Uniworld Po River Cruise Day 3: Venice to Chioggia
Uniworld Po River Cruise Day 3: Venice to Chioggia
Uniworld Signature Lecture “La Serenissima – the lagoon of Venice” with Dr. Simona Dalla Riva
Uniworld Po River Cruise Day 3: Venice to Chioggia
Following an included excursion to Padua we enjoyed a leisurely afternoon in Venice before Uniworld River Countess got underway, cruising towards Chioggia. Cruise Manager Martin Kummer provided interesting commentary from the bridge as we passed through the Venetian Lagoon.
Uniworld River Countess cruises the Venetian Lagoon
Shortly after departing Venice we attended a 45-minute signature lecture in the Castillo Lounge, “La Serenissima – the lagoon of Venice” with Dr. Simona Dalla Riva.
La Serenissima – the lagoon of Venice” with Dr. Simona Dalla Riva
Dr. Dalla Riva shared the following facts about the lagoon of Venice:
- Coastal lagoons are shallow aquatic environments located in traditional zones
- Venice lagoon covers 550 sq km (212 sq miles)
- It is the largest lagoon in the Mediterranean
- There are 3 inlets
- 1 mt (3 ft) tide
- The tide is the widest in the Mediterranean
- Drainage basin: 2000 sq km (772 sq miles)
- XIV century: large rivers flowed into the lagoon
- There are 5-8 unstable inlets
- Has a large extension of marshes
- The lagoon has a tendency to become silted
- Present lagoon conditions are very different than in the past = there are no large rivers, etc.
- In the 5th century people moved to sandy islands (Burano, Torcello, Malamocco) to escape Barbarians
- 4th November 1966 the high water in St. Marks Square reached 2 meters
- The lagoon has salt water – high water goes over Istrian stone which deteriorates quicker
- Boats and ships making waves and creating a wake creates damage to the foundations of buildings in Venice
- There are safe fish farms in certain areas of the lagoon
- Venice Lagoon became a UNESCO site in 1972
- Salt marshes are necessary to lagoon fauna
- There are approximately 100,000 seabirds – Egret, Grey Heron, etc.
- The MOSE Project (mobile flood gates similar to the Delta Storm Surge Project in the Netherlands) is scheduled to be finished around 2015
- If the tide reaches 110+cm the flood gates will be raised to protect Venice from flooding
- The MOSE Project will help protect flora, fauna and the environment of the lagoon
- There are raised pavements around Venice so people can still get around when there is high water
- Tides are influenced by the wind and moon
- Sewage – there are 2 waste water treatment plants
- Every building in Venice has a septic tank and each month sewage is pumped out by boat and taken to a treatment plant
Chioggia, Italy
The evening aboard Uniworld River Countess was highlighted by a Captain’s Welcome Cocktail reception in the Castillo Lounge, then a port talk about Ravenna from Cruise Manager Martin. Afterwards we enjoyed a delicious Welcome Gala Dinner in the Savoy Restaurant.
Uniworld River Countess Welcome Gala Dinner First Course: Antipasti Capo di Cucina
Uniworld River Countess Welcome Gala Dinner Main Course – Ciioppino alla River Countess
Uniworld River Countess Welcome Gala Dinner Main Course – Beef Tenderloin
Uniworld River Countess Welcome Gala Dinner – Dessert of Warm Melted Chocolate Cake with Red Beery Sorbet
After dinner we were treated to a special performance in the Castillo Lounge featuring jovial, live local entertainment by “Il Teatro Veneto con la Commedia dell’Arte”, which required the participation of a few volunteer passengers.
Live Entertainment – Il Teatro Veneto con la Commedia dell’Arte
Passengers volunteer to participate in live entertainment aboard Uniworld River Countess
Next… Ravenna
Previously:
- WAVEJourney’s Uniworld Po River and Venetian Lagoon Review
- Uniworld River Countess Ship Facts: Ship Features and Amenities
- Embarkation in Venice – Day 1
- Explore Venice on Foot
- Padua & Scrovegni Chapel
If You Go:
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
- Uniworld Po River & the Venetian Lagoon
- Uniworld River Countess
- Scrovengi Chapel
