South Coast Walks & Historical Sites
Bring intriguing coastal trails and history alive in South Hampshire
The world's more beautiful on foot...
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at info@ramblersholidays.co.uk
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at info@ramblersholidays.co.uk
Explore the delightful Eternal City of Rome in autumn, winter, and spring...
Italy
Culture
Apr
May
Sep
Oct
What does this mean?
Tour codes: 18140
This holiday is 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.
Overview
If you are looking to visit Rome with us have you ever considered staying on and going down to visit Venice as well? If so why not book our two week holiday Rome & Venice!
Imagine a day which starts at the Colosseum with the ghosts of the gladiators, then stroll through the Roman Forum in the steps of emperors and vestal virgins. Climb the Capitoline Hill to the Campidoglio Square designed by Michelangelo, then continue up onto the massive monument to Victor Emanuel II, all with Ramblers Walking Holidays. From here Rome lies all around you, from the towers of St John Lateran to the dome of St Peter's.
Rome is a city where you don’t have to seek out art galleries to see the art – it is all around you. Fountains by Bernini, beautiful baroque squares such as the Piazza Navona, and apartment blocks built into Roman theatres. The churches are treasure troves too. Take Santa Maria del Popolo under the Pincian Hill. In it is a chapel designed by Raphael and completed by Bernini, another decorated by Pinturrichio and an altar with two stunning Caravaggios.
And then, as if that wasn’t enough, there is the Vatican City, the Pope’s own country. Besides the Sistine Chapel there are Raphael’s Rooms, including the School of Athens, the greatest celebration of how the classical world was reborn in Renaissance Rome. St Peter’s Basilica itself contains Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s wonderful tomb of Pope Alexander VII.
Rome also offers a taste of the sweet things in life. You can visit the morning market just around the corner from our hotel and pause for a shot of coffee. Stroll the narrow streets around the Pantheon and grab a gelato. Each evening we will visit local restaurants and enjoy a variety of cuisines.
We will also have the opportunity to take a day or two out of the city, to Tivoli for the water gardens of the Villa d’Este and the ruins of Hadrian’s elaborate villa. Ostia Antica offers a pleasant day out to an Ancient Roman port city. This is perhaps the best place to get an idea of the life or ordinary citizens in Ancient Rome.
Click the button below for a detailed Holiday Information Sheet containing all the particulars about this trip.
NOTE: Itineraries and Holiday Information Sheets can vary by a specific date chosen
Explore the delightful Eternal City of Rome and Unmask Venice in two culture filled weeks...
Mixes active sightseeing with short city or countryside walks.
The National Parks, beaches and rainforest of Sri Lanka are typical examples of places you will enjoy visiting in one holiday.
Any walks will take up to 2 hours and any ascents or descents will be taken at a leisurely pace.
Easy countryside walking with plenty of breaks, normally taking up the whole day.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing.
You are unlikely to walk more than 6 miles and the cumulative ascents and descents will be gradual and range from minimal to 300m.
Departure dates
Magical, unique no words can fully do justice to Venice, the most serene of cities.
Mixes active sightseeing with short city or countryside walks.
The National Parks, beaches and rainforest of Sri Lanka are typical examples of places you will enjoy visiting in one holiday.
Any walks will take up to 2 hours and any ascents or descents will be taken at a leisurely pace.
Departure dates
Open a door to the ancient world of Sicily and step out onto a sun drenched island rich in history and awe-inspiring natural wonders.
Mixes active sightseeing with short city or countryside walks.
The National Parks, beaches and rainforest of Sri Lanka are typical examples of places you will enjoy visiting in one holiday.
Any walks will take up to 2 hours and any ascents or descents will be taken at a leisurely pace.
Departure dates
Sassi and Trulli, perhaps the most distinctive accommodation to be had in Italy, both are steeped in history and folklore.
Full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing as well.
Half day walks will probably involve about 3 hours of walking, with full day walks having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to 600m.
Departure dates
Itinerary & Travel
Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we may unfortunately need to withdraw a tour that is currently confirmed to operate and we therefore reserve the right to cancel your booking. We would always do our utmost to give you plenty of notice should we have to do this. Selected elements of this tour, including local attractions and restaurants, may change at late notice. Please ensure you have valid insurance cover before you travel.
Accommodation
Below is the accommodation featured on this holiday across all departure dates. Please refer to the Itinerary for more detail about each night's accommodation for each departure date.
Our Roman home is the 4-star Hotel Albani decorated in a strikingly Italian style, it is welcoming, comfortable and is ideally located for our explorations.
All rooms are well equipped with hair dryer, air conditioning, satellite TV, telephone and mini-bar.
