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Frequently Asked Questions about Nada's Italy small group tours

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QUESTIONS. (scroll down to see the answers)

1 Most of your tours are in the Spring & Fall, what is the difference between the two seasons?

2 Will I get to see sunflower fields?

3 Will I get to see the grape harvest or olive harvest?

4 Are there more couples or singles in your groups?

5 What is the average age of those in your groups?

6 Will there be a lot of walking?

7 Why don't you offer airfare with your trip package?

8 How will I meet up with the rest of the group if we’re not all on the same flight?

9 What happens if my flight is delayed and I get there too late?

10 Can I bring my hair dryer or other electrical appliances?

11 What is the food like and how are the meals served?

12 What if I'm vegetarian / have allergies / require a particular diet?

13 Will my cell phone work overseas?

14 Will I need any vaccinations before leaving?

15 Is the water safe in Italy? Can I drink tap water?

16 Am I going to be able to bring back food, wine or other items from Italy?

17 Do I need a passport?

18 What is the time difference between here and Italy?

19 Will I be able to check my email or make phone calls during the trip?

20 What is the dress code (casual/elegant/etc.) and what should I pack?

21 Do you have a checklist I can use to prepare for the trip and tips on what to pack?

22 What is the typical wake up time and how early do our day-trips start?

23 What are the accommodations like? Will I get my own bedroom/bathroom?

24 Are the accommodations in walking distance to town centers?

25 What type of transportation will be used during the tours?

26 What is the best way to exchange money?

27 What happens if I need to cancel?

28 Is there a limit to the luggage I am allowed to bring?

29 Are washers or laundry service provided by the hotels?

30 How far in advance should I book my flight?

31 How much time in advance do I need to be at the airport?

32 How do I sign up for a tour with Nada’s Italy?

33 How far in advance should I sign up for a tour?

34 What’s included in each trip?

35 When is the balance due for the trip?

36 What if I want to stay longer and see other parts of Italy?

37 How would I go about getting private tour guides and museum entrance tickets for other Italian cities?

38 How much money should I bring with me for meals and items that are not included in tour package?

ANSWERS.

1 Most of your tours are in the Spring & Fall, what is the difference between the two seasons?
Keep in mind that Italy is not a large country, especially compared to the USA: about the size of the states of Georgia and Florida combined. This means that the weather doesn’t change dramatically from North to South, but there are differences still determined by the actual topography. For instance, the Alps are the highest mountain complex in Europe and the run like a wall from East to West at the Northern border of Italy. This so called “wall” protects Italy from a variety of storms and cold fronts coming from Northern Europe, giving it a mild climate throughout the year. The Appenini Mountains run from North to South of Italy, kind of like a backbone, also preventing storms coming from the East to make it to the Western part of the country, and vice-versa. Because of these mountain chains, it’s often a challenge for weather forecasters to have an accurate prediction about weather conditions, which may sometimes change dramatically within few hours.
Weather in Italy is very similar to Southeastern US - hot and humid summers, cold and rainy winters, typically with snow only in the mountains. We enjoy 4 seasons, just like here. Temperatures can vary during the day, but typically both late Spring tours and early Fall tours enjoy warm temperatures in the high 70’s during the day. At nighttime, we are in the hills and there is always a cooler breeze, so it can go down to the mid-50’s. Dress in layers so you can put a garment on or off depending on temperature variations! You can always leave your jacket/other clothes in the van.
Traveling in the Spring and Fall shouldn’t be a deciding factor, because either time is going to have beautiful weather, which plays a major role for trip planning, as you will mostly be outdoors. You want your pictures to be bright and sunny, right? The only major changes between Spring and Fall are seen in the colors of the countryside. In May there are many wild field flowers, such as red poppies, white daisies, and most predominantly beautiful purple Iris flowers (the symbol of Florence is the Iris). On the Amalfi Coast, you will see lots of hydrangeas, bougainvillea, and fragrant lemon trees blooming. Up in the North there are also lots of beautiful bright red, purple, and fuscia bougainvillea, geraniums, and oleanders. In the countryside, the crops are just beginning to grow, so the hills are covered in a luscious sea of bright green. The harvest for corn, wheat, sunflowers, and other crops is in August, therefore September is the time the soil is tilled and turned over before re-planting. The landscape takes on a golden-brown color, also very pleasant to the eye. This is the time for grape harvesting, so the grapes are ripe and plump, hanging from the vines.
Keep in mind that Italy is on Daylight Savings Time, so as we go towards the Summer months, the days get longer. D.S.T. usually ends at the end of October/beginning of November, cutting the daylight hours short.

