Venice to Rome by Rail
Venice to Rome by Rail
Venice to Rome by Rail
7 Days Starting in Venice, Italy and ending in Rome, Italy
Visiting: Venice, Bologna, Florence, Pisa, Rome
Tour operator:
Tour code:
VTR
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
16-0
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable rail journey from Venice to Rome, exploring Italy's most iconic cities and breathtaking landscapes. Begin in the enchanting canals of Venice, where art, music, and culinary delights await. Travel to Bologna, a paradise for food lovers, and indulge in a pasta-making demonstration. Discover the Renaissance beauty of Florence and marvel at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Continue to Rome, where ancient history comes alive with guided tours of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. This eco-friendly tour combines rail travel and walking, offering a sustainable way to experience Italy's rich culture and stunning scenery. Enjoy the freedom to explore each city at your own pace, savoring the local cuisine and vibrant street life. Whether you're a history buff, art enthusiast, or foodie, this tour promises an immersive Italian adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Join Trip In The Fabulous Island City Of Venice
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Hotel, Villa Rosa
Accommodation Name: Hotel Villa Rosa
The trip starts today in Venice, a city built on 118 islands linked by bridges and canals in the shallow Venetian lagoon. Once home to an empire, the city is now famous for its art, music and food culture; all of which we hope to experience during our stay. Your trip Leader plans to meet everyone at the hotel for a welcome meeting today at 6pm and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner afterwards for your first taste of Venetian cuisine. There are no activities planned before the group meeting at 6pm tonight, so you can arrive any time before then. Should you miss the meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). The transfer will be by shared taxi and takes around 45 minutes with our hotel a further 5 minutes walk. If your flight arrives earlier in the day and you wish to explore simply head out on foot and lose yourself among the canals and narrow passageways of the city as you soak in its unique atmosphere. With so much to see and do in Venice itself and the surrounding islands you could easily spend several days here. If this is your first visit we recommend arriving early and booking additional hotel nights before the trip starts. Whether arriving by included taxi transfer, or making your own way to the hotel, please note that as vehicles are unable enter the narrow steets of the island you will need to make your own way on foot (around 700 metres, 10 minutes walk) from the drop off point at Piazzale Roma. Walk across the big bridge (Ponte della Costituzione) over the Grand Canal and continue straight past Santa Lucia train station to your left. After the train station turn left into the second street (Calle de la Misericordia). After a few minutes you will find Calle Pesaro and the Hotel Villa Rosa on your right-hand side.
Day 2 : Venice Walking Tour Including Bird's-Eye View From San Giorgio Maggiore Bell Tower
Location: Venice
Accommodation: Hotel, Villa Rosa
Meals Included: Breakfast
We'll waste no time this morning in getting to the know the city, heading out on a walking orientation tour through the backstreets of Cannaregio, across the Rialto Bridge into Saint Mark's Square, home to Saint Mark's Basilica, one of the city's most famous landmarks. We'll see the Famous Bridge of Sighs and beautiful Doge's Palace before heading across the water by vaporetto water bus to the San Giorgio Maggiore Bell Tower for a bird's-eye view of this simply fabulous city. Afterwards you are free to continue discovering the essence of this enchanting city at your own pace. There are two ways to explore - on foot, losing yourself among the myriad passageways and piazza, or by boat, catching the vaporetto (water buses) that criss-cross along the canals or maybe even indulging in a gondola ride. We will provide you with a vaporetto day pass for you to use in your explorations, it's an easy and relaxing way to cruise around the city. Take in famous sights such the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, Doge's Palace, enjoy art and antiquities in world-class galleries and museums such as the Gallerie dell'Accademia, Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Palazzo Ducale. Browse the city's artisanal shops - glassware produced on the nearby island of Murano, leatherware, paperware and of course papier mache carnivale masks. Along the way be sure to stop off at a local bar for an aperativo and cicchetti, delectable Venetian small plates consisting of bite sized snacks. Popular plates include salt cod on polenta, fried meatballs, octopus salad, mini panini alongside simpler items like olives or boiled eggs.
