The Uniworld River Heritage Club E-Newsletter
DECEMBER 2023
River Princess lobby on a Holiday Market cruise
DECEMBER 2023
IN THIS ISSUE 1 ELLEN’S 360° 2 THE S.S. VICTORIA: COUNTDOWN TO SAILING
3 A YEAR IN PICTURES: LOOKING BACK ON 2023
5 OUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MARKETS 7 VIRTUAL HOLIDAY MARKET 9 CHEF ROBERT’S CORNER: STUFFED TURKEY ROULADE
ELLEN’S
360° Hello, River Heritage Club! A very Happy Holidays to all of our readers! This is our last RiverViews issue of the year, and with it, I’m wishing you a joyful season and a fantastic new year! We have much to look forward to in 2024, including the launch of our newest Super Ship vessel, the S.S. Victoria, our second annual Rivers of the World cruise, and the President's Cruise that I'll be hosting on June 16th! Flip through the pages of this exclusive digital magazine for River Heritage Club members for all of our end-of-year goodies. You’ll find a cheat sheet of all the S.S. Victoria maiden season voyages, for easy planning if you’re looking to be one of the first to sail this incredible ship. There’s also a fun look back on the year through the eyes of our guests and crew, a set of festive recipes, and more! Warmest regards, #EXPLOREUNIWORLD
ELLEN BETTRIDGE CEO, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
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UNIWORLD.COM
T HE S.S. V ICTOR I A
COUNTDOWN TO SAILING 3 months to go! We can’t wait to welcome you aboard our latest Super Ship vessel, the S.S. Victoria, for her 2024 debut. She’ll sail the Rhine River and its connecting waterways next year with spacious rooms and an ambiance of contemporary luxury, serving a variety of enchanting itineraries. Pick your favorite to sail the S.S. Victoria during her maiden season!
HOLLAND & BELGIUM AT TULIP TIME
MAGNIFICENT MOSELLE & RHINE
8 Days • Brussels to Amsterdam
10 Days • Roundtrip Frankfurt
March 24, 31 April 14
June 27 July 6, 15, 24 August 2, 11, 20
CASTLES ALONG THE RHINE
BELGIAN HOLIDAY MARKETS
8 Days • Basel to Amsterdam
8 Days • Roundtrip Brussels
April 28 May 5, 12, 19, 26 June 2, 9, 16 September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 October 6, 13, 20, 27 November 3
November 25 December 2, 9, 16
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A YEAR IN PICTURES: LOOKING BACK ON 2023 January
March
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Budapest, Hungary
Agra, India
Les-Baux-de-Provence, France
Why save dessert for last? We’re kicking off our trip down memory lane with this deliciouslooking dessert from the S.S. Maria Theresa, captured on a New Year’s cruise.
Did you know our guests can all see the Taj Mahal from their hotel room windows during our stay in Agra? It makes it all the more special when we visit for a closer look.
Our guests love this immersive art experience highlighting Vincent van Gogh on our Burgundy & Provence itinerary.
July
August
September
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annmpotter
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S.S. São Gabriel, Portugal
Venice, Italy
Eberbach, Germany
Is there a better place to enjoy the views of the Douro River in the hot Portugal sun than poolside on the S.S. São Gabriel?
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February
The best part about your floating boutique hotel being right in the Venetian Lagoon? You can take in the sites with a rosé in hand.
We are positive the word “atmospheric” was invented to describe this exact event: our private candlelit wine tasting at Abbey Eberbach.
As 2023 comes to a close, we are looking back at some of the moments captured onboard our cruises this past year. From Mystery Cruises to our first inaugural Rivers of the World cruise, this was definitely a year to remember. We love to see our guests and crew creating memories on the rivers of the world. If you have a photo to share, use the #ExploreUniworld tag when you post! And don't forget to follow us on Instagram @uniworldcruises.
April
May
June
orrsonya
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Aria Amazon, Peru
Giza, Egypt
River Queen, the Netherlands
Sonya perfectly captured the serenity of exploring the Peruvian Amazon on our all-suite ship Aria Amazon.
May kicked off our first-ever Rivers of the World. The group began their adventure in Egypt with a special visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum, which has yet to fully open to the public!
Our Mystery Cruise guests ventured into the unknown with special destinations, excursions, and even theme parties, like this Orange Theme night in honor of the Dutch royal family.
October
November
December
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S.S. Catherine, France
Heidelberg, Germany
Passau, Germany
Our '70s Parties have been a hit this year! By popular demand, you’ll continue to see them on every European sailing in 2024.
Nothing says fall like Europe in November when the riverscapes are swathed in shades of red, yellow, and gold.
December is the most enchanting time to visit Europe. Strolling through Christmas markets, sipping on mulled wine, and seeing fresh snow falling on picturesque towns is a winter dream.