:: SPRING: MARCH/APRIL/MAY:
As the season crosses from Winter to Spring, the weather can be quite unpredictable, usually between the low 50’s at night time and even goes up to the high 80’s on a warm sunny day. In March and April the weather can be unpredictable, sometimes rainy, especially in the Northern & Central regions. This is the time that most schools have field trips, so you could see a lot of students around in some destinations. The landscape turns luscious green and can be quite beautiful with fields covered in spring flowers in bloom. Late Spring is the perfect time to be on the coast to enjoy a nice swim in the Mediterranean.

:: FALL: SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER/NOVEMBER:
September and October are excellent months to go as far as weather is concerned, but for this reason prices can be very high overall, and services book up very quickly, so make sure you give yourself several months to plan your trip if you are counting on going this time of year. If you are planning on staying in the countryside, September is the month of the grape-harvest, so it is a unique time to be in areas such as Tuscany. Temperatures can vary from the low 60’s at nighttime to the high 80’s on warm sunny days. November, on the other hand, is the beginning of the rainy season, which is very humid, cold, and uncomfortable.

2 Will I get to see sunflower fields?
Unfortunately the month of the blooming sunflowers is July/August (the hottest weather and busiest time of the year for Summer tourism), so if you go in May the hills will be a luscious green with occasional wild flowers such as the blue iris, while in September you’ll see a lot golden-brown colors because the soil will have been tilled. Sometimes sunflowers can bloom as early as mid-June, so if you are in the Northern regions or Tuscany at this time, you have a very good chance of seeing them.

3 Will I get to see the grape harvest or olive harvest?
If you go on any Nada’s Italy Tours during the month of September, you will definitely see farmers everywhere in the region harvesting grapes. Every single vineyard decides when it is the time to pick the grapes, but this typically occurs during the first 2 weeks of the month for white wine, and the last 2 weeks of the month for red wine. The olive harvest occurs towards the end of November, which is a very rainy season. Nada’s Italy usually does not take groups over during the month of November as it is also
very dark because of the end of daylight savings time.

4 Are there more couples or singles in your groups?
There is usually a mix - and if travelers are flexible on the dates, Nada’s Italy always makes maximum effort in trying to put together people who share common interests and hopefully will travel well together. Most individuals who travel with Nada’s Italy by themselves are those who don't feel comfortable traveling completely alone, but at the same time they don't want to go on a so-called "cattle tour" with a big group. Therefore, they will feel safe knowing that they will be well taken care of, as our groups are small, intimate, and they will have an authentic experience with local people, instead of feeling like a tourist wandering alone. For some reason, “mixed” groups of both couples and individual travelers often seem to mesh better than some couples-only groups.

5 What is the average age of those in your groups?
We recommend our tours to adults 21 and up, because of the alcohol that is regularly served during meals. There is no minimum drinking age in Italy, but we see our tours as better suited for a more mature audience. Our typical traveler is one who enjoys wine, food, good quality of life, and has a certain appreciation for art, history, and the Italian culture. It is often someone who has the time to enjoy an 11-day (10 night) vacation. The tours are a relaxing experience surrounded by calming natural
environments, enjoyed mostly by educated travelers. 90% of our clients are between the ages of 45 and 70 years of age, but we also have an occasional mix of younger as well as older travelers.

6 Will there be a lot of walking?
Although you must be in good physical health and be able to walk and stand for extended periods of time, Nada’s Italy tours are fairly flexible so that you can do as much or as little physical activity as you wish. There is a certain degree of physical activity, so if this is a concern you should contact Nada’s Italy directly to see if we are the right fit for you. For those who love physical activity outdoors, there are walking trails around the properties where we stay, sometimes you’ll be able to rent a mountain bike (depending on the property and availability), go running, go swimming, hiking, and even horse-back riding. Or, you can just relax on the patio with a glass of wine in one hand and a book in the other, and just enjoy the view over the Tuscan hills or the beautiful sparkling waters of the Mediterranean. When we go on the various daily excursions to the surrounding towns, you'll have plenty of "on your own" time that you can spend however you want: shopping, exploring the town and its streets, visiting museums and churches, or just sitting at a cafe' in the piazza and people-watching.... it's up to you! Still, there may be times in some smaller villages, when the driver cannot drop us off directly in the historical center, so we will all need to walk together from the van to the center of the city before you’re on your own, and sometimes this walk may be uphill or downhill, so you should be prepared for that. As a general rule, you should wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking and standing a lot more than you would on a regular basis at home. Some walking tours are included in the various tour packages with a private tourguide, and this also means that you will be walking a lot.

