There are bound to be questions when travelling. Information on everything from weather to internet connections can be found below.

• Book This Trip

  To help expedite your booking, please have the following information ready before you call us:

  • Tour Name and Departure Date Desired
  • Traveler Name(s): Please have first and last names as they appear on the passport or driver’s license.
  • Traveler’s Address(es)
  • Traveler’s Phone Number(s)
  • Emergency Contact Information: This would be a relative or friend whom we could contact during the tour in the event of an emergency. Please provide their name and phone number(s).
  • Interest in purchasing Tauck’s Travel Protection Product (see below).
  • Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
  • Interest in our specially negotiated airfares.

  For reservations, call 888-840-1853 or contact your travel agent to book today!
  
  Tauck Reservation Sales Counselors are available:

  Monday through Friday 6 am - 8 pm
  Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
  Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm (Eastern Time)

  Some additional questions you might have about booking this trip:

  Special Requests
  We will be happy to advise hotels of any special requests, provided we receive them at time of booking. We regret that requests cannot be guaranteed.

  Deposit Date
  The Deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking. Your deposit is $600 per person.

  Final Payment is due at Tauck’s Norwalk, CT office 60 days before departure. Any bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice.

  Final Documents, which may include airline tickets, when applicable, are sent by first class mail upon receipt of final payment. They include joining instructions, hotel lists, tour itinerary, clothing suggestions, luggage tags and other pertinent information. We recommend overnight mailing service for any reservation that is made within 30 days of the tour departure date to ensure timely delivery. The additional expense will be added to your tour cost.

• Inclusive Prices

  Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, mini coach transportation, admissions, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of hotel and restaurant staff, local guides and drivers and the Tauck Director are included. Transportation from Peretola Florence Airport or Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station to the Gallery Hotel Art in Florence is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight or train arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. Transportation from the Hotel Ilaria or the San Luca Palace, depending on your departure date, to Peretola Florence Airport or Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other Tauck guests.

  Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.

  Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.

  Food Specialties in Cinque Terre - Given its location on the Mediterranean, seafood is plentiful in the local cuisine. Anchovies of Monterosso are a local specialty designated with a Protected Designation of Origin status from the European Union. The mountain sides of the Cinque Terre are heavily terraced and are used to cultivate grapes and olives. This area, and the region of Liguria, as a whole, is known for pesto — a sauce made from basil leaves, garlic, salt, olive oil, pine nuts and pecorino cheese. Focaccia is a particularly common local baked product. Farinata is also a typical snack found in bakeries and pizzerias- essentially it is a savory and crunchy pancake made from a base of chick-pea flour. The grapes of the Cinque Terre are used to produce two locally made wines. The eponymous Cinque Terre and the Sciachetrà are both made using Bosco, Albarola, and Vermentino grapes. Both wines are produced by the Cooperative Agricoltura di Cinque

  Tauck Director – Your tour is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.

  Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff and local guides are included.

  No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.

• On Tour Flights

• Not Included

  Transportation to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us for travel originating in the United States.

  Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. Airport and train station transfers are included for these bookings as described above in Inclusive Prices. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult  Extend Your Trip in the Accommodations section above on this webpage and discuss it with your reservations sales consultant or travel agent when you book your tour.

  Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Tauck Travel Protection Product section below on this webpage for more information.

  Lost luggage is an unfortunate possibility in today's world of airline travel. We suggest that you:

  • Pack at least one change of clothing in your carry-on bag
  • Split your items between your suitcase and a traveling companion's suitcase
  • Do not pack any vital medications or valuables in your checked luggage
  • Confirm that your luggage is checked and tagged to your final destination at airport check-in
  • Place your luggage claim tags in a secure place for your flight
  • File a claim for any missing luggage immediately before leaving the baggage claim area
  • Secure a case number and contact information for follow-up communications
  • Make certain that the airline has your onward itinerary

  Your Tauck Director will assist you with airline and other carrier communications, but has no inside contacts to guarantee or expedite recovery of lost luggage. All recovery costs, including the communication costs, are your responsibility. Check your travel protection details for covered expenses.

  Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual train and airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

  Tauck Director Gratuities - The customary gratuities for the Tauck Director are not included. We ask that gratuities be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.

