UNIWORLD

Newsletter

SPRING

ISSUE 2013

New for 2013 Experience La Dolce Vita in Italy

looking beyond to 2014 true all-inclusive river cruising™ in europe with uniworld

On the Move: River Countess arrives in Italy

Pay it Forward Pack for a purpose

past guest Spotlight: Barbara miller

in this issue SPRING 2013

03

Letter from the President

04

new for 2013

06

looking beyond to 2014

08

2013 exclusive excursions

10 11

Guy Young

Experience La Dolce Vita in Italy

Introducing True All-Inclusive River Cruising™ in Europe with Uniworld, New Super Ship and Destination

Not to Be Missed

experience portugal’s harvest Like the Portuguese

Uniworld helps you to pay it forward Pack for a Purpose

13

on the move:

14

past guest spotlight:

16

recipes:

23

River Countess Arrives in Italy

Barbara Miller

A Taste of Italy

uniworld cruise manager spotlight: Mirela Varga

pg. 2

Letter from the President

Dear Traveler, We appreciate your interest in Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. At Uniworld, we believe that any journey worth taking should be taken memorably. On a Uniworld cruise, you’ll enjoy front-row views of the world’s most spectacular sights as your five-star floating boutique hotel carries you from one extraordinary destination to the next.

This has been the start of a great year at Uniworld. We recently launched the Queen Isabel in the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Douro River Valley in Portugal. We introduced the new River Orchid along Vietnam and Cambodia’s Mekong River, and we have two new ships, the Century Legend and Century Paragon in China along the Yangtze. We have also introduced a new destination, Italy, with two amazing itineraries: 13-day “Splendors of Italy,” Venice to Rome; and 8-day “Venice & the Po River,” roundtrip Venice.

Italy is one of my all-time favorite destinations. On April 21, I embarked on the beautiful River Countess with my family to experience “Splendors of Italy.” I will share daily Facebook posts while there. I also invite you to read one of the many articles highlighting this amazing destination in this newsletter.

We have also included a number of other articles. We spotlighted a past guest, who I personally had the good fortune to spend time with on two Uniworld cruises. We have included an interview with one of our dedicated Cruise Managers, who always play such an important role in the success of any itinerary. You will also find more information about what we have planned for the 2013 season, as well as a preview of what is to come in 2014, including our new luxury true all-inclusive Uniworld boutique river cruises in Europe; our new Super Ship, S.S. Catherine; and our new destination and itinerary, “Bordeaux, Vineyards & Châteaux.”

In my role as Uniworld’s President and CEO, I have had the good fortune to experience many wonderful destinations. Last June, I had the opportunity to travel to Vietnam and Cambodia with our sales team for our National Sales Meeting. This was an especially moving experience for all of us, as we really got an up-close view of these two very different countries, joined by one amazing river. We went to lively cities, including Vietnam’s Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and Cambodia’s Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and then stepped back in time when we boarded the River Saigon, discovering the peaceful rhythms of rural life that still endure along the mystical Mekong—gateway to floating villages and quaint riverside towns where people still toil the life-sustaining river as they have for centuries. We visited two must-see UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ha Long Bay and the grand temple complex of Angkor Wat. In a trip filled with so many splendid highlights, the people of Vietnam and Cambodia impacted me most. They eagerly embraced us and welcomed us into their lives, their homes, and their culture, and this certainly brought everything together to make the entire trip even more special and inspiring.

We sincerely hope that you enjoy these stories, and that they will inspire you to join us on one of our luxurious boutique river cruise ships sailing along the peaceful rivers of our amazing destinations.

guy young president & ceo uniworld river cruises, inc.

pg. 3

NEW for 2013

This promises to be an extremely rich

La Dolce Vita

Experience

in Italy

and rewarding itinerary—a veritable feast for the senses. We’ll take you to all the

“must-see” sights of Venice,

Florence, and Rome, including the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel, St. Mark’s Basilica, and the Accademia.

Plus, you’ll have a chance to venture off the beaten path, visiting romantic enotecas and Tuscan wine estates;

On April 7, Uniworld started river cruising in Italy along the Po River and Venice Lagoon.

Ravenna, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of National Geographic’s

“20 Must-

See Places for 2013”; enchanting Verona—the home of literature’s most famous lovers, Romeo and Juliet; and Bologna, the culinary capital of Northern Italy.

pg. 4

new ships

Paragon, on the Yangtze. Guests will stay in Uniworld

We also launched several new ships this year.

