Gems of Northern Italy

10 days
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USTOA

River Cruise
Encounter unforgettable sights on this odyssey through Northern Italy that begins in Milan, home to Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, and ends in legendary Venice, the “Queen of the Adriatic.” These two iconic cities bookend an exploration of Northern Italy that rewards the curious traveler with amazing experiences in Verona, Padua, Bologna and Ferrara.
19%
$4,181
From$3,399
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Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

What's this trip about?

    Encounter unforgettable sights on this odyssey through Northern Italy that begins in Milan, home to Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, and ends in legendary Venice, the “Queen of the Adriatic.” These two iconic cities bookend an exploration of Northern Italy that rewards the curious traveler with amazing experiences in Verona, Padua, Bologna and Ferrara.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityMilan
End CityVenice

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Italy

Attractions

  • Bologna
  • Milan
  • Venice
  • Verona

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing
  • River cruise

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map
2019 version

Milan to Venice

Day 1 - Milan
Port - Milan Arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport. If your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the hotel.

Day 2 - Milan
Port - Milan Milan is a mecca for Italian fashionistas, famous for its innovative design and stylish flair. Venture inside the city’s hulking Gothic cathedral, as well as its cathedral to capitalism, Europe’s oldest shopping arcade. The highlight today for both our Feat...
Excursion(s)
- Milan highlights city tour Excursion Price - $70

Your hotel is in the heart of the city, so it’s easy to see the highlights of the neighborhood on a short walk with your guide. Il Duomo, the magnificent cathedral begun in the 14th century and finished 500 years late...

Excursion(s)
- Milano per Bambini Excursion Price - $70

Discover the monsters and gargoyles of the Gothic cathedral, the hidden secrets of Merchant’s Square and the wide-open spaces of Sforza castle. Milan is full of hidden treasures—like “The Last Supper” by da Vinci, which is displayed in a bit of an unlikely place: the refectory!

Day 3 - Milan, Verona (Valpolicella), Transfer to Venice (Embark)
Port - Verona You’ll check out of your hotel this morning and head toward the Adriatic coast and magical Venice, but the day includes two delightful stops along the way. En route to Venice, you’ll stop in the literary hometown of Shakespeare’s famously star-crossed teen...
Excursion(s)
- Verona, “City of Romeo and Juliet” Excursion Price - $70

Discover the real roots of Shakespeare’s tragic tale with a visit to fair Verona. The Scaligeri family ruled the city for two centuries, routinely murdering one another to gain power; an echo of these savage f...

Excursion(s)
- Valpolicella wine estate lunch Excursion Price - $70

Your journey continues from Verona through the lovely vine-clad hills of the Valpolicella wine country. These vineyards grow Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes—and even Garganega, the grape used for Soave win...

Excursion(s)
- Romeo, Juliet & Roman Gladiators Excursion Price - $70

Get to know the historic town that provided the backdrop for one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Romeo and Juliet. Visit Juliet’s balcony in the historic city center and the Arena of Verona, where gladiators once competed with beasts.

Day 4 - Venice
Port - Venice Hoping to escape marauding Huns, Goths and Vandals as the Roman Empire collapsed in the fifth century, refugees built a little settlement they called Venice on tiny islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. By the 12th century, Venice was the wealthiest and...
Excursion(s)
- A morning walk in Venice Excursion Price - $70

Venice has no need to designate a pedestrians-only historic district: No cars are permitted within the island city; all transportation is by foot or water. Begin your exploration—on foot, of course—by strolling through ...

Excursion(s)
- Private after-hours visit to Saint Mark's Basilica Excursion Price - $70

The doors of this icon open especially for you tonight, so you can see the glorious church in the evening light— without the crowds. You’ll find it almost impossible not to gaze heavenward as y...

Excursion(s)
- Parading through Doge’s Palace Excursion Price - $70

A visit to Doge’s Palace is sure to delight and surprise even the youngest of the crew. With mystery at every turn, artistic majesty cloaking the walls, and a dusty dungeon straight from a fairy tale—Doge’s Palace is, in a word, spectacular. Don’t forget to meet Venice’s guardian lions on your way to the Bridge of Sighs and Saint Mark’s Square.