• Tauck Travel Protection Product / If You Have To Cancel

  Peace of Mind Travel Protection

  As travel specialists (and travel junkies), we know how travel plans can change at the last moment. That’s why we encourage you to take advantage of our Guest Protection, offering a money-back refund if you need to cancel – right up to the day before departure. Featuring comprehensive travel protection with outstanding benefits, Culturious’ plan includes coverage for delayed or lost luggage, medical emergencies, and airfare, no matter how you booked your air! There’s no paperwork to fill out; we take care of that for you. The cost is non-refundable, and certain restrictions apply.

  Our Guest Protection Product comes from our parent company Tauck, and has been consistently recognized as industry-leading. The costs is $250 per person for Tuscany & Cinque Terre.
  
  Did you know that Tauck’s Culturious Guest Protection could protect you if:

  • You become ill and can’t travel
  •  Someone in your immediate family has an illness or injury, even if they aren’t scheduled to travel with you
  • Your child comes down with the chicken pox and you are quarantined from travel
  • Your house becomes flooded due to a hurricane
  • A family member back home passes away and you must return from your Culturious vacation early
  • Your luggage is lost by the airlines
  • You twist your ankle and must visit a doctor while traveling
  • Many other unforeseeable events

  Tauck’s Culturious Guest Protection includes pre-trip cancellation protection and post-departure coverage for the following:

  Land Arrangements 

   If you cancel or interrupt your tour for ANY REASON, all land package cancellation fees imposed by Culturious will be waived.

  Airfare 
  
  If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, our Guest Protection provides coverage for airfare cancellation charges up to your TOTAL ORIGINAL AIRFARE COST for the airfare cancellation charges for flights joining or departing your trip and/or your Culturious on-tour airfare. In addition, if you interrupt your tour due to a covered reason the plan will reimburse your additional airfare to return home or rejoin the tour, up to $3,000 for U.S./Canadian Tours and up to $7,000 for International Tours.

  Partial Room Cancellation 
  
  If a person booked to share accommodations with you cancels or interrupts his/her tour for a covered reason and you continue the tour, you are covered up to your Tour Cost for the change in the per-person occupancy rate.

  Trip Delay

  If you should miss the departure of your vacation due to carrier-caused delays or other covered reasons, the program reimburses you for additional accommodations, meals and "catch up" transportation expenses. The plan provides reimbursement up to $750 for U.S./Canadian Tours and up to $1,000 for International Tours.

  Medical Protection

  If you become ill or are injured while on your trip, our Guest Protection will cover up to $5,000 in medical expenses for U.S./Canadian Tours and up to $10,000 for International Tours. The medical plan also covers emergency evacuation (up to $25,000 for U.S./Canadian Tours and up to $50,000 for International Tours) and repatriation of remains expenses (up to $25,000 for U.S. Canadian Tours and up to $50,000 for International Tours). Medical coverage while traveling overseas is particularly important as Medicare and some HMO’s may not cover medical expenses incurred outside the U.S.

  Luggage Protection

  Reimburses expenses up to $1,500 (U.S./Canadian Tours) or $3,000 (International Tours) for the covered loss, damage, or theft of luggage and/or personal effects during or while in transit to or from your vacation. This benefit also includes luggage delay protection, covering you for the purchase of necessary items (up to $300 for U.S./Canadian Tours or up to $500 for International Tours) in the event your luggage is delayed by a common carrier for more then 24 hours en route to your vacation.

  24-Hour Worldwide Emergency Assistance

  24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

  Is there help when I'm traveling?

  One of the valued benefits offered in our Guest Protection is the 24-Hour Emergency Assistance Service. On Call International is a leader in this field. With On Call International you have access to the services of a highly trained, multi-lingual staff around the clock to assist you with such emergencies as travel changes, lost luggage, cash transfers, lost documents, medical or legal monitoring or referrals. They are also equipped to respond to many unexpected circumstances, such as providing potentially costly air ambulance transportation in medical emergencies. If an emergency should arise during your vacation, call On Call International immediately and give the details of your problem or medical emergency.

  When is Tauck’s Guest Protection due and how do I enroll?

  For your convenience, we will add the plan cost on our travel invoice and include it in the balance due. Simply pay the amount indicated on your travel invoice inclusive of this plan cost. You are enrolled upon our receipt of payment for the applicable plan cost, in addition to any required trip deposits and/or final balances.

  Please be aware that it is in your best interest to purchase the program at time of deposit. The earlier effective date will protect you against unforeseen circumstances that may arise at a later date and the pre-existing exclusion.

