ESSENTIALS FOR TRAVEL:
Are you ready for your Tuscan vacation? Just take a few minutes to go over the information below to make sure you don't forget anything and to avoid unpleasant surprises when you get there. Also remember that Italian standards are different from American standards, as it is a foreign country after all!! And that's also what we love about it! So please be respectful of Italian customs and keep in mind that you are a representative of your country when abroad!

NOTE: 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 two bags to be checked-in free of charge.
The 2 carry-on items cannot exceed a total combined weight of 40 pounds. Each checked-in suitcase cannot exceed a maximum of 50 pounds per piece. If you have more than 2 suitcases to check in, or if they exceed the weight limit, you will be charged a fee by the airline. These are general guidelines, but with the security measures that keep changing, it is best to contact your airline company for updated regulations.
If you wish to bring olive oil and wine back in your suitcase, it will be necessary for you to check the suitcase (cannot bring ANY liquids on board the plane), so a HARD-SHELL suitcase is advised to prevent any damage.

DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT THESE:
__ I have a valid Passport & extra ID to carry around with me if I leave my passport at hotel.
__ I have Insurance Information
__ I have my plane ticket
__ I have valid Credit Cards. I have notified the credit institutions about my trip so my cards don’t get blocked.
__ I have about 300 Euros in cash with me (recommended in case you don't find an ATM right away and for your basic necessities as you get off the plane such as bottled water, paying for the taxi cab, etc.)
__ I have enough U.S. Cash, just in case I need it at the US airports or for emergency.
__ I have photocopied important documents, passport, as well as credit cards with phone numbers, just in case.
__ I have notified my bank about my trip (banks may block your cards, if they are suspecting fraud). I know my PIN code for international ATM access.
__ Int'l Driver's License (Only if you are renting a vehicle in Italy. It is also an extra form of ID)
__ Student ID / Senior Cards / Discount Cards
__ I have made a card with the essential information on myself (emergency contact, allergies to food and/or medications, blood type, medications that I’m taking) that I will keep with me at all times.
__ I have given my itinerary, hotel & contact information to family.
 
HEALTH AND PREVENTIVE ITEMS TO BRING WITH YOU:
__ Anti-bacterial wipes/ tissues/ Purell sanitizing lotion. You'll need these because Italian restrooms are often in very poor sanitary conditions and you'll end up having to touch things that you'd rather not. You can use these for wiping door handles in public places as well as your hands before eating.
__ Toothbrush & Toothpaste (you can also buy these in Italy)
__ Shampoo & Conditioner (you can also buy these in Italy)
__ Prescription medication (make sure you have enough for your entire trip), Birth Control, etc.
__ Band Aids (mostly for blisters if you don’t have comfortable shoes…)
__ Antibiotic Cream, Insect Repellent lotion, etc. (there are a lot of mosquitos in the Summer)

__ Fabric stain-remover such as Tide to-Go Pen for accidental wine/food spills.
__ Sunscreen, skincare lotion, etc… (you can also buy these in Italy)
__ Wash-cloths, facial wipes, make-up removing cloths, etc. (Italians don’t use wash-cloths).
__ Scissors, other tools. (just make sure you pack them in your checked-in suitcase, NOT your carry-on because they will take them away!!)
__ Aspirin, Antihistamine, Headache Tablets (you can also buy these in Italy)
__ Motion sickness tablets (if you will be driving down windy roads)
__ Antacid, Laxative, Diarrhea Medicine (you can also buy these in Italy)
__ Tampons/Pads, Tissues (you can also buy these in Italy)
__ Ear plugs if you are sensitive to noise (on the plane).