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Our Favorite
CHRISTMAS MARKETS
for a magical European holiday
Come late November, the streets of Europe fill with twinkling lights. The faint sound of carolers beckons around each corner, the warm scents of roasting chestnuts and sweet-spiced gingerbread waft through the air, and towns across the continent begin constructing their wooden stall markets. The atmosphere is pure magic, made more special by its rarity—the Christmas markets are only around for a few short weeks a year. That’s why we love experiencing them the way we do. On our Holiday Season Cruises, we visit several markets in a variety of towns on one cruise. It’s the perfect tasting menu of European holiday traditions. There’s nothing like relaxing on the sun deck of a river ship during sailing. To kick it up a notch, the S.S. Victoria and S.S. Elisabeth each feature a sun deck bar in addition to the one in the main lounge. Take a seat here and watch the world float by with a glass in hand. Take a look around this article for our favorite Christmas markets in Europe!
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NUREMBERG, GERMANY
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
One of the oldest and most traditional Christmas markets in the world, Nuremberg’s annual festivities are as classic as it gets. Over 180 stalls make up a “little wooden town,” from which all your holiday favorites are sold—gluhwein, of course, and don’t miss the lebkuchen, Nuremberg’s famous gingerbread. Nuremberg's market even has a section dedicated to children, with a miniature steam railway and merry-go-round, hands-onactivities, and more. This makes Nuremberg perfect for families looking to experience the joys of the markets together.
Head to Vörösmarty Square to find one of the largest Christmas markets in Eastern Europe, where over 100 stalls sell traditional craft items. We’ll show you the way, but you could probably find it yourself by following the sugar-and-yeast smell of kürtőskalács. Known as chimney cakes in English, this popular treat is made by winding fresh dough around a cone-shaped spit and roasting it over hot coals. The best part? The Vörösmarty square market is open all the way through January 1, while many markets in Europe end on December 24.
STRASBOURG, FRANCE
VIENNA, AUSTRIA
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
France’s first Christmas market was held in Strasbourg in 1570. The Marché de Noël sprawls throughout town, making your Christmas market stroll also a great walking tour. You’ll find many food stalls around the Place Broglie, a “sharing market” of charitable organizations at the Place Kléber, unique gifts at the Place de Meuniers, and stunning areas surrounding the Place de la Cathédrale.
There are over 20 recognized Christmas markets in Austria, with some dating back to the Middle Ages. Our favorite is the one held in front of the Belvedere each year. It’s the prettiest in town. There’s nothing like munching on a hot kartoffelpuffer (potato pancake) on a wintry day against the backdrop of a Baroque palace.
The Winter Wonders event in Brussels is more of a festival than a Christmas Market— which is not to say you won’t find hundreds of wooden stalls spread throughout the city, because those are certainly a highlight. In addition to the stalls, Winter Wonders has a ferris wheel, a merry-go-round, an ice rink, sound and light shows, and much more!
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' T I S
T H E
S E A S ON
OUR VIRTUAL HOLIDAY MARKET If you missed the Christmas Markets of Europe this year, or simply didn’t find the perfect gift to bring home as a memento of your trip, we’ve got you covered with our virtual holiday market. Take a look and browse a selection of handmade items from European craftsmen, or CLICK HERE to view more.
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NUTCRACKER
CHRISTMAS SNOWMAN SMOKER
Nutcracker dolls originated in 17th-century Germany, serving not only as functional tools with which to crack nuts, but also as figurines to ward off evil spirits. Nutcrackers originally came in the form of soldiers, but, as their popularity grew, they began to be produced in different likenesses, such as this one, dressed to resemble an all-powerful king!
With his red and white Santa Claus hat, a red and gold scarf, and a small Christmas tree in his hand, this incense figure exudes a festive atmosphere that will delight collectors. Handcrafted using the traditional craftsmanship of Seiffen folk art, this incense figure embodies the magic of winter and the joy of the Christmas season.
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BEER STEIN SANTA IN SLEIGH
CHRISTMAS PYRAMID SANTA WITH SLEIGH
The beautifully detailed, hand-painted reliefs on this stein shows Santa sitting in his sleigh fully loaded with all kinds of toys. The open front door invites him to enter and leave some gifts. Cherubs on the handle are additional highlights to this stein, along with a lid made of genuine pewter.
This modern-arched pyramid is decorated with three green pine trees and Santa pulling a sleigh. It is not only a delightful Christmas decoration, but also a fascinating gift for anyone who highly appreciates Erzgebirge wood art. A must have.
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Chef Robert’s Corner:
STUFFED TURKEY ROULADE
WITH CHESTNUTS, PLUM STUFFING, PUMPKIN PUREE, AND CRANBERRY SAUCE In the spirit of the season, we're sharing the recipe for one of our favorite Christmas dinner table items. Not only is this turkey roulade recipe delicious, but it also has a wonderfully festive feel to it, courtesy of its yule-log shape and plum stuffing. We hope you enjoy!
