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Bellissima Northern Italy
Tauck Partners' Savings – Deduct $260 per person May – June and $190 per person July – October. Certain restrictions apply; ask at booking for details. Even if you’ve been to Italy before, you’ve never experienced an Italian vacation like our 11-day Bellissima Northern Italy journey! Indulge yourself with another side of Italy during this unique Italian vacation. Begin in fashionable Milan and discover the legacy that Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo left behind. Take in the beauty of the Italian lakes and imagine the privileged lifestyle of those who live on their shores as you visit Isola Bella and Bellagio, and see the most popular Italian vacation getaway of Verona’s rich folks in the 1st century BC on Lake Garda. You’ll think of Romeo and Juliet as you tour Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site also famous for its many relics of the Roman Empire. Attend a Balsamic vinegar tasting as well as a wine tasting and savor authentic flavors of Italy. Walk on streets that Dante once trod in Bologna as you discover why the city’s nickname is La Grassa (the Fat One). Cap off the perfect Italian vacation in Venice, truly a city of dreams.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
2009 Itinerary
Day 1: Benvenuti a Milano!
Your Northern Italian vacation begins at 6:00 PM at Grand Hotel et de Milan. A transfer is included from Milan’s Malpensa Airport to Grand Hotel et de Milan. Please join us to meet your Tauck Director and your fellow travelers at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner this evening.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel et de Milan, Italy
Day 2: Artful inspirations
This morning will be a special treat for aficionados of religious art masterpieces… or The Da Vinci Code. Visit the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie to take in Leonardo da Vinci’s mural The Last Supper, which he painted on the refectory wall at the request of his patron, Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. With dimensions of 15 by 29 feet, this beloved mural covers the entire large wall. Continue on to magnificent Castello Sforzesco which houses Michelangelo’s last unfinished masterwork, the Rondanini Pieta. Later, admire the Duomo, the great Cathedral of Milan, a striking example of Gothic architecture, and the impressive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. After a walking tour of the city center, the rest of the day is free to explore what interests you most on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Grand Hotel et de Milan, Italy
Day 3: Lovely Lake Como and Bellagio
It’s said to be Italy’s most beautiful lake and you’ll understand why it entrances celebrities, aristocrats and jetsetters when you see Lake Como for yourself today. In Tremezzo, discover Villa Carlotta, known for its lovely setting and splendid 17th-century gardens decorated with sculptures, stairways and fountains. A private cruise across the lake to Bellagio reveals the grand villas of the rich and famous. After lunch on your own, board another private boat for a cruise to Como en route to your Belle Époque hotel on Lake Maggiore.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées, Lake Maggiore, Italy
Day 4: Baroque Isola Bella
Your northern Italian vacation continues as you travel by boat to Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore and the exquisite Borromeo Palace on the tiny, private island. Count Vataliano Borromeo began the construction of this opulent Baroque palace and its splendid gardens in 1632. The ornate family home showcases priceless works of art, tapestries and furniture in an elegant and sumptuous setting. Later, after a walking tour of lovely Stresa, the afternoon and evening are free to enjoy as you please.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Grand Hotel des Iles Borromées, Lake Maggiore, Italy
Day 5: Lombardy and Lake Garda grandeur
Today’s journey begins with a visit to an Italian farm to sample the sparkling wine for which this region is famous and have lunch. Then it’s on to stunningly beautiful Sirmione, set on a peninsula jutting out into Lake Garda and a favorite vacation spot for wealthy citizens of Verona in the 1st century BC… just as it is for contemporary Italians. During free time to explore, you might want to visit Rocca Scaligera, a castle seemingly straight out of a storybook illustration with its battlements and towers.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Due Torri Hotel Baglioni, Verona, Italy
Day 6: Verona variety
Verona is probably best known as the home of Shakespeare’s tragic lovers, Romeo and Juliet… and of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Valentine and Proteus. But, Verona is so much more. In honor of its many historical buildings, Verona has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is famous for its Roman amphitheatre, the third largest after the Colosseum in Rome and still used for operas and other cultural entertainment, and other buildings that have survived since Roman times. A walking tour this morning reveals the many charms of the city; the afternoon and evening are free to continue your explorations on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Due Torri Hotel Baglioni, Verona, Italy
Day 7: A different taste of Italy
Journey this morning to Mantua, birthplace of the poet, Virgil, and once the site of one of the greatest Renaissance courts in Europe. Tour the impressive Ducal Palace, the former stronghold of the powerful Gonzaga family, and admire grand rooms and stunning frescoes dating from the 13th through the 18th centuries. Visit the 14th-century fortress of Castello San Georgio to view its impressive art collection. In Spilamberto, a visit to a local museum reveals how authentic Balsamic vinegar is produced, complete with a tasting that will be an interesting memory of your northern Italian vacation. Arrive in Bologna for a two-night stay at the Grand Hotel Baglioni.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel Baglioni, Bologna, Italy
Day 8: Bountiful Bologna
