Best of Italy River Cruise and Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Venice (Embark)
Arrive at Venice Marco Polo International Airport. If you have arranged a Uniworld arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship. Unpack, relax and enjoy your first evening on the Venetian Lagoon.
Day 2: Venice
With your early morning arrival at Doge’s Palace, you’ll be able to marvel at the estate in total peace. Wander through a Venetian neighbourhood and experience daily life in an authentic Venetian residential quarter. Later in the evening, cap the day off with a private once-in-a-life-time experience at an after-hours lighting ceremony inside St. Mark’s Basilica without the crowds.
Featured excursions included in your journey:
– A Walk in Venice with Doge’s Palace Visit
– Nights Out: Private After-Hours Visit to Saint Mark’s Basilica
Day 3: Venice (Padua), Mazzorbo (Burano)
Start your morning in one of two of the Veneto region’s UNESCO World Heritage cities, Vicenza or Padua. In the afternoon, you’ll reboard the ship for scenic sailing across the lagoon as we head towards Mazzorbo and Burano. In the evening, you may wish to take your free time to stroll into town to appreciate this charming island when most of the tourists have left for the evening. Burano’s brightly painted fishermen’s cottages are an artist’s dream — hot pink, chartreuse, orange, lemon yellow, and more.
– Evening Stroll in Burano
Select your choice of these carefully curated excursions, which operate at the same time:
– Padua Walking Tour
– Vicenza with Teatro Olimpico
Day 4: Mazzorbo, Burano & Chioggia
Spend the day exploring the northern lagoon of Venice and its captivating islands. Start with a visit to Torcello’s famous basilica with an art historian, then stroll through the agricultural island of Mazzorbo and the rainbow-hued island of Burano during your free time after lunch. Alternatively, you can take the afternoon to see the renowned glassblowing artisans of Murano at work.
Featured excursions included in your journey:
– Torcello: Hidden Treasure of the Lagoon
– Murano Glass Blowing Demonstration
Day 5: Chioggia
Today, you’ll admire the greatest sites of charming and coastal Chioggia, including a stop at the local and lively market.
Select your choice of these carefully curated excursions, which operate at the same time:
– Bragozzo Ride with Tastings at Ca’ Zen
– Chioggia Market Visit
– Let’s Go: Biking Chioggia
– A Noble Country Villa and Its Wines
– Villa Palazzo Goldoni Visit
Day 6: Chioggia & Venice
This morning, join a sailing excursion where you’ll explore the Po Delta where the Po River and the Adriatic Sea meet. Later, during lunch, we sail back to Venice.
Select your choice of these carefully curated excursions, which operate at the same time:
– Po Delta Sailing
– Castello del Catajo Visit
Day 7: Venice
As your water taxi glides past narrow side canals and the Canal Grande, you’ll arrive in style at the Rialto Bridge. The iconic stone arch bridge sits at the narrowest point of the Canal Grande and holds numerous shops and restaurants.
Select your choice of these carefully curated excursions, which operate at the same time:
– Venice Walk with Gondola Artisans Visit
– Do as the Locals Do: Venice Walking Tour
– Ca’ Macana Mask Atelier
– Rowing Venice
Day 8: Venice (Disembark)
Transfer to Rome via High-Speed Train Say arrivederci to the S.S. La Venezia and journey to Rome via high-speed train to begin our land tour of Italy. Tonight, savour a delicious meal with your fellow guests.
Day 9: Rome (Vatican City)
Bask in the splendour of Rome exploring the mighty Vatican. Cross the Tiber River to see the magnificent Roman Forum, dwarfed by the ruins in this site of courts, meetings, and the iconic Colosseum. Later, enjoy a stroll to see the Spanish Steps or Trevi Fountain.
Featured excursions included in your journey:
– Explore the Vatican Museums with a Local Expert
– See the Colosseum
– Rome Walking Tour
Day 10: Rome, Pompeii & Capri
Be transported to 79 A.D. as you roam the ruins of Pompeii with a Local Expert. Inspect remnants of ancient shops, baths, and villas frozen in time by the volcanic eruption. Leave the past behind on a short cruise to the sun-drenched Isle of Capri or enjoy the scenic coastline as you make your way to your next hotel, located in Capri.
Featured excursions included in your journey:
– Pompeii City Tour
– Capri Open-Top Taxi
Day 11: Capri
Morning sunlight dances upon the shimmering waters of Capri on your private cruise to the White Grotto, a stark white cave set into impressive cliffs. Admire its contrast against the bright blue sea before setting off for Capri town. Cool off with a refreshing lemon granita before joining a local historian on a trip to the gardens of Caesar Augustus to view the legendary Faraglioni Rocks. Breathe in the sea air as you take in many terraces jutting out of the water before lunch at the Michelin-starred Le Monzù, where you’ll savour Mediterranean flavours.