NOTES ON CLOTHES: PACK LIGHT!!!
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! Also, many hotels don’t have an elevator, or have a set of stairs TO GET to the elevator, therefore you will need to haul your luggage upstairs: one more reason to travel light!
Because you'll be checking in and out of hotels, as well as perhaps getting on and off trains, I HIGHLY recommend packing light. Whether you're a shopper or not, guess what? YOU WILL BE SHOPPING! You'll see things that you'll want to bring home, like wine, olive oil, limoncello, biscotti, shoes, hand-painted pottery, whatever.. And you'll kick yourself in the head if you could've fit just one more extra wine bottle instead of carrying that extra pair of shoes you brought "just in case".

EXTRA TIP: An excellent idea is to squeeze in a duffle bag inside your suitcase on your way there, that you can fill up and check-in on your way back.
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.
NOTE: Shorts above the knee, mini skirts and bare shoulders are not allowed in bigger churches, so bring a light sweater or scarf to cover your shoulders, just in case.

__ Swimwear (if your hotel has a pool)
__ Comfortable footwear -  suitable for walking on cobbled stone or uneven streets.
__ Comfortable Shorts / Skirts (2-3 pairs)
__ Pants (2-3 pair)
__ Shirts (3-4 short/long sleeve tees)

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES:
If you bring any electrical appliances (hair dryer, etc), you will need a converter (Italy has 2 pin plugs), which you can get at Best Buy, Circuit City, Radio Shack, etc. The electricity supply is 220 volts. Most computers, camera and cell-phone chargers have a built-in converter, so all you need is an adaptor.
EXTRA TIP: Don’t bother taking your hair-dryer. It’s going to blow a fuze anyway, even if you get a converter, so you should just buy one in a pharmacy once you get to Italia.

OTHER USEFUL ITEMS TO PACK IN YOUR SUITCASE:
__ Travel book on your destination.
__ Bubble-wrap! You’d be surprised how useful bubble wrap can be when you’re trying to pack glass wine bottles and olive oil in your suitcase!
__ Zip lock plastic bags (pack liquid items, to prevent spills or messes in luggage)
__ Trash bags (separate dirty laundry from other clothes inside your suitcase)
__ Journal (keep a record of your travels)

__ A travel-size alarm clock. Some villas do not have alarm clocks.
__ Pocket calculator (for calculating exchange rates)
__ Camera, film, batteries
__ Cell phone, cell phone charger (remember to check first with your service provider for coverage over-seas).
__ Electric razor, electric toothbrush, etc. (make sure you have an appropriate adaptor with you before leaving)
__ Alarm clock (many hotels don’t have alarm clocks)
__ Washcloths. Italians don’t use washcloths, so if needed, bring either this or facial wipes.
__ A pair of flip-flops or socks to wear at night, there often is no carpet in hotels and floors can be chilly.
__ I’ve written my full name, as well as addresses both in the U.S. and abroad on bright, easily recognizable stickers/tags for my bag so it will be immediately identifiable at the baggage claim area. Thieves may target new or expensive luggage.

ITEMS YOU DO NOT NEED TO BRING:
__ Things you wish you had left behind.

The Top 10 Expressions that will let you get around ITALIA!
Learn the Top 10 Italian expressions to help you get around during your viaggio! (the pronunciation is indicated in parenthesis).

1. Mi scusi! – Excuse me! - [mee | skoo | zee]
2. Dov’e’ il bagno? - Where is the restroom? - [doh-vay | eel | bah-nyoh?]
3. Per favore. – Please - [pair | fah | voh | ray]
4. Permesso. - Please move (polite). - [pair | may | soh]
5. Parla inglese? - Do you speak English? - [pahr | laah | een | glaze | aye?]
6. Vorrei... - I would like... - [ vohr | ray..]
7. Buongiorno / Buonasera. – Goodmorning / Goodevening. - [boo | on | joor | no] [boo | on | ah | say | rah]
8. Grazie. Prego. - Thank you. You’re welcome. - [grah | tsee | aye] [pray | go]
9. Buonissimo! - Delicious! - [boo | on | eeh | see | moh]
10. Quanto costa? - How much does this cost? - [koo | ahn | toh | koh | stah?]