Rome & Venice

During our time in Rome our days are of a Grade 4 predominantly sightseeing in nature. However, we will be on foot for most our sightseeing and will cover some distance over the ground. Days will largely be spent on hard concrete surfaces so comfortable footwear is a must. Also remember Rome is built on seven hills so inevitably there is some up and down. The longest walking day is spent exploring a length of the Appian Way when we will cover about 6 miles over generally flat terrain.

Once we have moved onto Venice our Grade 2 is more compact so walking distances are generally shorter and there are no hills! Expect active whole day sightseeing exploring the major sights, lesser-known ones and quiet backwaters all on foot with some use of water taxis to link them – thus we visit all the main areas/islands of Venice.   Apart from bridges to cross canals, Venice is almost flat and car free. It pays to look out for uneven surfaces but generally they are good, though walking on any city streets can be tiring on the feet so comfortable footwear is essential. There is always something to see or investigate along the way so you probably won’t realise that in the process you may have walked 3-4 miles and on one day a little more. Because there is so much to see in both Venice and Padua the only countryside walk is short- across the island of Torcello to visit the ruins of the cathedral there.

The incredibly rich treasures of Venice are under threat as never before from a combination of subsidence of the city caused by natural gas and water extraction (now ceased), rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events - both a result of global warming. This means that high tides (acqua alta) are more frequent and some flooding of parts of Venice (especially St Mark’s Square) is more common. Local shop keepers, hoteliers and restauranteurs are well prepared and remarkably resilient and adaptable. 

You also need to be adaptable and prepared too with wellington boots to just below the knee and waterproof over-trousers. Should you struggle in packing wellington boots you can buy disposable versions locally and we suggest you spend around €20 avoiding the really cheap versions.

We hope not, but you may be one of the last generations to see the splendour of Venice if it proves impossible to defend it in the coming decades.

In Rome all local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary. 

Once we get to Venice we include a 7 day vaporetto pass that offers free transport anywhere on the lagoon for the time we stay in Venice. The only limitation of this card is it cannot be used for trips to the airport but as we include airport transfers anyway this should not be an issue. Your Ramble Worldwide leader will purchase these tickets and hand them out on the first morning in Venice. For interest details of the Venice transport system can be found at: www.actv.it

At your destination, you may have the option to book various local excursions and activities through a local operator. It's important to note that we are not involved in these activities or excursions, and we do not operate, supervise, or control them in any way. Your contract will be directly with the local activity supplier, and we bear no responsibility for their actions or omissions.

When budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day. (This includes €10 for a light lunch with water.) In Venice all lunches will be taken in local cafes or restaurants for very good reasons which are fully explained later both in the section on "Meals" and the section on "Italian Laws and Customs", which follow later in our information.

Some entrance fees to sites are included. The Colosseum, Forum,Vatican Galleries and Borghese Villa (if your return flight departure time allows).

If all other museums and galleries are visited this could cost a further £80.00 for the week.

In Venice our entry into the Scrovegni Chapel is included in the holiday price. 

Entrance fees to other sites visited are not included. If all museums, galleries and churches (which also house much great art well worth seeing) are visited this could cost a further £60.00 to £70 for the week. 

The different combinations of museums and church passes and age discounts are confusing. 

For over 65’s we recommend buying the 11 Civic Museums pass €18 and the Chorus ticket €12 (which gives entry to several churches) as the best combined value and most flexible.

Similarly for under 65’s we recommend the Venice Card €39.90 (no concessions) which combines the above two + The Jewish museum and 2 places you are unlikely to visit. Your Leader will help you to buy them on the first/second day to get the most value from them. There will not be time later on to obtain them and you may have to buy a more expensive alternative.

The 11 Civic Museums ticket includes the Lace and Glass museums which you are likely to visit on your day to the islands and the Doge’s Palace, Correr Museum and Cà Rezzonico which you may choose to visit on your day off. You can find more information at https://www.visitmuve.it/en/home/

There are other Museums, Galleries and Churches not covered by these tickets some of which we may visit during our programme and some you may wish to visit independently.

The currency in Italy is the Euro.

In your holiday price, we've included tipping for our local suppliers, covering hotel and restaurant staff, local guides, and drivers. Should you wish to make an extra contribution for a specific service, this should be given directly to the recipient at your discretion.

