2009 Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Naples and head to Sorrento
Tauck's comprehensive Italy tour begins at 6:00 PM at Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria or Hilton Sorrento Palace. A transfer is included from Naples International Airport to Grand Hôtel Excelsior Vittoria or Hilton Sorrento Palace. Tauck's Classic Italy tour begins in the southern resort town of Sorrento, where your hotel overlooks the beautiful Bay of Naples and powerful Mt. Vesuvius. Get to know your fellow travelers at a welcome cocktail reception and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Grand Hôtel Excelsior Vittoria / Hilton Sorrento Palace, Sorrento, Italy

Day 2: Amalfi Coast drive – a southern Italy tour highlight
Drive along the Amalfi Coast, one of Europe’s most dramatic shorelines. Stop for visits in Amalfi with some houses dating to the 10th century, and Ravello, perched on towering cliffs above the sea. Explore Sorrento’s piazzas as you please upon your afternoon return.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Grand Hôtel Excelsior Vittoria / Hilton Sorrento Palace, Sorrento, Italy

Day 3: Explore Pompeii, then on to the Eternal City of Rome
Your Tauck Italy tour next explores the excavated ruins of Pompeii, buried in volcanic ash when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Walk through city streets with a local expert, where you'll discover remarkably preserved ancient architecture. The next three nights are spent at The Westin Excelsior, Roma, one of the most prestigious addresses on the famed Via Veneto.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Westin Excelsior, Roma, Italy

Day 4: Tauck Exclusive – Private after-hours Vatican Museums visit
Spend some time enjoying Rome as you wish, then join us for a special Tauck Exclusive – a private after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums (day of the tour may vary). This private visit means you'll avoid the long lines found earlier in the day, as well as the massive crowds. You'll have an extraordinary experience when you explore the rich treasures in the Vatican Museums at your own pace; see the Candelbra Gallery, Map Gallery, and the Tapestries. In the Sistine Chapel, you'll gaze in amazement at Michelangelo’s masterpiece ceiling – and be able to contemplate all that you see in quieter conditions. This is certain to be a highlight of your Italy tour, one that you'll remember forever.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: The Westin Excelsior, Roma, Italy

Day 5: A day in Rome of the Caesars
A sightseeing excursion begins the day. In Rome, first capital of ancient Italy tour the Colosseum; see Circus Maximus, the 4th-century BC stadium where chariot races were held, and the ruins of the Imperial Palace. View the Roman Forum from above, then return to the microstate of Vatican City for a tour of St. Peter's Basilica to view the art and architecture, and explore St. Peter's Square. Pursue your own passions in Rome during the afternoon. You'll get a real taste of Italian cuisine this evening when you dine at a traditional restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Westin Excelsior, Roma, Italy

Day 6: Your Italy tour continues with a Duomo and a wine tasting
Journey to Orvieto, set on a 984-foot plateau overlooking vineyards below. Visit the Duomo of Orvieto, a notable Romanesque-Gothic cathedral built over a span of 300 years. After a trattoria lunch near the Piazza del Duomo, continue through the wine-producing regions of Umbria. Arrive in Torgiano, a small village in the Tiber Valley. Hotel Le Tre Vaselle, your home for the next two nights, is a 17th-century country house hotel with its own private vineyard - an opportunity to experience Italy's privileged country life. Tonight you'll attend a wine tasting and sample the vineyard's grapes.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Le Tre Vaselle, Torgiano, Italy

Day 7: Step back in time in medieval Assisi – and a chef "shares"
Drive to Assisi, a well-preserved medieval town designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its art and architecture. Visit the Basilica di San Francesco, the burial place of St. Francis, the beloved patron saint of animals. Gaze at the impressive 13th- and 14th-century frescoes, some of Italy’s finest, and enjoy some free time in the center of town. This evening, you'll discover the secrets of great Italian cuisine from an Umbrian chef who shares insights into the nuances of Italian cooking at a demonstration. This special Tauck Italy tour highlight is truly memorable!
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Le Tre Vaselle, Torgiano, Italy

Day 8: Traces of Italy's medieval days
In the hilltop town of San Gimignano, see 13 medieval towers that were built in the 12th century by the nobility as both private fortresses and symbols of wealth. Stroll along the narrow streets and visit Piazza della Cisterna, one of Italy’s most picturesque town squares. Drive by Pisa where you'll catch a glimpse of the famous Leaning Tower, and arrive in the seaside resort town of Viareggio for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Principe di Piemonte, Viareggio, Italy

Day 9: Cinque Terre storybook villages
Visit Cinque Terre, accessible only by sea for hundreds of years. Journey by train through the mountains to one of the villages for a look at daily life in this remote part of Italy. You'll have time to yourself to wander through the cobblestone streets of one of these towns, perhaps sampling the unique flavors of the local cuisine. Cruise along the Mediterranean shores of the Italian Riviera aboard a private boat – views of these centuries-old villages, set on rocky bluffs hemmed in by steep cliffs, are a knockout! Journey on to the Renaissance city of Florence for a three-night stay at one of Italy's finest hotels, a Luxury Collection Hotel by Starwood.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel, Florence, Italy

Day 10: Become an art aficionado in Florence
Experience Florence, where the arts flourished between the 13th and 16th centuries. Learn about art history from a local art history lecturer, then take a walking tour of Florence. A guided tour of the Galleria dell’Accademia introduces you to some of the world's great art treasures, including Michelangelo’s marble statue of David. You'll have time on your own in Florence this afternoon; your hotel is right in the heart of the city, which makes it easy to explore!
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Grand Hotel, Florence, Italy

