Italy - a place where dreams are made and realised. 

There's plenty that will captivate your heart and imagination on a small group tour from Rome to Venice. From posing with the iconic leaning tower of Pisa and marvelling at the colourful Cinque Terre to discovering the winding canals of Venice and indulging in decadent foods your tastebuds are going to love, this picturesque country has a little something for everyone.

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Highlights from Rome to Venice 

Male traveller taking a photo of the Pantheon in Rome.

Wander Rome’s famous landmarks

No doubt you’ve seen photographs staring at you from the pages of magazines, but nothing compares to seeing the likes of the Colosseum, the Trevi fountain, and St Peter’s Basilica up close and in real life. Marvel at the ancient architecture and listen to your local leader as they tell stories of each monument’s history, ticking them off the bucket list as you go. 

Two women making pasta in an Italian kitchen.

Have a go at making your own pasta

Italian cuisine is up there with some of the tastiest food in the world – think pizza, pasta, risotto, and gelato just to name a few – and while eating it is delicious, crafting it with your bare hands is something else entirely. On your Italian adventure, get the chance to make your own pasta (and eat it afterwards) in the medieval and charming town of Bologna. 

The Maggiore statue alongside Stresa Lake, Italy.

Step into a fairytale in Lake Como

There are few destinations in the world dreamier than Lake Como and with its romantic scenery, medieval remnants, and heavenly lake, it’s easy to see why it captivates traveller’s hearts (and fills up camera rolls). Get lost in this region’s beauty and get caught up in its history by visiting time-worn buildings including Villa Balbianello, Villa Melzi Gardens, Vezio Castle, and Villa Carlotta. 

A group of friends enjoying a gondola ride in Venice

Float along the beautiful canals of Venice

Venice is simply one of those destinations you have to visit at least once in your lifetime if not for the local eateries and attractions, then for the magical canals that replace the cobblestones other European city streets are known for. From the breathtaking and detailed architecture reflected in the water to the graceful gondolas themselves, lose yourself in the romance of this unforgettable place. 

A lone traveller cycling on the beaches of Tuscany

Cycle through the Tuscan countryside

There’s plenty to see in Tuscany from olive tree fields to rolling green hills and one of the best ways to make sure you’ve done it all is to swap your two feet for two wheels. Not only will cycling some of the country’s best landscapes ensure you’ll sightsee more efficiently, but it’ll also tire you out and guarantee you’ll need to refuel with a big plate of pasta or a helping of pizza. That’s what we call a win/win. 

A group of friends raising a toast with glasses of Italian wine

Sample some world-class local wines

What goes hand in hand with Italian food? Italian wine of course! Boasting high quality and a large number of vineyards (1.5 million acres of vineyards to be exact), Italy is one of the best European countries to get your drink on from the enchanting Calabria to the prolific Tuscany. So, head out with your group when you get to Piedmont for your own private tasting of local grape-grown wine. 

Rome to Venice tour reviews

Rome to Venice FAQs

Trips on or before 31 December 2022

If your Intrepid trip starts on or before 31 December 2022, you must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.

If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional. 

Children under 18 are exempt. Children aged between 5 and 17 years old must provide proof of either vaccination, recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid’s COVID-19 policy

Italy enjoys a temperate climate most of the year, with June, July and August the warmest months. Popular tourist spots get very busy and crowded during the European summer, but don’t let that deter you – the sun will be shining, and the gelato will be served icy cold.

The shoulder seasons of April–May and September–October offer great conditions for travel, with milder temperatures and fewer crowds at main sights and beaches. Even though it’s not as hot, you’re still set for some warmer conditions and more pleasant temperatures to walk around the cities like Rome and Florence.

It can get quite cold in the winter months, especially in the north, with cities like Milan, Turin and Venice often seeing snow, fog and rain in December and January. Major coastal tourist spots like the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre can be very quiet during winter with many establishments closing at this time, so it might be best to visit in the warmer months if these places interest you.

Read more about the best time to visit Italy

As you can tell from a world map, Italy is a pretty long country compared to its European neighbours. This gives it one of the more diverse climates in Europe, with mountainous zones in the north and dry arid landscapes in the south graced with all different types of weather.

Much of the inland northern regions have harsh winters and hot summers, while coastal areas of Liguria, Tuscany and the south of Italy generally fit that Mediterranean stereotype, with hot and dry summers and mild winters. The east coast of the Italian peninsula is not as wet as the west coast, but in winter, the east coast is usually colder.

Generally, Italy’s hottest month in the south is August and can reach upwards of 40°C, while the north hits its peak in July and has slightly milder maximums. January is the coldest month throughout the country.

Read more about weather in Italy

There are a few ways you can get from Rome to Venice including flying (which takes about an hour), self-driving (which takes 4 and a half hours) or catching public transport in the form of a bus or a train (train takes around 3 and a half hours and the bus takes around 6 and a half hours). 

You’ll need to consider the time of year you want to travel, plus the places you’re travelling to so you can work out what you should wear in Italy.

In summer, loose-fitting cotton clothing like light t-shirts and shorts or light trousers, is recommended no matter what part of the country you’re in. During the transitioning seasons of April-May and September-October, packing a jacket and long pants is encouraged so you can layer, if needed.

Winter brings snow and sub-zero temperatures to the north of the country, so if you’re travelling in Milan or the Piedmont region, pack warm clothing, such as thermals and thick jackets. A scarf and gloves are encouraged too. For the south, you may not need all the heavy stuff, but having warm, windproof and waterproof gear is advisable.

If you wish to visit the Sistine Chapel and other churches and religious sites in the Vatican City and beyond, it is highly recommended that men and women wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees, any time of year. If you are found to be wearing immodest clothing by security guards or staff, you will be denied entry.

Read more about what to pack for Italy

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, whatever physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help choose the most suitable itinerary and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Despite Italy’s charm and old-town feel, travellers with mobility and sight or hearing impairments may find it difficult to travel around the country independently. Old cobbled streets and pavements blocked by parked cars are the norm, making it difficult for wheelchair users.

Despite this, much of Italy’s public transport system is mobility friendly. The service ‘Sala Blu’ (Blue Hall) is provided to travellers who require assistance at the 14 main train stations around Italy. These services include providing a wheelchair, a representative to accompany you to your train, another to meet at the other end, lift service to get on and off the train, and free use of baggage trolleys.

Many of Italy’s most-visited attractions, like the Colosseum, Vatican museums and the Uffizi Gallery, are almost entirely wheelchair accessible, with ramps and lifts available. Venice may be considered the least accessible, but it is possible. Bridges between canals should be avoided, but vaporettos (or water taxis) can be used, especially the routes along the Grand Canal.

If you do live with a visual, hearing or other impairment, let your booking agent or group leader know early on so they’re aware and suitable arrangements can be made. As a general rule, knowing some common words in the local language, carrying a written itinerary with you and taking to the streets in a group, rather than solo, can help make your travel experience the best it can be.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid

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