S.S. La Venezia, 12 Night Cruise & Rail: A Taste of Italy & Venice ex Taormina, Sicily to Venice, Italy

Sicily & Venice, Cruise & Rail—two perfect pairings that epitomize the coastal charm and relaxed luxury that Italy does so well. After a five-star hotel stay, board the Golden Eagle Danube Express to explore Italy’s southernmost region. Bask in the sun-drenched terraces of Taormina, listen to the music swell during a concert at Palermo’s famed Teatro Massimo, and learn to make pizza with an expert. Head north to join the S.S. La Venezia for a blissful cruise of the Venetian Lagoon, during which you’ll enjoy private visits to the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, savor the fantastic wine and cuisine of the Veneto, and explore the charming towns and islands that neighbor Venice.

Day 1 – Taormina
Arrive at the Catania-Fontanarossa Airport in Sicily, where you will be greeted and transferred to the Grand Hotel Timeo (or similar) for a one-night-stay. A Belmond property, the Grand Hotel Timeo invites you to soak in the classic, easygoing glamor Sicily is known for.
This evening, join your fellow guests for a five-star Welcome Dinner complete with a champagne toast to honor the start of an incredible journey together.

Day 2 – Taormina, Transfer to Train (Embark), Ragusa
After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Golden Eagle Danube Express.
Settle into your cabin and watch the dreamy Sicilian landscapes pass by outside your window as the train winds its way to Ragusa, a hilltop town bursting with Baroque charm. With its honey-hued churches and grey-stone houses tumbling down the hillside, it’s a photographer’s dream. Later, enjoy a fun cooking demonstration, where we’ll get hands-on with regional flavors and learn the secrets of traditional Sicilian cuisine.

Day 3 – Palermo
Wake up to a gourmet breakfast in the elegant dining car of the Golden Eagle Danube Express, following a rare overnight train crossing of the Strait of Messina—a unique and memorable moment of the journey. Framed by the panoramic windows, rugged hills and olive groves offer a spectacular welcome to the day.
Today, we stop in the lively Sicilian capital, Palermo. A gentle walking tour through its vibrant old town reveals a captivating blend of architectural styles. We conclude with an aperitif and concert at the grand Teatro Massimo, Italy’s largest opera house.
This afternoon, choose to delve deeper into Palermo at your own pace: visit Corleone to explore its Anti-Mafia Museum and enjoy breathtaking mountain views, or head to Monreale to admire the golden mosaics of its world-famous Norman Cathedral.

Day 4 – Maratea
Arrive in the charming coastal town of Maratea, often referred to as the “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian,” set dramatically between the mountains and the sea. This morning, ascend to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, where sweeping panoramic views stretch across the Tyrrhenian coastline, offering one of southern Italy’s most breathtaking vistas.
Later, continue to the elegant Santavenere Hotel, beautifully positioned above the sea. Here, enjoy a relaxed and immersive pizza-making class, led by expert chefs who will introduce you to the art of traditional Italian pizza—from preparing the dough to selecting authentic local ingredients. The experience concludes with the pleasure of enjoying your freshly made pizza in refined coastal surroundings, combining regional flavor with effortless Italian hospitality.

Day 5 – Verona, Venice (Disembark)
This morning, we arrive in the elegant city of Verona. Immortalized as the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Verona reveals a rich tapestry of Roman, medieval, and Renaissance heritage during an informative guided walking tour. Highlights include the magnificent first-century Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Bra, one of the best-preserved in the world, alongside the city’s historic squares and atmospheric streets.
Later this afternoon, we continue onward to Venice, where we arrive in time for a one-night hotel stay in the heart of this extraordinary city, allowing time to relax and soak up the unique ambience of the canals and palazzi ahead of our final day.
In the evening, join your fellow guests for a celebratory dinner to mark the end of the first chapter of your journey. Tomorrow, the next chapter begins: an all-inclusive stay aboard the beautiful S.S. La Venezia.

Day 6 – Venice, Transfer to the Ship (Embark)
Following breakfast in the hotel, you will be transferred to the S.S. La Venezia to board your cruise of the Venetian Lagoon. With the rest of your day at leisure, why not take some time to explore the city at your own pace, get lost among the winding canals, or people-watch at one of Venice’s many charming wine bars.

Day 7 – 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 8 – 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 9 – 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 10 – 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 11 – 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 12 – 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 13 – Venice (Disembark)
Disembark the ship. If you have arranged a Uniworld departure transfer, you will be transferred to Venice Marco Polo International Airport for your flight home.

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