Signature Suites with private balconies and a host of exclusive

On March 21, our newest ship on Portugal’s UNESCO World Heritage Douro River, Queen Isabel, was christened by Hollywood actress, L’Oreal spokesmodel, and philanthropist Andie MacDowell, in Porto, Portugal. On hand for the

VIP amenities available only to Uniworld guests. In Vietnam and Cambodia, the new River Orchid, sailing on the Mekong, offers an intimate river cruise experience with a maximum capacity of 60 guests, which is perfect for these regions.

inauguration ceremony were a number of celebrities—

Uniworld’s focus in Asia is on five-star accommodations

including singer Michael Bolton, who performed at the

with superb onshore hotels, including Ritz-Carlton and

event­—and European and local dignitaries.

Shangri-La properties.

The Queen Isabel has a 116 passenger capacity, which allows

Multigenerational family travel

Uniworld to offer 18 junior suites at 215 square feet and two

In addition, we have expanded our family-friendly river

larger suites at 323 square feet. On the upper deck, junior

cruises for travelers who wish to experience the culture

suites and suites feature full balconies, and staterooms on

and beauty of Europe with their children or grandchildren.

the main deck have French balconies. Staterooms, suites,

We added more special family-friendly dates to “Paris &

and public areas are luxuriously appointed with rich and

Normandy,” as well as a new itinerary and date, “Classic

regal furnishings, creating a classic, timeless, and elegant

Christmas Markets,” so families can enjoy a holiday-themed

ambiance, which is fitting as the ship was named after one of

river cruise together.

Portugal’s most beloved queens from the early 14th century.

For those wishing to travel to Asia this year, Uniworld offers

For those who like to travel solo, we offer a number of itineraries and dates waiving single supplements.

two new luxury ships in China, Century Legend and Century

pg. 5

looking beyond to 2014

All-Inclusive Cruising with Uniworld Based on customer feedback, and to continue to create even greater value and more convenience for our guests, Uniworld will enhance our already value-packed cruises even more by going all–inclusive in the spring of 2014 on our European fleet. In addition to the host of inclusions we currently offer—such as non-alcoholic beverages, fine wine, and beer served during lunch and dinner onboard; fully hosted shore excursions; free Wi-Fi; and all arrival and departure day transfers—we will expand our services and amenities even more with a beverage program that includes open bar with unlimited wine, beer, and spirits throughout the day, and pre-paid gratuities for all onboard and onshore services, including pre- and post-cruise extensions.

New Super Ship, S.S. Catherine Committed to building and remodeling ships that define

S.S. Antoinette at 443 feet long and will be one of Uniworld’s

the absolute best in luxury cruising, Uniworld combines

largest ships. Like all of our ships, she will boast the same

quality craftsmanship and the latest technical innovations

exquisite standards and scrupulous attention to detail,

with the most luxurious custom-designed interiors. The

being meticulously crafted and uniquely designed by the

new Super Ship, S.S. Catherine, will continue this tradition

renowned design team of our sister company, the Red

of excellence when she sets sail on the Rhône and Saône

Carnation Hotel Collection—a collection of five-star, award-

rivers in France’s Burgundy and Provence regions in the

winning boutique hotels.

spring of 2014. The S.S. Catherine will be similar to the

pg. 6

New Breathtaking Destination, Bordeaux Uniworld’s River Royale, currently sailing the Rhône and

to splendid artisans’ markets featuring gourmet delicacies—

Saône, will move to her new home in France’s breathtaking

they will also be treated to the region’s rich history and

Bordeaux region. The new eight-day itinerary, “Bordeaux,

cultural legacy, such as the Citadel of Blaye and one of the

Vineyards & Châteaux,” will begin and end in Bordeaux, a

famous Vauban Fortresses, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

UNESCO World Heritage city and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Travelers will visit some of the region’s most prestigious châteaux, as well as Pauillac, gateway to the magical Médoc wine route, and Saint-Émilion, the oldest wine area of the Bordeaux region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While Uniworld guests will experience a rich journey to indulge their senses—from noble wine estates