  When does coverage go into effect and will it cover me for the entire length of my vacation?

  The Trip Cancellation coverage takes effect upon receipt of the required plan cost by Culturious. All other benefits will take effect at 12:01 A.M. on your scheduled departure date and location. Your coverage will remain valid until 11:59 P.M. of your scheduled completion date or your return to you origination point as stated on your tickets, whichever is earlier.

  
  Other Questions

  Will my current home, renters, credit card or health insurance policies cover me during my trip?

  Due to territory restrictions, many insurance policies may not offer any coverage while you travel. Still others may offer partial protection, but due to benefit limits, co-insurance and deductibles, you may not be reimbursed for the full amount incurred. Most people do not have any insurance coverage at all if they must cancel their trip. Our Guest Protection has a wide range of travel benefits that credit card, homeowners and renters insurance policies most likely do not offer. The medical coverage included in Guest Protection is absolutely vital for most people whose health insurance policies (Medicare & HMO) do not pay for medical expenses incurred outside of the United States or do not cover transportation charges due to medical emergencies.

  I know that I have a pre-existing medical condition, why should I bother with Tauck’s Culturious Guest Protection?

  Even if you have a medical condition that has been unstable in the 60 days prior to plan purchase, you should still consider enrolling in Guest Protection because you can waive the pre-existing condition exclusion by simply enrolling in the plan and paying for it within 10 days after the time of your initial trip payment. Doing so will remove the exclusion from the plan so that even pre-existing medical conditions can be covered. So long as you are medically able to travel at time of purchase, waiving the pre-existing condition exclusion is the easiest way to alleviate doubt as to chronic medical conditions.

  I did not purchase my airfare from Culturious.  Will I still have coverage for airline cancellation fees?

  Yes. The Trip Cancellation benefit provided by our Guest Protection includes coverage for flights joining and departing your tour.

  How do I get reimbursement if my luggage and/or personal items are damaged/ stolen/ lost while I am away?

  Upon your return home, submit verification paperwork to the Plan Administrator including claim forms, loss or police reports, and store receipts. You will be reimbursed for items damaged/stolen/lost while traveling up to $1,500 for U.S./Canadian Tours and up to $3,000 for International Tours.

  If I incur medical expenses during my trip, should I submit them to my primary health insurance company first?

  Yes. The Accident and Sickness Medical Expense portion of our Guest Protection is excess of all other valid and collectible insurance. Guest Protection provides reimbursement, up to the maximum shown on the Schedule of Coverage, for all Covered Medical Expenses not covered under your regular health insurance policy. Guest Protection will provide reimbursement to you for deductibles and co-pays that may be imposed by your health insurance. Click here to download the Description of Coverage for a complete definition of Covered Medical Expenses.

  How do I file a claim? How long does it take to receive my money back?

  In the event of a claim please contact BerkelyCare, our Plan Administrator, at 1-866-808-7356. If you plan to cancel your trip due to a covered reason call Culturious and BerkelyCare immediately to initiate the claims process and to avoid additional expenses due to late notification. You can also file a claim by logging onto www.travelclaim.com and completing the Claim Information Request Form. Claim forms will be mailed to you within two to three business days. For covered emergencies during your trip which require evacuation or interruption, promptly call On Call International, the assistance company, with your policy number and emergency details.

  Once BerkelyCare receives full documentation, payment for a covered claim can be generated within five business days.

  How do I check on the status of my claim?

  To check the status of your claim you can contact BerkelyCare at 1-866-808-7356 or you can email questions to BerkelyCare at customerservice@berkely.com.

  Who is considered an Immediate Family member under the program?

  Our definition of immediate family is quite broad. It’s not just family members who reside with you. Instead, immediate family includes: mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, domestic partner among others. Click here to download the Description of Coverage and see the Definitions section for a full listing.

  What are the Covered Medical Expenses if I become sick or injured while on my trip?

  Our Guest Protection provides coverage for a vast array of medical expenses which could be incurred as a result of a sickness or injury. Guest Protection provides Sickness and Accident Medical benefits for necessary services and supplies which are recommended by the attending physician. Covered Medical Expenses include the services of a legally qualified physician, surgeon, graduate nurse, dentist or osteopath; charges for hospital confinement and use of operating rooms; charges for anesthetics (including administration); x-ray examinations or treatments and laboratory tests; ambulance service; drugs, medicines, and therapeutic services and supplies.