7 Why don't you offer airfare with your trip package?
There are several reasons why Nada’s Italy does not offer airfare, but perhaps the main reason is that our clients are from all over the United States, as well as Canada, Australia, and some parts of Europe. Therefore, it would be a challenge to have everyone fly out of the same city to catch the same flight. Another reason is that nowadays many people have air miles they can use to fly overseas or upgrade to first and business class. Several people may want to extend their stay in Italy and visit other cities, or
arrive a few days prior to the start of the tour. It would be unfair to restrict them to a set return date. Also, people may prefer leaving from other airports than the cities where we stay. And frankly, Nada’s Italy, as other tour operators, does not get any better rates on airfare than anybody else to be able to offer a competitive price.

8 How will I meet up with the rest of the group if we’re not all on the same flight?
Some travelers will recognize each other at some point by the bright orange Nada’s Italy luggage tags that they have on their suitcases. However, this only happens if by chance you are at the airport, or checking in at the hotel at the same time. Most people will be meeting in the hotel lobby for the first scheduled activity in the tour. Of course, detailed information about the meeting times and arrival instructions will be sent prior to the tour to all participants.

9 What happens if my flight is delayed and I get there after the pick-up time?
Unfortunately sometimes flights are late, and even when they are on-time, your luggage may still be running a few hours (or sometimes days) behind you. As a preventative measure, make sure you have at least 3 hours between connecting flights. If your flight is tremendously late, cancelled or for some reason you have arrived to the specified city (relative to the tour you are signed up for) after the pick-up time, it will be your responsibility to get to the accommodation from wherever you are (airport, train station, etc.). You will be given the addresses, phone numbers and emergency numbers before you leave the US, so you can come and meet up with the rest of the group and continue with the tour. Consider purchasing a travel insurance policy to cover any unexpected expenses.

10 Should I bring my hair dryer?
Most accommodations where the groups stay provide hair dryers, but not all of them. Please ask us about the particular accommodations in a specific tour package. Some hotels also have irons that guests can use.
If you bring any electrical appliances (hair dryer, razor, etc), you will need an adapter (Italy has 2 pin plugs). The electricity supply is 220 volts, which means your appliance should have a switch that you can turn to the correct voltage. If it doesn't, you'll need a converter because an adapter alone will not be sufficient. Laptop computers, camera chargers, cellphone chargers, iPods, and other electronics usually switch automatically to the right voltage. Still, most hair dryers blow fuses like nothing else (perhaps that’s why they’re called “blow-dryers”!), so we would highly recommend purchasing one in Italy to avoid any problems.

11 What is the food like and how are the meals served?
One thing is for certain: you will not go hungry on these tours!
All meals provided on the trip will be typical regional dishes mostly made up of local specialties and seasonal vegetables. Our focus is for you to experience the true regional dishes, which sometimes may not be what you expect. For instance, it may not be anything like the Italian food you grew up with here in the Unites States. Italian food varies from region to region, often tied to historical influences and foreign domination.
On the Amalfi Coast, you’ll have lots of seafood, vegetables, pasta, tomatoes, eggplant, mozzarella, shellfish (calamari, shrimp, mussels, clams), and grilled meats.
In the Tuscan countryside you’ll have lots of bread, soups, red meats, pork, tomatoes, veggies, pasta, beans, hard aged cheeses, salami, cold-cuts.
In Northern Italy you’ll have lots of risotto (rice), polenta, grilled meats and sausage, soft and semi-aged cheeses, mushrooms, beef stews, pasta, prosciutto.

Generally speaking, Italian food is not spicy, very natural and simple, using fresh local ingredients.
Some of the meals will be at the accommodations, some out in local trattorias (family-style restaurants). All accompanied by house wine, bottled water, and soft drinks, also included. Please consider that bottled water and wine will be given in LIMITED AMOUNTS, so if you wish to have more, you can order more at your own expense. Also, if you wish to have a particular bottle of wine with your meal, you will have to purchase it at your own expense.
Some meals will be served "family-style", that is in large platters that will be passed around the table so persons can serve themselves. Most meals will not be based on personal menu preferences, rather on a variety of local seasonal specialties selected by the restaurant's chef and Nada’s Italy. This way you will taste many different items, and will be able to enjoy most of the food presented, even if you are vegetarian or don’t eat particular foods.
Breakfast will be a variety of fruit juices, fruit tarts, cheeses, bread, milk, coffee, tea, yogurt, fruit, etc. Eggs, bacon, or omelettes are not typically served in Italy for breakfast.