Uniworld’s River Royale, recently remodeled for the 2012 season, will be remodeled again for the 2014 season to reflect her new home in Bordeaux. The River Empress, which now sails Uniworld’s popular “European Jewels” program between Amsterdam and Budapest, will undergo a major refurbishment to once again set Uniworld apart on this important and popular itinerary. pg. 7

2013

Exclusive Excursions not to be missed

The Hills with the

Truly Are Alive

“Sound of Music”

During the summer sailings from June 2 through August 25, 2013 on all “Enchanting Danube” itineraries, Uniworld will feature “The Sound of Music” themed cruises, with exclusive and complimentary excursions available only to Uniworld guests.

pg. 8

Uniworld guests will be taken to an exclusive concert in

at Schloss Mirabell includes sacred and secular music

Salzburg at Schloss Mirabell, where Elisabeth von Trapp,

extending from Gregorian chant canticles by 12th-century

a descendant of the von Trapp family, will sing. Elisabeth

mystic Hildegard of Bingen, early American hymns, spirituals

von Trapp is the granddaughter of the legendary Maria

and psalms set to her own melodies, and beloved songs

and George von Trapp, whose story inspired The Sound

from The Sound of Music.

of Music, and now she will inspire Uniworld’s guests.

For Elisabeth, “the sounds of music” are a part of her earliest memories, as she was a member of the original

There will be a number of other special inclusions throughout this itinerary focusing on music, among them:

von Trapp family, carrying on the musical tradition and

• Music lectures

passion of her grandparents. Born and raised in Vermont,

• Onboard entertainment: Choose from a classical music

and singing professionally since childhood, Elisabeth has enthralled audiences everywhere, from European cathedrals to the White House and the Kennedy Center, as well as in hundreds of churches and performance centers across the United States.

band playing the zither (a traditional Austrian folk music instrument) or a wine village music concert (there is nothing better than being part of a wine village concert while enjoying the local wine) • Complimentary Waltz lessons

Critics have called her voice “hauntingly clear,” “joyfully expressive,” and “simply beautiful.” Her special performance pg. 9

Experience Portugal’s Harvest like the Portuguese

During the fall, from late September through early November on Uniworld’s “Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley” cruise, Uniworld guests have the exclusive chance to take part in the actual grape-harvesting and winemaking process.

Uniworld offers guests a delightful choice.

They may either go to the Mateus Palace in the afternoon and then stop at the beautiful

Quinta da Avessada wine estate for a lovely wine tasting in the midst of the countryside along with a rustic dinner of authentic Portuguese delights, or they can forego Mateus Palace and spend the entire afternoon

About Quinta da Avessada

in the vineyards experiencing the harvest.

Guests will be able to pick the grapes and bring them into the winery, where the fruit is loaded into lagares (large stone/granite basins). Next,

When Luis Barros, the energetic young owner of

they’ll have their feet thoroughly cleansed

Quinta da Avessada and 5th-generation heir to

before stepping into the lagares, where every-

a wine estate producing only Moscatel wine started

one proceeds to stomp grapes while Portuguese

to take over his family business five years ago, he

music plays in the background.

had just finished studying at the university. His family’s wine estate, situated on a high plain above the Douro River Valley, produced Moscatel wine for four generations. Life was good, yet hard, so they decided to do more to promote wine sales.

Luis’s dream was to bring in visitors to share the beauty of the land and the rich tradition of music, and to revive the village community. Against all odds—and there were many—he followed his dream, and today Quinta da Avessada is a beautifully restored century-old winery with a family restaurant in the middle of lush Moscatel vineyards. The entire family is involved in the business—his mother supervises the kitchen and service, and his brother and uncle play in the band, which prompts his 5-year-old niece to dance merrily among the guests.

Please note, harvest time varies during the fall season due to weather affecting when the grapes ripen.

pg. 10

Uniworld helps you to Pay it Forward

Uniworld is proud to announce our new partnership with Pack for a Purpose, a nonprofit charitable organization developed to assist travelers, like you, who would like to extend their generosity beyond their own communities by bringing much needed supplies to the destinations they visit. Pack for a

Purpose was recently named a Travel + Leisure Editors’ Pick for its Digital Initiative in the Travel + Leisure 2012 Global Vision Awards.

Uniworld is supporting the “Future of Khmer Children” (FKC) in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Your contributions are priceless and participation is easy. When you are packing for your “Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong” river cruise and tour, simply save a few pounds of space in your suitcase so you can bring supplies to FKC. Your contributions will assist the young people in the area with their educational and health care needs. Please visit uniworld.com/sustainable-tourism/pack-for-a-purpose to find out what types of supplies they need.