Surrounded by hills, the dusky red buildings, marbled-floored ancient porticoes and wide piazzas contribute to the distinctly Renaissance feel in the center of Bologna. Home of the world’s oldest university, the Alma Mater Studiorum, founded in 1088, notable scholars such as Dante, Boccaccio and Petraca once walked its streets. A walking tour this morning reveals sights that they may well have seen centuries ago. After time to explore on your own, indulge in a cooking class prior to dinner before savoring the delicious results of what you’ve learned.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel Baglioni, Bologna, Italy
Day 9: Vibrant Venice
As your Italian vacation continues, travel to Venice, one of the world’s most enchanting cities. Guided sightseeing includes the famous Piazza San Marco, impressive St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doges’ Palace, official residence of Venetian rulers in the Middle Ages, where you’ll learn how the “bridge of sighs” got its name. Then, sit back and relax as a singing gondolier propels your gondola through the canals. It’s an experience that you’ll long remember. Your home in Venice is the magnificent Hotel Gritti Palace, built in 1525 as the palatial residence of the then-Doge Andrea Gritti.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Hotel Gritti Palace, Venice, Italy
Day 10: More Venetian delights as you please
Awaken in intriguing Venice, one of the world’s most beloved cities, today and indulge in all things Venetian just as you choose. You might begin your day enjoying a coffee in Piazza San Marco, referred to by Alfred de Musset as “the drawing room of Europe.” Here in the city where streets are paved with water, the sound of human voices replaces the traffic noise so common in the other great cities of Europe as pedestrians (and pigeons) flock to this central gathering place for Venetians. Perhaps you’ll choose to see the magnificent view of the city from the top of St. Mark’s bell tower, stroll over to the Rialto Bridge, take in some of the city’s excellent museums or shop for distinctive Venetian souvenirs such as the traditional Carnival masks and colorful Venetian glass. Or, just follow your nose and see where the tiny streets might take you. Please join us for our farewell cocktail reception and dinner this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Gritti Palace, Venice, Italy
Day 11: Homeward bound
Tour ends: Venice. Fly home anytime. Your northern Italian vacation comes to an end with an included transfer from the Hotel Gritti Palace to Venice’s Marco Polo International Airport. Please allow 2 1/2 hours for airport check-in formalities. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
Discover the romance, poetry and adventure of
Bellissima Northern Italy – the perfect Italian vacation!
Prices
11 Days from $4,960 plus airfare
| Double | Single | Triple | |
| 2009 Price per Person |
$4960 | $6447 | $4660 |
19 meals included.
Tauck Partners' Savings – Deduct $260 per person May – June and $190 per person July – October. Certain restrictions apply; ask at booking for details.
International Airfare is additional - Call Tauck for special rates on international air for travel originating in the U.S. (subject to availability).
Please ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights before your tour begins and about our comprehensive Guest Protection Plan.
Need to Know
Inclusive Prices
Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available hotels without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms with a rollaway cot or a sofa bed, when available, and are not recommended for comfort. Adjacent, adjoining and connecting rooms are available by request only and cannot be guaranteed
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Dining - Most restaurants open for lunch around 12:00 PM and close at 3:00 PM, then re-open again for dinner at 7:30 PM. A coperto, or cover charge, is commonly added to the top of your bill for table service and bread. The typical cover charge ranges from 2-4 Euro per person. A servizio, or service charge, is often added to the bottom of your bill and ranges from 10-12%. If there is no service charge added to your bill, you may tip as you wish.
Water from the tap is safe to drink; however, restaurants will offer bottled water, usually sparkling, known as "frizzante", or non-sparkling, known as naturale. Ice is not usually offered automatically, as Italians are not fond of it. If you ask for ice, which is known as "ghiaccio", you will probably receive a few cubes of ice in a bowl.
Tauck Director – Bellissima Northern Italy 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 gratuities for restaurant and hotel 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.
Not Included
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck 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, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations 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 Protection Plan for more information.
Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, mineral waters and soft drinks, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, individual airport transfers (where applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Tauck Director Gratuities - The customary gratuities to the Tauck Director and driver are not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
Additional Information
Airline Security Measures – In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time for airport check-in for travel to check international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.
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, and 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 Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is 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 Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does 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). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air 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 religious, state and local holidays locally observed.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate your tour as advertised. Tauck reserves 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 Tauck. 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 the time of booking. The tour begins at 6:00 PM at Grand Hotel et de Milan on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. Please allow sufficient time to claim your luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. The tour ends at check-out time at the Hotel Gritti Palace, Venice regardless of the day and time that you depart. We suggest you allow at least 2½ hours for flight check-in.
Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves 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 photograph taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Preparing To Go
Air Conditioning – All the hotels and motor coaches used on this tour are air-conditioned for your comfort. European air conditioning in hotels 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.
ATM and Credit Cards - We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing for 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 climate of northern Italy ranges from Alpine near Switzerland to continental along the Po River to Venice. We suggest that you dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is flexible and allows for layering. Casual, cotton clothing is recommended. A light sweater and jacket will provide warmth on a chilly early morning walk or a late night stroll. Expect some rain as it is more frequent in northern Italy than in the southern Mediterranean region of Italy.
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 certainly be comfortable.
Most Catholic churches in Italy require that your knees and shoulders be covered when you enter, even during the hot days of summer.
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 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 trip to northern Italy:
- Sports jacket for men
- Casually-elegant outfits for women
- Short and long sleeve shirts
- Shorts, slacks and jeans
- Tee shirts
- Socks
- Light-weight sweater
- Light-weight jacket
- Comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
- Raincoat and rain hat
- Collapsible umbrella
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
- Insect repellent
- Wash cloth – not all European hotels provide washcloths, so you may want to bring one along if you prefer them; a package of reusable cloth wipes is an excellent alternative
- Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and plenty of film
- Alarm clock
- Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling
Health - – This journey is paced to accommodate all our guests, but is, nonetheless, an active and extensive tour. You should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances over uneven terrain, as some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. Italy is home to innumerable historic buildings and sites, some dating from antiquity. Therefore, roads, walkways and architecture will present difficulties for some guests with physical limitations. You will encounter cobblestone streets, narrow passageways, and some steep and winding staircases. For the most part, however, the amount of walking you do at the various sites and towns is at your discretion.
We regret that we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.
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 have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
If you are a U.S. citizen, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Italy. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, prerecorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website by clicking here.
If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of Italy to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for your travel.
Luggage Restrictions -
Checked Luggage – General
While it is common that airlines 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.
In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing 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 checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight 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.
Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home.
Carry-on Luggage - General
Although oversized 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 only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not be accessible during daytime travel.
Travel Document Requirements – If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need a valid passport to enter Italy; however, you do not need a visa for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.
If you are a citizen of another country, you should contact an embassy or consulate of Italy to determine what travel documentation is required.
We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. In addition, 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, as well as both sides of your driver’s license. 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 – 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, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age 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 – Tauck journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
Safety and Welfare Responsibility – Tauck welcomes the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. For safety and security purposes, children under 18 years of age must be booked into a room with at least one accompanying adult. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with Tauck, 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 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.
CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. 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 (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful.
All children who are U.S. citizens should also have a certified copy of their birth certificate or baptism record for ID. Children over the age of 14 are also required to have a photo ID.
Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all guests to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information is available from each country’s consulate.
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 authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.
Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
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 during motor coach travel and group functions, as well as when sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually many opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your service extends to Italy.
Currency and Exchange Rates - The official currency in Italy is the Euro.
In Italy, travelers’ checks are becoming increasingly unpopular. Most reputable establishments will accept major credit cards. The Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) in Italy are known as Bancomats, and they are widespread. Using a credit card, or even better, a debit card or your local bank ATM card, is very easy. If you are unsure about the compatibility or the banking systems, contact the bank or institution that issued your card. The Bancomat will dispense Euro. Many banks are now charging large fees of 2.5% to 4% for cash advances on credit cards that negate any advantage of using the Bancomat in the first place. We advise that you use your regular ATM card and simply withdraw money from your account just as you would do at your local bank.
To obtain the up-to-date currency exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website www.oanda.com.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – You should familiarize yourself with Italy’s specific required customs declarations before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries.
If you are a resident of another country, you should refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
Currently, Italy levies a 20% Value Added Tax (VAT) on most consumer goods and services. (The tax may be higher on luxury items and lower on basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country in which the purchase is made (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union), 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 will need to bring the appropriate converters and adapters.
Internet Access – All hotels have WiFi access in rooms.
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 Internet website, “timeanddate.com”, by clicking here.
Weather - The climate of northern Italy ranges from Alpine near Switzerland to continental along the Po River to Venice. The northern Alpine region experiences harsh winters with plenty of rain and snow and very mild summers. However, the weather conditions vary greatly according to the altitude. The northern Italian plain or Po River region experiences continental weather conditions with fairly cold, snowy winters but warm, mild summers. Northern cities such as Torino, Milan and Venice can become very cold, damp and foggy with temperatures falling to 32-45 °F (0-7 °C) in winter. Most of the rainfall occurs in the spring and summer months.