  Are there exclusions?

  In order to provide this package of benefits, certain restrictions do apply. For example, the program does not provide duplicate payments if there are other sources of reimbursement available. Exclusions are standard in virtually every insurance product.

  Also, this program provides coverage for cancellations due to covered reasons such as illness, injury and death to yourself, a traveling companion or an immediate family member as well as specified, non-medical reasons for cancellation.

  What is the Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion? Can it be waived?

  Guest Protection does have a pre-existing condition exclusion, which is quite liberal. The pre-existing condition limitation precludes coverage only for those medical conditions that manifested themselves, became acute, or were being treated in the 60 days before coverage goes into effect (date coverage is purchased). You may have a chronic condition that requires you to take medication and still be covered by the program. Only if the condition is unstable and/or if there has been a change in the required prescription would your condition be considered pre-existing.

  Unless you, your traveling companion or a family member has a new medical condition or one that has recently "flared-up" right before you enroll in the plan, or you have had a change in your required medication, the plan should provide coverage. PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU PURCHASE THE PLAN WITHIN 10 DAYS AFTER YOUR INITIAL VACATION DEPOSIT OR PAYMENT, THE PRE-EXISTING CONDITION EXCLUSION WILL NOT APPLY.

  If You Have To Cancel

  Cancellation Fees - Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. Therefore, the following fees will apply.

  For guests choosing to purchase our Guest Protection, the only fee is the loss of the Guest Protection fee, per person.

  For guests choosing not to purchase our Guest Protection, cancellation penalties are as follows:

  • 60 days or more before departure:
    $600 per person (the amount of the deposit)
  • 59-8 days before departure
    $900 per person
  • 7-1 days before departure
    $1500 per person

  In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the Guest Protection and cancellation terms outlined herein.

  Tour Interruption Fees – If you have to interrupt your tour en route, you may be entitled to a refund for the unused land portion if it exceeds 24 hours; certain restrictions apply. Such refunds are based upon the number of overnights missed less a fee of $40 per person per day for unused transportation and other fixed expenses.

  Partial Room Cancellation – A person who cancels or leaves a tour while a roommate remains constitutes a cancellation of one type of accommodation and rebooking of another type of accommodation. The price charged the remaining person is the new, higher price for the new accommodation.

  Click here to download our complete Description of Coverage.

• Additional Information

  Airline Security Measures -

  If you are traveling from the U.S., the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program requires that your name, as it appears on your domestic or international airline ticket, must precisely match your name as it appears on the government-issued photo ID (i.e., passport or driver’s license) that you present during security screening. The ID name must also match any additional airline data, such as frequent-flyer information. For example, if you present your driver's license to security and it says John T. Smith, your ticket must also say John T. Smith, not John Thomas Smith, Jack Smith, or any other variant. Your date-of-birth and gender information provided to the airline must also match your passport.

  If you make your air travel arrangements through us, please ensure that the name you provide us precisely matches your name as shown on the identification you will use while traveling. If you make your own airline reservations, please ensure that the airline has the correct information.

  For more information on the Secure Flight program, please visit the TSA website by clicking here.

  If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S., you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.

  Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.

  Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through us for travel originating in the United States. By using our air services, you agree that we, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, are acting only as your agent and are not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by us. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline only, even if purchased through us. We are not liable for, and do not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). We must handle ticketing for our special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Our air services can only be purchased in conjunction with one of our tours. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air booking before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

  Holiday and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many state, religious and civic holidays locally observed. You may wish to log on to Wikipedia to view a list of holidays by country by clicking here.

  Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – We pledge to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. We reserve the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by us. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of publication.

  Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking. The tour begins at 3:00 PM at the Gallery Hotel Art in Florence. When making flight arrangements, please allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. The tour ends upon check out from the Hotel Ilaria or the San Luca Palace, depending on your departure date, on the last day of the tour. Each carrier and each airport has different rules regarding how early you must arrive for flight check in. Please contact your individual carrier for this information.

  Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

  Photography on Tour – Occasionally, we will use photographs and/or video taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for print, Internet and other media promotional purposes. If you prefer that your image not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

• Preparing to Go

  Travel Document Requirements –

  If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Italy. You are not required to obtain a visa for the short duration of this tour.

  If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally, you should contact a consulate or embassy of Italy to determine what travel documentation is required.

  Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

  We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

  Travel with Children –

  Age Recommendations: While Culturious tours are primarily designed for active adults, children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, we have a minimum recommended age for each journey to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.

  Babysitting: Our journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. If you require babysitting services, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer on-site babysitting services; however, babysitting services may not be available at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.

  Safety and Welfare Responsibility: We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with us, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.

  Special Travel Documentation for Children
  Authorization for Travel

  If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a notarized note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.

  If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (parent deceased, sole custody, etc.), other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, or a death certificate, will be useful.

  Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, we require you to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information may be obtained from a country’s consulate or embassy.

  Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment

  In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents (including other pertinent documents as cited above) authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.

  Children who are U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the journey.

  We are not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by the improper documentation of any guest, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.

  Air Conditioning – The mini coaches and all the hotels on this tour are air-conditioned for your comfort. European air conditioning should be considered as a climate-control system; most have three settings for the fan, plus a "cool" setting. Very few of the European systems actually have a temperature setting. In general, the amount of cool air that is produced from a European air conditioning system may be less than what you may have in your own home. Some hotels in Europe do not operate their air conditioning systems on a year round basis, but only during certain months of the year.

  ATM and Credit Cards – We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing on this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be "suspicious" charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

  Clothing and Packing – When packing for your trip to Italy, it is important to keep in mind the time of year you are traveling and the current weather conditions for that time. The weather in Italy is temperate and unpredictable. Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing. You will also need clothing and comfortable walking shoes for more active hiking and bicycling. There is a small beach in Moterossa, so a bathing suit is suggested in warmer weather.

  In Europe, especially in finer restaurants, it is generally customary to dress somewhat formally. Slacks or a dress for women and a jacket for men are acceptable dining attire. It is advisable to avoid wearing jeans, sneakers or shorts for dinner. You may also wish to dress up a bit for the welcome reception and the farewell dinner, but by all means be comfortable. A sports jacket is not required.

  You will find a hair dryer located in your hotel guest room. By law in Italy, irons and ironing boards are not made available to guests at hotels. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are also available for a fee.

  We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

  Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your journey:

  • Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
  • Optional: Jacket and tie for men
  • Optional: Casually elegant evening wear for ladies
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
  • Swimwear
  • Gym wear
  • A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
  • Binoculars (7x50 preferably)
  • Insect repellent
  • Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and/or plenty of film
  • Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots that have already been broken-in and a walking stick is suggested for hiking
  • Battery-operated travel alarm clock
  • Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
  • Zipper-lock bags
  • Daypack for camera equipment
  • Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
  • Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

  Elevation – The maximum land elevation on this tour is approximately 164 ft (50 m) in Florence.

  Health – To enjoy this tour, you should be in reasonably good health. Our journeys are active adventures which may include considerable walking on uneven terrain, involve stairs and steep inclines, touring at high elevations and visiting remote areas in newly developing ecotourism destinations, frequently in warm weather. It is important that you have sturdy, comfortable and worn-in walking shoes. Hiking boots are recommended for the hiking portions of this tour. We will also be bicycling, so sneakers, shorts, backpacks and hats may be of use.

  Active Culturious tours cannot accommodate guests with physical limitations necessitating walkers, wheelchairs, motorized scooters, or the like. Certain activities on the tour may require a liability waiver signature before participation. This liability waiver will include an assumption of risk, release and indemnification by you.

  While drinking water is generally safe at all our hotels, bottled water will be available wherever the local water is not fit to drink. We also provide bottled water on the mini coaches.

  If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

  Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

  If you are a resident of the U.S. traveling internationally, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Italy. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, please contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to obtain information about vaccinations that may be required for your journey. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC website by clicking here.

  If you are a resident of another country traveling internationally, please contact a embassy or consulate of Italy to determine what vaccinations may be required for you to visit.

  Luggage Restrictions -

  Checked Luggage – General

  While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.

  Recently, airlines have adopted policies enforcing strict number, size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.

  Many carriers require that checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, we cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers. You may wish to consult the website, luggagelimits.com, by clicking here.

  We cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and size policies.

  Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!

  Carry-on Luggage - General

  Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

  For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

• Destination Information

  Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone while on the motor coach, during group functions, when sightseeing and when your Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There will be many opportunities to make and receive calls at times when it does not affect others.

  Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your cell phone service extends to Italy.

