S.S. La Venezia, 19 Night Cruise & Rail: Slovenia, Venice, Istanbul & the Balkans ex Ljubljana, Slovenia to Istanbul, Turkey

Begin with a stay in Ljubljana, Slovenia, an underrated beauty just waiting to be discovered by the masses. Take in the quiet charisma of the city and the stunning nature of Lake Bled before joining our one-of-a-kind cruise of the Venetian Lagoon. In Italy, your Floating Boutique Hotel (TM) will whisk you away to colorful Burano, romantic Venice, and charming Chioggia. Then set off on a private train journey to Istanbul, during which you’ll sleep on the luxury Golden Eagle Danube Express with ever-changing views at your window—the perfect addition to a river cruise. Along the way, visit Alpine lake towns, the awe-inspiring Postojna Caves, historic cities across Eastern Europe, and more.

Day 1 – Ljubljana
Arrive at Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport. If you have arranged a Uniworld arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the InterContinental Ljubljana.

Day 2 – Ljubljana
In the pedestrian city center of Ljubljana, a little capital city with outsized charm, you’ll find a postcard in the making everywhere your eyes turn. Pastel buildings, attractive architecture—and no cars or throngs of tourists getting in the way of it all.

Day 3 – Ljubljana (Lake Bled)
A popular day trip destination from Ljubljana, Lake Bled offers a beautiful natural landscape with unique character. Surrounded by forest-covered mountains—upon which the imposing Bled Castle is perched—the expansive, strikingly blue lake feels preserved from the outside world. Sitting in the center of the lake is its iconic island, barely large enough for the little church whose tower pokes out from amongst its greenery.

Day 4 – Ljubljana (Karst), Transfer to Venice (Embark)
En route to Venice today, stop in Slovenia’s Karst region for an introduction to a delicious regional product.
* This evening you’ll arrive in Venice and embark. Unpack, relax, and enjoy your first evening on the Venetian Lagoon. A compulsory safety drill and briefing, along with the welcome briefing, will be organized shortly before dinner, but this will be a quick and easy part of your journey.

Day 5 – Venice
With your early morning arrival at Doge’s Palace, you’ll be able to marvel at the estate in total peace. Wander through a Venetian neighborhood and experience daily life in an authentic Venetian residential quarter. Later in the evening, cap the day off with a private once-in-a-lifetime experience at an after-hours lighting ceremony inside St. Mark’s Basilica without the crowds.

Day 6 – Venice (Padua), Mazzorbo (Burano)
Start your morning in one of two of the Veneto region’s UNESCO World Heritage cities, Vicenza or Padua. In the afternoon, you’ll reboard the ship for scenic sailing across the lagoon as we head towards Mazzorbo and Burano. In the evening, you may wish to take your free time to stroll into town to appreciate this charming island when most of the tourists have left for the evening. Burano’s brightly painted fishermen’s cottages are an artist’s dream —hot pink, chartreuse, orange, lemon yellow, and more.
* A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

Day 7 – Mazzorbo, Burano, Chioggia
Spend the day exploring the northern lagoon of Venice and its captivating islands. Start with a visit to Torcello’s famous basilica with an art historian, then stroll through the agricultural island of Mazzorbo and the rainbow-hued island of Burano during your free time after lunch. Alternatively, you can take the afternoon to see the renowned glassblowing artisans of Murano at work.

Day 8 – Chioggia
Today, you’ll admire the greatest sites of charming and coastal Chioggia, including a stop at the local and lively market.
* IMPORTANT: We are obliged to comply with Italian Maritime Authorities who require that only crew may be on the ship during the Adriatic Sea passage. Therefore, our guests must disembark the ship and partake in the featured excursions. We thank you for your cooperation.
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Day 9 – Chioggia, Venice
This morning, join a sailing excursion where you’ll explore the Po Delta where the Po River and the Adriatic Sea meet. Later, during lunch, we sail back to Venice.

