Day 1: Benvenuti a Milano!
Your Northern Italian vacation begins at 6:00 PM at Grand Hotel et de Milan. Tauck’s Northern Italian vacation begins with an included transfer from Milan’s Malpensa Airport to the 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, Milan

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 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, Milan

Day 3: Baroque Isola Bella
Your Italian vacation continues as you travel to Stresa and Lake Maggiore to explore the exquisite Borromeo Palace on tiny, private Isola Bella. 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. Take a ferry across Lake Maggiore,with a stop in stylish Lugano, before driving along Lake Lugano to the Grand Hotel Cadenabbia on the shores of famous Lake Como for a two-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel Cadenabbia, Lake Como

Day 4: Bountiful Bellagio
Travel to Tremezzo for a visit to Villa Carlotta, known for its splendid 17th-century gardens, before taking a ferry ride across Lake Como to Bellagio. As you explore this beautiful place at your leisure, you’ll discover why it is such a sought-after destination by travelers. Later, board a boat to cruise past exquisite lakeside villas en route to an intriguing dinner venue – a restaurant, set partially in a cave, that offers beautiful views of the lake.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel Cadenabbia, Lake Como

Day 5: Lake Garda grandeur
Today’s journey explores one of the loveliest places in northern Italy. Seemingly straight out of a storybook illustration with its battlements and towers, the Rocca Scaligera castle stands guard over the scene. See the sights in the ancient town of Sirmione on Lake Garda, which was already a favorite resort area for the wealthy families of Verona in the 1st century BC. Continue on to romantic Verona for a two-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Due Torri Hotel Baglioni, Verona

Day 6: Verona variety
Verona is probably best known as the home of Shakespeare’s tragic lovers, Romeo and Juliet… and of his 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. After lunch on your own, travel to a well-known winery for a tasting of Amarone, a world-famous wine for which the winery is known. The evening is yours to explore more of Verona as you please.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Due Torri Hotel Baglioni, Verona

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. A call at a local museum reveals how authentic Balsamic vinegar is produced, complete with a tasting that will be an interesting memory of your Italian vacation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel Baglioni, Bologna

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

Day 9: Inspiration for the senses and the soul
This morning, a walking tour of Ferrara, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its success in retaining its Renaissance-era city center intact, showcases its many architectural and artistic treasures. Dine in a local restaurant before continuing on to Padua, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, Universita degli Studi di Padova, founded in 1222. Visit the Basilica de Sant Antonio de Padua, where the saint rests in a tomb made of marble in a richly decorated chapel. Then, it’s off to Venice for a two-night stay in the fabled city of canals.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice

Day 10: Venetian delights
Awaken in intriguing Venice, one of the world’s most beloved cities, today and indulge in all things Venetian. Begin the day in famous 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. St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Clocktower and the Doges’ Palace will compete with other imposing buildings and charming outdoor cafés for your attention. Learn more about St. Mark’s Basilica during a guided tour and cross the famous “Bridge of Sighs” as you explore the Doges’ Palace. Then, get ready to hum along as you’re serenaded during a gondola ride through the romantic canals. The afternoon is yours to wander through this delightful city as you please. Please join us this evening for our farewell reception and dinner as your Italian vacation comes to a close.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice

Day 11: Homeward bound
Tour ends: Venice. Your Italian vacation comes to an end with an included transfer from the Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice 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

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, luggage handling and the services of the local guides and drivers, and of the Tauck Director are included. A representative of Tauck will meet you at Milan Malpensa Airport and provide transportation to Grand Hotel et de Milan regardless of the day and time of your arrival, provided Tauck has received accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of your tour. Tauck will also provide transportation from Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice, to Venice Marco Polo Airport whenever you decide to depart.

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, 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 Tauck Travel Protection 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. You may also wish to visit the Transportation Security Administration Internet website by clicking here.

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 printing.

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 with your departure from Venice on the last day of the tour. 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 - 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

Elevation - The maximum elevation on this tour is approximately 1,300 ft (396 m).

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, date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as the front and back 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 current currency exchange rates, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the “oanda.com – The Currency Site” by clicking here.

Customs and Tax-Free Shopping - If you are a U.S resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, 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 United States. 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”, by clicking here.

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 except for the Hilton Molino Stucky in Venice, which has cable access.

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.

	Average Temperature
	Milan, Italy		Como, Italy
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	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
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	17 / 9
July	86 / 66	30 / 19	68 / 54	20 / 12
August	85 / 65	29 / 18	66 / 53	19 / 12
September	77 / 58	25 / 14	61 / 49	16 / 9
October	65 / 51	18 / 11	52 / 42	11 / 6
November	52 / 40	11 / 4	42 / 34	6 / 1
December	44 / 33	7 / 1	38 / 29	3 / -2
	Average Temperature
	Bologna, Italy		Venice, Italy
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	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 Tauck Travel Protection.

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

Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.

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