RiverViews Newsletter June 2024

ELLEN’S

Dear River Heritage Club,

Hello to all our lovely readers! As we head into summer, this feature is all about that picture-perfect summertime escape: the Mediterranean. I am thrilled to announce two new additions in this beautiful region coming in 2025. The first is Rome, an old favorite of ours that is coming back with a new and improved itinerary. The other is an extension in Cassis, a beautiful port town on the coast of Provence.

Flip through these pages to dive into both destinations with us. We’ll also be exploring Uniworld’s map of the Mediterranean, learning a bit about the wines you can taste on our Santorini extension, and sharing a guest-favorite recipe from onboard the S.S. La Venezia. I hope you enjoy!

Warmest regards,

ELLEN BETTRIDGE CEO, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

OUR 2023 IMPACT REPORT

We’re on a path to help create a greener tourism industry, a project near and dear to our hearts. Because we believe transparency is the key to accountability, we share a yearly Impact Report to keep you in the loop on the changes we make—big and small—on our way to accomplishing our climate goals, from reaching Net Zero emissions by 2050 to eliminating single-use plastics.

Click here to read the full report to learn all about the progress we made towards our climate goals in 2023.

THE GOAL: NET ZERO BY 2050

Our progress: We’re the only river cruise line to have joined Path2Zero, an EU-funded project aimed at devising the most sustainable path to zero emissions for inland shipping.

THE GOAL: 50% RENEWABLE ENERGY BY 2025

Our progress: Our Los Angeles global headquarters and European operations offices run on 100% renewable energy.

THE GOAL: REDUCE FOOD WASTE BY 50% BY 2025

Our progress: Almost there! With the use of Leanpath, we’ve reduced our food waste by 36% so far, and that number will keep growing.

THE GOAL: INCREASE DIVERSITY & INCLUSION EFFORTS

Our progress: Making waves. Uniworld’s CMO became a member of Northstar BTAB (the Black Travel Advisory Board). We also introduced a Mental Health First Aid course in 2023.

THE GOAL:

‘MAKE

TRAVEL MATTER ®

’

EXPERIENCES ON 100% OF ITINERARIES BY 2025

Our progress: We now have these sustainably-minded experiences on 67% of our itineraries and find new ones all the time.

THE GOAL: REDUCE PRINTED BROCHURES BY 50%

Our progress: Done! We’ve reduced printed brochures by 60%. The brochures we do create are printed on FSC and PEFC certified paper.

THE GOAL: ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY SINGLE-USE PLASTICS

Our progress: Our staterooms are officially SUPfree, but we won’t stop there! We’re now looking to our supply chain to prevent SUP use in deliveries.

THE GOAL: VOLUNTEER FOR GOOD

Our progress: At our annual Kickoff event in Amsterdam, we invited 287 elderly locals onboard for a day of 5-star fun, including scenic sailing, bingo, painting lessons, and more.

BURGUNDY & PROVENCE

8 Days • Arles to Lyon

LUGANO & LAKE COMO

3 Days • Pre-cruise Extension

MILAN, VENICE & THE JEWELS OF VENETO

10 Days • Milan to Venice

GRANDE ITALIA

13 Days • Milan to Rome

PORTUGAL, SPAIN & THE DOURO RIVER VALLEY

11 Days • Porto to Lisbon

A Glimpse Into THE MEDITERRANEAN

The Mediterranean is an expansive region, including countries along its coastline as well as those within its geographical basin. Encompassing roughly two dozen countries, this area is home to a diverse set of languages, customs, and cuisines. Much of the region is known for the Mediterranean’s temperate climate, clear waters, olive oil production, and excellent wines.

ALGERIA

TUNISIA

MOROCCO

MAURITANIA

Venice

Milan

Lugano

Rome

Arles Lyon

Lisbon

Porto

Bay of Biscay Atlantic Ocean

Tyrrhenian Sea

Alboran Sea

Mediterranean Sea

CRUISE & RAIL: GRAND ALPINE & THE JEWELS OF VENETO 16 Days • Budapest to Venice

CRUISE & RAIL: MILAN, VENICE, ISTANBUL & THE BALKANS 19 Days • Milan to Istanbul

ATHENS & SANTORINI 6 Days • Post-cruise Extension

SPLENDORS OF EGYPT & THE NILE 12 Days • Cairo to Cairo

6 Days • Pre-cruise Extension

BULGARIA

EGYPT

JORDAN

LIBYA

SYRIA

LEBANON

ISRAEL

SAUDI ARABIA

CYPRUS

Cairo

Luxor

Amman

Santorini

Adriatic Sea

Black Sea

Aegean Sea

Red Sea

JORDAN

ROME

TREVI FOUNTAIN

Thousands of euros are estimated to be thrown into the fountain every day—but don’t let that give you any ideas. Stealing coins from the Trevi Fountain is illegal, and the euros inside are regularly collected by the city to fund charity.

