Uniworld is launching new
itineraries along the Po River
and the Venice Lagoon from
April 2013, with discounts for
early payment.
THE newly remodelled River Countess is set
to be the most luxurious river vessel in Italy,
following a surprise announcement by
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.
Speaking to Cruise Weekly, the company’s
General Manager of Australian operations,
John Molinaro said the Venice roundtrip was
new for a “premium five-star” river cruise line.
“There are currently some companies
operating in Italy but they are only three-star
or four-star and primarily targeting Eastern
Europeans, French and Germans.
“The usual cast [of major river cruise
companies] is not there.”
Molinaro said Uniworld’s 134-guest vessel
would be targeted at Australians and offer
“more of a back roads experience” compared
to the “big ship” cruises available in Italy.
The two new itineraries include a 13-day
‘Splendours of Italy’ package, spending three
days in Venice before sailing to Serravalle (for
land tours in Ravenna); Polesella (for Bologna
and Verona); and then back to Venice where
guests will disembark for touring in Florence
and Rome.
There is also the option to book only the
eight-day cruise, roundtrip from Venice.
Shore excursions are expected to include
guided walking tours at each port of call, a
pasta-making workshop in Bologna, and a visit
to the ‘Romeo & Juliet’ balcony in Verona.
Molinaro said Uniworld had been “eyeing
Italy for a couple of years” and decided that 2013
was the right time to pioneer a new destination.
“Our past passengers keep coming back
because we don’t focus on one or two
itineraries, we always try new things,” he said.
“This is a different way to see Italy, with all
the usual Uniworld/Red Carnation touches,
and an Italian feel, from crispy Roman pizza to
Venetian gelato and plenty of Chianti.”
Couples wishing to travel to Italy with
Uniworld during its inaugural season can
receive $700-$800 savings per person by
paying in full at the time of booking before 30
June 2012.
The 13-day holiday is priced from $6,225 per
person twin-share including seven nights
onboard River Countess; two nights in a deluxe
hotel in Florence and three nights in Rome; all
meals onboard with complimentary wine, beer
and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; guided
excursions; and all transfers on arrival and
departure days, and throughout the program.
The eight-day cruise-only itinerary is priced
from $3,375 per person twin-share.
See www.uniworldcruises.com.au/Italy or
speak to your travel agent for bookings.
