Passport & Visa

In order to enter Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. No visa is required for U.S. or Canadian citizens. If you’re not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the Italian consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling on your tour. Be sure to check with your doctor or health care provider for the latest updates and travel requirements.

Cuisine

One of the most enjoyable aspects of traveling is the variety of local cuisine. On your tour, be sure to try those less familiar pasta sauces and the vast range of cured hams, cheeses, rustic breads and desserts. Italian cuisine varies by region. Tuscany is known for its wine, oil, sauces and pasta, favoring subtle, lighter pastas and desserts (mostly cookies and breads) made with nuts, fruit and honey. For authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants often with only a couple of open tables and hand-printed menus. Italians tend to indulge in long, often boisterous meals featuring wines and the occasional beer, followed by the requisite after-dinner drinks grappa or limoncello. 

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in Florence and depart from Rome. Upon arrival in Italy, a Go Ahead representative escorts you via private motor coach to Montecatini. When you first arrive at the airport in Italy, a Go Ahead representative will meet you after clearing customs. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival. All other included transportation on your tour is by private motor coach. In your free time, you may wish to explore the major cities of Florence and Rome by public transportation. Florence is split up into two separate sections by the Arno River, with most of the attractions spread out around the Duomo. The city is walkable, although frequent local buses are also available. Purchase tickets at tobacconists or at vending machines. Rome has one of Europe’s best metro systems, serving all the major attractions from the Roman ruins to Vatican City. Tickets can be purchased separately or in bulk and also cover bus and tram travel. 

Clothing & Packing Tips

To ensure you’re comfortable while out exploring, we recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered. For sightseeing, we suggest bringing a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers, as well as a lightweight sports jacket or rainwear. If you’re planning a visit to a high-end restaurant or performance, you may also want to bring dressier attire. Also, please remember that it’s preferable to avoid showing bare legs or shoulders during visits to churches or other religious sites  (entrance may be denied on this basis).

Baggage Allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on  luggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for  detailed information regarding your airline’s checked baggage policies. Bear in mind that your luggage will probably weigh more on your return trip due to souvenir shopping. We allow only one suitcase per person. One carry-on bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 inches (length + width + height). There may be times when you will have to handle your own bags, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage. Make sure you label your baggage and carry valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on luggage.

Currency

The euro is the currency you’ll use on tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in your destination country, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We advise that you take a combination of bank/ATM cards and credit cards, as needed. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges. 

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a  gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour  Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.

About your Photography Tour

Who is this tour designed for?

Anyone with an interest in photography, regardless of age or skill level. All you need is a digital camera, a sense of adventure and a desire to learn.

What happens if it rains?

The day-by-day itinerary is an outline of daily activities. This kind of program requires maximum flexibility, and events are likely to be rearranged as local conditions demand. If you’re unlucky enough to experience inclement weather, we will arrange more activities in town and fewer in the countryside. Please note that weather and other circumstances may impact your photographic opportunities.

What should I expect each day?

The best time of day for shooting outside is in the early morning and just before sunset. In order to give you as many opportunities as possible to capture these destinations, our days begin very early. Weather conditions will also dictate your photography tour, and flexibility is important. 

What kind of instruction will I receive?

Learning takes place through personal tutoring sessions, discussions around the dinner table, and while photographing on location. Whether you are a novice or an advanced photographer, you will come back with great images and a deeper understanding of the photographic medium.

How should I prepare for this tour?

There’s no need to take any preliminary photography courses, but each traveler is responsible for bringing their own photographic gear. We recommend that you bring the following:

• Your own camera and its manual; each traveler should take some time to familiarize yourself with your camera’s settings.
• Lightweight yet sturdy tripod
• Spare batteries and/or rechargeable batteries and a battery charger
• Memory cards and a memory card reader for downloading photos to your tablet or laptop
• Antistatic cloth
• Lenses—24/70 and 70/200 are recommended

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