PANTHEON

Standing proudly in the Piazza della Rotonda, the Pantheon is in nearly perfect condition, as it has been for nearly 2,000 years. It’s the best-kept remnant of Ancient Rome, likely owing to the fact that it’s been in continuous use the entire time.

ROMAN FORUM

Once the most important place in Rome, this site was completely abandoned in the Middle Ages and became nothing more than a grazing area for cows. Its only human visitors were plunderers who came to steal construction materials.

We couldn’t be more excited to be bringing the great city of Rome back in 2025, available in two different packages: the 11-day Rome, Venice & the Jewels of Veneto itinerary and the 13-day Grande Italia package with a land stay in Milan. The places we’ll visit on our tour here are some of the most famous landmarks in the world. These sites need no introduction, so how would you like to read some fun facts about them instead?

VATICAN CITY

You probably are already well aware that the Vatican is the smallest country in the world, but did you know that it’s also the country with the world’s highest rate of wine consumption per capita? Yes, more than France, Italy, or Portugal.

SISTINE CHAPEL

Michelangelo learned to paint in the fresco style specifically for the Sistine Chapel. Possibly owing to his lack of expertise, the ceiling molded over in the first year and had to be completely redone. He must have learned the trick, as it's held up much better since.

ST. PETER’S BASILICA

This massive church contains the only work of art Michelangelo ever signed, La Pietà. Why sign this one? Famously, Michelangelo signed the work in a fit of frustration after some of his contemporaries refused to believe he was capable of such a masterpiece.

A Brief Lesson on

THE WINES OF SANTORINI

On our Athens & Santorini extension—available on such cruises as Burgundy & Provence and Enchanting Danube we have the incredible joy of diving into Santorini’s unique winemaking traditions with an included tasting at a local vineyard. Santorini is mostly known for its white wines, which is just what you end up craving at the end of a sunny day on a Cycladic island.

VARIETIES

The Santorini PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) includes three varieties. The first, known simply as Santorini, is a citrusy white produced with at least 75% of the indigenous Assyrtico grape. Nykteri, which translates to “working the night away,” is traditionally harvested at night and aged in oak. The result is a very dry, mineral white with notes of citrus and stone fruit. Perhaps most famous of all is Vinsanto, a sweet wine with a rich amber color.

METHODS

Vineyards here are utterly unique, with a growing method that will be unfamiliar to most first-time visitors. Rather than training the vines along a trellis, the vines are kept low to the ground and twisted into the shape of a basket to protect them from the strong winds and heat that Santorini experiences.

TERROIR

The entirety of Santorini is an island volcano, making for a distinctive terroir. In fact, the volcanic soil makes Santorini’s vines immune to the phylloxera blight that devastated Europe’s wine industry in the 19th century, which is why many of the vines growing on the island are centuries old.

A Day with Uniworld in CASSIS

Brand new for 2025, we’re adding an extension to Cassis! Our 2-night stay here is designed to tack on to the end of our Burgundy & Provence itinerary. We know you’ll love this charming port on the French coast of the Mediterranean as much as we do. Keep reading for a sneak peek into what a full day in Cassis with Uniworld might look like!

RISE & SHINE

In the morning, awake from your first night’s sleep at Hôtel Les Roches Blanches. A stunning 5-star hotel, this property was once a Belle Époque mansion built into the limestone cliffs over the sea. It was transformed into a hotel in the 1920s, bringing elements of Art Deco style into its design. The food here is just as good as the view, so get your fill at the included breakfast before joining us on our tour of the town.

WALK WITH US

Head into Cassis with a knowledgeable local guide. We’ll wind our way around the cobblestone streets of the historic town, discover hidden alleyways, and admire a colorful port filled with fishing boats.

REFRESHMENTS

Time for a classic Provençal treat—wine. The Cassis AOC is unique amongst its neighbors in Provence for being a predominantly white wine region. Visit a local winery here to discover the delicious, fullbodied whites produced here. Low in acidity, these wines are notable for their herbal quality and refreshing salinity.