12 What if I'm vegetarian / have food allergies / require a particular diet?
Even though Italian cuisine specialties include salame, prosciutto, dairy products (cheeses), rice, pasta, fish, and savory meat sauces, there will be plenty of veggies and other non-meat dishes during meals. If you however require particular foods outside of what is presented, or dietary supplements, the cost for these is not included and we recommend taking them with you prior to leaving the US or just order these separately. Please notify Nada’s Italy if you are vegetarian before leaving for Italy.
If you have allergies, special dietary requirements, glucose or other food intolerance, if you are hypoglycemic, vegetarian, vegan, lactose-intolerant, diabetic, etc., you will be responsible for purchasing at your expense any menu item that is not served during the included group meals. We’ll do our best to accommodate you, but Nada’s Italy won’t assume any extra costs relative to special diets.

13 Will my cell phone work in Italy?
Some wireless companies offer an "international calling" option, which you have to request before you leave. We do recommend taking a cell phone with you, but check with your provider to see if they offer coverage overseas first.

To verify if your cell phone will work, there are 3 major steps you need to check on:
1) it must be what is called a “tri-band” or "quad-band" phone, which most newer phones are (dual band won’t work)
2) the provider you have must be on a GSM network (AT&T, T-Mobile, and some others are GSM, but not Sprint, Cricket, Verizon, Alltel, and others)
3) you need to contact them to “activate” your international calling plan. Typically there is no extra charge for this; they will just allow you to make international calls, for which the charges are different than local calls. International roaming rates can vary between $1.00/minute and $2.00/minute plus taxes and fees. Yikes!

If bringing your own cellphone won’t work, you can also rent a cell phone through a third-party company. There are some listed on Nada’s Italy website, or you can do a search online.

14 Will I need any vaccinations before leaving? Could I be allergic to something on my trip?
Unless you're going to other countries that require shots on your trip, Italy does not (at the time this was written).

Some people may develop a “new allergy” to cypress trees, olive trees, and other local tree/plant pollens not common in the USA. If you are susceptible to allergic reactions (if you get a runny nose in the Spring and Fall), it would be a good idea for you to bring some allergy medication. If instead you usually do not get allergies, be aware that you may develop some during your trip. If this is the case, you can purchase allergy medication in Italy, such as Claritin.

15 Is the water safe in Italy? Can I drink TAP WATER?
Absolutely yes! The water is very safe in Italy and you should not worry about this at all. You can drink tap water, but the taste may or may not be pleasant to you, just like some may or may not like drinking tap water in the USA. For this reason, bottled water and/or filtered water will be provided by Nada’s Italy during all meals throughout the trip.

16 Am I going to be able to bring back food or wine or other items from Italy?
Si!! Yes, you will, but not all kinds of foods are allowed. You CANNOT bring any meat products (like prosciutto or salame), even if they are vacuum-sealed. But you can bring cheese as long as it is an aged cheese that does not require refrigeration and it has to be vacuum-sealed (which some farms & stores in Italy are able to do). You won't be able to bring back any kind of plant or seeds (oh well..no Italian tomatoes in the garden!). You can bring other sealed products like chocolate, cookies, coffee, honey, extra virgin olive oil, canned goods, etc. without restrictions. Don’t forget to bring bubble-wrap to protect breakable items such as glass jars and bottles. As far as wine and liqueur is concerned, you can bring as much as you want, but you will have to pay taxes on it. According to US Customs, you can only bring 1 litre of alcohol without having to pay a duty. Another option is to have the wine shipped home from Italy, that way you can easily ship bigger quantities without the risk of bottles breaking in your suitcase! For this reason, Nada’s Italy recommends using a “hard-shell” suitcase, more durable and sturdy to the rough throwing and stacking of the airline personnel.
Not always do the customs agents charge a traveler for bringing more bottles of alcohol or wine from another country, and sometimes paying a duty charge on a few bottles is less expensive than to have them shipped. Keep in mind that a “duty” is a tax, not a penalty.
Remember, if you are not 21 years of age or older, you cannot bring alcoholic beverages into the United States.

:: SHIPPING BOTTLES OF WINE: it is safe and fast to get wine delivered by the vineyards we will be visiting. Don’t let the price of shipping scare you though, keep in mind that you could end up paying 2 times the price of an equivalent bottle of similar wine if you bought it in the USA, and it still wouldn’t taste as good! For instance, it is about $200 US dollars to ship 12 bottles of wine
(one case – only shipping, not including the cost of the wine), which means that it is roughly $16 per bottle. A good bottle of Italian wine in Italy is average around $35, and if you add shipping the value is about $50. A similar quality bottle, if purchased a similar wine in the States, can easily run you well over $80. So in the end, it’s worth shipping a case only if there is a good wine that you really like, especially if you cannot find it in the USA.

