October in Italy - Venice Florence Rome Tour

The question of solo travelers on Rick Steves tours comes up often. The consensus is that they do fine, have a great time, make new friends, and are included in group activities as much as they want to be. Here are a few older threads about it:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/solo-traveler-on-rick-steves-tour

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/solo-traveler-which-tour

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/solo-travel-on-a-rick-steves-ettbd-tour

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/rick-steve-s-tours-femaie-traveling-solo-share-or-private-hotel-room

Harold, thank you for the information posted on solo traveling. It was helpful.

Been on six RS tours. All were a mix of couples, friends, singles, in-laws (and out-laws) and all the singles blended right in. Do not worry. Go and enjoy!!

Layering is key. Take along a light jacket or sweater (or both). Evenings can be cool but not cold until late October.

I've never b en on a tour but I run into lots of RS group members on their own for an afternoon, and they are happy travelers.

Venice is your northernmost location and average temperatures for October are between 50 and 65 degrees. You won't have to dress too heavily, and Fall weather is quite pleasant.
Italy is an especially hot and humid place to travel in Summer, so we avoid traveling there unless in Spring and Fall.

We were in Rome at the end of March last year. It was mostly sunny and warm for us (in the low 60s), which was a nice change from winter snow back home. On the one rainy day, it was chilly, in the low 50s and very wet. I wore sandals to church that day, and the locals asked me if I was freezing. Nope-loved the early spring! Never needed a warmer layer than a raincoat. Most days I wore a light knit cardi over short sleeve tops. For early October, I'd probably pack light fleece? A few years ago we were in Paris in late September, and it was downright hot. As they say, it's all about layers.

Thanks so much for the information, any hesitation I had about traveling alone is gone. I will bring layers to be ready for a range of weather and include a fleece layer. I am trying to save space because I was looking at the luggage suggestions and the recommendation is to bring something backpack size. I had planned to bring a rolling softsided duffel (slightly bigger than carry-on size for airplanes) and a small day bag to carry a few items while touring. Is there a size restriction on the bus or limit to number of bags? Lastly, I am searching for the best walking shoes and I am not typically someone who wears athletic shoes outside of a gym, but I don't want sore feet. Anyone found a good supportive street shoe that is comfortable enough to wear on a RS tour?

If possible, try to use a carry-on size just so you don't have to check a bag and have the possibility of it being misrouted. A small day bag to carry a things while out and about is a good idea. Perhaps it can do double duty and serve as your "personal bag / purse" on the plane. I've not encountered a size restriction on the bus or limit to number of bags on the bus. Just remember though, you have to lug all the luggage.

Regarding your question about shoes – new balance has a lot of really good walking shoes. They have some that are available in all black, which which I find to be fine in dressier situations when paired with dressy black slacks. I only bring one pair of shoes on month-long trips – a pair of new balance walking shoes. If possible I suggest you go to a good store that specializes this type of shoe. Also, make sure that the style you buy is a walking shoe, not a shoe designed for another purpose, such as running; the new balance website will tell you which of their shoes are designed for walking.

And I echo the above comments about weather. I usually go to Italy in late September/October. Last time, I was in Venice in late October and there were a couple of chilly downpours. The lightest fleece zip-up I could find (or a very lightweight sweater), combined with an REI rain shell, kept me comfortable – and I tend to be cold all the time. Also, very lightweight silk long underwear takes no space in your luggage and can really help if it's colder than you expected.

October in Italy does not feel particularly chilly to me, since I'm from Seattle. I do certainly bring clothes that will layer, especially for evening, and usually an umbrella or light rain jacket in the mix. However, I also wear sandals and capri-length pants much of the time and do swim if there's an opportunity. Maybe I'm in denial about summer ending, but it works for me. Check weather forecasts right before you depart, as well.

Thank you to everyone for the great information!! I will try to keep my luggage as small and light weight as possbile. I wasn't sure if the train/bus had size restrictions for what is a carry-on or checked like the airlines. I am ok checking a not too large bag with the airline, but slightly too big for carry-on, so long as I can keep it with me on the train. (I will have 3 days after the tour on my own and 1 day before and I plan to use the train system) I think I will struggle most with limiting my shoes. My feet feel better when I have a variety of shoes and give a pair a rest for a few days. I am happy I have some time for shopping for a good pair or two. I will want to do laundry at some point and I am relieved to hear it is likely to be an option. I am from Chicago, so I am accustomed to a wide range of temperatures and it sounds like Italy in October is quite pleasant. I will go with layering and not bring any one heavy coat.