Day 5 - Chioggia
Port - Chioggia The River Countess sails from Venice, cruising through the lagoon, past the Lido, the colorful fishermen’s houses of Pellestrina and the huge ongoing flood-control project called MOSE (which is designed to protect Venice from rising seawater), before doc...
Excursion(s)
- Padua morning walk and market visit Excursion Price - $70

As you stroll through town on a picturesque tour of Padua’s medieval highlights, you’ll learn that in the 13th and 14th centuries, Padua was at the peak of its glory days. In 1222, Italy’s second-oldest unive...

Excursion(s)
- “Let's Go” biking Chioggia Excursion Price - $70

Meet your local bike guide dockside for a scenic ride along the lagoon. Your first stop is Piazza Vigo, with its famous—and beautiful—white marble bridge that links the square to San Domenico, a church standing on its...

Excursion(s)
- Bragozzo ride with typical Italian mussel lunch Excursion Price - $70

Mussels have been a staple of Venetian cooking for many years, mainly because the waters of the lagoon produce a bounty of fish and shellfish. Climb aboard a small boat and head out to the mussel ...

Excursion(s)
- Bike the Beach Excursion Price - $70

Explore the lively fishing town of Chioggia by bicycle! From views of the lagoon to the sea—stop at the Adriatic beaches for some fun in the sun before cooling down with a gelato.

Day 6 - Polesella (Bologna or Ferrara)
Port - Polesella Today you face a tough decision: Do you spend a full day in Bologna, the culinary capital of Northern Italy, or visit UNESCO-designated Ferrara, a beautifully preserved Renaissance city? Let your passions be your guide today. If you have an appetite for...
Excursion(s)
- Private pasta-making and Italian lunch in Bologna Excursion Price - $70

Does Bologna have the best food in Northern Italy? Taste and decide for yourself today. Of course there’s Bolognese sauce, but that’s just one possible topping for the exceptional pasta availabl...

Excursion(s)
- Ferrara: Renaissance, elegance and Italian lifestyle town discovery walk Excursion Price - $70

Square towers rise sternly above the moat that still surrounds Castle Estense, the huge fortress the Este family built in the center of Ferrara in the 14th century. It was...

Excursion(s)
- Bolognese Pasta Workshop Excursion Price - $70

You’re never too young to become a food connoisseur. First, you'll be taken on a food-focused tour through Bologna and its historic central markets which boast a variety of culinary delicacies like artisanal chocolates,...

Day 7 - Porto Viro, Chioggia
Port - Chioggia Chioggia is such a delight that we’ll return there today to experience something completely different. You can visit the village’s bustling once-a-week market—a colorful and boisterous scene, and quintessentially Italian. IMPORTANT: We are obliged to com...
Excursion(s)
- Chioggia market visit Excursion Price - $70

Chioggia is the quintessential Venetian Lagoon fishing village. Founded in the fifth century, it was known as the pantry of Venice because of its many small truck farms, which supplied Venetian households with produce unti...

Excursion(s)
- Keys to Chioggia Excursion Price - $70

It’s market day! See a different side of Chioggia with a tour through the city’s active and rich markets. Check out the catch of the day in the fish market, sample local delicacies and enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Cl...

Day 8 - Venice Islands (Burano, Mazzorbo, Torcello)
Port - Burano Venice is an island surrounded by hundreds of smaller islands, three of which you’ll visit today—Burano, famous for its lace-makers and houses painted in eye-popping colors; Mazzorbo, where you’ll taste a historic golden-hued wine; and Torcello, home to beautiful Byzantine mosaics.

Excursion(s)
- Magic Island Day: hidden treasures of the lagoon Excursion Price - $70

The Venetian lagoon is dotted with islands, each with its own history, heritage and charm. Your first island of the day is an exceptionally colorful one. Hot pink, chartreuse, orange, lemon yello...