FREE TIME

With the rest of the day at your leisure, you can enjoy Cassis however you please. You may wish to see the Calanques National Park, where a collection of steep-walled inlets offers some of the Mediterranean’s most breathtaking views. When it’s time to eat, we recommend seafood!

Main image: Cassis, France

Chef Robert’s Corner: PASTA NERO AL FRUTTI DI MARE

A classic and delicious Italian dish, the seafood pasta we serve onboard showcases the bounty of the Venetian Lagoon. Homemade pasta is always impressive, but ready-made pasta will also work for this recipe. You may even wish to check your local Italian grocer or farmer’s market for fresh pasta. If you don’t plan on making the pasta from scratch, simply skip to Step 6.

PASTA NERO AL FRUTTI DI MARE

SQUID INK PASTA

(skip if using ready-made)

4 eggs, large

1 tablespoon squid ink

2 ½ cups Italian 00 flour

1 1/4 cups semolina flour

INGREDIENTS

1 lb squid ink pasta

4 shrimp

3 scallops, chopped

2 calamari, chopped

1 tablespoon garlic, minced

½ cup onion, finely chopped

½ cup white wine

½ cup clam juice

1 teaspoon dried chili flakes

5 sundried tomatoes, halved

Microgreens, chervil, or basil

PREPARATION

1. Place eggs and squid ink in a blender and mix on low speed for a second or two until uniformly colored.

2. Combine flour in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix to combine. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the egg mixture. Turn the paddle to low speed and mix until combined.

3. Remove the paddle and attach the dough hook; knead on low speed for 3 to 4 minutes or until dough, while it might appear crumbly, will stick together when squeezed. If your dough seems dry, add a teaspoon or two of water until the dough just comes together. If it’s sticky, knead in more flour until nice and smooth.

4. Flatten the dough by running it through a pasta machine, fold it into thirds, and run it through the pasta machine again. Next, cut the dough into 2-inch-wide strips, then place one last time through the pasta machine.

5. Boil the squid ink pasta until al dente and set aside.

6. Sauté the seafood with garlic, onion, and white wine, adding a touch of chili flakes and clam juice. Add the cooked pasta and chopped parsley.

7. Plate the pasta and add the sundried tomatoes. Add the leftover juice over the pasta, and garnish with the greens of your choice.

TORTA DELLA NONNA

PASTRY INGREDIENTS

2 cups wheat flour

¾ cup brown sugar

2 tsp yeast

1 pinch of salt

Zest of 1 lemon cup butter at room temperature

1 egg

CUSTARD INGREDIENTS

2 cups whole milk

Zest of 1 lemon

1 vanilla pod, sliced open

2 egg yolks

2 whole eggs

½ cup flour

¾ cup cane sugar

1 pinch of salt

FINISHING TOUCHES

½ cup pine nuts

1 egg

Powdered sugar

PREPARATION

1. Start by preparing the short-crust pastry. Mix all pastry ingredients (except the egg) into a crumb texture dough. Don’t over-knead the dough.

2. Beat the egg for a few seconds, pour it on the dough, and with your hands combine everything, forming a ball. Wrap it with film and let it rest in the fridge.

3. Now prepare the custard. Heat the milk in a saucepan with the lemon zest and the vanilla pod. Meanwhile, whisk the eggs and the egg yolks with the flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Remove every lump.

4. Once the milk is boiling, add it gradually to the flour and egg mixture, stirring constantly to prevent the eggs from congealing. Return to heat at the lowest setting and stir continuously until the cream becomes thick and smooth. Set aside to cool.

5. Meanwhile, prepare the pastry shell. Butter and flour a round mold with a removable bottom of 10 inches in diameter.

6. Divide the short pastry into two parts, one slightly larger than the other. Roll out the larger one with a rolling pin and a little flour and place it on the mold. Prick the base with a fork and cook at 350° F for about 12 minutes.

7. Fill the cake with the custard. Roll out the second part of the pastry to cover the tart, sealing the edges well and cutting the excess dough. Brush the surface of the tart with a beaten egg, then sprinkle with pine nuts. Bake at 350° F for about 30 minutes, until it is golden. Let the cake cool completely before sprinkling it with powdered sugar and slicing it.

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

An exclusive WELCOME GIFT to commemorate your membership

Complimentary IN-ROOM TREAT waiting onboard upon arrival

Complimentary LAUNDRY service

Members-only onboard COCKTAIL PARTY

PRIORITY NOTIFICATION on new cruises and programs

Dedicated PHONE NUMBER

Exclusive RiverViews E-NEWSLETTER

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LAST ISSUE’S VICTOR

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*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.