Day 11: Masterpieces of the Uffizi
Join a local expert for a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery, Italy’s extraordinary art museum. Admire some of the world’s greatest art masterpieces, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and more. The remainder of the day is as you please; you may want to visit the Pitti Palace, the Medici Chapels or stroll across the Ponte Vecchio to the lovely Boboli Gardens.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Grand Hotel, Florence, Italy

Day 12: Rail trip to Venice and a serenade aboard a gondola
Tauck's Classic Italy continues with a journey by fast train to Venice. Built on 118 small islands traversed by a canal network, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, head to St. Mark’s Square, the heart of Venice, with a local guide for a walking tour. Visit St. Mark’s Basilica, one of the greatest buildings in Europe, featuring exquisite mosaics and detailed carvings; and the Doges’ Palace, a pink marble Gothic masterpiece. Take a canal cruise by gondola, complete with a serenade by local musicians, to round out a busy day. Dinner is on your own tonight – from fine dining to intimate trattorias, dining in Venice is an Italy tour pleasure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice, Italy

Day 13: The romance of Venice
The day is open so you can take in the sites you choose. Perhaps tour the Galleria dell'Accademia or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, or take a boat ride to islands in the lagoon. Share favorite Italy tour highlights with travel companions at the farewell reception and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice, Italy

Day 14: Ciao – Tauck's Italy tour concludes
Tauck's two-week Italy tour ends in Venice. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from The Westin Europa & Regina to Venice's Marco Polo Airport. You should allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in.
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 Florence to Venice, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, luggage handling and the services of the local drivers, guides and the Tauck Director are included. A representative of Tauck will meet you at Rome Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) Airport after you exit customs. One group transfer to your first night’s hotel in Sorrento will depart promptly at 10:00 AM. If you miss the group transfer, you would need to arrange for transportation to the hotel at your own expense. Please note that private transportation for the 3½ hour trip to Sorrento is very expensive. On the last day of the tour, Tauck will provide one group transfer from The Westin Europa & Regina that will arrive at Venice Marco Polo Airport at 7:30 AM.

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 sofa bed where 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, "frizzante", or non-sparkling, "naturale". Ice is not usually offered automatically, as Italians are not fond of it. If you ask for ice, "ghiaccio", you will probably receive a few cubes of ice in a bowl.

Tauck Director – Each Classic Italy tour 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 necessary gratuities for restaurant and hotel staff and local guides are included.

No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist 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, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, individual airport transfers, vaccinations, visa fees and services, 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 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)

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 forecasted at the time of printing.

Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The tour begins at 10:00 AM at Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport 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 Venice Marco Polo Airport at 7:30 AM on the last day of the tour. We suggest you allow at least 2½ hours for 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 photographs 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 weather in Italy is temperate and unpredictable. 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 or jacket will provide warmth on a chilly early morning walk or a late night stroll. Generally you will only need to dress for warm and delightful weather – and the occasional shower.

In Europe, especially in finer restaurants, it is 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 Vatican, 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 the 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 Italy:

• Sports jacket for men
• Casually-elegant outfits for women
• Short and long sleeve shirts
• Shorts, slacks and jeans
• Tee shirts
• Socks
• Light 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
• 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 Classic Italy tour covers 1,270 mi (2,043 km) and, though paced to accommodate all our guests, is nonetheless an active and extensive tour. You should be in good physical 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 disabilities. 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 accommodate wheelchairs on this tour as many of the hotels do have handicap accessible rooms. 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 which 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, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov.

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.

As of June 2006, 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.

Tauck strongly recommends that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. Also, Tauck recommends 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, Tauck does offer for download 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, group functions, when sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not impact 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 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 which negates 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 – 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 alcohol and tobacco that can be a part of this exemption - one-liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars. 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 website for further details and up-to-date limits at www.cbp.gov.

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.

As of October, 2006, 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. These items can be purchased in a store that specializes in travel products.

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. In June, Rome is 6 hours ahead of New York City. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website www.timeanddate.com.

Weather - The weather in Italy is temperate and unpredictable. Generally, spring and fall average high temperatures range from 55 to 75°F (13 to 24°C) and summer high temperatures range from 75 to 85°F (24 to 29°C). Rain falls evenly throughout the year in Venice, but more seasonally in Rome and Sorrento, where summers are dryer than winters. Venice experiences very high humidity, with hot weather in July and August. Due to its location on the Adriatic coast, Venice often experiences thunderstorms and rain showers which, particularly in spring and autumn, tend to cause flooding, known as the 'acqua alta’.

	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
	Venice, Italy
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
January	42 / 30	6 / -1
February	46 / 33	8 / 1
March	53 / 38	12 / 3
April	61 / 46	16 / 8
May	70 / 54	21 / 12
June	76 / 60	24 / 16
July	81 / 64	27 / 18
August	80 / 63	27 / 17
September	74 / 57	23 / 14
October	64 / 48	18 / 9
November	52 / 39	11 / 4
December	44 / 32	7 / 0

	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
	Venice, Italy
Month	Inches	Millimeters
January	1.5	37
February	1.9	48
March	2.4	61
April	3.1	78
May	2.6	65
June	2.7	69
July	2.0	52
August	2.7	69
September	2.3	59
October	3.0	77
November	3.7	94
December	2.4	61

To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.weather.com.

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:

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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