About Us
About Us
"We offer world class, boutique, guided tours to Italy for people who don’t want to or don’t have time to plan their own trip, but still want to have some freedom in their traveling and fully experience the amazing Italian culture and historic sites. This experience is provided by keeping our tour group size half the size, or smaller, than other “small group” tour companies and using mostly local, family run restaurants and accommodations that are close to the heart of the city. Unlike most boutique and specialty tours we provide almost all meals, more activities, optimal free time, and no getting on and off large tour buses to maximize the value for your money. Additionally, because of our intimate travel style we can easily immerse you into the culture of the cities we stay in. As a result, we are able to navigate the towns and cities like the locals, by foot, or on buses, trains and subways. While on our tours, you will truly experience what it’s like to “live” in Italy during the time you are there."
Here is some additional inforamation to answer your questions.
FAQs
Here are a few of the more common questions our clients ask. If you do not find the answer to your question here or in the remainder of the information please do not hesitate to call 360-303-5444. As always, we would enjoy hearing from you!
What is the payment policy?
The balance, payable by check or credit card, is due 60 days prior to the start of your trip. For reservations made less than 60 days prior to departure, entire tour portion must be paid and deposit is non-refundable. For specific transfer and refund policy click here!
How do I get to the hotel from the airport?
For most tours we will cover the cost and set up of the airport transfer. If the specific tour does not include a transfer we will give you the information to set up transfers to and from the tour.
Many people joining our tours prefer to arrive in the country or city before the tour starts and leave after the tour is over. We can not cover airport transfers for people traveling outside of the tour dates, but we will provide the information to set it up.
What transportation is included?
All group transportation is covered during the tour. During the times when the group is not together, transportation is covered by the tour participant. In some locations there will be a transportation pass that is good for specific time period (i.e. 3 days, 7 days etc.). These passes do cover transportation during non-group times of the tour.
What If I need to arrive late or leave early?
On almost all of our trips it is possible to join us a day or two after we depart or leave a day or two early. If your schedule doesn’t mesh with ours, give us a call and see how our in-depth knowledge of the area will make it work for you. We prorate your trip fee based on the time you’re on the trip.
Is there a discount for doing back to back tours?
Also, For many of our tours, there are several hosted back to back with a few days in between. If you choose to take part in two back to back trips, we will give you a discount on your second trip. To find out more about which trips have this, please call or email at the above number and address.
What Will The Weather Be Like?
We take great care in constructing our tours to coincide with the best time of year for travel and activity in the specific area. For example, Washington’s rainy season is generally from September/October to April/May. Because of this we focus our outdoor trips to the months of June, July, and August. Another example are our trips to New Zealand. We plan these to fall in their nicer months like February, but not in the heat of summer, and don’t forget their summer is during our winter.
How Strenuous Will The Trip Be?
Each type of trip will have a different level of activity, but even our painting and sight-seeing trips will have a fair amount of walking. The trip descriptions will have levels of activity to help you decide if the trip is right for you, but you can always contact us to get even more information.
What Will The Group Be Like?
Each trips group will be comprised of people, who like you, are adventurous and love to travel. You will quickly make new lifelong friends who share your interests, whether they be kayaking or watercolor painting.
We want each participant to have the best experience possible. In order to do that, we make sure that everyone understands what each tour is and the expectations for it. These tours are meant to be educational, experiential and FUN!!
With that in mind, remember that an important part of traveling and having a true Italian experience is getting around the towns, activities and hotels. On this trip you will need to be able to handle the following things, with a smile.
1) Attend to your own luggage in all aspects of the trip. For example, lifting your suitcase onto trains, buses or boats, carrying it up stairs in hotels, and pulling it down streets, sometimes on uneven ground for several blocks at a time. (Hint: Pack light with a small suitcase)
2) Be able to be on your feet for hours at a time. This can mean walking through towns or museums, both moving and standing still. There will, of course, be breaks, but there is a lot of walking in Italy.
3) Sleeping accommodations will always be clean and comfortable with appropriate amenities. Some places will have no (or weak) air conditioning as well as street noise since we are centrally located in each town. Be prepared for shared room accommodations. Earplugs may prove to be helpful.
4) For each tour we will be giving a transportation and town orientation after which is it expected you will be able to navigate the city on your own.
Do I need a Visa to travel to Italy?
No. For the lengths of our tours you do not need a visa. If you plan to be in the country more than 90 days you will then need a visa and can find all the information you need by going to http://italy.visahq.com/. Some additional information about travel in Italy can be found at www.travel.state.gov
How do I get a passport?
You can get your passport by going to the U.S. Post Office or at www.usps.com/passport. You simply fill out the required paperwork and bring the requested identification and fees and you can have your passport in as little as 2 weeks. I would suggest giving yourself at least 4-6 weeks to be sure you have your passport on time.
Do you suggest getting travel insurance? Where?
Yes. I suggest getting travel insurance that covers trip cancellation and interruption, medical (including ambulance transport), baggage, and flight insurance. To get more information or purchase travel insurance go with a big-name company (avoid buying insurance from a no-name company you found online). Consider the package deals sold by Betins www.betins.com (tel. 866-552-8834 or 253/238-6374), Allianz www.allianztravelinsurance.com (tel. 800-284-8300), Travelex www.travelexinsurance.com (tel. 800-228-9792), Travel Guard www.travelguard.com (tel. 800-826-4919), and Travel Insured International www.travelinsured.com (tel. 800-243-3174). Also, www.insuremytrip.com allows you to compare insurance policies and costs among various providers (they also sell insurance, tel. 800-487-4722). For bare minimum travel insurance you can also purchase trip insurance with your airline ticket.
Can I bring my phone? Should I buy a phone there?
Yes. You can bring your phone. It will be good for making calls while you are still in the United States (on layovers) or when you get back to call your ride home. As far as using it in Italy, unless you get an Italian Sim Card, you will be charged a lot to use your phone there, if it works at all. If you are going for 7-12 days you most likely do not need to buy a phone or sim card there. There are other ways to stay in touch quite easily without a phone too. (See – How can I stay in contact with my family?)
How can I stay in contact with my family?
One of the best ways to stay in contact with family is through Skype. You can video call each other for free by simply setting up Skype accounts. Skype works on iPhones, iPads, tablets and computers. There are also several apps the are great for calling over a wifi connection. I use What'sApp to contact people in Italy setting up the tours or to call back to the US. The other person simply needs to download the free app as well.
Another way to connect with home is to either have them call you or purchase a calling card (which may still be a bit on the expensive side.)
What can I bring through customs?
This link has all the information you will need about what you can and can’t bring back with you from an international trip. http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/
Do I need know Italian?
No. You do not need to know Italian. We will be able to communicate and help you with conversations while on the trip. If you wish to learn some basic Italian before you go, your public library should have plenty of great cds and books to help you. Although, the more Italian you know the more you will be able to communicate with the locals.
If you would like to take a few basic lessons before the tour my good friend Dario has classes you can join for $20 per 2 hour session. Click to go to his website Anima Italiana
Where is the US Embassy?
Rome Embassy: via Vittorio Veneto 119/A, tel. 064-6741, fax. 064-674-2244, http://italy.usembassy.gov
