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Titan Uniworld Italian River Cruise – August 2013
by claire
Titan Uniworld Italian River Cruise – August 2013 – travelled by Claire
Sunday 18th August
I was collected by the home VIP pick up and driven to Gatwick Airport.
Our group of 14 met up at Gatwick South Terminal and checked in for the Easyjet flight to Venice, on arrival at Venice airport we were met by the Uniworld Representative and transferred by coach to Stazione Marittima in Venice where the River Countess was docked.
Check in was extremely swift and once our luggage had been delivered to our cabins we made our way to the lounge for as safety briefing from the Captain and then introductions from the ‘hotel’ manager and tour guide.
Dinner is served at 7.00 which is A la Carte and there is no fixed seating arrangements. Casual wear is the order of the day for River Cruising.
We set sail this evening down the Canal and docked by Riva dei Sette Martiri.
Monday 19th August
This morning started with a walking tour of Venice to the Rialto Bridge with an included visit to Doge Palace. We were split into small group of 20 people max, the tour is fully guided and we listened to our guide through our personalised headsets.
We walked through many of the back streets away from the crowds eventually coming back around to the entrance of Doge Palace. We had an informative 75 minute tour in the Doge Palace taking in the justice rooms crossing over the Bridge of Sighs into the prison.
Leaving the Doge Palace we walked through St Marks Square again along many side streets through to the Rialto Bridge. We were then transferred back to the ship for lunch by private water taxi.
After lunch you could take an options free tour to Giudecca Island for a glass blowing demonstration, stay on board for a leisurely afternoon or explore Venice on your own.
Early evening we departed the ship again by private water taxis for a 45 minute tour of the Grand Canal, we then disembarked at St Marks and walked to the Basilica for a private viewing. We entered in the dark and were seated, slowly the lights were raised and the inside of the Basilica was fully lit with a few minutes – the sights and sounds were amazing. After a presentation by our guide we were allowed to wander within the church for a while and enter the crypt.
Uniworld then escorted you back to the ship on Vaporettas or we were free to walk backing out own time. A buffet was available back on board.
Tuesday 20th August
We departed from the ship this morning at 8.00 am for a 45 minute coach journey to Padua. Our first tour in Padua was the Basilica of St Antonio, the church was conducting a mass but we were able to move around quietly viewing the altars and frescos.
We then had a gentle half mile walk through the historic centre north to the Scrovegni Chapel. Scrovegni in 1300 commissioned Giotto to decorate the chapel with frescos which cover the interior walls & building completely. The frescos depict the prophets and important episodes in the lives of Mary & Jesus.
After the tour we made our way back to Plaza Garibaldi where we chose to take a later coach back to the ship and have free time on shore with lunch locally (not included)
Back on board at 4.00 pm we sailed down the lagoon toward Chioggia ready for our next destination.
Wednesday 21st August
We departed the ship this morning at 8.00 am for a 90 minute drive to Ravenna, driving through the beautiful Veneto countryside crossing the River Po & Po Delta Park. In Ravenna we have a guided walking tour of the historic centre visiting the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and the Basilica San Vitale, Dantes Tomb and finally the Basilica of Sant Apollinare Nuovo. Lunch was included in a local restaurant where we were served local fish & pasta dishes.
Returning back to the ship late afternoon we set sail for a cruise of the lagoon while dinner was served. After dinner docked back in Chioggia we had time to wander ashore.
Thursday 22nd August
This morning we left the ship at 8.00 am for a 2 hour coach journey to Bologna, normally the ship would be further up the River Po and the coach journey would only be 1 hour but due to low water levels we couldn’t sail too far up. We were met by our guides and taken on a 1 hour guided walking tour of the City through the medieval centre. We then had an hour free time before we were escorted to a lovely local restaurant for pasta making demonstration then lunch. Back on board late afternoon we set sail again up the lagoon towards Venice. We docked at Venice Adriatica a beautiful mooring on the Grand Canal, from there you are able to access Venice without the need of a vaporetta or water taxi.
Friday 23rd August
8.30 am departure from the ship this morning for a 2 hour coach journey to Verona. On arrival we picked up our local guide and the first part of our tour was a drive around the medieval outer walls, we then had a gentle walking tour into the centre of Verona crossing over the Ponte Pietra. The tour took in many of the most famous sites including the two most famous families of Verona – the houses of Romeo Montogue (Montecchi was his real name) and Juliet Capulet. The tour finished at the Arena the third largest amphitheatre in Italy, after the Colosseum and the amphitheatre of Capua; you then have 3 hours to rediscover the city on your own or have lunch. (€15.00 is given to everyone onboard before we left to pay for lunch)
We arrived back on board at 5.00 pm and after dinner you are free to walk into Venice for the evening.
Saturday 24th August
A day a leisure in Venice, the River Countess sailed at 1.00 pm for a leisurely cruise of the Venetian Lagoon so we had the option of being on board or staying on land and embarking the ship when it docks after 4.00 pm.
This evening was the Captains farewell dinner (smart casual attire) and at 10.00 pm we left the Adriatica mooring and sailed into the cruise terminal ready for disembarkation Sunday Morning.
Sunday 25th August
Our cases were put outside our staterooms 30 minutes before departure; we disembarked at 8.30 am and were transferred by coach to Venice airport where we boarded our flight back to Gatwick.
On arrival at Gatwick after clearing immigration our Titan VIP transfers were waiting to drive back to our homes.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip, the local guides were so informative, the food onboard was excellent, the ship was slightly more casual than I expected, but I think as long as you appreciate how busy the holiday is you can get an amazing experience.
All of the tours, visits and meals I have mentioned are included in the holiday cost so when you break it down River Cruising really is not as expensive as it appears.