Rugby Riot Invites You

A Rugby Vacation to Italy

July 17 - 26, 2026 | From $2690* per person

Overview:

Open to players, family members and friends of the Charlotte Cardinals Rugby Club, prepare for an unforgettable rugby trip through Italy next July. This journey combines competitive rugby with iconic sightseeing and outdoor adventures, and includes four nights in Verona and four nights in Rome, with day-trips to Lake Garda, Venice and Florence along the way. The package includes eight nights lodging in comfortable four-star hotels, rugby matches and associated costs, daily breakfast, four dinners, private coach transportation, RugbyRiot coverage of the trip, a bilingual tour manager (one per bus), and all entrance fees, taxes and gratuities except those specially mentioned in the brochure/itinerary. While at least 40 are required to operate we can accommodate up to 120. Spread the word, this trip is one for the books. 

How to Join:

Pre-Registration Phase (until October 10): We’re gauging interest levels to determine if we can move forward. If at least 40 people show significant interest, we’ll proceed to the next phase.

Registration Phase: Participants will secure their spot with a $300 deposit due November 10, 2025. The remaining balance will be billed in three equal installments due January 17, March 17, and May 17, 2026, with departure on July 17, 2026.

*Pricing (per person):

  • 40-59 participants: $2,990
  • 60-79 participants: $2,890
  • 80-99 participants: $2,790
  • 100-119 participants: $2,690
Pre-Register Now
View Brochure & Itinerary
Make the dream come true

Pre-Register Today

We need at least 40 to pre-register to make this trip happen. Pre-registration requires NO COMMITMENT on your part. It just helps us gauge interest levels and make sure that the tour can move forward. Pre-registration is open through October 10, 2025. Once 40 have pre-registered, registration will formally open and at that time a $300 non-refundable deposit will be required.

Pre-Register Now

Itinerary Overview

Venice & Verona

In the north of Italy we’ll basecamp in Verona at the extraordinary four-star Crowne Plaza hotel. From here we’ll venture out to explore cities, climb castles and engage against some elite rugby competition in one of Europe’s best rugby pockets – Veneto. So get geared up and prepare for some unforgettable times in the Bel Paese. 

Lake Garda

Will we be bruised and beaten, or just bruised? Either way, a day at Italy’s most popular lake will offer the chance for some serious chill time, Italian style. Grab a cabana and hang out on the beach, tear some trails on a mountain bike, take a cable car high up into the Alps, or hop on a boat out to some epic islands. It’s a day for leisure and fun. Why rush? You’re in Italy after all.

Florence

From the north we travel to Rome, taking the same route that Hannibal and his elephants used a few thousand years ago as Carthage invaded Italy. Along the way we’ll stop in the cradle of the Renaissance: Florence. Check out the David, stroll through the medieval streets, or climb to the top of the world’s largest masonry dome.

Rome

With the A Roma Lifestyle luxury four-star hotel as our base, prepare for an experience of the Eternal City like no other. Visit the bloodstained Colosseum and the beautiful Sistine Chapel. Ride a Vespa, raft over waterfalls, eat insanely good food and become a part of a city that is second to none in what it has seen. And of course, prepare for combat against some Roman rugby competition.

Pricing, Payments & Cancellation

TRIP DETAILS

Pricing, Payments & Terms

Pricing

Final price dependent on number of trip participants. Note that the price is based on a double occupancy room.

from $2690

40-59 pax
$2990 per person
60-79 pax
$2890 per person
80 - 99 pax
$2790 per person
100 - 119 pax
$2690 per person
Single Room Fee - $990
Not discountable
Make Payment →

Inclusions

Most items included except for items specifically mentioned in the itinerary (listed on brochure).

More Details

Four Nights Lodging in Verona
Crowne Plaza Verona ****
Four Nights Lodging in Rome
A Roma Lifestyle Hotel ****
Private Executive AC Bus Throughout
Qualified Bilingual Tour Manager
Private Guides
Headset (Whisper) System
Daily Breakfast and Four Dinners
Two Rugby Matches and All Associated Expenses
See Brochure

T&C

This trip's Terms & Conditions are different than our regular T&C. Please follow link below for more info.

Our Policy

$300 Tour Deposit
Non-refundable upon payment
Full Refund (less deposit)
Fully Refundable up Until 100 Days Prior to Departure
50% Refund (less deposit)
For Cancellations between 100-50 Days Prior to Departure
0% Refund
For Cancellations within 50 Days of Tour
Full Terms →

FAQs

01How do I register and what is the process?

Top of the page, click “Pre-Register Now”
We are taking pre-registrations (no commitment) until October 10, 2026. The trip is contingent on at least 40 persons pre-registering. Once at least 40 have pre-registered, registration will begin. At that time $300 non-refundable deposits will be due.

02What about flights?

Meet us there
This is a land-only trip, meaning there is no air package available. We have arrival and departure parameters that must be followed.
Arrival – July 18
Please arrive at Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) no later than 11:00 AM on July 18th. That means you’ll need to catch a flight out of the USA on July 17th. On the 18th your guides and buses will meet you at 12:00 PM and depart immediately for Venice. If you arrive later than 11:00 AM, for whatever reason, you will have to meet the group in Venice.
Departure – July 26 
Book flights out of Rome (FCO) as early as you would like.

03What is included?

Inclusions

Rugby Riot coverage of the tour, with one (1) Rugby Riot staff member joining

8 nights lodging in four-star hotels (double occupancy rooms)

Private A/C deluxe motor coach throughout

One professionally trained tour manager on each bus (max 56 pax per bus) Daily breakfast

Four three-course Italian dinners (no choice of menus and no beverages included)

Exclusions

Airfare (TBD – airfare becomes available in September, 2025)

Daily lunch and four dinner

Beverages at included dinners

Travelers insurance (available for purchase through tour agency)

Excursions listed with pricing in itinerary (see brochure here)

04What is the payment schedule and what is the cancellation policy?

See Below

Participants will secure their spot with a $300 deposit due November 10, 2025. The remaining balance will be billed in three equal installments due January 17, March 17, and May 17, 2026, with departure on July 17, 2026. 

If you need to cancel, the policy is simple. The $300 deposit is always non-refundable. The remaining balance is fully refundable up until 100 days prior to departure. From 100 – 50 days prior to departure, the balance is 50% refundable, and within 50 days of the tour, the balance is 100% non-refundable. The only exception to this policy is if the person cancelling is able to find someone to replace them. In this case there will be a $250 name change fee.