17 Do I need a passport?
Yes! Make sure you get one if you don't have it already, and make sure the one you have will be valid for the entire duration of the trip. As recent regulations have changed, it takes longer for the US government agencies to issue passports, so give yourself at least a couple of months, if not more to apply for one or renew the one you have. Make sure your passport will be valid for the entire duration of your trip and at least 3 months after your return date.
If you're not an American citizen, you may need a travel visa. Check with the Italian embassy or local immigration USCIS office.

18 What is the time difference between here and Italy?
Italy is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Time. This means you may be jetlagged the first few days. If you want to get used to the Italian time, Nada’s Italy recommends going to bed very early and waking up as early as possible (even at 4-5am) 3-4 days prior to leaving. This will help you adjust better once you’ve arrived.
Some people take Melatonin (a natural herbal supplement) a week before the trip, some people take sleeping pills with them, and some don’t take anything at all.

19 Will I be able to check my email or make phone calls during the trip?
Internet cafés are in abundance in all major Italian cities and some of the smaller towns we visit throughout the stay, but the connection is sometimes unreliable, no matter where you’re staying. Some hotels where we stay also offer internet connection in the lobby area (some include it for free for guests, while others charge a fee).
Be aware that you may not be able to check it on a daily basis. We cannot accommodate the need for an individual to find an internet café or a phone booth while we are driving, which may interrupt the flow of the tour and hold back the rest of the group from enjoying the scheduled activities. This also goes for ATM machines. Get enough cash with you before your trip, and then don’t pass the opportunity to withdraw cash when you find an ATM machine in Italy.
Unfortunately phone booths are not common in Italy, just like they are becoming obsolete in the States as well. Obviously if your cell phone works over-seas, this issue doesn’t apply to you. Most accommodations have a phone in the room so you can call from there, but ask about their international calling rates before you do so to avoid unpleasant surprises.
We recommend signing up with Skype or another online messenger to be able to speak with your loved ones through the internet for free, as opposed to calling from public phones, which are not easy to find in the smaller towns we visit during the week. Internet cafés are easier to find than public phones.

20 What is the dress code (casual/elegant/etc.) and what should I wear?
Most of the time you are in the countryside and during the day trips, you want to wear breathable, comfortable, casual clothing. Definitely wear layers, because it could get warm during the day and chilly at night. Many day trips start after breakfast and end after dinner, so you don’t really have the chance to change into some “evening clothes”. You can bring extra clothes and shoes to leave in the van, if you wish. Perhaps the times that you want to wear something a little more elegant would be in Florence,
Venice or Rome (the larger Italian cities). People there are more fashion-oriented and restaurants are more elegant here than in the small towns.
Please note that you won't be able to enter any of the main churches if you wear pants or skirts above the knee, and/or sleeveless shirts (like tank tops). The same goes for men! So, if you're wearing a tank top, you may want to bring a light sweater or scarf along that you can put over your shoulders so you can get inside the church.
Don’t forget that some of the world’s best shoes come from Italy! Florence is known for its wonderful leather, so why not purchase a nice jacket while you’re there?
What matters is that you have a good time and that are comfortable so the strongest memories of your trip are those of Italy as a beautiful country and not the pain that the stone streets gave you while wearing heels.
Many people ask me what to wear so they can “fit in” and not look like a tourist. Ask yourself this question: Can you distinguish locals from foreign people at a restaurant in the USA? If you do, you know the answer: people are still going to be able to tell tourists from locals, so why even bother worrying about this? Just wear what is “you” and what makes you comfortable.
Think lightweight, comfortable, quick drying, soft and nothing that will feel tight or not let your skin breathe. Bring things you can wear in layers for both hot and cool weather. The Tuscan weather is very similar to North Carolina /South-Eastern States – bring whatever you would wear here, mostly casual, perhaps 1 or 2 evening outfits for a night on the town!
You’re always in time to buy things you may need in Italy. Chances are you’ll be flying back with a lot more than you came with, so make sure you leave room to pack it in!

21 Do you have a checklist I can use to prepare for the trip and instructions on what to pack?
Yes! A “Traveler’s Checklist” will be provided by regular mail as well as by email once you have signed up for the trip. You can also find more tips on packing on this page: http://nadasitaly.com/packingessentials.asp

Not only is a checklist helpful for packing and being prepared, but also for knowing what you should bring and what you should leave behind, safety issues, airport regulations, etc. We love educated travelers, so by reading this document, you’re already half-way there!