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Average Temperature
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Milan, Italy
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Como, Italy
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Month
|
Hi/Lo ºF
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Hi/Lo ºC
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Hi/Lo ºF
|
Hi/Lo ºC
|
|
January
|
43 / 31
|
6 / -1
|
35 / 26
|
2 / -3
|
|
February
|
49 / 33
|
9 / 1
|
36 / 27
|
2 / -3
|
|
March
|
58 / 40
|
14 / 4
|
41 / 30
|
5 / -1
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|
April
|
64 / 46
|
18 / 8
|
47 / 35
|
8 / 2
|
|
May
|
74 / 55
|
23 / 13
|
55 / 42
|
13 / 6
|
|
June
|
81 / 62
|
27 / 17
|
63 / 49
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17 / 9
|
|
July
|
86 / 66
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30 / 19
|
68 / 54
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20 / 12
|
|
August
|
85 / 65
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29 / 18
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66 / 53
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19 / 12
|
|
September
|
77 / 58
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25 / 14
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61 / 49
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16 / 9
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October
|
65 / 51
|
18 / 11
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52 / 42
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11 / 6
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November
|
52 / 40
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11 / 4
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42 / 34
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6 / 1
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December
|
44 / 33
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7 / 1
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38 / 29
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3 / -2
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Average Temperature |
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Bologna, Italy
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Venice, Italy
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Month
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Hi/Lo ºF
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Hi/Lo ºC
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Hi/Lo ºF
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Hi/Lo ºC
|
|
January
|
43 / 31
|
6 / -1
|
42 / 30
|
6 / -1
|
|
February
|
48 / 34
|
9 / 1
|
46 / 33
|
8 / 1
|
|
March
|
58 / 40
|
14 / 4
|
53 / 38
|
12 / 3
|
|
April
|
64 / 47
|
18 / 8
|
61 / 46
|
16 / 8
|
|
May
|
74 / 55
|
23 / 13
|
70 / 54
|
21 / 12
|
|
June
|
82 / 62
|
28 / 17
|
76 / 60
|
24 / 16
|
|
July
|
87 / 67
|
31 / 19
|
81 / 64
|
27 / 18
|
|
August
|
87 / 67
|
31 / 19
|
80 / 63
|
27 / 17
|
|
September
|
78 / 60
|
26 / 16
|
74 / 57
|
23 / 14
|
|
October
|
66 / 52
|
19 / 11
|
64 / 48
|
18 / 9
|
|
November
|
52 / 42
|
11 / 6
|
52 / 39
|
11 / 4
|
|
December
|
45 / 34
|
7 / 1
|
44 / 32
|
7 / 0
|
|
|
Average Rainfall
|
|||
|
|
Milan, Italy
|
Como, Italy
|
||
|
Month
|
Inches
|
Millimeters
|
Inches
|
Millimeters
|
|
January
|
1.0
|
26
|
2.4
|
61
|
|
February
|
0.8
|
20
|
2.2
|
56
|
|
March
|
1.1
|
28
|
3.2
|
81
|
|
April
|
2.3
|
59
|
5.0
|
127
|
|
May
|
2.0
|
51
|
6.9
|
175
|
|
June
|
1.9
|
48
|
6.4
|
163
|
|
July
|
1.4
|
36
|
4.7
|
119
|
|
August
|
2.0
|
52
|
6.3
|
160
|
|
September
|
2.4
|
62
|
5.6
|
142
|
|
October
|
3.0
|
76
|
5.6
|
142
|
|
November
|
2.5
|
64
|
3.7
|
94
|
|
December
|
1.2
|
30
|
2.1
|
53
|
|
|
Average Rainfall |
|||
|
|
Bologna, Italy
|
Venice, Italy
|
||
|
Month
|
Inches
|
Millimeters
|
Inches
|
Millimeters
|
|
January
|
0.7
|
18
|
1.5
|
37
|
|
February
|
1.0
|
25
|
1.9
|
48
|
|
March
|
1.2
|
29
|
2.4
|
61
|
|
April
|
2.0
|
52
|
3.1
|
78
|
|
May
|
1.7
|
43
|
2.6
|
65
|
|
June
|
1.8
|
45
|
2.7
|
69
|
|
July
|
0.9
|
24
|
2.0
|
52
|
|
August
|
1.1
|
27
|
2.7
|
69
|
|
September
|
1.7
|
44
|
2.3
|
59
|
|
October
|
2.4
|
60
|
3.0
|
77
|
|
November
|
1.8
|
47
|
3.7
|
94
|
|
December
|
1.3
|
33
|
2.4
|
61
|
If You Have to Cancel
Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, Tauck will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in its Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers a Tauck Protection Plan.
If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties waived. Please click here for more details.
If you choose not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection, you will incur cancellation penalties per person 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
$1,500 per person