Excursion(s)
- Magic Islands Excursion Price - $70

Explore the northern lagoon with a scavenger hunt through Torcello, Burano and Mazzorbo. Make sure you bring your camera to these picture-perfect islands to snap shots of their gorgeous landscapes, colorful houses, and historic bell-towers. And don’t miss sampling the Bussola Buranello cookies that put Burano on the culinary map.

Day 9 - Venice
Port - Venice Lovers of food and wine flock to Italy to immerse themselves in a true farm-to-table epicurean experience. If that sounds like you, you’ll love today’s walking tour to the famous fish and produce market next to the Rialto Bridge. Prefer a more visual feast...
Excursion(s)
- "AVG Arti Veneziane alla Giudecca" glass factory visit with crafts demonstrations Excursion Price - $70

Excursion(s)
- “Do as the Locals Do” Venice walking tour Excursion Price - $70

Back when Venice was at the height of its power, only the Rialto Bridge spanned the Grand Canal—and the city’s famous Rialto markets for fish and produce have sprawled at its feet as long as the bridge ...

Excursion(s)
- “Venetian Painters at the Accademia” tour with art historian guide Excursion Price - $70

Join an art historian on an exclusive guided visit to the Academy. Probably the greatest collection of Venetian Renaissance paintings in the world, it includes works by Tiepolo,...

Excursion(s)
- Venetian Playground Excursion Price - $70

Venture out on a delightful, family-friendly discovery of Venice. Visit the historic Rialto Market where the ship’s chef will introduce you to local cuisine. Then board a water taxi for a ride down the Grand Canal. Your wate...

Day 10 - Venice (Disembark)
Port - Venice Disembark the ship. If your cruise/tour package includes a group departure transfer or if you purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Venice Marco Polo International Airport for your flight home.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,399
Price per day$340
Last Updated: 11/13/2019

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Uniworld.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Bradley Acuff

Jan 2023

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Personnel were all very polite and happy to serve.

Personnel were all very polite and happy to serve. Service was timely and ...

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Marie Rossiter

Jan 2023

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The staff is most efficient and kind.

The staff is most efficient and kind.

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Leslie Gleiser

Jan 2023

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The service on the Tosca was OUTSTANDING.

The service on the Tosca was OUTSTANDING. The crew was very attentive, concerned always that we had what we needed and wanted. They could not be more helpful! It was...

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Tour Operator

Uniworld

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Award-winning Uniworld—the world's ONLY authentic boutique cruise line™—offers itineraries in spectacular destinations throughout Europe, Russia, and Asia. The company’s European fleet features luxurious ships with an average capacity of 130 guests, the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry, enticing shore excursions, world-class gourmet cuisine, impeccable hospitality, and numerous other all-inclusive benefits.

In 2004, Uniworld was acquired by The Travel Corporation (TTC), a highly successful international travel group founded by Stanley Tollman. TTC has more than 30 top brands, including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, and Contiki, as well as Red Carnation Hotels, a renowned collection of four- and five-star luxury properties.

TTC has made major investments in Uniworld's ships, crew, and staff, with an eye towards providing guests with all the elements of an unforgettable Six-Star Experience: Expertise; Service; Luxurious Ships, Uniquely Designed; Culinary; Choice; and Truly All-Inclusive. Combining the tour planning and hotel management expertise of TTC’s sister companies with Uniworld’s decades of superior nautical experience has created an entirely new category of luxury river cruising.

In partnership with its sister company, Red Carnation Hotels, Uniworld takes pride in its long-lasting relationships with guests, for whom there is “No request too large, no detail too small.” Uniworld employs a professionally trained, dedicated, English-speaking staff, so guests never have to worry about communication.

Why we love this operator
They have the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry and a reputation for excellent service.
What they’re known for
Posh all-inclusive river cruises with fascinating shore excursions in destinations across Europe and Asia.

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Logistics

Ship & cabin information
River Countess
River Countess
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Trip ID
Uniworld-227

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