Your tour leader plays a crucial role in enhancing your holiday experience, and they share your passion for exploring the world on foot. In addition to being resourceful and organised they are also well-travelled and deeply enthusiastic about showing you new destinations.  Your tour leader takes care of all the local administration, ensuring you can fully enjoy your holiday without worrying about the logistics. While leading group holidays, they always keep in mind that each group is composed of individuals. Each tour leader brings their unique style, talents, and professional background to the table. Rest assured, they are all trained, qualified, experienced, and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting, and inspiring as possible. Remember, your leader, while on holiday, is your first port of call for any issues, ensuring a smooth and worry-free experience for you.

Each evening, your tour leader will meet with you to review the programme for the next day. This is your chance to discuss details and ensure that the planned activities align with your walking ability. If you have any concerns about clothing or equipment, feel free to bring them up during this discussion. If, for any reason, you prefer not to participate in the organised group programme, please inform your leader. Your preferences are important, and your leader is there to make sure your experience aligns with your expectations.

To enhance your experience, as well as your tour leader, each holiday will be accompanied in some centres by a well qualified and knowledgeable English-speaking local guide.

Transfers between Rome Airport and the hotel are by road and take approximately 1 hour. 

For clients making their own way to the hotel it is an easy journey. From Fiumicino Airport take the train to Rome Termini station. From here take a taxi for the short (and relatively cheap at approximately €15) ride to the hotel. The alternative is a few stops on the bus or metro followed by a short walk to the hotel but it would not be pleasant to do this with luggage.

Whilst in Rome we will use public transport to move around the city and its surrounding areas.

When our time comes to an end in Rome we will take the train directly to Venice. Where we then take the Vapporretto to the Lido. The train journey between the two cities will not be accompanied by a leader.

Our return transfer will be via Vapporretto back to Venice Marco Polo Airport.

If you prefer to arrange your own flights from a non-UK or regional airport or travel to your holiday destination by rail or car, you may qualify for 'land only' reductions, and we can provide details upon request. Feel free to reach out to us for more information.

Before finalizing any independent travel arrangements, especially if you're doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended travel date, please check with us first to ensure your holiday has been cleared to operate. If you plan to join your holiday locally, kindly inform us at least 14 weeks in advance.

If you're joining and leaving your holiday overseas, we assume, unless you specify otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel.

Although airport/station transfers are not included for those making independent travel arrangements, you may have the option to join the group at the overseas airport/station, depending on your arrival time. If interested, contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details.

Please be aware that you must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight/train arrival to be eligible for the group transfer. Additionally, we'll need your flight number, arrival time, and departure point or independent travel arrangements to ensure the group leader can meet up with you. If you have a mobile, please ensure we have the number, and it is turned on while you are traveling for effective communication.

When you book a flight or rail inclusive holiday, transfers between the airport/station and hotel and back are included. On some holidays, where we offer various flight options, the transfer vehicle may wait for all flights to land before transferring to the hotel.  

If you're booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, rest assured that details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be clearly outlined in your 'Final Travel Documents'. These will be sent to you approximately 10 days before your departure, ensuring you have all the necessary information for a smooth and well-prepared journey.

To ensure the accurate administration of your holiday arrangements, kindly verify that the personal details we have for you are current and correct. Confirm that you've given us all the necessary information for securing your travel and accommodation. Please review your passport details, date of birth, and any other pertinent information crucial for the management of your holiday.

Additionally, please make us aware of any dietary allergies or intolerances you may have. Your well-being is important to us, and this information will help us make appropriate arrangements for your meals during the trip.

You can access and update the provided information or add missing details through the "Manage My Booking" feature on our website at www.rambleworldwide.co.uk. Alternatively, reach out to our Sales and Reservations team at +44 (0)1707 331133. Upon receiving your booking confirmation, promptly check the details. Your cooperation ensures a seamless and enjoyable holiday experience.

If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must meet the Schengen area rules.

Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

• less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)
• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

For some Schengen countries your passport may need to be less than 10 years old during your whole visit, and the 3 months at the end of your visit may need to be within 10 years of your passport’s issue date.

Check both the issue date and the expiry date in your passport. If you renewed your passport early, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. This could affect the requirement for your passport to be less than 10 years old.

