GENTLY down the lagoon, Uniworld’s River Countess shows
off Venice to 90 guests, among the first to experience this new
itinerary.
Meanwhile, arriving on an evening flight, I step from the airport to
a water taxi for a 007 Bond-style speedboat transfer to the ship.
By the time I reach the dock, the Countess is waiting at one of
several Venetian locations where it will stay for the first two and last
two days of the trip.
The Po is not your usual river cruise – there are fewer ports and
more coach trips than the average European waterway. Half the
time is spent in one city; the other half on a quiet river that is prone
to both high and low water levels.
I have my doubts, but am swayed by the decadent novelty of
using a small ship as a floating boutique hotel in Venice.
Also, the lack of sailing days might suit people who aren’t big
cruisers, or couples who can’t agree whether to do Italy by boat or
bus.
I’m relieved to find the coach trips are only an hour (the longest
is 1 hr 45 minutes) to four inland destinations: Padua, Ravenna,
Bologna and Verona.
Padua is home to the Scrovegni Chapel and Giotto’s frescoes, as
well as St. Anthony’s Basilica, which has an unusual display of the
saint’s preserved tongue.
In Ravenna, a guide escorts us around UNESCO heritage-listed
buildings, churches and amazing 6th-century mosaics, followed by
a ‘slow food’ feast at a restaurant in town.
We explore beautiful Verona’s cobblestone streets, pausing at
Romeo’s home and Juliet’s balcony and a Roman ampitheatre.
At a pasta-making demonstration in Bologna, we learn about
the city’s famous ragu (called Bolognese sauce everywhere else
in the world) and the biggest mistakes made by dodgy Italian
restaurants.
An authentic lunch is then served in the family-run cucina.
The best experiences, however, happen in Venice, where local
guides lead small groups through the maze of alleys to more
peaceful districts, as well as the buzzing tourist attractions.
Uniworld passengers get to skip the queue at the spectacular
Palazzo Ducale (Doge Palace) and enjoy an exclusive evening in St
Mark’s Basilica.
Open after hours, just for us, we arrive at the church at sunset in a
fleet of water taxis and, after a moving lecture by a local historian,
we have time to see St Mark’s relics and the crypt without the
crowds – it’s a privilege that blows us away.
On most days and evenings, we have plenty of free time for
shopping, museums, cafés and bars.
The quirky Dutch Captain Richard Martin greets us every time we
come back from shore excursions and takes us on several scenic
cruises around the Venetian Lagoon, helping us feel at home for the
week.
Uniworld still has some cabins available for Po river cruises this
season. The single supplement is waived on selected departures.
See www.uniworldcruises.com.au.
