Frequently Asked Questions
Passport, visa & entry requirements
In order to enter Italy, U.S. citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry, and it is recommended to have at least one blank passport page for entry stamps. Some European countries might also require travel authorizations/visas to enter. To check out most up to date entry requirements for the destinations you will visit on my tours, I recommend checking travel.state.gov.
Tour pacing & mobility
You will walk for at least 1.5 hours daily across uneven terrain, including cobblestone streets and unpaved roads. Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour. You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times. If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact me prior to joining the waitlist.
Transportation & arrival information
Round-trip flights are booked individually and are NOT included in the tour price. Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour in Italy are included in the price of the tour, as well as all transportation between destinations planned within the trip.
Baggage allowance
All travelers have a limit of one checked luggage and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on private and public transportation. Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights. Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag, or personal item.
Clothing & packing tips
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear, in Italy we say to pack to dress like “an onion”, with different layers, to be ready for a variety of climates. I also recommend packing a sturdy and comfortable pair of walking shoes or sneakers for sightseeing, a nicer pair of shoes for fancier occasions or if you plan to visit a high-end location, and a pair of flip flops. Remember to pack a shawl or scarf and longer bottoms to visit churches or religious sites, entrance may be denied if shoulders or legs are not covered.
Health
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov. If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered. If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify me when joining a tour’s waitlist.
Electricity & air conditioning
Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins. We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter. The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel. Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply. There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches. Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
Time zones
Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET). When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm in Italy most of the time.
Currency
You will use the euro on tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. I strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees. Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges. International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
Tipping
Tipping culture in Italy and Europe is very different from tipping culture in the U.S.A. Rounding up to the closest whole number is customary and always appreciated, but not mandatory, especially in restaurants or with guides/drivers. Please keep current exchange rates in mind. Tips can only be paid in cash.
Cuisine
Italian cuisine in particular is very diverse and depending on the region you will travel to; it will be heavily influenced by different foreign traditions as well. Italy’s geographical position made it possible for its cuisine to develop into a very diverse and complex one. Italy is also recognized worldwide for its wide variety and range of flavors, thanks to a fruitful soil and tasty ingredients. For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks (or what we call them in Italy, “ammazza caffe’ / coffee killers”) like grappa or internationally known, limoncello. Italian eating habits are also very different than the U.S.: people are accustomed to eating a lot later than what most people are used to in America, so it is completely normal to see restaurants that are not even opened before 12pm for lunch or 7pm for dinner.