Gyongyi Campailla Fuzer
Cruise Manager
“Our ship is the only one that gets to dock in Burano overnight. I love getting to witness the sunset, when the sky is ablaze with hues of gold, painting a breathtaking backdrop to this exclusive experience.”
Italy and the awe-inspiring Veneto region.
In many ways, Italy is synonymous with quality, with luxury, with the enjoyment of life’s most beautiful qualities. It’s why we look to its artists for inspiration, its countryside farms for great food, or its ateliers for fine clothing.
Our Italian itineraries focus on Veneto, a wonderfully multifaceted region with Venice at its heart. There is so much to love here. Winding alleyways, grand architecture, rich history, and a sparkling lagoon dotted with charming islands. Uniworld’s S.S. La Venezia is one of the very few cruise ships small enough to dock in town, and the only boutique hotel in Venice that floats, making it the perfect home for your Venetian vacation. And our all-inclusive ethos means you can enjoy an exceptional degree of luxury for a much better value than a comparable do-it-yourself vacation.
HIGHLIGHTS
Landmarks
For such a small island, Venice certainly has more than its fair share of major world landmarks, and it can often be difficult for tourists to get a good look at them without dealing with long lines or crowds. With Uniworld, you’ll enjoy prime docking locations that bring you close to St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.
Cuisine
The sparkling turquoise waters of the Venetian lagoon are a plentiful source of some truly outstanding seafood. As a result, the cuisine of Venice and its surrounding islands are rich in shrimp, fish, squid, and other such delights (our chefs onboard whip up particularly good calamari).
Italy is dedicated to the craft of great food, and the many farms of the Veneto countryside are a testament to this. You’ll taste some of their excellent homemade products—think cured meats and cheeses—on included excursions. Additionally, don’t miss the chance to join your onboard chef on a farmer’s market trip!
Walking around Venice, you’ll see cicchetti everywhere. Essentially the local version of tapas, cicchetti are most commonly small pieces of toast with various toppings, ordered alongside a drink at a bar.
Wine
We all know and love prosecco—and trust us when we say you can enjoy plenty on our Venetian cruise—but the Veneto also offers a wide variety of unique regional wines. Take amarone, for example, a deliciously robust red made using a rare air-drying process in Valpolicella. The estate we visit here for our private wine-paired lunch is run by the descendants of one of Italy’s most famous poets, Dante Alighieri of the Divine Comedy. Another experience for both the wine and the history lovers is our visit to Dominio di Bagnoli, one of the oldest wine-producing properties in Europe. During our private tasting, we’ll enjoy a variety of wines produced here, with the most popular being made from an indigenous grape variety.
Culture
As the epicenter of the Renaissance, Italy, and Venice in particular, has a great history of creativity and fine craftsmanship. On tour here, you’’ll have the opportunity to meet a number of local artisans at work creating products with deep cultural significance. Listen to a gondola maker talk about the symbolism behind different elements of Venice’s characteristic boats, enter a lacemaking workshop in Burano, watch Murano glassblowers create their extraordinary pieces, and learn what it takes to make the famous Venetian masks.
TRAVEL TIPS
When to go: April to September for sunny skies and less rain, March or October for more temperate weather and quieter streets.
How to pack: We suggest comfortable, sporty, smart-casual daywear both onshore and onboard. Depending on your travel season, the weather can range from cool to quite hot. Check the weather before you go and pack accordingly. Layering clothing items is always your best bet, allowing you to adjust to most temperatures. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket (preferably hooded) in case of rain, though we will also have umbrellas onboard. You will participate in a significant amount of walking over uneven terrain during your time ashore, so please bring comfortable walking shoes with good ankle support. Sturdy sandals are another good option.
Spring
MAR–MAY
Avg. Temp. 66º F / 19º C
Summer
JUN–AUG
Avg. Temp. 81º F / 27º C
Autumn
SEP–NOV
Avg. Temp. 70º F / 21º C
Winter
DEC–FEB
Avg. Temp. 54º F / 12º C
Currency
Euro (EUR, €)
Time Zone
Central European Time (CET)
Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Official Language
Italian
Electricity
European 230V
Plug types C, F, and L
Onboard Team
Get to know this destination from the people who travel it every day, our incredible onboard crew.
Tomas Breziansky
Executive Chef
“Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini once said that life is a combination of magic and pasta. No truer words have been spoken here in Italy, or onboard the beautiful S.S. La Venezia.”
Martina Seinen Peric
Hotel Manager
“Italy is the perfect place to experience the true meaning of hospitality. It’s a country that opens its arms and embraces you with its rich culture, delicious cuisine, and warm-hearted people.”
FEATURED CRUISES
Milan, Venice & the Jewels of Veneto
Milan to Venice | 10 days
Begin your journey in stunning Milan and disembark in romantic Venice. These two legendary cities will bookend unforgettable experiences throughout the Veneto region.
This ultimate Venetian vacation...
Ship: S.S. La Venezia
Country: Italy
River: Venice Lagoon
4.5/5 (90 reviews)
From $4,199 per person
Venice & the Jewels of Veneto
Venice to Venice | 8 days
This ultimate Venetian vacation is perfected by one unique quality: your stay onboard our floating boutique hotel. Not only will you benefit from an enviable location in Venice, you’ll also...
Ship: S.S. La Venezia
Country: Italy
River: Venice Lagoon
4.6/5 (106 reviews)
From $3,299 per person
Cruise & Rail: Grand Alpine & the Jewels of Veneto
Budapest to Venice | 16 days
Begin your journey in the stunning cities of Budapest and Vienna, from which you’ll ascend into the idyllic wonderland of the Alps via a luxury overnight train. Your days will be filled with...
Ship: S.S. La Venezia
Countries: Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Italy
River: Venice Lagoon
From $17,994 per person
Cruise & Rail: Milan, Venice, Istanbul & the Balkans
Milan to Istanbul | 19 days
Begin your journey in stunning Milan and embark on your cruise in romantic Venice. These two legendary cities will bookend unforgettable experiences throughout the Veneto region. Treat yourself to a...
Ship: S.S. La Venezia
Countries: Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey
River: Venice Lagoon
From $19,694 per person
Cruise & Rail: Venice, Istanbul & the Balkans
Venice to Istanbul | 17 days
Embark on a private train journey to Istanbul, during which you’ll sleep on the luxury Golden Eagle Danube Express with ever-changing views at your window—the perfect addition to a river...
Ship: S.S. La Venezia
Countries: Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey
River: Venice Lagoon
From $18,794 per person