Paul W. & Kim's Dream Vacation - Discover Northern Italy Aboard Uniworld's River Countess
Each day my listeners hear me say: “Make each and every day count! Each day is a gift!” Now I can add to that, “La Dolce Vita!” It means, “The sweet life, full of pleasure and indulgence.” And let me tell you, our 2018 Dream Vacation is packed with La Dolce Vita! Great food & wine, iconic sites, an unbelievable river cruise line and most importantly, a fantastic group of fellow WJR listeners. What could be better?
It’s Paul W. & Kim’s DREAM VACATION
Discover Northern Italy in Style Aboard the #1 River Cruise Line in the World, Uniworld. Plus Two Nights in Florence to see Florence, Pisa and Tuscany!
On May 17, 2018 we’ll jet from Detroit to Florence for two nights to discover the magic of Tuscany. Our tour of Florence and Pisa will feature two of the most iconic sites on the planet, Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. A private lunch in a vineyard with wine tasting and tour en route to Venice completes our time in Tuscany. How’s that for La Dolce Vita? But we’re just getting warmed up.
In Venice, we’ll board our luxury river cruiser for seven spectacular nights on the River Countess. Let me tell you, I can not wait to cruise with Uniworld. Heralded by Travel + Leisure as the #1 River Cruise Line in the World, Uniworld is indeed a world class cruise line…it epitomizes true luxury. Worried about your bill adding up onboard? All of your dining, beverages, gratuities and select shore excursions are included. And with just 130 passengers aboard, the service is impeccable. Together we’ll sail the Venetian Lagoon and Po River to uncover the hidden treasures of Northern Italy including Venice and it’s surrounding islands in depth! This vacation is for romantics, lovers of fine art and architecture, connoisseurs of exquisite food and wine. La Dolce Vita baby!
Paul W. SmithPer Person Double Occupancy
From $5999
Single Supplement Available
May 17-27, 2018
11 Days / 10 Nights
Itinerary
Depart USA
Florence, Italy
Your Dream Vacation begins with two nights in one of the worlds most important cities, Florence. As the cradle of the Renaissance, Florence possesses world-class art and architecture from some of the most influential artists in history. Your tour of Florence takes you to highlights including Florence Cathedral and the Accademia Gallery, built to house perhaps the most recognized Renaissance masterpiece, Michelangelo’s David. In Pisa explore an architecture project gone terribly wrong. Leaning more than 15 feet off center, the Tower of Pisa is a true sight to behold. Your time in Tuscany is made complete en route to Venice with a stop at a vineyard for a private lunch, tour and wine tasting.
Florence, Italy
Florence to Venice
Venice, Italy
Built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, Venice has no roads, just canals. You’ll have the chance to discover Venice in-depth with two full days in the city. Wind through Venice’s labyrinthine back lanes as you get an up- close view of the city’s residential heart as well as such legendary locations as the Doge’s Palace and the Rialto Bridge. Get a feel for daily life in Venice with a guided stroll through the bustling Rialto Market, or tour the renowned Accademia Gallery with an art historian. And cap off your time in Venice with an exclusive once-in-a-lifetime experience at an after-hours lighting ceremony inside St. Mark’s Basilica without the crowds.
Venice, Italy
Chioggia, Italy
Admire magnificent views of Venice and the Grand Canal as your ship departs the “Floating City” and cruises the lagoon to Chioggia. Here you’ll have two full days to explore this charming fishing village, often referred to as “Little Venice”. On day one, choose between a walking discovery tour, or for a more active day, bike along Chioggia’s scenic beachfront along the Adriatic Sea. On day two, stroll through the town’s bustling fish market with a guide. Or head via small boat to a casone (fisherman’s hut on stilts in the middle of the lagoon) to experience how local fisherman harvest mussels.
Polesella, Italy (Bologna or Ferrara)
Bologna is a food lover’s paradise with unmatched specialty food stores and halls featuring locally made mortadella, handmade tortellini, luscious balsamic vinegar from nearby Modena, ham from Parma and great rounds of Parmesan cheese. Participate in a pasta-making workshop and then enjoy lunch at one of Bologna’s most celebrated restaurants. For lovers of art, spend a half day in Ferrara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a hidden Renaissance treasure, with a long history of art founded on the sponsorship of the noble Renaissance family of d’Este.