22 What is the typical wake up time and how early do our daytrips start?
Remember, this is not a “Go!Go!Go!” type of tour, so there are no early wake-ups! Typically we leave for an excursion between 9:00am and 10:00am, although on some days we don’t leave until later if we have a day with less activities planned. This will allow you to take your time, have a rush-free breakfast, and maybe go for a morning walk. It is your vacation after all! We alternate “full days” with “easy days” so you always have some time to relax throughout the tour. As far as the return time, if we are having dinner in a town different from the one where we are staying, it could be as late as 12:00am.

23 What are the accommodations like? Will I get my own bedroom/bathroom?
You can trust in Nada’s Italy judgment and experience that you will enjoy the location, atmosphere, service, safety, and cleanliness of the accommodations. The hotels in the cities will be in the historical center, a short distance to all the major sites and museums.
Generally speaking, the local government rates all hotels in Italy, but this can be very misleading because they are based more on number of rooms and bathrooms, rather than esthetics/cleanliness. More often than not, the smaller, historic hotels with fewer stars are cleaner and more charming than the big 4 & 5-star hotels, which often lack the friendly service and intimate atmosphere. Air conditioning and heating are not standard in some hotels abroad and are not guaranteed. By American standards, Italian bathrooms and bedrooms are smaller. Beds are also smaller as there is no king-size.
FYI: bathrooms in Europe are smaller than US standard bathrooms and it is typical to find a box-shower instead of a bathtub. Some bathrooms have an “open bathtub” with shower head.
Typically double beds are two twin-size beds pushed together.

Couples have a private bathroom and bedroom throughout the trip.
If you are traveling alone and are not paying the single supplement, Nada’s Italy will pair you with someone of your same sex to share a room with. While most bedrooms will have two twin-size beds, some accommodations only have beds that cannot be separated (on the Girls Gone Italian tour and Venetian Splendors tour), so please keep in mind that you may have to share the same bed (queen size) with another person of your same sex for part of your stay.
Some rooms are on upper floors only accessible by stairs, let us know if you have mobility issues so we can do our best to accommodate you on a lower floor.
Let us know if you have specific questions regarding accommodations or particular needs.

24 Are the accommodations in walking distance to town centers?
Of course when you are staying in larger cities such as Florence, Venice, and Rome, the accommodations we choose are usually within the city center, in areas that offer a wide variety of restaurants, site-seeing, and shopping.
The accommodations in the Tuscany countryside (Traditions of Tuscany) is not within walking distance to any major town center, except perhaps a very small village community.
The villa on Lake Garda (Venetian Splendors tour) is within walking distance to the charming village of Limone sul Garda, with plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
The castle in the Veneto region (Venetian Splendors) is not within walking distance to any major town center, besides perhaps a very small village community.
The B&B in Positano (Jewels of the Amalfi Coast tour) is located within the village of Positano, therefore surrounded by shops and restaurants.
The villa on the coast of Tuscany (Girls Gone Italian tour) is located within the village of Castagneto Carducci, therefore within walking distance to shops and restaurants.

25 What type of transportation will be used during the tours?
Nada’s Italy provides specially licensed private drivers and transportation for our day-trips and group transfers, but this transportation is not going to be available for any personal travel need, beyond the itinerary that is being presented during the tour. Separate travel arrangements and transfers can be scheduled for travelers before or after the tour, but additional fees will apply. Contact Nada’s Italy if you need private transportation if you decide to extend your stay. For the Traditions of Tuscany and
Girls Gone Italian tours, the group will be transported by means of 2 air-conditioned vans that will seat 7 travelers each.
For Venetian Splendors and Jewels of the Amalfi Coast tours, there may be a mix of 2 smaller vans for some daytrips and the use of one larger, 16-seat air-conditioned van. All drivers are locally licenses and possess proper permits to drive within traffic-limited-zones (ZTL) and historical centers, which most other vehicles cannot access.

26 What is the best way to exchange money?
It’s tricky to travel on a budget when the exchange rate is so bad! That’s right, the US Dollar is at an all-time low, but we can’t let that bring us down!! You can still go to Italy, shop for those one-of-a-kind items, and have a great time by keeping a few useful tips in mind.

:: TAKE CASH BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Nada’s Italy recommends that you have a couple hundred EUROS with you before you leave the US. That is to ensure that you have some cash handy for your first expenses: taxi cab, sandwich, phone calls, etc. regardless if the ATM at the airport works or not once you get there (ATMs are not always functioning because of the high usage). For the record, the Euro is the ONLY currency used in Italy (and most European countries part of the E.U.).