Day 3 : Train To Bologna; Orientation Walk, Pasta Making Demonstration
Location: Bologna
Accommodation: Zanhotel Regina
Accommodation Name: Zanhotel Regina
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We travel by high speed train this morning to the historic city of Bologna, the capital of Emilia Romagna. The city is famous for its arched porticoes which make it possible to walk for long distances sheltered from the elements; there are over 45 kilometres of arcade in the greater city. Bologna is also renowned for its culinary traditions; the popular meat based sauce Bolognese comes from here and the production of cured pork meats such as prosciutto, mortadella and salami is an important part of the local food industry. Tortellini (filled pasta) served in broth, and mortadella, the original Bologna sausage, are among other local specialties. We should arrive in Bologna by mid to late morning and after leaving our baggage at the hotel, your leader will take you out on a short orientation walk. Afterwards your time is left free to explore the city. A great vista over its red roofs of the city can be enjoyed from the Asinelli Tower one of the 'Due Torri', two leaning medieval defensive towers, whose distinctive outline provides a popular symbol of Bologna. It's best to book tickets for this online in advance. We will regroup in the late afternoon for an included pasta-making demonstration, followed by dinner and a glass of wine. We'll discover how traditional sfoglia all'uovo (egg pasta) is kneaded and rolled by hand and you'll have the opportunity to make and then eat your own pasta. While the pasta rests, you will be shown how the filling for traditional tortelloni is made and how to make other pasta shapes such as garganelli, strichetti and tagliatelle.
Day 4 : Discover Bologna's Food Markets. Train To Florence; Walking Tour Around The City
Location: Florence
Accommodation: Hotel, Ester
Accommodation Name: Hotel Donatella
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bologna's food markets are a must for any food lover and we'll head out first thing today to the medieval area called Quadrilatero where the street names; Drapperie, Pescherie, Orefici preserve their name from the old corporations that were here in the past. It's here where you can taste some of the best street food in Italy and find everything from fresh fish and produce to local meats, cheeses, regional wines, homemade tortellini pasta, fresh Italian breads and all manner of other goods. We then head by train to the fabulous city of Florence. It's a short journey that takes around 30 minutes and we should arrive late morning. The spiritual home of the Renaissance, Florence is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. On arrival our leader will take us out on an orientation walk. Starting out at San Lorenzo market (leather) we'll head on to the bustling Central Market (foodstuffs) then take in San Lorenzo church and the Cappelle Medicee. One of the most important buildings in Florence, you will be able to see the Duomo and Baptistry (outside only) before heading towards the Signoria Square, past the Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizi Museum before taking in the famous Ponte Vecchio, the oldest and most famous bridge in Florence and the only one that was not demolished during the German retreat of 1944. From mid to late afternoon you are free to explore Florence at your own pace; maybe this will involve an espresso and people watching at one of the many alfresco cafes. As with Rome, some forward planning is best to make the most of your time. The city's major sights are all easily reached on foot. You may like to visit the Duomo with its magnificent pink, white and green marble facade and climb up its red-tiled dome that dominates the skyline of the city for your own bird's-eye view. Or take a stroll along the banks of the River Arno. Palazzo Vecchio and Museo di San Marco and Galleria dell'Accademia (home to Michelangelo's David) are just three of the many treasure troves of art that abound in this most enchanting of cities. Early evening is the perfect time to walk up to the Piazzale Michelangelo for a great view over the city. If you wish to book tickets to the world famous Uffizi Gallery; home to Raphael, Michelangelo, Titian and Leonardo Da Vinci masterpieces it's best to book in advance and we recommend visiting later on the afternoon of day 5 as you will have more time. Book online at https://www.uffizi.it/biglietti.
Day 5 : Visit To Pisa; See The Incredible Leaning Tower
Location: Pisa
Accommodation: Hotel, Ester
Accommodation Name: Hotel Donatella
Meals Included: Breakfast
It's around an hour by local train this morning to Pisa where your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour. The Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Dreams), of which the iconic Leaning Tower is but one part, also contains the Baptistery, Duomo and Camposanta, which between them make up a stunning collection of architectural delights. These, along with the churches and palazzi that make up the historic centre, all belong to a period from the 11th to 13th centuries when the city was one of the Mediterranean's major maritime powers. You can return to Florence at your leisure for further free time in the city.
