Cruising Venice’s Islands and Lagoons on board SS La Venezia
Italy is a destination much loved and there's always another reason to return. Famed as much for its delicious cuisine and excellent wines, as it is, its history and architecture, exploring by cruise is a fantastic way to experience it all - and more.
Sailing on board Uniworld's La Venezia is the way to go, with large ocean liners now banned, Uniworld's small ship size is the only luxury cruise line to not only enter, but also sail through the heart of Venice. Not only does sailing with Uniworld provide this level of exclusivity it is also a truly luxurious experience, with your meals, beverages and excursions included.
Cruising Venice's lagoons and islands is a memorable experience and something we can tick off our bucket list. And what's more, when you book with us you can enjoy an additional £50 discount off the best price in market.
From the moment we arrived and stepped on board, the service we received was exceptional. Nothing was ever too much trouble, no request was too large or detail too small. Uniworld ships boast a guest-to-staff ratio of 1-2:4, so the service felt personal.
Dining on board was an experience in itself and during the trip, the food was amongst some of the best we'd ever tasted. Ristorante Rialto is the ship's main restaurant, and here, breakfast and lunch is served as a buffet. Lunches were gorgeous with plenty of choice. The highlight though were the dinners: a delicious four-course à la carte menu, with wine to complement. All meals and beverages are included during the sailing, even fine wines and premium spirits.
The evenings came alive with on board entertainment. There was always something to keep you busy, if you wished to join in. There was a themed black and white evening, which was fun, as well as some wonderful post-dinner live music, and even an AperiOpera lecture - a great insight into authentic Italian culture, combining opera with culinary delights.
Exploring the Veneto region is like living La Dolce Vita - or The Good Life - and there's so much to love, from grand architecture and charming alleyways to the glistening lagoons and local artisans and ateliers. One of the best things about cruising Venice's lagoons with Uniworld is that their boutique ships are among the few that can dock in the heart of the city and sail its waterways.
Of course, Venice is well known for its landmark buildings and gondoliers - and you have time to uncover its history and enchanting beauty. But there are also plenty of other treasures to explore. The island of Burano was beautiful, with its brightly painted houses in varying colours, along the banks of the canal. Torcello is the lagoon's hidden secret, and is home to the lagoon's oldest church, which we got to visit during an excursion. The small fishing port of Chioggia is charming and definitely a Venetian gem.
One thing which really stood out were the excursions - expertly curated to immerse you in the sights, culture and cuisine of your chosen destinations - all included and we were treated to some incredible experiences, hosted by exceptional guides.
Some of the highlights on our Venetian itinerary were private early access to the Doge's Palace, allowing us to marvel at the estate in peace, before it opened to the public. We also had a private after hours visit to St Mark's Basilica where we witnessed the lighting ceremony and were granted access to some areas which the general public would not normally see. I won't reveal any more details, you'll just have to book a Venice cruise for yourselves!
During the cruise, there was plenty of opportunity to live like a local and experience authentic Venetian traditions - in Chioggia, you could visit its iconic market often referred to as the 'pantry of Venice'; in Murano, see a glass blowing demonstration; and in Venice itself, visit a mask ateliers to see how the Venice Carnival masks are made.
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