Day 10 – Venice
As your water taxi glides past narrow side canals and the Canal Grande, you’ll arrive in style at the Rialto Bridge. The iconic stone arch bridge sits at the narrowest point of the Canal Grande and holds numerous shops and restaurants.
* A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

Day 11 – Venice (Disembark), Transfer to Train (Embark), Trieste, Postojna
Disembark the ship and join the Golden Eagle Danube Express at Venice Santa Lucia Station. As you settle into your cabins, the train will thread its way out of the station and onto the causeway across the lagoon that links Venice to the mainland. Your first stop is the ancient port of Trieste for a tour of the city.
This evening, we experience the truly jaw-dropping Postojna Caves. Travel deep underground aboard a cave train before exploring a remarkable network of vast chambers, dramatic stalactite and stalagmite formations, and the mysterious subterranean wildlife that inhabits this extraordinary natural wonder.

Day 12 – Pula, Rijeka
Begin the morning with a guided tour of Pula, exploring its historic center and the impressive Roman Arena, where a spectacular gladiator performance brings the city’s ancient past vividly to life.
Continue inland to the Kumparička Estate for a visit and leisurely lunch, enjoying a tasting of authentic Istrian flavors in a beautiful rural setting.
In the afternoon, travel to Rijeka for a guided walk through the city center, including time along the lively Korzo promenade, before rejoining the train to continue your journey.

Day 13 – Sarajevo
Early in the morning, you’ll arrive in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, which has an intriguing blend of Eastern and Western culture. It has mosques and minarets, an ancient bazaar, and an atmospheric old Turkish quarter. Discover the city’s poignant history through a truly absorbing tour detailing the horrors of the Balkan War. Sarajevo suffered from the longest siege of a capital city in the history of modern warfare.
Following lunch at a local restaurant, you can customize your day by selecting one of the following excursion options:
Ascend by cable car to Mount Trebević, once a 1984 Olympic venue, where breathtaking panoramic views unfold across the city and surrounding mountains.
Alternatively, visit the Tunnel of Hope, a profoundly moving site that tells the story of Sarajevo’s endurance and spirit during the siege of the 1990s, offering a powerful and reflective counterpoint to the city’s beauty above ground.

Day 14 – Mostar
We continue to the historic city of Mostar, a true crossroads of cultures and faiths. Once one of the most important cities of the Ottoman Empire, Mostar is renowned for its striking stone arch bridge, gracefully spanning the Neretva River and symbolically linking the Christian and Muslim quarters of the town. Destroyed during the conflict of the 1990s, the bridge was meticulously rebuilt and reopened in the summer of 2004, standing today as a powerful emblem of reconciliation and continuity.
Enjoy a guided walking tour through the old town, including a visit to a traditional Turkish House and a local mosque, offering insight into Ottoman life and architecture. Wander through the narrow bazaar streets to browse for traditional handicrafts and local souvenirs. Lunch is enjoyed at a restaurant overlooking the iconic bridge, before following the emerald waters of the Neretva River to the ancient Ottoman fortified town of Počitelj, dramatically set against the hillside and steeped in history.

Day 15 – Belgrade
Nestled at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, Belgrade, capital of Serbia, is one of oldest and most fascinating cities in Europe. As a mark of its turbulent past it, the modern landscape of Belgrade is one of sharp contrasts: from Communist-era buildings to Orthodox churches, and from old Celtic fortresses to the ruins left by the Balkans wars.
Here, we disembark the train for an overnight stay at the historic Hotel Bristol, an elegant landmark reflecting the city’s grand past. Beginning with a guided tour of the Old Town and the commanding Kalemegdan Fortress, where sweeping panoramic views unfold at the dramatic confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers.
Following the tour, enjoy a curated wine tasting featuring local Serbian wines, accompanied by regional snacks that showcase the country’s emerging wine culture. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Church of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, renowned for its vast scale, luminous interiors, and spiritual significance.

