Travelling to Italy as a group is a must do! Travelling to Italy period, is a must, but there's just something, dare I say, Ancient-Roman-like, when you travel as a group - getting back to your tribal instincts is easiest, arguably, in this country where ancient sites upon ancient sites are rampant and well-preserved.
Italy Group Travel: Practicalities
In this blog post, we will talk first about the practicalities of travelling as a group, before moving on to the more fun stuff: six things to do in Italy in a group. Andiamo!
Planning and Organising your Group Trip to Italy
I am a planner. I just love planning. And I love to start it in advance. More in advance than is probably necessary (according to my husband), but I will stand firm on this one point: the more people coming on your group trip, the earlier you need to start planning. It can be a logistic nightmare but not if you start early enough. Let's dive into some more tips:
- Group consensus: be diplomatic about the itinerary so that there's something for everyone, be very clear in advance about the ratio of relaxing and exploring that everyone wants;
- Booking activities in advance: skip the queue and check if there are any group discounts!
- Budget: be upfront about who is paying for what - will you be splitting things equally or will it be income-based (e.g. people who earn more pay more). Will some things be paid for together like accommodation and transport and other things paid for separately (like food and drink)?
- Personal tip: try to pay for your drinks separately!
Accommodation
Of course, you will probably be looking for larger, group-friendly accommodation. Think villas in Sicily perfect for group travellers, holiday rentals or even hostels that can accommodate the entire group. Think about how many bathrooms you will need and whether you want communal spaces for everyone to chill together - or if being out and about chilling in Italy is 'enough' for you.
Last, but not least, make sure the accommodation is suitable for you friends who have different abilities. Depending on your transportation mode (see below), you will want to consider your location carefully - are you close to where you want to go or will you need to factor in extra travel time? Never underestimate how beautiful Italy is - if you have to travel across it to get somewhere else, you almost certainly won't regret it.
Transport
Transport might well be the trickiest part of planning - accommodation is pretty easy, and choosing what you want to do is probably even easier. But transport poses a big question - do you want to go private or public or a mixture of the two?
- Group transport options: you can hire a private minibus or van to travel together, especially for day trips. There's also the option of using ride-sharing apps or booking multiple taxis if travelling in smaller sub-groups.
- Local public transport: Research group discounts for trains, buses, and ferries. Ensure everyone has local transport passes or tickets in advance to avoid unnecessary hold-ups and hassle.
Communication
Set up a group chat on WhatsApp or Signal to keep up-to-date and organised. Even once you're in Italy, you can still all coordinate in there by making sure you have internet abroad - it's very cheap nowadays. Still, make sure to have an agreed upon meeting point in case you get split up and someone loses their phone or runs out of battery (it happens to the best of us).
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a must no matter where you go or who you go with. As you're going in a group it's worth checking to see if there are any group plans available. Discuss any allergies or medical conditions with each other so you can look out for each other. I also recommend that you take a shared first aid kit with things like plasters and pain pills, just in case.
6 Things to Do in Italy as a Group
Of course, what you and your group want to do in Italy depends on what you and your group are into. But when in Rome or when in Italy, do as the Romans. Hence I've tried to pick things that are must-dos in Italy, regardless of what you're into, I recommend you pick at least three:
1. Milan for Fashion and Design
As one of the world fashion capitals, a visit to Milan isn't complete without doing something fashion-y. For group tours, I personally recommend booking a group fashion tour or a workshop. Even if fashion isn't your thing, you won't regret it, it will be memorable and you will learn a lot. Whilst you're there, a visit to iconic landmarks like the Duomo and Leonardo’s Last Supper are easily incorporated into any schedule.
2. Go to the Formula 1 Races
Like fashion, Formula 1 might not seem like something you're into unless you're already into it. But trust me, this isn't just any Formula 1, this is Formula 1 in Italy and I insist you try it. After all, Italy is the birth place of not one, but two champion Formula 1 drivers: Farina and Ascari, with the former being the first Formula 1 champion ever!
3. Tuscany for Wine Tasting and Culinary Tours
We can all agree that your group is going to love Italian food, and what better place to try it than Tuscany. Take it a step further and turn it into the theme for a group trip - or two! You can visit vineyards in Chianti for wine and olive oil tastings or take a pasta-making class in a traditional farmhouse. Food aside, exploring Siena and San Gimignano is easily done as part of a day tour.
4. Dolomites for a Mountain Escape
If your group loves the mountains you can be sure to incorporate the Dolomites no matter the season. In the summer there's mountain biking and hiking and in the winter there's skiing and snowboarding. Even if your group isn't that active, just viewing the Dolomites is something you'll never forget.
5. Rome: The Eternal City
You might think that exploring the capital as a group will be a hassle and you will stick out but this is Rome - there are plenty of people on group tours here, you'll fit right in. You must visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, even if it's just from the outside because you're pressed for time. If you're lucky and there are no renovations, you can take a group photo at the Trevi Fountain and toss a coin in, because legend says those that do that are destined to return. Exploring the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica are a must for some groups, but not for others.
6. Naples: Pizza Paradise
Last but not least, we have my favourite Italian city, Naples where you can learn how to make authentic Neapolitan pizza together for ever-lasting memories! Afterwards, you can explore street food markets to find hidden gems.
What about you, have you ever visited Italy as a group? Feel free to share any tips & advice below! (Photos by Dan Novac and Bjorn Agerbeek on Unsplash)
ABOUTME
We overland. We eat plants and fungi. We live outside as much as possible. We are all connected. A female travel blogger overlanding and writing about ecotourism, ethical and sustainable travel, socially conscious travel and housesitting. An online travel magazine since 2015.
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