2009 Itinerary

Day 1 – Welcome to Rome – your Italy vacation begins!
Tauck Bridges Southern Italy vacation begins: 2:30 PM, The St. Regis Grand Hotel, Rome. Your family’s Italy vacation begins with an included transfer from Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino to The St. Regis Grand Hotel. You'll feel like royalty at The St. Regis Grand Hotel, a deluxe hotel located right in the heart of Rome; it's close to sights such as Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the Via Venato. First up today is a chance to play detective. And actually, make that ancient detective when you take a trip "down" to the city's ancient catacombs, found deep under the city in a complex series of underground tunnels. These catacombs have been used for many different things throughout many, many centuries – and one of the most interesting things you'll see is an ancient art gallery! Frescoes, sculptures, inscriptions – even graffiti – decorate these catacombs. Of particular interest are the signs and symbols, secret signs that revealed ideas of the day. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at a fabulous restaurant along the Appian Way – the perfect introduction to the great food you'll find on Tauck Bridges' Southern Italy vacation.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: The St. Regis Grand Hotel, Rome

Day 2 – A walk on the ancient side
The first full day of your Italy vacation begins with a visit to the famous Colosseum, the place for all sorts of “entertainment” in ancient Rome. 55,000 amusement-seeking Roman residents could all find seats to watch gladiators battle each other, chariots race around and around, and even mock sea battles when the arena was flooded to provide the sea. Learn all about the political economic life of ancient Rome on a visit to its hub, the Roman Forum, then visit the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Peters Square. At the conclusion of today's sightseeing, the day is free for your family to do what they wish in Rome!
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: The St. Regis Grand Hotel, Rome

Day 3 – Amazing after-hours private visit to the Vatican Museums
Day three of Tauck Bridges' Southern Italy vacation begins with a walking tour to Piazza Navona with its beautiful Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini, and Trevi Fountain. It’s said that you’re sure to return to Rome if you turn your back to the fountain and throw three coins into it over your left shoulder while wishing very hard. Visit the Gothic Santa Maria sopra Minerva Basilica as well as the Church of St. Ignatius, which was once the chapel for the Roman College and is today the site of important concerts and other festivities involving international orchestras and choirs. And then – later in the day – a Tauck Bridge Exclusive – an after-hours, private visit to the Vatican Museums. Nothing compares to the special bond you'll feel with your family today; throughout the years you'll long remember this visit. Without crowds, without rushing, without pushing your way past a massive amount of people blocking your view of what you want to see most, you'll have a chance to explore the Candelabra Gallery, the Map Gallery and the Tapestries, and the Sistine Chapel. You'll look up at Michelangelo's amazing Sistine Chapel ceiling in relative silence – and without the noisy crowds, you'll find out that the floor is just as impressive as the ceiling! Your family will be able to contemplate the inspirational art treasures, think about the stories behind the famous paintings, and truly appreciate the exquisite architecture. A once-in-a-lifetime Italy vacation experience!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: The St. Regis Grand Hotel, Rome

Day 4 – The poignant story of Pompeii
Your Italy vacation continues as you travel from Rome to Naples by the very fast TAV train through the Italian countryside before going on to Pompeii. When mighty Mount Vesuvius blew its top on August 24th in 79 AD, the tons of pumice and hot ash that fell on Pompeii totally buried the city and everyone in it. Pompeii slept hidden under that “blanket” until it was rediscovered in 1748 and excavation began. Today, the streets of the city are very much like they were on the day before the volcano erupted; many of the buildings have been so wonderfully restored that it almost seems as if the residents have just stepped away for a minute. Your family will leave Pompeii with a very good sense of what daily life was like during the 1st century AD. Your family Italy vacation continues in Sorrento, a beautiful place nestled between the mountains and the sea with great views of the powerful volcano known as Mt. Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples. Visit a family farm in the country and find out how cheese and other tasty treats are made. Then, try your hand at using that cheese as a professional chef shows you how to make your very own pizza for a special dinner. You’ll have a chance to find out what Neapolitan music is all about – and you may just find some new tunes for your MP3 player! Finally, work off all those pizza calories as you learn to do the toe-tapping Tarantella, a dance thought to be a cure for a spider bite in the Middle Ages; it involves a lot of whirling around, and takes a lot of energy!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hilton Sorrento Palace, Sorrento