Day 16 – Belgrade
Today we explore Tito’s Belgrade, gaining insight into the life and legacy of one of the most influential figures in Yugoslav history. Visit Tito’s museum complex, including his former residence and the museum itself, where you will be welcomed with the traditional Serbian offering of bread and salt.
The visit is complemented by a lively Serbian folk-dance performance, bringing local culture and tradition vividly to life and offering a memorable perspective on Belgrade’s 20th-century heritage. Following the visit, we rejoin the train and continue our journey southeast towards Sofia, crossing the scenic landscapes of Serbia as we make our way into Bulgaria.

Day 17 – Sofia, Plovdiv
After breakfast, your train arrives in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital at the foot of Mt Vitosha. On your morning tour, you will visit sections of the Roman wall and admire the ancient church of St George, the golden-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and the Turkish Bashi Mosque.
Enjoy lunch on the train as you travel from Sofia to Plovdiv. The second largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia, ‘The City of Seven Hills’ is one of the oldest cities in Europe with more than 200 known archaeological sites. You’ll visit the charming Old Town, including its medieval walls and Ottoman baths. Enjoy the final night’s dinner onboard this evening as you head for Turkey.

Day 18 – Istanbul (Disembark)
We arrive in Istanbul—the legendary city that straddles two continents—where your luggage is transferred directly to the Four Seasons Hotel, perfectly positioned to maximize your enjoyment of the city’s vibrant energy and historic grandeur. As the final stop on our journey, Istanbul provides a captivating finale, where ancient heritage blends effortlessly with contemporary life.
Begin with a gentle walk through the historic streets on your way to the atmospheric Spice Market, where a guided visit will take you through the rich aromas and vivid displays of this centuries-old bazaar, whetting the appetite for a traditional Turkish lunch.
After lunch, embark on a scenic cruise along the legendary Bosphorus, where Istanbul’s dramatic skyline unfolds in a sweeping panorama of domes, minarets, and waterfront palaces, offering a unique perspective on the meeting point of Europe and Asia.
Later, check in at the hotel and enjoy time at leisure to relax or explore as you wish until it is time to rejoin the group for dinner. In the evening, descend into the atmospheric depths of Istanbul’s ancient cisterns. Visit one of these remarkable underground structures before enjoying dinner, concluding the day with a truly memorable and evocative experience.

Day 19 – Istanbul
This morning tailor your final explorations of Istanbul with one of two excursions. You may choose to visit the opulent Topkapi Palace, former residence of the Ottoman sultans, exploring its magnificent courtyards, harem, and treasury, each revealing centuries of imperial history. Alternatively, enjoy a guided tour of the Grand Bazaar, including the exhilarating opportunity to follow in James Bond’s footsteps with a walk along the rooftop of this vast and historic marketplace.
After lunch, we visit one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia. Built in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian, it was once among the grandest basilicas of the Christian world. Following the Ottoman conquest, it was transformed into a mosque, and today it stands as one of the most magnificent Grand Mosques in the world—a powerful and enduring symbol of Istanbul’s layered history and architectural brilliance.
This evening, conclude your journey with a Farewell Dinner at the hotel, an elegant and intimate celebration of the remarkable experiences shared across Europe and the Balkans, and a fitting finale to an unforgettable journey.

Day 20 – Istanbul
If you have arranged a Uniworld departure transfer, you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport for your departure.

The River Countess underwent a complete design renovation in 2020, debuting as the S.S. La Venezia to bring guests an enhanced luxury experience inspired by Northern Italy. The redesign of the ship drew influence from the fine Fortuny fabrics displayed prominently onboard. Murano glass, gilded accents, and artistic etched elements pay homage to popular Venetian aesthetics of the early 20th century, creating an onboard atmosphere that is at once elegant and nostalgic.

Leading the Way since 1976 We were the first American company to set sail in Europe, and we’ve been revolutionizing the landscape of river cruising ever since. With more experience than practically any other line on the rivers, we spent our time developing deep local connections, destination expertise, and the most incredible crew in the industry. Over the years we’ve grown to offer unparalleled itineraries on the rivers of Europe, Egypt, India, Southeast Asia, and the Peruvian Amazon.