:: USE YOUR ATM CARD
ATMs are the best way to take cash out once you are in Italy, but the daily limit is 250 Euros (banks do that to prevent fraudulent transactions), so again, make sure you have enough cash before you leave.
Banks have very strange hours to say the least (some, but not all, follow this schedule: 8:20am-1:20pm and then from 2:35pm-4:05pm), so it’s not always easy to find one open while you’re out. Make sure to tell your local bank the dates you will be gone so your check card doesn’t get blocked!! Also, make sure your PIN number will be good overseas, some banks require a different PIN, so again, ask your local branch. We highly discourage you from using Traveler's Cheques, they are not widely accepted. Shops will
not accept them as payment and banks have complicated opening hours, so it would be a challenge just exchanging them for local currency. Avoid the stress by not using traveler’s cheques.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A DEBIT CARD: You can get a pre-paid VISA card from AAA and charge it with as much money as you think you’ll need. You could also open up a free-checking account and deposit the money you'll need just for the trip.

:: USE YOUR CREDIT CARD
Most stores in the bigger cities take credit cards, but not the majority when you’re in a small town. Also, stores are more willing to come down on price if you pay cash! MasterCard and VISA are the most commonly accepted cards. You will get a good exchange rate by using your credit card, but if you pay cash you can expect to get an average discount of 10% if you ask for it (I would start asking for a “sconto” from a total purchase of 100 Euros or more).

:: DON’T BRING US DOLLARS
Italians only use Euros as their currency, so don't try to give them US Dollars as this will only aggravate them. To get the best exchange rate use your credit card, use ATM machines (which in Italy are called “BANCOMAT”), but don’t exchange your cash dollars, unless it’s an emergency, because that will give you a terrible rate and you’ll end up paying more commissions than anything.
Always calculate an additional 2-3% over the current Euro-US Dollar exchange rate, because that is the average commission fee that your bank or credit card company will add on as a service charge to each transaction you make in Italy.

:: GET MONEY BACK BY ASKING FOR A TAX FREE FORM
A great way to save money is to fill out a “Tax Free Form”, which you can ask for in many retail shops around Italy. The 20% SALES TAX (VAT) is already INCLUDED in the merchandise that you are purchasing, so if an item is 10 Euros, that is what you’ll be paying at the register (tax is not added at time of payment like in the USA). You will need to fill out this form completely, with your address, passport number, and other personal information, but this is legal and controlled by the government.
The Italian government encourages foreigners to spend by refunding a little over 13% of the sales tax, but there is a minimum purchase necessary for this, which is 155 Euros (as a total purchase in one single store, can be multiple items). By filling out the form and keeping the original receipt, you can present it at the airport of departure on your way back (at the information desk), and you will get roughly 13% refund of the tax you’ve paid while shopping throughout your trip. Believe me, it adds up!!
The refund is given as either cash (Euros or Dollars) or by crediting your credit card (this may take longer, while the cash refund is instant). Unfortunately this doesn’t apply to food or restaurants, but still, by the end of your trip you may have a stash of receipts that can give you some relief from the guilt you got from all that shopping!!

27 What happens if I need to cancel?
As much as we hate to have travelers miss out on such a wonderful and unique experience, we understand that unexpected things can happen. Please review our Cancellation and Refund Policy in the Trip Registration Form (can be downloaded from www.nadasitaly.com or requested by email) regarding refunds in the event of a cancellation on your part. Travel insurance is highly recommended by Nada’s Italy for unforeseen circumstances such as cancellations.

28 Is there a limit to the luggage I am allowed to bring?
Even though Nada’s Italy does not have a luggage limit on our tours, you should be considerate of others traveling with you, as there is a limited luggage area in the van. There is a saying in the travel industry: “There are two types of travelers: those who packed light and those who wish they did.”. Please only bring what you need and make sure to leave plenty of space in your bag for items you will purchase during your trip. There are stores and shops in Italy where you can find personal items, toiletries, and
clothing if the need occurs. Even though we do not have a luggage limit, airlines do. So if you go over the allowed weight you may end up having to pay a fee.
Please check with your airline company what the luggage restrictions are. Each airline has its own regulations regarding allowed luggage, but most of them allow one carry-on item plus a personal item (such as a purse, laptop, briefcase, small backpack, etc.), and one bag weighing up to 50lbs to be checked-in free of charge. The 2 carry-on items cannot exceed a total combined weight of 40 pounds. These are general guidelines, but with the security measures that keep changing, it is best to contact your airline for updated regulations and additional luggage fees.
Not all accommodations have an elevator and if the porters are busy with other guests, you may have to carry your own bags up and down the stairs.
If you wish to bring olive oil and wine back in your suitcase, it will be necessary for you to check the suitcase (you can only bring only very small quantities of approved liquids on board the plane), so a HARD-SHELL suitcase is advised to prevent any damage.
Nada’s Italy also recommends packing some bubble-wrap for fragile items you wish to pack.
An excellent idea is to squeeze in a duffle bag inside your suitcase on your way there so that you can fill up and check-in on your way back.

