Summary
Short description
Sail among the treasures of Northern Italy in style
Highlights
- Explore Venice – the Floating City – home to world-famous art & museums
- Discover the islands of the Venetian Lagoon
- Dive into Bologna's world-famous culinary scene
- Explore the region in depth with expert guides
- Enjoy all-inclusive, gourmet dining on board your luxury river ship
In Brief
- 2 Nights Venice
- 1 Night Chioggia
- 1 Night Polesella
- 1 Night Chioggia
- 1 Night Venetian Islands
- 1 Night Venice
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Escorted tour | Food & wine | History & culture | River cruise
Having undergone a full redesign in 2020, S.S. La Venezia offers unparalleled luxury as she sails among the gems of Northern Italy. Flying to Venice, you'll settle into your stateroom to experience the myriad delights of a region famed for its history, art and cuisine. Indeed, your programme includes tours to the likes of artists' favourite, Chioggia, as well as Bologna, Northern Italy's culinary epicentre. You'll also take in the charms of the Venetian Islands, stopping off in Burano, Mazzorbo and Torcello to enjoy everything from wine estate tours to traditional lace workshops.
This journeys is also available paired with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK to Venice
Enjoy included airport lounge access before flying to Venice to board S.S. La Venezia at San Basilio cruise pier. Recently renovated, this luxurious ship is inspired by Venetian culture, and features three dining venues, a spa, lounge and bar to help you make the most of your Italian sojourn. Settle into your luxurious stateroom or suite, and enjoy your first evening on the Venetian lagoon, perhaps heading to the upper duck to watch the sun set over the water.
Stay: S.S. La Venezia
Meals: D
Day
2
Venice
Today you'll disembark in Venice for two featured excursions to help you get to know the city. An expert guide will take you on a walking tour of the iconic sights and hidden treasures of its floating laneways, while back onboard the ship, you'll take a scenic cruise around the Venetian Lagoon. This evening, a private after-hours visit to Saint Mark's Basilica is a highlight – see the spectacular church in the evening light and without the crowds. And, before retiring to your room for the night, enjoy a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner.
Stay: S.S. La Venezia
Meals: B L D
Day
3
Chioggia
Today, you'll leave Venice and sail past the brightly-coloured fishermen’s houses of Pellestrina before you arrive into Chioggia, often referred to as “Little Venice,” right at the southern end of the lagoon. A local guide will show you the highlights of this charming fishing village, a favourite among artists, or you might prefer to hop aboard a little boat to harvest mussels with fishermen in the lagoon. For the more adventurous, take a bike ride along the beach followed by an authentic Italian mussel lunch. Back onboard, treat yourself to cocktails in the bar as the sun goes down.
Stay: S.S. La Venezia
Meals: B L D
Day
4
Polesella (Bologna or Ferrara)
Today you have a choice of cities to explore. Foodies will want to spend a day in Bologna, Northern Italy's culinary capital, learning how to make pasta – and eat it. Or, visit UNESCO-listed Ferrara, a beautifully preserved Renaissance city, where you'll enjoy a walk around the town with an expert guide. You'll see everything from the city's medieval walls to its Gothic cathedral before returning to the ship for lunch. Tonight, perhaps book a spa treatment to help you truly unwind.
Stay: S.S. La Venezia
Meals: B L D
Day
5
Porto Viro, Chioggia
Today, you'll return to the delightful town of Chioggia for a new perspective. This lively fishing port boasts one of Europe's biggest wholesale fish markets, which you'll tour today, along with Corso del Popolo – a busy outdoor market where traders sell everything from clothes and shoes to gadgets and souvenirs. You'll then cruise on to Burano, where a guided evening stroll will introduce you to the delights of this colourful island.
Stay: S.S. La Venezia
Meals: B L D
Day
6
Venice Islands (Burano, Mazzorbo, Torcello)
Today you'll have the opportunity to explore three of the many islands surrounding Venice. You'll start in Torcello, a once heavily-populated city now home to only a handful of locals. Here, you'll see the 11th-century mosaic of the Last Judgement via an early-access tour without the crowds. Next, you'll stop in Mazzorbo, where you'll immerse yourself in the fine art of Italian winemaking, touring an estate devoted to making wine with Dorona grapes, which tolerate the salt air to produce a rich golden wine. You'll then end the day back in Burano, where vibrant fishermen's houses line the water, and lace-making is a well-practised tradition handed down through family generations for 400 years. Before you leave, you'll call into a lace-making atelier to see some of this delicate work up close, and perhaps shop for souvenirs.
Stay: S.S. La Venezia
Meals: B L D
Day
7
Venice
Today you're back in Venice with a choice of fascinating tours. Take a “Do as the Locals Do” Venice walking tour, where your guide – often the ship's chef – will see you to the covered fish market and culinary hotspots. Perhaps enjoy a gondola ride before rejoining your guide at a bacaro for the Venetian version of happy hour – ombra e cicchetti. Sip prosecco and sample crostini with salt cod spread as you watch the world go by. Alternatively, join a Rialto walking tour and explore the sites made famous by renowned intellectual and part-time playboy, Casanova. Back onboard, celebrate your final night with a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner.
Stay: S.S. La Venezia
Meals: B L D
Day
8
Depart Venice
After breakfast, disembark the ship and take your included private transfer to the airport for your flight home to the UK.
Meals: B
Map
Pricing
Any element of this cruise can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Prices
8-day luxury river cruise from £1,995 pp incl. flights
Up to £750 off 2022 dates or save 10% off 2023 dates
Book by: 31 August 2022
Exclusive offer:
- Save up to £750 pp on selected 2022 departure dates - 31 July 2022, 2 & 31 October departures from £1,995 (limited availability)
- 10% off 2023 departures - prices from £2,245 pp
- No single supplement on selected departure dates - please call for details
Includes:
- Return scheduled flights from the UK to Venice
- Transfers from airport to ship and back to airport
- 7 nights aboard SS La Venezia
- Choice of daily excursions
- Delicious farm-to-table cuisine
- Unlimited beverages, including many premium spirits and wines
- Outstanding service with one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios of any cruise line
- Elegant and well-appointed riverview staterooms, with the finest linens, towels and Savoir® beds
- Onboard fitness centre, plus exercise and wellness classes
- Shipwide Internet and Wi-Fi access
- Onboard entertainment and enrichment
Departures most Sundays from April to October in 2022 & 2023. Price varies by departure date and stateroom availability.
Why not extend your stay in Italy before or after your cruise, or pair this journey with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Speak to our cruise specialists for details.
Terms & Conditions: Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
Meet our experts
Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0615
Meet the team