The Original Floating Boutique Hotels We took everything travellers love about boutique hotels and made it float—think warm and personalized service, unique design schemes that highlight your destination, locally-inspired dining, thoughtfully curated activities, and ultra-comfortable furnishings. Each member of our fleet is one-of-a-kind, a work of art with its own bespoke details, custom fabrics, and local craftsmanship to bring the destinations outside in. Many of our ships even share a design team with the award-winning Red Carnation Hotel Collection. And the best part is, you’ll wake up to a wonderful new place to explore every day.

The Highest Quality in All-Inclusive Luxury River Cruising Our all-inclusive itineraries are tailored to deliver authentic luxury. You can keep your wallet closed the entire trip, and still find everything you need and more to have a fantastic time. What truly distinguishes the meaning of “All-Inclusive” at Uniworld is our commitment to quality and passion for Tiny Noticeable Touches™. Handmade Savoir beds, a wide selection of premium wines and spirits, and delicious cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients—every piece of the Uniworld experience is hand selected to transform good experiences into exceptional ones.*

No Request Too Large, No Detail Too Small® “No request too large, no detail too small”—that’s our driving ethos, and every member of the Uniworld crew lives by it. Our service is second to none. With a 2.4-to-1 crew-to-guest ratio and the longest tenured team in the business, our team starts to learn your name and your drink order from day 1. It’s little touches like this that make you feel like family onboard with us, and what makes returning for your next sailing feel like coming home.

Our Travel Family We’re proud to be a part of The Travel Corporation (TTC) collection of award-winning travel brands—including Trafalgar Tours, Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Contiki, and African Travel. We share a collective ethos: treat your guests, your staff, and the local communities you visit like family, and you’ll create the most rewarding travel experiences out there.

*Note: Inclusions may vary in Egypt, Asia, and Peru.

Select the Deck to view detail.

S.S. La Venezia - Torcello Deck

S.S. La Venezia - Burano Deck

S.S. La Venezia - Lido di Venezia Deck

S.S. La Venezia - Murano Deck

S.S. La Venezia - Mazzorbo Deck

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Classic

Luxurious riverview stateroom (151 sq ft – 14 sq m)


Handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, built-in closet, hair dryer, safe, individual thermostat, and flat-screen TV with infotainment center


Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, comfortable bathrobes and slippers, heated mirror, and backlit magnifying mirror


Note: windows in these staterooms are situated at the water line; additional details on the cabin are available on request

Deluxe

Luxurious riverview stateroom (151 sq ft – 14 sq m)
Handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, built-in closet, hair dryer, safe, individual thermostat, and flat-screen TV with infotainment center
Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, comfortable bathrobes and slippers, heated mirror, and backlit magnifying mirror

French Balcony

Luxurious riverview stateroom (151 sq ft – 14 sq m) with a French balcony
Handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, closet, hair dryer, safe, individual thermostat, and flat-screen TV with infotainment center
Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, comfortable bathrobes and slippers, heated mirror, and backlit magnifying mirror

Suite

Luxurious riverview suite (214 sq ft – 20 sq m) with a French balcony
Handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, closet, hair dryer, safe, individual thermostat, and flat-screen TV with infotainment center
Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmers, comfortable bathrobes and slippers, heated mirror, and backlit magnifying mirror
Additional amenities and services, include: in-suite butler service; packing and unpacking assistance; in-room breakfast; daily fruit and cookie plate, and an elegant evening snack; Nespresso coffee machine and fine teas; fully stocked mini bar; bottle of wine upon arrival; shoe shine and free laundry service

Grand Suite

Lavishly appointed riverview grand suite (302 sq ft – 28 sq m) with a French balcony and a spacious living room
Handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, closet, hair dryer, safe, individual thermostat, and flat-screen TV with infotainment center
Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmers, comfortable bathrobes and slippers, separate bathtub, heated mirror, and backlit magnifying mirror
Additional amenities and service include: in-suite butler service; packing and unpacking assistance; in-room breakfast; daily fruit and cookie plate, and an elegant evening snack; Nespresso coffee machine and fine teas; fully stocked mini bar; bottle of wine upon arrival; shoe shine and free laundry service