Italy

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

**Please check your own country's international travel advice as well as the airline requirements before travel.**

UK guests please see the UK Government Foreign Office Travel website for latest entry and exit advice; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy 

US guests please see Travel State website; https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html 

Passports:
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the period of stay. It is advised to have 1 blank page in your passport. Please be sure to fill out the "Emergency Next of Kin" section in your passport.

Visas
Italy is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S., Canadian, Australian and European citizens may enter Italy for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. All other nationalities must check the visa entry requirements before your departure. You need sufficient funds and a return airline ticket.

**Please note, visa and entry requirements, regulations and restrictions can vary on a regular basis. Please ensure you check in good time prior to travel the current requirements applicable to you.

Travel Insurance

All passengers must have valid travel insurance before traveling, including health and cancellation insurance. Please ensure you have a copy of your insurer’s 24-hour emergency telephone number and your policy number.

Medical Conditions and Personal Medication
Please advise us prior to travel if you have any medical conditions requiring special attention during your trip. If you have a specific medical condition, it is wise to carry the relevant doctor’s prescription with you.
Important:

• Pack a sufficient supply of any medications you are taking, copies of the prescriptions and the telephone/fax numbers of your doctor.
• Please note, some countries require that prescription drugs be carried in their original container, with the label clearly visible. In the event of you losing your medication, a qualified pharmacist should be able to source a replacement.

Travelling with CPAP or other Medical Machines
Please inform The Big Journey Company that you are travelling with such a device as early as possible, and well before you travel. Please note, if you require distilled or ionised water, you must inform The Big Journey Company of this at the time of booking, so we are able to make preparations with our ground agents. There may be an additional charge for this.

LUGGAGE
What to Pack and Wear
We would recommend comfortable clothes and shoes for this tour. Feel free to include a smart-casual outfit for dinner if you wish, however there is no pressure to follow a dress code.

The weather should largely be warm and sunny throughout the journey, however it is always good to be prepared for every eventuality, so make sure you pack a light jacket in case of rain and the fact that it may be cooler in the evening.

Insect repellent and sun cream are also essential items. Don't forget your camera, with charger/spare batteries and memory cards.

Luggage Allowances
International airlines are often strict about the size and weight of checked in baggage and carry-on luggage. Prior to your departure, please contact your airline or visit their website for specific luggage requirements, as size and weight limitations may vary according to the airline and destination.
Sicily Tour Extension – This tour includes an internal flight from Italy to Sicily for those who have added the Sicily tour extension to their booking. 

Checked baggage allowance: 
One Checked bag per person.

Length + Width + Height = Total Linear Length
The Total Linear Length must be no greater than 158cm
50 pounds (23kg) maximum weight

Carry on luggage:
Size Restrictions
One Personal carry on-item: 17.7 x 14.2 x 7.9 inches (45 x 36 x 20 cm) such as a briefcase, handbag or laptop bag
And One Standard carry-on item:  21.6 x 13.8 x 9.8 inches (55 x 35 x 25 cm) up to 17.6 pounds (8 kg)

LANGUAGE
The main language of Italy is Italian, though German is spoken in some areas in the northern Dolomites. English is often spoken in tourist destinations but less so than in other European countries.

WEATHER
Italy is a great destination to visit all year round. Weather forecasts for spring/autumn are usually very mild with warm and sunny days. In summer, temperatures can rise quite high with most days sunny and temperatures dropping only slightly in the evenings. Please make sure to check the weather forecast for Italy before you depart as this will give you a better idea of what clothing to pack and what weather to expect whilst on tour.

ELECTRICITY
In Italy, the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50Hz. You will need a European plug adapter, and/or converter depending on which electrical appliances you bring with you. 

MOBILES & INTERNET COMMUNICATION
Moblie coverage is widely avaliable across Europe, be sure to check with your mobile provider for coverage and rates, as data roaming can be extremely expensive.

MONEY
• Currency
The currency of Italy is the Euro (€). Credit cards are widely accepted in city centers, but it's advisable to carry cash for smaller transactions and quicker payments, as some restaurants may take time to bring the bill. Many cafes and restaurants, especially in smaller areas, do not accept cards, especially foreign ones. ATMs are common in cities but rare in villages. Avoid carrying large sums of cash.

Visa and Mastercard are the most accepted credit cards, while Diners Club and American Express may not be accepted everywhere. Contact your bank before traveling to avoid card issues.

Important: Italy uses chip-and-pin cards, so cards with magnetic strips may not work at automated machines. Carry extra cash in case and be prepared to show ID if you can’t use chip-and-pin.

• GratuitiesAfter feedback from previous guests, we offer a group tipping package for this tour, more information on this will be shared in the 'Pre-Tour Emails'.
  

WATER

The tap water in most Italian cities is generally of good quality and safe to drink. Unless otherwise advised, sometime in more rural communities, you can drink the local tap water. However, most Italians have a preference for bottled water and such that bottled water be readily purchased at supermarkets, kiosks and many shops.

SAFETY & SECURITY

As visitors, tourists may be more vulnerable to petty crimes like pickpocketing and scams, so we recommend staying aware and taking simple precautions.

RELIGION

Italy is a predominantly Catholic country, with the seat of the religion at the Vatican City in Rome.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Italy offers photo opportunities one after another. You will return with many photos that can never be repeated. Remember to pack your camera, along with the charger, spare batteries and a spare memory card!

ARRIVAL IN ITALY
Please note, standard hotel check-in is around 3pm, so should you arrive earlier than this, your room may not be available upon arrival. For those arriving early morning, we will do everything we can to work with the hotel to get you an earlier check-in subject to availability.
For tours including arrival airport transfers, after collecting your luggage, proceed through to the arrivals hall where there will be a representative holding a sign with your name welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Please advise your flight details no later than six weeks prior to travel.

If you have any other questions that we have not covered here; then please send us an e-mail to: info@thebigjourneycompany.com

Disclaimer: The above information is provided as a guideline only. The Big Journey Company assumes no liability for any errors or omissions in this document.

Updated November 2024