Join Uniworld, and help empower the lives of the Cambodian children.

pg. 11

On the Move:

River Countess Arrives in Italy The River Countess was carried on a large transport ship from the Danube to the Po River.

The River Countess was transported to Italy on a large transport ship, traveling from the Danube River and along the Black and Adriatic Seas to her new home in Venice and along the Po River.

The 13-day “Splendors of Italy” itinerary combines a seven-night river cruise along the Po River and the Venice Lagoon with a two-night land stay in Florence and a three-night stay in Rome. For those wishing to experience the cruise portion only, Uniworld offers the 8-day “Venice & the Po River.”

Uniworld moved one of our award-winning boutique river cruise ships, the River Countess, from her previous location on the Rhine, Main, and Danube, to Venice and the Po River in March 2013. The River Countess was completely remodeled to reflect the spirit and heart of this great destination, with all the elegant touches and finesse of a finely painted Italian masterpiece.

pg. 13

Past Guest Spotlight

The Power of Travel

Barbara Miller Barbara Miller was a woman with many mottos. “When life is good, you should celebrate it.” That’s one of her favorites, and she spent many of her 70+ years on earth celebrating the good times in her life.

This New Yorker and Floridian was the proud mother of

became one of the most powerful weapons in her cancer-

four and grandmother of nine. She called Harvey, her

fighting arsenal. “I think it’s important to plan ahead

husband of 25 years, “the sweetest, the nicest, the kindest,

and look forward to things and not just sit and dwell on

(and) the most caring person in the world.” Though her

something. Travel is what’s getting me through this period

husband retired, Mrs. Miller reveled in her work. She was a

now. It’s something to look forward to, and it’s not only a

design consultant to a flooring company and also ran an

chance to learn, but you have wonderful interactions with

independent interior design company. “My husband told

people. I like people.”

me, ‘You don’t have to work,’” she said, “and I say, ‘Yes I do.’ I need it for my mind.”

Her love of people is one reason she particularly enjoyed cruising with Uniworld. “I’m a people person. That’s part of

Mrs. Miller’s attitude toward her work reflected one of her

what I love about the small ships. I get to meet more people

most important mottos: “I’m going to do what I want to do,

and it’s very comfortable.”

when I want to do it, and as much as I can do it.” Though she’s always been a live-life-to-the-fullest kind of person, that maxim took on added significance when she was

Mrs. Miller went on her first Uniworld adventure in 2003, and it ended up being one of the most memorable trips of her life.

diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2003.

She cruised through China with her freshman year college In fact, Mrs. Miller found a unique and powerful way to keep her spirits high through all the doctor appointments and treatment sessions: traveling. “I love traveling. I always have loved traveling,” she said. “I think I got that from my parents.

They used to travel a lot. My mom was 96 when she passed away and she had been to Africa (when Africa wasn’t the

roommate and long-time friend, Gail. Both Gail and Mrs. Miller were diagnosed with cancer shortly before the journey, and Gail passed away six months after their return home. That has made this particular trip a standout among the many Mrs. Miller has taken in her life. “I had a very special time in China with Gail,” she said.

‘in’ place to go), China, Europe, and all kinds of places.

Maybe it’s just in your blood.”

Since then, Mrs. Miller had been on three other Uniworld cruises, all with her favorite traveling companion—her

Mrs. Miller’s love of travel took her all over the globe even before her cancer diagnosis, but after the diagnosis, it pg. 14

husband. As a self-described “flower person,” she particularly enjoyed the gorgeous blooms on display

“Mrs. Miller went on her first Uniworld adventure in 2003, and it ended up being one of the most memorable trips of her life.”

throughout her “Tulips & Windmills” cruise through the

With her upbeat attitude, her love of adventure, and her

Netherlands. Equally memorable, she said, was meeting

genuine affection for others, Mrs. Miller inspired the people

Guy Young, President of Uniworld, and Maria Grimardi, Vice

she met.

President of Marketing, on the 2009 “Enchanting Danube” Presidential Cruise from Passau to Budapest onboard the brand-new River Beatrice. “It was fabulous! Terrific! They were such lovely people and that cruise was just a step above every other cruise I’ve been on.”