  Currency and Exchange Rates – The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in Italy. Currency can be exchanged at banks and exchange bureaus, though you will get a better exchange rate at the banks. Major credit cards are widely accepted. Travelers’ checks are less accepted, especially by local merchants; expect to pay a fee for using travelers’ checks. Foreign currency is not accepted.

  To obtain the most current exchange rates for all national currencies, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the website, oanda.com, by clicking here.

  Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – Each country we visit has its own customs clearing process. You should familiarize yourself with the specific required declarations of Italy before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries. You may find additional information by visiting VisaHQ.com by clicking here.

  If you are a U.S. resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, you are entitled to a duty-free exemption based on the total value of merchandise purchase abroad, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the amount of alcohol that can be a part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the U.S. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs regulations as contained in their publication entitled Know Before You Go.

  If you are a resident of another country, please refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.

  Many countries levy Value Added Taxes (VAT) on consumer goods and services. (The tax rate may be higher for luxury items and lower for basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union) in which the purchase is made, you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.

  Electrical Current – The electrical current in Italy is 230 V, 50 Hz, AC. If your electrical devices do not conform to this standard, you may need to bring the appropriate converters and adapters.

  Internet Access is available as indicated below:  

  Gallery Hotel Art – Complimentary Internet Access available in rooms and public areas
  Hotel Porto Roca – Internet Access available in rooms and public areas for a fee - access is very spotty
  Hotel Vis a Vis – Complimentary Wireless Internet Access in guestrooms 
  Hotel Ilaria – Complimentary Internet Access
  San Luca Palace Hotel - Internet Access available for a fee

  Time Zones – Italy is 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). From late March through October, Italy switches to Daylight Savings Time and is 2 hours ahead. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the website, timeanddate.com, by clicking here.

  Weather – This is an area where the climate is temperate and unpredictable. As a general rule, you can expect temperatures to range from 70 to 90o F during the summer and from 45 to 70o F during the spring and fall, but be prepared for occasional extremes. Rainfall varies from region to region. Florence, where the rain falls heaviest in summer, experiences the most with 63 in (1,605 mm) per year. To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.

  
  

  Average Temperature
  	Florence, Italy		Monterosso, Italy
  Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
  January	50 / 34	10 / 1	35 / 29	2 / -2
  February	53 / 37	12 / 3	36 / 29	2 / -2
  March	59 / 40	15 / 4	43 / 34	6 / 1
  April	65 / 45	18 / 7	48 / 38	9 / 3
  May	74 / 52	23 / 11	57 / 46	14 / 8
  June	81 / 58	27 / 14	64 / 53	18 / 12
  July	88 / 63	31 / 17	70 / 58	21 / 14
  August	87 / 62	31 / 17	70 / 59	21 / 15
  September	79 / 57	26 / 14	61 / 52	16 / 11
  October	70 / 50	21 / 10	52 / 46	11 / 8
  November	58 / 41	14 / 5	42 / 36	6 / 2
  December	50 / 36	10 / 2	37 / 31	3 / 0
  	Lucca, Italy
  Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
  January	52 / 38	11 / 3
  February	54 / 38	12 / 3
  March	60 / 42	15 / 6
  April	64 / 46	18 / 8
  May	72 / 53	22 / 11
  June	80 / 59	26 / 15
  July	85 / 64	30 / 18
  August	86 / 65	30 / 18
  September	78 / 59	26 / 15
  October	70 / 54	21 / 12
  November	59 / 46	15 / 8
  December	53 / 40	12 / 4
  Average Rainfall
  	Florence, Italy		Monterosso, Italy
  Month	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
  January	3.1	79	2.9	74
  February	2.9	74	2.3	59
  March	4.3	109	2.0	51
  April	6.2	157	3.6	91
  May	7.9	201	2.2	56
  June	5.4	137	2.2	56
  July	5.4	137	1.0	26
  August	6.8	173	1.4	35
  September	6.3	160	2.7	70
  October	5.8	147	5.1	130
  November	5.0	127	4.6	118
  December	2.6	66	3.2	81
  	Lucca, Italy
  Month	Inches	Millimeters
  January	1.5	39
  February	1.3	33
  March	1.3	33
  April	2.8	70
  May	1.6	41
  June	1.4	35
  July	0.6	15
  August	1.0	25
  September	2.9	74
  October	4.4	111
  November	4.0	103
  December	2.4	60

  .