Shoes are tough to recommend, but Easy Spirit has quite a few walking shoe styles that don't look too sporty or frumpy.

Of course, everyone has different experiences with weather. I did the Village Italy tour last fall starting around Sept 29 and ending mid-Oct. I thought it was pretty hot still, particularly in Venice. It was rainy at the end of the tour and the waterproof jacket came in handy, but we ended near Milan instead of Rome. Still, if I were going ~any~ tour in Italy (or Europe for that matter) I would want a waterproof layer. My Marmot Precip with a cardigan would be enough warmth for me.

I did leave a winter coat in my car in case it was cold when I got back to Idaho as I've got about an hour's drive home.

I am glad you are not worried about solo travel on a RS tour. I've done 5 tours, 2 of them solo and had a wonderful time!

I don' t think anyone has mentioned it yet, but do be aware in Venice the bridges you see are actually steps not ramps so you will have to carry your bag up and over any that are between the vaporetto stop and your hotel. Also, if you are using the train for your extra days, hefting a bag up the steep steps into a train is a chore as well. Just throwing this out there for you to consider so you can get your bag weight as low as possible.

Buy your shoes soon and start walking in them. In Rome, particularly, be ready for going 5+ miles in them. I did the 21 day Best of Europe and we had huge walking days in Rome and Amsterdam....10-12 miles each day! You will be in Rome longer so may not have that much walking in a single day, but do make sure you can go at least 5 miles in them. It feels like the Vatican Museums are at least 5 miles thru to the Sistine Chapel!

Karen, I went on the Venice, Florence, Rome trip as a soloist at the end of October-early November last year. It was fantastic and you'll have a great time. It was pretty warm the whole time and we even had a thunderstorm driving into Rome. For the evenings, a light jacket was fine. I'd taken warmer clothes and sweated. The only crowds we encountered were at the Vatican and we were not besieged by scammy kinds of things or people asking for money. It was a wonderful time to go. Certainly, check the weather before you go and dress in layers. Have fun!

karen,

I agree with the others. You won't have a problem as a solo traveller on a RS tour, and you'll find that you're part of the group. There will likely be a mix of couples and other solo travellers on the tour.

Are you going to pay the single supplement or room with another tour member?

I appreciate the tips and advice from all! About the single supplement, when I called the travel/reservation number, I was told that I was the 28th seat on the tour and the other single was male, so I would be in my own room unless someone dropped or the group changed. I am now wondering if I that is a sure enough bet. I do think I might need a little private time and I tend to not be the best sleeper. I wake up very early most mornings and I wouldn't want to disturb a roommate. Has anyone ever had it happen that they thought they were in a single, by default and something changed and they ended up with a shared room?

I have been on multiple RS tours as a single. Sometimes I pay the supplement. sometimes I take my chances. But as I get older, I prefer my solitude in my room so I will be choosing the supplement on all trips going forward.

My roommates have all been nice enough and have never had an issue with scheduling bathroom time or waking times. Usually everyone is so tired after the day's events that no one has ever wanted to stay up late to watch TV. :-)

I have never had any issues with finding someone on the tour to hang out with at meals or even to go exploring during free time whether they were other singles or couples or friends or whatever. Things just seem to work out to everyone's best interests.

Enjoy your tour!

Hi Karen,
Re the weather, we were in Venice and Rome in October. We brought rain boots for Venice just in case (didn't even come close to needing them). The Venetians were wearing NorthFace down jackets, while I had a t-shirt and cardigan for the days. We thought it was lovely, daytime temps from early morning lows of 14 to around 20 at mid-day.
In Rome, it was warmer but I did see some people wearing down coats. It is just what you are used to normally and are comfortable with.
Have fun!

I am glad I asked about the weather. Thank you to all for your help. From all of the feedback, I think it will be much warmer than I anticipated or at least very pleasant. I was planning on boots and sweaters, but I think I will lighten up and bring more layers of lighter weight clothing.