Taglio di Po, Chioggia
Venice Islands (Burano, Mazzorbo and Torcello)
Spend the day exploring the Venice Lagoon and three of its entrancing islands. Stroll through Burano with its rainbow of colorful homes, and visit a lace-making atelier. While on Mazzorbo, be treated to a very special wine tasting from a salt-water-tolerant heirloom grape, Dorona, which has been planted here to yield a luscious golden wine. Before heading back to Venice, visit Torcello, home to spectacular Byzantine mosaics depicting the Last Judgment in the seventh-century Cathedral of Santa Maria Dell’Assunta.
Return Home
Venice to USA
Inclusions
Included
- International airfare
- Two-night pre-cruise package including 5-star accommodations in Florence and breakfast daily
- Seven nights aboard the award-winning luxury river cruise line, Uniworld - River Countess
- All dining aboard and unlimited beverages
- Gratuities aboard
- Complimentary Wi-FI aboard
- Ground transportation and luggage handling
- All tours as described in itinerary
- Complete services of Cruise & Tour
WJR Dream Vacation Exclusives:
- Florence Welcome Reception
- Florence & Pisa Tour
- Private Vineyard Lunch, Tasting & Tour
- Q&A with Paul W. Smith
- WJR Welcome Event
- WJR Cocktail Party
- Photo & Autograph Opportunities
- WJR Travel Club Gifts
- WJR Hospitality Desk
Not Included
- Taxes & fees of $339 (subject to change regardless of payment status)
- Travel insurance
- Baggage fees
- Meals not described in itinerary
- Items of a personal nature (laundry, phone, etc.)
Testimonials
Rates
| Category | Size | WJR Travel Club Price (Per Person Double Occupancy) |
|---|---|---|
| Category 5 | 151 sq. ft. | $5999 |
| Category 4 | 151 sq. ft. | $6249 |
| Category 3 | 151 sq. ft. | $6799 |
| Category 2 | 151 sq. ft. | $6999 |
| Category 1 with French Balcony | 151 sq. ft. | $7599 |
| Suite with French Balcony | 214 sq. ft. | $8499 |
| Taxes & Fees (Per Person) | $339 |
Single Supplement Available Upon Request
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENT: A $1000 per person deposit is required with your reservation. A second deposit in the amount of $1500 per person is due 180 prior to departure (11/18/17). Your balance is due 130 days prior to departure (1/5/2018). Your first and second deposit payments can be made by credit card, check or cash. Please be advised: FINAL PAYMENT IS PAYABLE BY CHECK OR CASH ONLY.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS: Your initial 10% deposit is refundable through 11/18/17 (180 days prior to departure) less a $500 per person cancellation fee. 179 – 130 days prior to departure, the cancellation charge is 50% of deposits paid; less than 130 days prior to departure or non-appearance on departure day, 100% of the cost of your travel arrangements is forfeited. This policy supersedes any other published cancellation and refund policy. Cancellation must be made in writing to Cruise & Tour. It is understood and agreed that in the event of cancellation, Cruise & Tour reserves the right to process refunds by check payment or with multiple transactions. If flights are purchased other than the designated group flights, separate airline penalties may apply. If any other arrangements outside of the group package have been made, penalties may apply and are not the responsibility of Cruise & Tour. We strongly encourage the purchase of travel insurance to protect the investment in your vacation and to help in dealing with the unexpected emergencies.
Extensions
How to Book
- Call Cruise & Tour at (800) 383-3131 or REQUEST A CALL
- Ask to have a place held on this trip
- You will receive an email with a link to our online registration form
Fill it out and you’re in!
It’s that easy. Give us a call today!
Travel Insurance Information
Worldwide Trip Protector
Cruise & Tour recommends that you purchase travel insurance.
To purchase travel protection insurance:
- Click here to view and print the Travel Insured International brochure which has a brief summary of coverage.
- After making your travel reservation and deposit, a Cruise & Tour representative will create an insurance quote for you. You will receive that travel insurance quote from Travel Insured International Customer Care.
- From here you will be able to view the quote, add additional coverage options such as Cancel for Any Reason, and purchase your policy all in the Travel Insured International Portal.
Please Note: Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion will be waived if you purchase the protection plan within 21 days of the date of your initial trip payment. Options such as Cancel for Any Reason or Interrupt for Any Reason must also be purchased within 21 days of the date of your initial trip payment.
To view and print the Explanation of Benefits, click here.
Cancellation/Interruption
Passport Information
SPECIAL NOTE: Travel outside of the U.S. requires a passport with an expiration date six months or more beyond your return date. If you have a valid passport, please include a copy of the picture page with your completed reservation form. See below for more information on passport application or renewal. The name on your reservation must match the first and last name on your passport. Non-U.S. citizens must consult the appropriate consulates to determine if any visas are needed and are responsible for obtaining all visas and entry documents.