

www.uniworld.com