Day 5 – Captivating convertible cruising on Capri
Today, your Italy vacation takes you across the Gulf of Naples by jet foil to the enchanting Isle of Capri. Once there, you'll feel like the rich and famous when you take a fabulous ride in a private convertible along the cliffs of the road to Anacapri, ending in the town. A funicular (chairlift) takes you to the highest point of the island to get a good look at the beautiful Gulf and the town below.  After lunch in the town of Capri, and some free time, take the funicular down to the pier to catch your jet foil back to Sorrento. From your Executive Room at the Hilton Sorrento Palace you'll be able to look out at the Gulf of Naples and in the distance, the infamous Mount Vesuvius. The evening is free to spend with your family – but we encourage you not to miss the chance to join us on a little trip to see how Italian ice cream – gelato – is made!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Hilton Sorrento Palace, Sorrento

Day 6 – The amazing Amalfi Coast
If you like roller coasters, you’ll love the drive along the Amalfi Coast today! The road seems to sometimes go straight up, sometimes straight down and careens around sharp corners at the edge of the cliffs. Take a walking tour in Positano, a cool town that seems to be holding on to its cliff-side perch for dear life, before climbing aboard a boat bound for Amalfi to look up at the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast now above you. There may even be time for a swim before lunch at a hidden cove if the weather is cooperative. In lovely Amalfi, you’ll have time to check out the sights along the maze of winding streets. They have been making paper in this old medieval town since the 12th century – and you have an opportunity today to visit a paper mill and see it for yourself. Your Italy vacation concludes tonight with a barbecue farewell dinner – and we're certain that you’ll now be glad that you tossed that coin into the Trevi Fountain!
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hilton Sorrento Palace, Sorrento

Day 7 – Journey home
Tauck Bridges' Southern Italy vacation ends: Sorrento. Fly home anytime. Your family’s Italy vacation ends with an included transfer from the Hilton Sorrento Palace to Naples International Airport. Please allow 2 1/2 hours for airport check-in formalities. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home. Arrivederci!
Meals: Breakfast

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, First Class accommodations on the Eurostar train from Rome to Naples, 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 Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport and provide transportation to Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi 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 Sorrento Palace to Naples International Airport whenever you decide to depart.

Child Discount – Children 11 years of age and under may receive a discount on the tour price. To qualify for a child discount, the child’s birth date must be provided at time of booking. No child discount is offered on the Tauck Travel Protection plans.

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. Quadruples on this tour may be accommodated in a two-bedded room with rollaway cots or two adjoining rooms, when available. Adjacent, adjoining and connecting rooms are available by request only and cannot be guaranteed. Quadruple accommodations are not available for four persons 18 years of age and older rooming together. For safety and security purposes, children 18 years of age and under must be booked into a room with at least one accompanying adult.

Please note that we cannot guarantee adjacent, adjoining or connecting rooms. We will do all that we can to secure rooms next to one another or connecting when possible. A hotel may consider “adjacent” to be across the hall. You should also note that connecting rooms are often not available in many hotels.

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 – The Sweet Life: Rome & Sorrento 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, local guides and drivers, and the Tauck Director 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 (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Additional Information

Airline Security Measures – In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to 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.

If there is a scheduled national or regional holiday on the day you are scheduled to visit any museum, including the Vatican Museum, we will re-arrange your program so that the visit will not be missed. Offices and shops are closed on all Sundays in Italy. In major tourist areas, many shops are now open, especially during the high season.

The list of Italian national statutory holidays includes:

January 1	New Year's Day (Capodanno)
January 6	Epiphany (Epifania)
Easter Sunday	(Pasqua)
Easter Monday	(Pasquetta)
April 25	Liberation Day
May 1	Labor Day
June 2	Anniversary of the Republic
August 15	Feast of the Assumption (Ferragosto)
November 1	All Saints Day
December 8	Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Immacolata)
December 25	Christmas Day (Natale)
December 26	Saint Stephen's Day (Santo Stefano)

Offices and shops are also closed in the following cities on the local feast days honoring their patron saints:

June 29	Santi Pietro e Paolo (Saints Peter and Paul/Rome)
September 19	San Gennaro (Saint Januarius/Naples)

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 6:30 PM at Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi 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 Hilton Sorrento Palace 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. Most air conditioning systems in European hotels 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 Mediterranean climate of Rome and Naples is milder and sunnier than that of the north. The weather in Rome during summer can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures often exceeding 95 °F (35 °C). 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.

