If
you are an American or Canadian citizen, you need only a Passport.
The easiest way to get a passport is through your local post
office, County Court House, or Passport Agency. When applying,
be sure to take with you: your genuine birth certificate, which
includes the registrar's signature and a raised seal; two recent
photographs that are 2" x 2", full face view, black/white
or color; and ID, like your Driver's License.
You
may need a Visa for the the Classic Tuscany if you are not an
American or Canadian citizen. If you are a citizen of another
country, you must contact the appropriate consulates for each
nation on the itinerary; and you must obtain these visas on
your own.
2.
How much luggage can I take?
Please
bring ONE suitcase only and ONE carry-on. Please limit your
suitcase size to no larger than 29" x 20" x 10"
and your carry-on to no larger than 8" x 16" x 21".
Keep
in mind that throughout the duration of the tour, you are responsible
for your own luggage, so do not pack more than you can carry.
Laundry facilities are available in major cities.
3.
What should I pack?
The
easiest way to make your tour stressful is to overpack! We recommend
taking:
1.
light weight wrinkle-proof clothing
2.
1 pair of comfortable walking shoes. Break them in before
you go!!
3.
1 pair semi-dress shoes along with 1 semi-dressy outfit
4.
1 light weight coat suitable for chilly or rainy weather
5.
washcloth (often not available in European hotels)
6.
suntan lotion and insect bit lotion
7.
travel sewing kit
8.
first aid travel kit
9.
prescriptions for glasses/contacts
10.
prescriptions for any medication you take regularly
11.
mini-travel alarm clock
12.
tissues
13.
hair dryer - remember, you will need a converter for
220 volts and a pack of varied plug converters
14.
camera & film - or digital camera
15.
anti-motion medicine, anti-diarrhea, laxatives, cold
medicine, and any prescriptions IN PRESCRIPTION BOTTLES
*Remember,
most name brand cosmetics, medications, and toiletries can be
purchased overseas.
***Always
pack what you will need for one night in your carry-on bag,
in the event that the airline misplaces your luggage.
1.
What about packing documents?
Never
pack your passport!Always keep it on your person! The same goes
for travelers' checks, cash, credit cards and personal checks.
Pack 2 extra passport photos if possible (in the event that
you misplace your passport); photo copies of your passport's
personal data pages and your airline tickets, unless you have
an electronic ticket; a listing of your credit card and travelers'
check numbers; and copies of any personal IDs. This info will
be extremely valuable should you lose any actual documents.
Always keep actual documents on you person, and never in your
checked suitcase.
2.
What will the weather be like?
Just
like the United States, Europe has unpredictable hot summers,
cool summers, rainy summers, and dry summers! The weather, in
general, is much like it is in most part of the US: sixties
to seventies in May; seventies to nineties from June to August.
Fall
is a beautiful season in Italy. The weather up until the end
of October and sometimes into November is lovely. There is less
toursim than in the summer months and the average temperatures
of 75° to 70° is very comfortable. The fall light is
beautiful and the daylight hours are about 8 to 9 hours a day.
Early fall is usually fairly dry - the rainy season starts usually
around mid-November.You can always check on www.weather.com
before you depart to see what the latest weather trends have
been.
3.
Can I buy my airfare from AESU? What if I buy it elsewhere?
AESU
offers great low rates on British Airways, United, Lufthansa,
and US Airways. If you purchase AESU airfare, you will receive
airport transfers.
If
you purchase airfare elsewhere, transferring to and from your
first hotel, is your responsibility.
4.
I know some meals are included…but what if I'm a vegetarian?
Breakfast
is included daily, lunches & dinner as per itinerary. If
you are a vegetarian, or have special dietary needs, please
inform your tour escort as soon as you arrive. All meals are
pre-paid, so a substitute meal is always up to the goodwill
of the establishment. We cannot guarantee that all special requests
will be granted, but, in the past, most restaurants have been
cooperative. Please keep in mind that vegetarianism has not
"caught on" in Europe as it in the US, so substitute
meals may not be as varied as a vegetarian meals are here.
5.
How much spending money will I need?
We
recommend $50-$80 per day, depending on your spending habits.
That money covers items of a personal nature, stamps, laundry,
beverages with meals (except for coffee/tea at breakfast, water
at dinner, and occasionally a glass of wine), meals not included
on tour, and expenses for free-time activities (metro tickets,
taxis, entrance fees). This amount does not include money for
souvenir/gift shopping.
We
strongly recommend bringing a credit card (Visa, American Express,
and Mastercard are the most widely accepted) as well as an ATM
card. Check with your bank prior to departure to ensure your
ATM card is usable in Europe. ATM cards have largely replaced
the usage of travelers' checks and ATM machines are available
everywhere in Europe.
6.
How do I exchange money?
Your
tour escort will aid you in locating currency exchange stations,
and can also advise you of how much money to change. Keep in
mind that you can exchange only bills, not coins. Italy's currency
is the EURO.
7.
What is the acceptable amount to tip? Whom am I expected to
tip?
Standard
service charges of 15-20% are paid for by AESU; in restaurants
on your own, tip approximately 10% UNLESS the service is included.
Check your bill carefully for this charge.
It
is customary to recognize the tour escort by complimenting them
with $3-5 gratuity per day. Your tour escort works very hard
to make your tour the most memorable and best time of your
life!