INGREDIENTS
PREPARATION
1 half turkey breast, boneless and skinless
1. R emove any connective tissue from the turkey breast, butterfly it, and flatten it out evenly using a mallet or another heavy object like a rolling pin (if you have any scraps, chop them and use them in the stuffing). You can also ask your butcher to do this for you. Sprinklethe meat with salt and pepper and let it sit at room temperatureuntil you make the stuffing.
Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil About 1 cup chopped chestnuts, roasted and peeled 8-10 dried plums, chopped ½ onion, finely chopped ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon allspice 1 bay leaf ¼ cup dry white wine
3. Preheat oven to 375° F
10 prosciutto strips (or 12 bacon strips) Some extra olive oil for the roulade ¼ cup red wine
2. S et a large saucepan over medium/high heat and sauté any chopped scraps from the breast with olive oil. Add the onion, cinnamon, allspice, bay leaf, a pinch of salt and pepper and cook until onion is soft and translucent (about 4-5 minutes). Add the chestnuts and plums, stir for 30 seconds, and then add the wine. Cook until the wine evaporates, discard the bay leaf, and set aside to cool.
4. P lace a large piece of baking paper on your working surface. Make a row of 5 strips of prosciutto on the baking paper making sure that they overlap a little. Make another row with the other 5 strips below the first one making sure that there are no gaps between the prosciutto strips. 5. P lace the butterflied turkey breast in the middle of the prosciutto surface, forming a rectangle. Transfer the stuffing to the middle of the rectangle and, with the help of the baking paper, roll the meat into a roulade. Without removing the baking paper, wrap it with kitchen twine to secure it. Transfer to a deep baking pan and roast for 1 hour. 6. U nwrap the roulade and return it to the pan. Brush with some extra olive oil and broil on each side until browned. Remove from oven and rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Serves 10
DID YOU KNOW: A roulade can also be sweet, not just savory. The second most common form of roulade consists of sponge cake or cake baked in a flat pan, rolled around a filling. Cake rolled around fruit jelly, buttercream, nuts or other fillings, is an example of a sweet roulade like the cake Bejgli or the Swiss roll.
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CRANBERRY SAUCE INGREDIENTS
PREPARATION
1 cup turkey or chicken jus
1 tablespoon chopped shallot
1 tablespoon cranberry jam
½ teaspoon chopped garlic
½ cup red wine
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon orange zest
¼ white pepper powder
1. In small saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until softened. 2. Add red wine, leave to evaporate alcohol then add turkey stock, cranberry jam, and seasoning. Cook until reduced and sauce slightly thickens. Blend and pass through fine strainer.
PUMPKIN PUREE INGREDIENTS 5 cups pumpkin or large squash (sugar pie pumpkin, butternut, buttercup or kabocha squash) 1 cup of butter
PREPARATION ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon white pepper
1. P reheat the oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the squash in half, scoop out the seeds and place cut side down on the baking sheet. 2. R oast for 40 to 60 minutes or until the flesh is soft and a fork easily slides in. Let cool for 1 hour. Peel the flesh from the skin and place in a food processor. Puree until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Season with cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Add the butter and blend for 1 minute until the puree is smooth.
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AN OUTSTANDING LOYALTY PROGRAM FOR OUR EXCEPTIONAL GUESTS To show our appreciation for our past guests, we automatically enroll you in our River Heritage Club loyalty program, so you can begin receiving exclusive benefits, savings, and rewards reserved exclusively for our loyal guests.
EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS ON ALL CRUISES, COMBINABLE WITH ALL PROMOTIONS
plus An exclusive WELCOME GIFT to commemorate your membership
Members-only onboard COCKTAIL PARTY
Exclusive RIVERVIEWS E-NEWSLETTER
Complimentary IN-ROOM TREAT waiting onboard upon arrival
PRIORITY NOTIFICATION on new cruises and programs
Special MEMBERS-ONLY OFFERS
Complimentary LAUNDRY service
Dedicated PHONE NUMBER
Additional savings when you REFER FRIENDS OR FAMILY
Can you name this ship?
Each ship in our fleet is a floating boutique hotel, designed to be an extension of the destinations it sails through. If you can name which Uniworld ship this is, email us at RHC@Uniworld.com. The first to answer correctly will be featured in our next issue of RiverViews.
LAST ISSUE’S VICTOR Congratulations to Catherine Low for being the first to identify the October 2023 Mystery Photo: River Tosca Main Lounge.
Visit UNIWORLD.COM/RIVER-HERITAGE-CLUB for more information. River Heritage Club savings and amenities are available to guests after completing their first Uniworld cruise. Exclusive savings are based on the cruise or cruise/tour-only price (including any upgrades and single supplement) after other cash discounts are applied. Savings are combinable with all current Uniworld promotions. Restrictions may apply.
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