Featured excursions included in your journey:
– Capri Private Cruise
– Isle of Capri Lemon Granita Tasting
– Capri Lunch at Michelin-Starred Le Monzù
Day 12: Capri, Assisi & Perugia
Heading north along the Highway of the Sun, you will pass through beautiful hills with ancient medieval hilltop towns and alongside olive groves to Assisi. In this history-rich town and UNESCO World Heritage Site you have your pick of how to soak up the town’s riches. Join a local historian for a guided visit of the imposing Basilica of St. Francis or treat your palate by sampling Umbrian specialties. Continue to the regional capital of Perugia where you’ll wind your way through the maze of medieval streets to your centrally located, five-star hotel.
Select your choice of these carefully curated excursions, which operate at the same time:
– Basilica of St. Francis Visit
– Umbrian Flavours Tasting
Day 13: Perugia, San Gimignano & Florence
Discover the medieval Umbrian tradition of loom-weaving as fourth-generation artisan Marta welcomes you into her workshop, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience celebrating heritage and craft. Surrounded by sunlit vineyards, enjoy a private wine tasting paired with regional cuisine. Then, meet Gelato World Champion Sergio Dondoli and savour his award-winning, handcrafted flavours.
Featured excursions included in your journey:
– Tuscan Lunch
– San Gimignano Orientation
– Meet Artisanal Hand Weavers in Perugia
Day 14: Florence
Immerse yourself in Renaissance Florence by joining an art historian at the Accademia Museum to marvel at Michelangelo’s David. Gaze at the impressive trio of the Duomo, Bell Tower, and Baptistery before stepping into the Piazza della Signoria, rich in political history. Alternatively, visit the lively Mercato Centrale with a local foodie to sample seasonal gourmet highlights. Later, forage for truffles with a trained truffle dog. Conclude your day with a decadent meal featuring the famous Fiorentina (mouth-watering grilled Tuscan steak) in an elegant villa.
Featured excursions included in your journey:
– Wine Tasting and Dinner at a Tuscan Villa
– Truffle Hunting with an Expert
Select your choice of these carefully curated excursions, which operate at the same time:
– Florence Accademia Museum Visit and Walking Tour
– Florence Food Walk with Local Foodie
Day 15: Florence, Pisa & Rapallo
After enjoying a relaxed start to the morning, head to a former hunting lodge built in the 1200s by the Medici family. Here, you’ll learn from a professional Italian chef how to roll pasta by hand and discover the secrets of a tiramisu. Complete your cooking experience by savouring the fruits of your labour with a lovely lunch. This afternoon, travel to Pisa and get to know the city with a Local Expert.
Featured excursions included in your journey:
– Pisa City Tour
– Tuscan Lunch and Cooking Class
Day 16: Rapallo (Cinque Terre)
Experience some of the most awe-inspiring coastal scenery on earth at the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre. Discover charming Manarola, a picturesque fishing village, with some free time for lunch in Monterosso before traveling by train to the historic and colourful resort town of Rapallo.
Featured excursions included in your journey:
– Manarola & Monterosso
Day 17: Rapallo & Venice
Traverse the Apennine Mountain range past rolling, gentle hills of moss and emerald green before arriving in Venice. You’re treated to the most glamorous of arrivals as you take a private water taxi to dock at your waterfront hotel. After checking in, travel in style along the Grand Canal towards St. Mark’s Square for an orientation to Venice and gondola ride through the romantic canals. Later, join an after-hours visit to the magnificent Doge’s Palace.
Featured excursions included in your journey:
– Venice Gondola Ride
– Venice Arrival by Private Water Taxi
– Cruise the Grand Canal in Venice
– After-Hours Tour of Doge’s Palace in Venice
Day 18: Venice
This morning, choose to either wander hidden alleys of Venice with a Local Expert or learn about one of the oldest Jewish quarters in the world on a visit to the city’s former Jewish Ghetto. Then, get an inside look at the age-old skill of glassblowing on the island of Murano. Tonight, gather with your traveling companions over dinner at your celebratory evening at a traditional Venetian restaurant.
Select your choice of these carefully curated excursions, which operate at the same time:
– Hidden Venice Walking Tour
– Explore the Jewish Ghetto
Featured excursions included in your journey:
– Murano Glassblowing Demonstration
Day 19: Venice (Depart)
Your Italian voyage ends. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Venice’s Marco Polo International Airport for your flight home.