Mrs. Miller’s next Uniworld trip was the October 2010 Presidential Cruise through Egypt onboard the River Tosca.

She rejoined Young and Grimardi, along with a few others from the “Enchanting Danube” to experience the antiquity of this marvelous country. When Mrs. Miller went on this cruise, she was undergoing another round of chemo, as her cancer had returned. However, she wouldn’t let that deter her and her husband, Harvey, from traveling to Egypt.

“Barbara had an indominable and optimistic spirit, and never let anything get her down,” states Grimardi.

Refusing to let the hiccups of life get her down, she declared, “If you have lemons, you can make lemonade. You know, I could go sit with this cancer and say, ‘Poor me’ and all of these other things, or I can get up and do the things I can. Because I’ve got plenty of time to sleep later on.”

Grimardi states: “A few days before Valentine’s Day 2011, I spoke with Barbara and Harvey. I knew she was once again undergoing some rigorous cancer treatment, but that didn’t affect her wonderful spirit and great sense of humor. As always, she was resolved on not being beaten by cancer.

We then closed our call as we always did with saying we loved one another, and couldn’t wait to start planning another cruise together. Unfortunately, this was the last time I spoke with my beloved friend, as she passed away on February 14, 2011. That night, I went outside to look at the

Her globetrotting ways had even been awarded her doctors’

stars, and I knew there was one more sparkling star in the

seal of approval. “The physicians think that it’s a great

sky, and its name is Barbara Miller.”

idea to be looking forward and going to some place and changing scenery and doing all these other things because your mind is a very, very important part of your well-being.”

pg. 15

Recipes:

A Taste of Italy Whether you are traveling to Italy with Uniworld in 2013 or are still considering the possibility, we have included a “Taste of Italy” menu to entice your senses. These five NEW classic Italian recipes are only a sampling of the wonderful delights our guests will be treated to. Buon Appetito!

No Uniworld experience would be complete without

signature dishes, Uniworld offers an Italian dessert-making

wonderful dining. During your journey through Italy, you

demonstration by Uniworld chefs, as well as a special wine

will sail onboard the River Countess, which features an

and food pairing dinner. Onshore, you will visit Bologna—

intimate restaurant with elegantly dressed tables and

Northern Italy’s culinary capital—where you will don an apron

echoes of laughter as fine wine is poured—perfect

and learn how to make your own delicious pasta. Then,

ingredients for Uniworld’s award-winning dining, and

explore UNESCO World Heritage-designated Ravenna with

reasons why Uniworld is the only river cruise line

Brisighella artisanal food tasting, where the Slow Food

acknowledged for “Top Dining” by Zagat® Survey.

movement began 20 years ago.

Italy is world-renowned for its marvelous culinary

Enjoy these signature Italian recipes at home before joining us in Italy, where you will savor even more authentic dishes!

delights, and true connoisseurs can journey deeper into the wonderful world of wine and food with the exclusive Epicurean Adventurer Program.™ In addition to delicious pg. 16

Splendors of Italy, Venice & the Po River – SAMPLE MENU –

Zuppa MINESTRONE GENOVESE To begin your feast, start with the famous Minestrone, a well-known soup from the northern part of Italy and a cornerstone of Italian cuisine.

Il Primo LINGUINI CON VONGOLE FROM THE VENETIAN MARKET AND ZUCCHINI Next, Uniworld will tantalize your taste buds with the famous Venetian pasta dish, Linguini Con Vongole, fresh clams with fresh pasta.

Il Secondo OSSO BUCO MILANESE AND GREMOLATA No Italian feast is complete without the delicious Osso Buco Milanese and Gremolata, a Milan delicacy of cross-cut veal shanks braised with vegetables, white wine, and broth—prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients sourced from the Lagoon Chioggia market in Venice.

Il Dolce PANNA COTTA A “must-have” dessert on any authentic Italian menu is the renowned Panna Cotta, served with the freshest, hand-picked berries.

- or CROSTOLI You can also choose to end your Italian gastronomic experience with the famous stuffed Italian Crostoli, a huge part of the “Carnevale” in Venice, Italy.

Uniworld has carefully selected a choice of complimentary fine wines—both red and white—assorted beer, and soft drinks for you to enjoy with your meal.

pg. 17

Minestrone Genovese This well-known soup comes from the northern part of Italy; it is a typical recipe from Liguria.