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. This is particularly important when you visit St. Peter's Basilica in the , where shorts and tank tops are not allowed.

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

Children may want to consider bringing along pocket toys and games with a "sound off" button or a portable radio or CD player with headphones for use on longer travel days. Journals, binoculars and cameras are also great for children to have with them to make the most of their adventure.

Each child will be sent a complimentary backpack from Tauck Bridges! If the child resides in the , the backpack will be sent to his home and should arrive approximately two weeks prior to his departure for. If the child resides outside of the U.S, the backpack will be waiting at the hotel in Rome on arrival, as customs regulations prohibit the easy delivery of the backpacks in advance.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your trip to Rome and Sorrento:

• 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 – The Sweet Life: Rome & Sorrento, though paced to accommodate all our guests, is nonetheless an active tour. 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. 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 stricter policies in enforcing 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 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 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.

Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight or size policies

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

And don’t forget your Tauck Bridges backpack!


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 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 3 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck Bridges 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. We recommend that children be 8 years of age or older to participate fully in all activities planned for this tour. For the optional visit to the Catacombs of St. Peter’s Basilica, only those who are 15 years of age or older are permitted entry. 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 Bridges 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.

Responsibility for Children on Tour –

Special Travel Documentation for Children

Authorization for Travel

All children traveling abroad must have a valid passport.

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.

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 ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) in Italy are known as Bancomats, and they are widely distributed. Using a credit card, or better, a debit card or your local bank ATM card, is very easy. If you are unsure about your card’s compatibility with the local banking systems, contact the bank or institution that issued your card. A Bancomat will dispense Euro. Many banks are now charging large fees of 2.5% to 4% for cash advances on credit cards, which negate any advantage of using the Bancomat. 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 Internet website, “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 – Both hotels have Internet access as indicated:

Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi – Wireless access in rooms for a fee
Hilton Sorrento Palace – High-speed access in rooms 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 Internet website, ‘timeanddate.com’, by clicking here.

Weather – The weather in Italy is temperate and unpredictable. Generally, April through June average high temperatures range from 64 to 79 °F (18 to 26 °C), July through September, 78 to 85 °F (26 to 29 °C), though temperatures are frequently over 90 °F (32 °C) in summer, and October through December, 56 to 71 °F (13 to 22 °C). Rain falls seasonally in Rome, where summers are dryer than winters. Capri and the Amalfi Coast experience more rain though summers also tend to be drier.

	Average Temperature
	Rome, Italy		Sorrento, Italy
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
January	55 / 38	13 / 3	54 / 38	12 / 3
February	56 / 39	13 / 4	55 / 39	13 / 4
March	59 / 42	15 / 6	59 / 42	15 / 6
April	64 / 46	18 / 8	64 / 46	18 / 8
May	71 / 53	22 / 12	72 / 53	22 / 12
June	78 / 60	26 / 16	79 / 60	26 / 16
July	83 / 64	28 / 18	84 / 64	29 / 18
August	83 / 65	28 / 18	85 / 64	29 / 18
September	78 / 60	26 / 16	79 / 59	26 / 15
October	71 / 53	22 / 12	71 / 52	22 / 11
November	63 / 46	17 / 8	62 / 45	17 / 7
December	57 / 41	14 / 5	56 / 41	13 / 5

	Average Rainfall
	Rome, Italy		Sorrento, Italy
Month	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
January	3.2	81	4.1	104
February	3.0	76	3.9	99
March	2.6	66	3.4	86
April	2.2	56	3.0	76
May	1.3	33	2.0	51
June	0.6	15	1.3	33
July	0.6	15	1.0	25
August	1.3	33	1.6	41
September	2.7	69	3.2	81
October	3.7	94	5.1	130
November	4.4	112	6.4	163
December	3.5	89	4.8	122

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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