Join the Italian chef on a luxury cruise around Venice’s islands and lagoons, with exclusive access to its most famous landmarks

Join this memorable eight-day cruise through the Venetian Lagoon on the luxurious SS La Venezia, a boutique ship with ornate décor, as you discover Venice's historical and architectural treasures.

Look forward to exclusive access to iconic landmarks, including an atmospheric lighting ceremony at St Mark's Basilica, the church on Torcello with an art historian and early morning entry to Doge's Palace.

You'll be joined by top Italian chef Gennaro Contaldo, who'll host a talk, Q&A, and cooking demonstration, and join you on a visit to Rialto's famous market, where he'll talk you through some of the wonderful Italian produce on offer.

Other excursions include a walking tour to learn more about the history of Venice, cycling along the beaches of Chioggia, and seeing the vibrant facades and peaceful canals of Burano, Mazzorbo, and Torcello.

You'll be sailing on board the luxurious SS La Venezia, a floating boutique hotel adorned with elegant Venetian-style furnishings, where all meals and drinks will be included.

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Tour Highlights

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You'll be joined by

Gennaro Contaldo
Chef
Born in Minori on the Amalfi Coast, Gennaro is widely known as one of the UK’s most loved chefs and the Italian legend who taught Jamie Oliver all he knows about Italian cooking. Gennaro’s credits include the fabulous series ‘Jamie Cooks Italy’ for C4, two series of ‘Two Greedy Italians’ for BBC2 plus he has a channel on Jamie Oliver’s Food Tube called ‘Gennaro’ as well as his own YouTube channel. Gennaro also regularly appears as the Italian food expert and as a top chef on ‘Saturday Kitchen’.

Price includes

  • Seven-night cruise in a Riverview Stateroom on board SS La Venezia
  • All meals on board prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
  • Captain's welcome and farewell receptions and gala dinners
  • Unlimited beverages on board, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks, and mineral water
  • Six days of excursions, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
  • Use of State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system and Nordic walking sticks on excursions
  • Cultural enrichment, including captivating on board local entertainment
  • Talk, Q&A, on board cookery demonstration and visit to Rialto market in the company of chef Gennaro Contaldo
  • Gratuities for on board staff included
  • Services of a Cruise Manager
  • Group transfers

Availability

From
Sun, Sun, May 3, 2026
To
Sun, Sun, May 10, 2026
Duration
8 Days
Price per person
£2,699*

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a classic stateroom, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement applies. Deposit 20%. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Uniworld River Cruises Limited.

Call now to book 03300 296 562
Quote ref: UWVENICEGENNARO
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Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    Arrive in Venice
    Venice, Italy

    Fly from London to Venice. Upon arrival, transfer to the ship. Unpack, relax and enjoy your first evening on the Venetian Lagoon.

    Meals - Dinner
  2. Day
    2
    Venice
    Venice, Italy

    Today starts with an early morning visit to Doge's Palace to explore this usually busy site in peace. You'll enter through a side door, which is usually reserved for dignitaries and VIPs. You'll then embark on a walking tour of Venice, strolling through the historic Castello district - the largest of Venice's six districts. Later this evening, enjoy a private once-in-a-lifetime experience at an after-hours lighting ceremony inside St. Mark's Basilica without the crowds.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day
    3
    Venice, Mazzorbo, Burano
    Burano, Italy

    This morning, choose between two excursions. You could set out for Vicenza, a town famous for its shopping, architecture and the Teatro Olimpico. At the Italian Renaissance theatre, you'll enjoy a captivating light and music show. Alternatively, join your local guide on a walking tour of medieval Padua as you discover the city's squares, churches and palaces. You'll have some free time too explore Padua on your own.

    This afternoon, 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. 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.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day
    4
    Torcello, Mazzorbo, Burano and Murano
    Murano, Italy

    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. The doors open early, so you can see the stunning 11th-century mosaic of the Last Judgment without the crowds. Before you head back to the ship, relax with a cup of coffee at a serene little Osteria on the island.

    This afternoon, see the renowned glassblowing artisans of Murano at work. Watch a glass-master shape beautiful works of art in their Murano workshop. Before you leave, take some time to roam around the factory's gallery to view works in a wide variety of styles.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day
    5
    Chioggia
    Chioggia, Italy

    Today, you'll admire the greatest sites of charming and coastal Chioggia - with plenty of excursions to choose from.

    You could board a genuine Adriatic wooden sailing boat, a bragozzo, to take in the island from the clear blue waters of the lagoon, before visiting Tenuta Ca' Zen, a beautiful Venetian villa, to explore the extensive grounds and taste local produce like organic olive oil, wines, honey and cheeses. Or, cycle along the beaches of Chioggia to Lusenzo Lagoon and Isola dell'Unione. You could visit Chioggia market, where locals often do their shopping. Alternatively, visit Dominio di Bagnoli, one of the oldest wine producing properties in Europe, for a private tasting. Or visit the historic Palazzo Goldoni and enjoy a relaxing cup of tea on the terrace while a local string musician enchants you with their music.

    Later this afternoon, back on board, enjoy a talk and Q&A with chef Gennaro Contaldo.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day
    6
    Chioggia, Venice
    Venice, Italy

    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, sail back to Venice. This afternoon on board, enjoy a cooking demonstration with Gennaro.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  7. Day
    7
    Venice
    Venice, Italy

    As your water taxi glides past narrow side canals and the Grand Canal, you'll arrive in style at the Rialto Bridge. The iconic stone arch bridge sits at the narrowest point of the Canal. This morning, we enjoy a visit to Rialto Market with Gennaro, as he explains to us some of the wonderful Italian produce on offer.

    This afternoon, choose between a number of excursions. Join a walking tour of Venice's colourful arcades. . Here you'll find violet artichokes from the nearby island of Sant'Erasmo, honey from the salt marshes and white asparagus from Giare. After some free time to explore, or perhaps enjoy a gondola ride, join your guide at a bacaro (casual wine bar) for the Venetian version of happy hour, 'ombra e cicchetti'. Or, see for yourself how the Venetian Carnival masks are created at one of the top handmade mask ateliers in town.

    This evening, a special Captain's Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day
    8
    Depart Venice
    Venice, Italy

    After breakfast this morning, disembark the ship. Transfer to Venice Marco Polo International Airport for your flight home.

    Meals - Breakfast

Accommodation

SS La Venezia

0
Cruise ship

Glamorous Uniworld ship sailing the Po and Venice Lagoon

Paying homage to classic Venetian style, the S.S La Venezia is no ordinary cruise ship. This elegant vessel was renovated in 2020, bringing a new level of luxury and decadence to river sailing. With nods to its locale, the ship features Murano glass and splendid gilding that add to a sparkling onboard atmosphere. All the staterooms are river-facing with marble bathrooms and luxury amenities.

Brought to you by

TS Tours as agent for Uniworld
This tour is operated solely by TS Tours
TS Tours is acting as agent for Uniworld. TS Tours Ltd specialises in creating bespoke tours, cruises and rail journeys in the company of experts. Its exclusive trips combine unique experiences as well as access to inspirational people. All trips are ATOL protected and financially bonded.

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Availability

From
Sun, Sun, May 3, 2026
To
Sun, Sun, May 10, 2026
Duration
8 Days
Price per person
£2,699*

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a classic stateroom, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement applies. Deposit 20%. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Uniworld River Cruises Limited.

Call now to book 03300 296 562
Quote ref: UWVENICEGENNARO