29 Are washers or laundry service provided by the hotels?
Some accommodations have on-site washers that guests can use for a fee, while others have a third-party laundry service that returns your items washed and pressed within a couple days. If you have a question about a particular accommodation or tour, please contact us: support@nadasitaly.com

30 How far in advance should I book my flight?
If you are planning on using frequent flyer miles, the sooner the better. Airline companies do not like to give away free seats and have a limited amount on each flight. The longer you wait, the more you will run into obstacles such as black-out dates, seat unavailability, or making multiple connections each way. If instead you are buying your ticket, you may want to wait until about 3 months ahead of time, after that prices may increase as you get closer to the departure date. Airfare rates fluctuate, so Nada’s
Italy recommends that you keep an eye on prices and shop around various travel websites as well as directly with airlines.

31 How much time in advance do I need to be at the airport?
International flights require that you be at the check-in line no less than 2 hours prior to departure. Because of new regulations and tightened security measures, travelers may find longer lines, so Nada’s Italy recommends that you are at the airport 2 and ½ hours prior to your departure time on international flights. If you have a layover in a European city (such as Munich, Frankfurt, London, etc.) before catching your flight to the USA, then you only need to be at the airport 90 minutes prior to departure time.

32 How do I sign up for a trip?
To sign up for any Nada’s Italy tours you will need to pick a date and a tour that works for you, then verify availability to make sure there are still spots open. You can do this through the website or by emailing Nada’s Italy: info@nadasitaly.com. To reserve a spot, you will need to provide a 50% deposit per person, as well as a completed Trip Registration Form, which you can download through the website or request by sending an email to the previously specified email address. You can pay by check or credit
card. After we’ve received and processed your application, we’ll send you a confirmation box with lots of fun travel goodies and useful information to get you excited about your trip!

33 How far in advance should I sign up for a tour?
Because trips are limited to 12 adult travelers, and because of the amount of services provided, they fill up very fast. Typically, tours are sold out about 4-6 months ahead of time, so to ensure your spots, provide your deposit and the completed Trip Registration Form that Nada’s Italy will provide you. Obviously, if there are cancellations, some spots may show up as available, but to make sure you can pick the dates that work best for you, and to be able to get a good rate on your flight, Nada’s Italy
recommends not delaying too much.

34 What’s included in each trip?
Full description of tours, itineraries, what’s included, dates, cost, and other information regarding trips is in each tour brochure, which you can download from our website or by sending an email request to: info@nadasitaly.com
You can also see this information on the “Itinerary and What’s Included” page relative to a specific tour on our website www.nadasitaly.com

35 When is balance due for the trip?
All balances are due 60 days prior to the tour. A reminder email will be sent about 3 months prior to the tour to all participants. If you have requested additional nights or other services, the charges for these will need to be settled with your balance payment.

36 What if I want to stay longer and see other parts of Italy?
Since Nada’s Italy does not offer airfare packages, you can stay as much as you want before or after the guided tour!
Unfortunately it has become very hard to get hotel discounts for groups, even more so for small groups, so the best option is to book directly online through websites such as Hotels.com or Venere.com, etc. Of course, we will be happy to make recommendations on how to get around, train information, hotels, and other services you may need to better enjoy the rest of your stay in Italy.

37 How would I go about getting private tour guides and museum entrance tickets for other Italian cities?
Nada’s Italy will be more than happy to assist you in extending your stay in one of the world’s most beautiful countries, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. We are able to provide the information you need and answer any questions about traveling to Italy.

38 How much money should I bring with me for meals and items that are not included in tour package?
Nada’s Italy tour packages include A LOT so you'll find yourself spending most of your money on personal purchases. In general, we recommend calculating about 20-30 euros for each meal that is not included, plus about 50 euros for staff tips. For instance, on the Traditions of Tuscany tour you should consider about 200-250 euros in total (approx. $350) for additional expenses during the trip.

For travel tips, videos, and information on traveling to Italy, please visit:
NadasItaly.com/tips.asp

 

More questions? Contact us!

 

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