Adding Venice to Heart of Italy Tour - Solo Traveler

I don't even like Venice and I would say 3 for you. That would give you 2.5 days to explore after arriving. For ease, I would stay within walking distance of the train station for many transit connections (though that's a LARGE area, as we last stayed in the San Polo area during a water bus strike, it WAS possible to walk many places, just far) and maybe somewhere between the station and Rialto (one of our tours met on the other side of the Rialto, very convenient for that strike day) to be central. (but hey, I bet the Venice lovers have an even better idea haha)

I would suggest morning tours to get you out and going, familiarizing yourself with the area, and then the afternoon time to explore or "pop into" places that might have been on your list like churches or special shops. I WOULD go with a hotel (instead of an apartment) so you could feel more comfortable "not knowing things" and have someone nearby to give suggestions or help you with any questions.

Train from Venice to Rome, easy! Buy your tickets on trenitalia.com from Venice Santa Lucia and into Roma Termini, the earlier you buy them the cheaper they usually are (but they are more restricted fares). If you feel like you might be overwhelmed, aim to get to the station at least 30 min in advance to get your bearings (and to cancel out any possible delays in the waterbuses). I believe chebateo is the app (or website?) that helps you figure our schedules and which bus to take to get where you want to go.

I am doing this in October of this year, adding 3 nights in Venice before the Villages of Italy tour and then taking the train to Padua to begin the tour. I think 3 nights in Venice, since that gives you 2 full days to explore. I have been to Venice once before with my husband, but this time I will be solo traveling. I felt safe in Venice when I visited before, and I think that Venice will be a safe place for a single traveler. Just take the usual precautions and know where you are walking to/from if out at night. Also take care to put anything of most importance; passport, credit cards, cash, ID, in a front pack and tuck it into your jacket if possible. Last thing you want to happen is to get pickpocketed in a crowded area and have to deal with that. I have also been looking at hotels near the Train Station to make it easier to get to the day I depart. Since I did the "big" tourist things the first time in Venice I am looking at doing some less touristy things this time around. Depending on weather too, if it's rainy I may opt for more museums, etc...

The trains appear to run regularly, but I don't have specific experience with taking the train to Rome. The trains to Padua run frequently, but I am still planning to get to Padua the afternoon before we start the tour and stay one pre-night there.

You will love it, this is my first RS Tour and I've heard only good things from past travelers.

It's a wonderful celebration in Italy on Easter, but I think you are correct to fly home before the holiday. Although my husband and I, by pure chance, were in Florence on Easter Sunday and it is spectacular!

Feel free to send me a direct message if you want to chat more.

Susanne

Venice is unique. I’ve traveled solo since 1972. Only child so being solo traveler has never bothered me.
Stayed in apartment when I visited Venice.

The neighborhood by the Giardini Bella Binale was far away from St Marks and all the tourists. Walking at night anywhere in the world is a matter of being alert and confident. I never carry a purse or backpack so nothing of interest.

I’d stay at least 3 nights to explore the island.

I’d train from Rome to Milan, stay the night then train from Milan to Venice.

I can't speak as a solo female traveller but I don't think I've been anywhere on any of the islands that I would even consider "sketchy" let alone dangerous. I'm sure others will chime in.

Keeping in mind 2 nights is only one whole day I would recommend 3 nights especially if you are going to be dealing with jet lag at that time.

The train from Venice to Rome is very straightforward - both train companies Trenitalia (state run) or .Italo (private) run fast trains many times a day. The Venice train station Santa Lucia is right on the Grand Canal so you can simply take the vaporetto (water bus) to the station and get on your train. Tickets can be purchased about 2 months ahead of time and the earlier you buy the cheaper they can be but you trade cost for flexibility because really cheap tickets are generally good for that train only. Most trains will be direct - no changes - and run every 30 minutes or even more often. The trip will be about 3.5-4 hours.

Check out the site Seat 61 for great information on trains and train stations if you want a general primer.

From the airport you will probably need to take a bus or cab to Piazzale Roma - the last land point for Venice - and then switch to vaporetto or some other form of transportation to your hotel. Depending on where you are in town the Alilaguna - another water bus - might be an option from the airport. Or if money is no object take a water taxi and arrive like a movie star. ;)

Hope that helps, I love Venice, enjoy!
=Tod

I did exactly this on my first tour (Village Italy). I always feel safe in Italy. I would recommend 3 nights so you have 2 full days Get out and walk, walk, walk. The best part of Venice is seeing the neighborhoods, not the crowded 'must sees.'
I'd also recommend an extra day in Rome as there is SO much to see and do there. I don't remember issues with taking the trains in Italy.

I’m getting ready to board a plane, so for now I’ll say a definite “yes” for three days in Venice! As a solo traveler, I like staying at Hotel Ala, a Unahotel. It’s extremely handy to San Marco piazza in the evening, a music concert most evenings at a nearby church…can add more later to this post.

Sitting in another airport, so I will write more. I’ve stayed in Venice 5 times, and this will make it 6. Two of those were solo. Everyone has their own preferences, but I would never stay near the train station. I have stayed in three different areas, and my repeat is always back near San Marco. Hotel Ala is handy to the Accademia Bridge, and I’m off wandering away from crowded lanes each morning. Also, enjoy a vaporetto out to Burano or Murano, if you have time.

By the way, I am extremely safety conscious. There’s always people out walking this neighborhood after dinner.

I also vote for 3 nights ahead of the Heart of Italy tour for Venice AND if you can take the time, arrive to Rome at least 1 night before the start of the Heart of Italy tour. (2 nights or as many nights as you can manage is better!) Taking the train from Venice to Rome is very easy. Download the Trenitalia app to your phone and buy your ticket with it, then you don't have to worry about having anything but the digital ticket.

I'm a solo woman traveler and would not hesitate to go to Venice on my own. I have been a number of times but they have been on RS tours. Still, I wandered around on my own.

I DO suggest downloading the CityMapper app and marking your hotel as "home". For myself, I found this easier and more reassuring to be able to find my way back to my hotel thru the small streets of Venice.

It's also easier to arrive at the Venice airport than leave from it, especially if you have an early flight back to the US (often involves flying to a European hub like Paris or Amsterdam to fly the international leg).

You CAN do this!