It is very famous for its local touch—served with pesto Genovese (basil pesto).

Ingredients: • 5 ¼ ounces small pasta (brichetti or elbow macaroni)

broccoli or cauliflower) • 2 medium-sized zucchini

• 2 potatoes, peeled

• 1 clove garlic

• 2 carrots, peeled

• 1¾ ounces Parmigiano (Grana Padano)

• 2 tomatoes

• 8½ cups of broth (chicken stock or water)

• 1–2 celery stalks

• Pesto Genovese

• 1 medium-sized onion

• olive oil

• 5¼ ounces green beans

• fresh basil leaves, chopped

• 5¼ ounces green peas

• salt and pepper to taste

Preparation: ★ Dice all vegetables. ★ Put the potatoes and carrots into the stock (or water), bring to boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes. ★ Add the rest of the vegetables, salt, and pepper, and cook for 15 minutes. ★ Add Parmigiano and olive oil; cover with the lid and cook for 5 minutes. ★ Add pasta and simmer until pasta is done (8–10 minutes). ★ Serve with pesto, grated Parmigiano, and fresh basil leaves.

pg. 18

• 3½ ounces cabbage (may substitute with

Linguini con Vongole from the Venetian Market and Zucchini This Italian dish is a part of traditional Neapolitan cuisine.

It is very popular throughout the surrounding Campania region and is also popular in Rome.

ingredients: • Large garlic cloves, peeled

• 32 littleneck clams (3½ pounds), washed

• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

• ¼ teaspoon hot red pepper (chili) flakes, plus

• ¼ cup pure olive oil

extra for serving

• 4 medium zucchini (about 1 ½ pounds), sliced into

• 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley

V-inch-thick rounds

• 12 ounces linguine

• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Preparation: ★ Lightly crush garlic cloves and heat with both extra-virgin and pure olive oils in large nonreactive sauté pan over medium heat until it sizzles. ★ Adjust heat so garlic continues to cook evenly in oil, releasing its own essential oils, and softens, but does not brown (about 2 minutes). ★ Add zucchini and carefully stir with oil. Season with salt. ★ Continue cooking slowly, stirring from time to time, until zucchini completely softens and starts breaking apart, but does not brown (about 20 minutes). ★ Remove from heat and let rest in oil for 2 hours. ★ Pour into fine-mesh strainer, reserving zucchini and oil separately. Keep zucchini and oil mixture in the same pan to cook the clams.

★ Add clams, cover pan, and turn heat to medium-high. ★ Cook clams, gently shaking pan from time to time, until they start to open (5–6 minutes). ★ Cooking time will vary, depending on size of clams and thickness of shells. ★ Add reserved zucchini, pepper flakes, and parsley. ★ Gently stir into clams. Set aside. ★ Boil linguine in abundant amount of salted water until done to taste. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining linguine. Add the pasta water to the zucchini and clams. ★ Transfer pasta to warm serving platter or individual pasta bowls. Top with clams and zucchini. ★ Serve subito—immediately—with extra hot pepper flakes on the side.

★ Heat zucchini oil in pan over medium heat until it sizzles.

pg. 19

Osso Buco MilanEse and Gremolata Osso Buco became popular in the late 19th century. It may have been a farmhouse dish or perhaps was an invention of an osteria, a neighborhood restaurant, in Milan.

ingredients:

• 1–2 cups chicken or veal stock

• ¼ pound pancetta, diced ¼–inch cubes (do not substitute with bacon)

• flour for meat dredging

• 2 ½ –3 pounds veal shanks (4–6 pieces, 2–3 inches thick)

• gremolata

• ½ cup diced carrot (¼–inch cubes)

° ¼ cup finely minced fresh parsley

• ½ cup diced celery (¼–inch cubes)

° 3 garlic cloves, finely minced

• 1 medium onion, diced ¼–inch pieces

° 2 tablespoons minced parsley

• 2 tablespoons (about 4 cloves) chopped garlic

° 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

• 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)

° 2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced

• salt and pepper

° 1 lemon

• 1 cup dry white wine

Preparation: ★ Preheat oven to 325°F.

★ Cook until onions are translucent, and then toss in garlic and thyme.

★ Heat pan over medium heat (about 5 minutes). ★ Add pancetta to pan and cook, stirring occasionally.