Day 6 : Fast Train To Rome; Guided Visit To The Colosseum, Roman Forum And Palatine Hill
Location: Rome
Accommodation: Hotel, Madison
Accommodation Name: The Cross Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We catch another high speed train to Rome this morning. With a history spanning over two and half a thousand years, Rome is packed with iconic ancient sites, exhilarating architecture and artistic treasures. It's the perfect place to experience la dolce vita lifestyle; picturesque piazzas, neighbourhood cafes and bars make for excellent people watching. With so much to see and do you could easily spend many days here, so if this is your first visit, we highly recommend booking additional hotel nights after the trip ends. We'll take our luggage to our hotel before heading out for a specialist guided tour of two of Rome's most famous ancient sites, the iconic Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Our first stop is the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre in the world and symbol of the Roman Empire. Built by Flavian Emperor Vespasian, the mighty arena could hold between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, all attracted by gladiatorial contests, mock sea battles and executions. Heading along the Via Sacra (Sacred Way) we arrive at the Roman Forum, the scene of public meetings and law courts, it was lined with shops and open-air markets and was the site of many of the city's most imposing temples and monuments. Forty metres above the Forum, Palatine Hill is the most central of the Seven Hills of Rome and considered the birthplace of the city, having been inhabited since 1000 B.C. We expect our sightseeing to finish late afternoon, the remainder of the afternoon/evening is left free for you to continue exploring. Make sure to find the time to stop along the way to join the locals for an essential espresso at a street side cafe or perhaps indulging in a delicious gelato. If you wish to visit the Vatican, Rome's most popular attraction, you should book tickets to the Museum online in advance. Check the Vatican website (vatican.va) for updated information on opening times. We recommend that you do not book a timed ticket for entry any earlier that 5 pm. Prior to the 31st March and after 31st October, final entry to the Vatican is at 4 pm. If you have booked a ticket for 4 pm, please advise your tour leader who will adapt the earlier sightseeing accordingly. Tickets for the Vatican Museum can be booked online at: https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home. Please note that pre-booked tickets are not required if you just want to visit St Peter's Basilica.
Day 7 : Trip Ends In The Italian Capital Rome
Location: Rome
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Rome. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) which is around 45 minutes to an hour from the city centre depending on traffic conditions.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Comfortable -
Airport Transfer
Complimentary airport transfer is available from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) to the hotel.
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Vaporetto Day Pass
A Vaporetto day pass is provided for easy and relaxing exploration of Venice by water bus.
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Pasta-Making Demonstration
An included pasta-making demonstration in Bologna, followed by dinner and a glass of wine.
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Guided Tour in Rome
A specialist guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill in Rome.
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Meals
The tour includes 6 breakfasts and 1 dinner.
What's Not Included
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Additional Hotel Nights
Additional hotel nights before or after the tour are not included.
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Vatican Museum Tickets
Tickets for the Vatican Museum in Rome are not included and should be booked online in advance.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
Meals
Breakfasts: 6
Dinners: 1
Mode of Transport
Travel through Italy by high-speed train, offering a scenic and efficient way to explore iconic cities like Venice, Bologna, Florence, and Rome, while minimizing your carbon footprint.
Accommodation
Stay in charming accommodations such as Hotel Villa Rosa in Venice, Zanhotel Regina in Bologna, and The Cross Hotel in Rome, offering comfort and convenience throughout your journey from Venice to Rome.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the starting point of the tour?
The tour starts in the fabulous island city of Venice.
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What is the final destination of the tour?
The tour ends in the Italian capital, Rome.
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Is there a welcome meeting on the first day?
Yes, there is a welcome meeting planned at the hotel at 6pm on the first day.
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What type of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour primarily uses high-speed trains for transportation between cities.
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Is there a guided tour of the Colosseum included?
Yes, there is a specialist guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill in Rome.
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Will there be any cooking demonstrations during the tour?
Yes, there is a pasta-making demonstration included in Bologna.
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Are there any activities planned for the last day of the tour?
No, there are no activities planned for the last day, so you are free to depart at any time.
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Is there an opportunity to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
Yes, there is a visit to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and other architectural sites.
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What is the recommended way to explore Venice?
You can explore Venice on foot or by using the Vaporetto water buses, and a Vaporetto day pass is provided.
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
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Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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