Non British Passport holders should consult the host country’s embassy for applicable passport and visa entry requirements.

In Rome breakfasts will be taken in the hotel, which offers a good selection on the breakfast buffet.

Seven evening meals are included. Four are taken at the hotel with the remaining three where your leader can choose from a variety of characterful restaurants within the city. All will be authentic ‘Rome restaurants’ but each will have its particular style.

On our first night, we might well visit a Roman ‘bistro’ where an assortment of salads, cold platters of cheeses and cooked meats is a great way to start the meal. This can be followed by a crafted and unusual pasta dish (no they won’t give you the recipe, we have tried) and a choice of light desserts. A great start to the holiday.

We certainly will visit the nearby Pizzeria, with a roaring wood burning oven, producing the thinnest, crispest pizzas you have ever experienced. It is always full of local diners, a good sign of quality. A fish restaurant is close by, where the fish greet you at the door lying on beds of ice, maybe hold back a bit on the pasta that night. They serve rather good meat dishes too.

When we visit the Vatican, we can choose one of the many boutique restaurants hidden in the streets behind St Peters. Probably after a long day we can let ourselves go with huge plates of spaghetti. Or maybe, if we are early enough, they will just have prepared the Lasagne………it soon goes!

For vegetarians, have no fear, all the restaurants have excellent choices. We can even find pizzas which are gluten free, if wheat is a problem.

What else? A rustic meal with pitchers of red wine in a cellar restaurant, an elegant restaurant with a slightly Turkish inspired menu, everywhere some of our clients may well choose yet another pizza with a side salad which can be a meal in itself.

For lunch we might have a Caprese Salad or restrict ourselves to bruschetta with mediterranean tomatoes which melt in the mouth and always, always there is gelato. It has been suggested by several clients, that you can have a gelato twice a day for the whole tour and feel no side effects whatsoever.

When we get to Venice meals change a little whereby each morning will start with breakfast in the hotel before heading out for our days activity. 

Lunches are not the normal Ramble Worldwide packed lunches because to protect the fragile environment of Venice the city authorities have banned the consumption of food and drink in public spaces. This means that picnics are not an option so we will be eating in cafe/ restaurants. You can get a light lunch for around €10 with drinks extra. On the plus side there is somewhere to sit and have a chat, a handy toilet, also warmth and shelter inside should the weather be less kind!

To finish on four days your leader will take you to sample local culture further in local restaurants experiencing the different local cuisine and of course sampling the classic Italian dishes including fresh pastas, pizza, or rich local seafood. The other three nights, dinner will be taken in the hotel restaurant. In Italy, traditional meals may include primo, il secondo, and dolce, depending on the individual restaurant. Primo can be served as an appetiser and usually consists of rich pasta, soup or risotto. The main course is called il secondo and usually includes meat, fish or vegetarian. The dolce refers to the dessert and ends a traditional Italian meal.

Please note that in Italy it is customary to pay for water consumed at the dinner table estimating around €2-3 per 0.75cl bottle.

Good quality waterproof walking shoes or trail shoes with a thick, moulded sole with a good tread and a low heel are likely to be all that is required for these holidays. If you are a frequent walker and are comfortable in good quality hiking sandals, these may be adequate for some walks. You can wear lightweight walking boots if you prefer. 

Remember to take knee length wellington boots in case there is an acqua alta (high tide) and parts of Venice are flooded or be prepared to buy over boots locally. It may only be for one day in the week but it will be worth it!

Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.

If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:

• Waterproof jacket (Goretex or similar) and trousers
• Lightweight quick-drying trousers
• Walking T-shirt/shirts
• Walking socks
• Fleece or jumper
• Sun hat, sunglasses, lip salve and sun block
• Warm hat and gloves (if appropriate)
• Swimwear & towel (if appropriate)
• Day sack (this should be able to carry all you would need for the day's activity)
• Day sack liner
• Water bottle - at least 1 litre capacity (more than 1 bottle may be required)
• Basic first aid kit
• Lunchbox
• Walking poles (should you find them useful)
• Sit mat

This list is not exhaustive, and every walker is different and may have their own preference.

We will be visiting many churches and religious buildings in Venice. Local rules require you do not wear shorts, nor for ladies to wear revealing clothes. In deference to these rules please dress appropriately.