★ Continue cooking until vegetables begin to brown.

★ When the pancetta is crispy and fat has rendered

★ Add shanks and pancetta back to pan. Pour wine

(5 minutes into cooking), remove the pancetta to

and add stock to come slightly over half way up

plate covered with a paper towel and set aside.

sides of shank.

If necessary, drain all but 2 tablespoons of fat

★ Bring to simmer.

from pan.

★ Cover pan and put in oven to cook until meat is

★ Season veal shank with salt and pepper. ★ Dredge veal shank through flour, shaking excess off. Add the veal to the hot pancetta fat in the pan. ★ Increase heat to medium high, cooking the meat on each side until well-browned (about 5 minutes per side). ★ Remove shanks to plate. Set aside. ★ Add onions, carrots, and celery.

pg. 20

tender (about 1 to 1½ hours). ★ Sprinkle gremolata over meat to serve.

° Peel lemon (long strips) with vegetable peeler.

° Mince lemon peel.

° Transfer to a small bowl.

° Mix in parsley and garlic.

° Cover and refrigerate (can be made 6 hours in advance).

panna cotta Panna Cotta (Italian for “cooked cream”) is a dessert originating in the Northern Italian region of Piedmont. Today it is eaten all over the world!

Ingredients:

Preparation:

• 3 ounces skim milk

★ Pour milk into a small bowl, and stir in gelatin

• 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin • 13 ounces heavy cream • 4½ tablespoons white sugar • 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, or 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

powder. Set aside. ★ In a saucepan, stir heavy cream and sugar together, setting over medium heat. ★ Bring to a full boil and watch carefully as cream will quickly rise to the top of pan. ★ Pour gelatin and milk into cream, stirring until completely dissolved. ★ Cook for 1 minute. Stir constantly. ★ Remove from heat and add the vanilla. Stir to allow the vanilla flavor to permeate the mixture.

pg. 21

crostoli Commonly known as “Angel Wings,” these Italian dulces are mainly eaten during “Carnevale” in most regions of Italy.

Ingredients:

Preparation:

• 3½ tablespoons softened butter

★ Mix all but the last 2 ingredients in a large bowl to

• 2 tablespoons fine sugar • 1 egg • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest • 5 tablespoons sweet red Vermouth • 1½ cups flour • oil for deep frying • powdered sugar

form pliable uniform dough. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. ★ Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1V–inch thick. Dust off any excess flour with a pastry brush. Cut into 8 cm long x 2 cm wide strips, and then make a slit in the middle of each pastry, twisting the end through. ★ Heat oil to about 355°F in a deep fryer. It should be about 1½–inch deep and able to hold 4 pastries at a time. ★ Drop pastries into oil and cook for 5 seconds on each side or until they turn golden. Use 2 skewers to turn and remove pastries onto a layer of paper towels. ★ Allow to cool before arranging layers on platters and dusting with powdered sugar. Crostoli will keep, uncovered, for 2–3 weeks in the pantry.

pg. 22

uniworld cruise manager spotlight

Mirela Varga Cruise Manager, River Beatrice Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

Mirela Varga is a Cruise Manager on the River Beatrice for Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, and has been in the river cruise industry for 15 years.

What has been your favorite destination thus far?

the help of my knowledge, care, enthusiasm and positive

My favorite destination thus far has to be Vienna­—the city

attitude—an even more memorable one, and one of their

of music, the city of arts, and the city of delicious pastries

best vacations ever!

never fails to surprise and charm me! The great spirit of a

I am happy to be part of a company that may even change

former imperial capital is still in the air and around every

people’s lives through the great and positive experiences we

corner. I have even taken trips with my family there as often

provide for them.

as we can.

What do you find most rewarding about your job?

The most rewarding aspect is at the end of every cruise;

What is your favorite travel quote?

“The world is a book … and the ones that don’t travel only read one page.” — St. Augustine

there are so many guests who come to thank Uniworld and me personally. We also receive lovely “Thank You” cards, expressing sincere gratitude for making their vacation—with

pg. 23

It’s not just where you go.

It’s how you get there.

A Uniworld Boutique River Cruise combines the pleasure of discovering the world’s multitude of charms with the same exquisite accommodations, awardwinning hospitality, and world-class cuisine of a five-star boutique hotel.

Visit our new website at uniworld.com