The hotel has Wi-Fi but the signal may not be brilliant in rooms however there is always a good signal in hotel reception.
Trip Information
This holiday is 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.
Local Transport Costs
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.
Optional Excursions
A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions.
Holiday Budgeting
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.
Entrance Fees
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.
Currency in Italy
The currency in Italy is the Euro.
Tipping
Although entirely at your own discretion, tipping is an important aspect of tourism and hospitality life and expectations are fairly high. In order to simplify tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff and to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by us together with, if you wish, a contribution from you, which he/she will collect during the holiday.
Tour Leaders
Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible.
Leader's Evening Briefing
Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know.
Local Guides
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.
Booking Your Own Travel Arrangements?
If you wish to organise your own flights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'land only' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details.
Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance.
If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel.
Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details.
Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you.
Regional Transfers
Regional Flights (R1). We do not offer regional flights with airport to hotel transfers on this holiday, but there is a wide choice of regional flights operating from the UK which you may choose to book independently.
Luggage Allowance & Travel Documents
For all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure.
Personal Details Check
To ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible.
General Passport Advice
It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country.
Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements.
General passport advice for UK nationals on the UK Government website.
You must ensure you check all entry requirements in good time by reviewing the official FCDO advice for your destination. Please take time to read and regularly check this website for changes to the entry requirements and any local restrictions.
You may be required to provide proof that you have been fully vaccinated when travelling or in your destination. Proof of vaccination can either be digital via the NHS app or a printed copy via NHS Hard Copy. We recommend allowing seven working days for your printed copy to arrive. Please note both the NHS app and printed copy are only valid for 30 days.
We anticipate that all travellers will need to be fully vaccinated including the booster jab and to carry proof of this with them at all times. Some indoor venues require, and may ask for proof of vaccination, as well as masks becoming mandatory for indoor public spaces, and we ask you to be prepared for this.
Some airlines or destinations are requiring the wearing of FFP2, FFP3, KN95 or N95 masks without a valve. You should check the FCDO advice for your destination and with your airline before you travel, although you may wish to have one of these masks on hand just in case.
Brexit Passport Advice
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:
The guidance for Schengen border guards may not be updated until the spring of 2022. Until then, 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.
Breakfasts will be taken in the hotel, which offers a good selection on the breakfast buffet.
Five evening meals are included where your leader can choose from a variety of characterful restaurants near to the hotel. 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.
If there is one thing the Romans do well that is eat!
Footwear
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.
General Kit List
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:
This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference.
Travel Documents Checklist
Documents and Information to take with you:
Electricity in Italy
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/
Water To Go
An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles.
We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays.
Maps, Guidebooks & More
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.
The Map Shop
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.
Weather
Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:
Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP.
Health Advice for Italy
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.
Further Travel Advice
For further advice please visit:
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 is a condition of booking with Ramblers Walking Holidays that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the trip, including all optional activities.
Your travel insurance policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation. Please ensure your policy covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are walking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. Medical and repatriation insurance cover are not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provide our tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers.
Please note that it is very difficult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started.
Covid-19 Cover
If you should have symptoms and test positive for Covid-19 whilst abroad, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative and you may have to seek treatment. We strongly recommend that you take out an insurance policy that covers you for this eventuality.
Looking for travel insurance?
If you have not already arranged cover, please visit SunWorld who offer travel insurance.
SunWorld policies include cover for COVID-19, subject to applicable terms and conditions.
EHIC & GHIC Cards
From January 1st, 2021 UK travellers can continue to use their European Heath Insurance Card (EHIC) – which can last up to five years, until its expiry date, to gain access to medical assistance during your holiday. However, you will no longer be covered in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Travellers without a valid EHIC can apply for a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which will replaces the EHIC once it has been phased out. Please note however that the EHIC/GHIC should not be considered a substitute for medical or travel insurance.
For more information, please visit www.nhs.uk/ehic
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination.
Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used.
Italian Laws & Customs
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.
Responsible Travel
We're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.
The Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust
Unlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel’s profits are channelled back into a variety of outdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s financial support is Britain’s leading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the benefits and importance of walking to the British public. In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges and renovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford to do it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details.
Heart and Sole
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.
Mobile Phones
Please do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements.
Do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements.
As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals.
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Visas and Passports
January
Avg. Rain: 67mm
February
Avg. Rain: 62mm
March
Avg. Rain: 63mm
April
Avg. Rain: 61mm
May
Avg. Rain: 56mm
June
Avg. Rain: 47mm
July
Avg. Rain: 35mm
August
Avg. Rain: 48mm
September
Avg. Rain: 64mm
October
Avg. Rain: 89mm
November
Avg. Rain: 96mm
December
Avg. Rain: 82mm
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