Documents and Information to take with you:

• Passport (make sure it's yours and valid)
• Your travel tickets or e-ticket itinerary
• Any visa or electronic travel authorisation (if required)
• Holiday money
• Credit or debit cards (and separate details of who to call if lost)
• Car parking ticket and car park directions (if prebooked)
• Coach or rail travel tickets (if prebooked)
• Your holiday Booking Confirmation document
• Your travel insurance details
• Alternative form of identification (such as a driving licence)
• Photocopy of the personal details' pages of your passport
• A valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if relevant
• Details of any medical condition or allergy your holiday leader should know about

Electricity in Italy is supplied at 220 Volts. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a European two pin adaptor with round pins. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/

Opting for filtered water from a reusable bottle with its built-in water filter, like the Water-to-go bottle available at www.watertogo.eu, is a sustainable alternative to single-use sealed water bottles. Simply refill it from any water source and contribute to saving the environment from disposable plastic bottles.

Exciting news: Water-to-go has introduced two new bottles to their collection. The Active bottle is designed to fit bike water bottle holders, and the Sugarcane bottle is an even more planet-friendly option. Crafted from fibrous cane, a by-product of liquid extraction, it undergoes a process to create plant-based plastic. Explore the details on the Water-to-Go website for this innovative new range.

As a token of appreciation for your commitment to the environment, we've secured an exclusive 15% discount with Water-to-Go for you. Visit www.watertogo.eu and use the code RWH17 during your order.                        

Note: If you're booked on a long-haul holiday, you'll receive a complimentary Water to Go bottle, sent to your home address 2 or 3 weeks before your holiday. Thank you for being a part of our sustainable journey!

For those keen on research we recommend two films:

A Roman Holiday starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. A nostalgic view of Rome in the 50’s

Angels and Demons starring Tom Hanks. An entertaining modern day adventure. Perhaps the fun to be had here is the spotting the artistic license taken with Rome’s geography.

If you cannot find the maps or books locally, we recommend:

The Map Shop
5 High Street
Upton upon Severn, Worcs
WR8 0HJ
England

Tel: 01684 593 146
Website: www.themapshop.co.uk
E-mail: themapshop@btinternet.com

If you key many of the local places mentioned in this holiday fact sheet into YouTube, you will find a vast array of spectacular footage of the area.

Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:

• Weather2 - www.myweather2.com
• BBC Weather - www.bbc.co.uk/weather

Health requirements in destination can change, and it's crucial for you to take responsibility in staying informed. Ensure that you consult a professionally qualified source and comply with any health requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before your departure. Your GP can provide advice on vaccinations. Stay proactive about your health preparations to ensure a safe and enjoyable travel experience.

No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to Italy.

You should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK. 

You may wish to consider immunisations against Tetanus and Tick-borne Encephalitis.

For further advice please visit:

• The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) travel health website at www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
• The NHS 'Fit for travel' website at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
• The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
• Or a local travel health clinic

You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.

It’s a condition of booking that you obtain adequate travel insurance, from a reputable provider, to undertake the holiday, including UK trips chiefly due to the cancellation element of cover.

The policy must cover the period from the date of booking to the last day of your trip and should include, as a minimum, cover for: medical expenses (including the consequences of a Covid positive test result), mountain rescue including helicopter rescue, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment and shall not have exclusion clauses limiting cover for the activities you will partake in on your trip, including altitudes reached in the holiday arrangement. It is your responsibility to check that your policy is adequate for the nature and destination of the holiday booked.

Once you have obtained your travel insurance, please provide us with the name of your travel insurer, the policy number and the insurer’s 24 hour emergency assistance number.

If you fail to obtain suitable Travel Insurance we shall not be liable for any costs incurred or claims made against us due to your failure to comply with this term.

If travelling outside the UK you must carry proof of insurance with you and produce it if reasonably requested to do so by RWH Travel staff, tour leaders or suppliers. No refunds will be made should you be excluded from the walking programme through being uninsured or you are unable to demonstrate that you are insured.

Our house broker MPI should be considered for whom we are an affiliate and contact information is on our website and will be referred to in your booking confirmation.

If you are travelling to an EU country or Switzerland, please also ensure that you have either an existing valid EU EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card) or a valid UK GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card). You can apply for a UK GHIC free of charge on the NHS website at https://services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/cra/start.

Starting January 1st, 2021, you, as a UK traveller, can continue using your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) throughout its valid five-year period, granting you access to medical assistance during your holiday until its expiry date. Be aware, though, that this coverage will no longer extend to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. In case you don't have a valid EHIC, you can apply for a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which will replace the EHIC as it gets phased out.

It's essential to emphasize that the EHIC/GHIC, while valuable, should not be regarded as a substitute for comprehensive medical or travel insurance. For your peace of mind and comprehensive coverage, considering additional insurance is highly recommended.

For more information, please visit www.nhs.uk/ehic

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is your go-to for the latest info on security, local laws, and the nitty-gritty of passports and visas at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Make sure to take a quick peek at the current advice for your upcoming destination—it'll only take a few minutes.

When you're out and about, stay aware of your surroundings. Take smart precautions with your credit cards and passport, and maybe tone down the flashy accessories. Less is more, especially when it comes to carrying cash—just enough for the day will do. Consider using a money belt for that extra layer of security. Stay alert, stay safe, and make the most of your travels!

In some Italian towns and cities, you may be fined for dropping litter and in some towns or cities it’s an offence to sit on monument steps or to eat and drink in the immediate vicinity of main churches, historic monuments and public buildings. It’s also an offence to enter or bathe in public fountains.

In May 2019, the Municipality of Capri introduced a law forbidding the use of any disposable plastic objects such as bags, cutlery, plates, cups, food packaging, trays, straws on the island of Capri. Violations can incur a fine of up to 500 euros.

Illegal traders operate on the streets of all major Italian cities, particularly tourist cities like Florence, Venice and Rome. Don’t buy from illegal street traders. You could be stopped by the local police and fined.

It is illegal to remove sand, shells or pebbles from coastal areas in Italy. Doing so may result in heavy fines. It’s also forbidden to collect various species of flowers, plants and herbs from mountain and wooded areas. For more information, check with the regional authorities of the area you’re visiting.

We are dedicated to promoting responsible travel practices that prioritise the well-being of both the environment and local communities. We believe in the transformative power of travel and aim to minimize our ecological footprint by selecting eco-friendly accommodations, encouraging waste reduction, and supporting sustainable transportation options where possible. Our walking tours are designed to immerse participants in the local culture, fostering meaningful connections with the communities we visit. We strive to leave a positive impact by engaging in responsible tourism activities, respecting local customs, and contributing to the preservation of natural landscapes. Through our commitment to responsible travel, we aim to create enriching experiences for our guests while actively contributing to the conservation of the destinations we explore.

Unlike many other tour operators, we take pride in our unique approach. Ramble Worldwide channels its surplus profits back into various outdoor, walking-related, or environmental conservation projects in the UK through our own trust. When you choose us, you contribute to this impactful initiative.

The Ramble Worldwide Outdoor Trust is passionate about making the outdoors more accessible for more people from all communities. We grant funds to many organisations and have recently partnered with Mind Over Mountains, Adaptive Grand Slam, and other groups to create an enduring impact on people’s lives and to support them to enjoy the outdoors. In addition, the Trust makes many small grants to local organisations such as Ramblers Groups, Walkers are Welcome, My kind of Books and recently provided a small grant, via his scouting group, to enable a young man whose family had fallen on hard times to complete his DofE Gold award.

Patron of the Trust is the renowned explorer, Mark Wood. Over 20 years Mark has undertaken expeditions to some of the most remote parts of our planet. Our shared values make for an exciting partnership, and we believe that by standing shoulder to shoulder we can encourage people from all communities to enjoy being active outdoors in whatever way suits them best.

For more comprehensive details, please visit the 'About' section on our website and click on the Charitable Trust link. Your choice to travel with us goes beyond a memorable vacation; it contributes to meaningful projects that have a positive impact on our community and environment.

We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support.

Kindly share a mobile phone contact number with us. We'll utilize this solely for crucial communication pertaining to your holiday arrangements.

Ensure your mobile phone remains switched on and easily accessible when en route to the airport or during transit delays. This way, we can promptly reach you with any last-minute updates concerning your travel plans.

In consideration of others, we request that you switch off your mobile phone during walks or try to limit its usage. Additionally, during group meals, please minimize the use of mobile devices. Your cooperation ensures a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone on the journey.