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Italy
Eternal Rome - Frequently Asked Questions
October 24 - 29, 2024 

With such a rich and varied itinerary and so many aspects to touring Rome, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure about where to start preparing for your Insider's Rome tour. We are here to help. Below, you'll find some useful information you'll need as you get ready for your Italian adventure.

TIME

Italy is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the United States. Like most European countries, Italy has daylight saving time which lasts from April to September. It moves its clocks ahead an hour in late spring and an hour back in the fall, corresponding roughly to daylight saving time in the United States, but the exact dates vary. When it's noon in Rome, it's 6 a.m. in New York and 3 a.m. in San Francisco.

NEW YORK CITY

ROME

PACKING

There are so many beautiful things to bring back with you from Rome, so make sure you have space left in your suitcase. You do not need formal clothing for this trip. Some people like to dress up if they are visiting high-end restaurants, but this is optional. Some churches may require that you cover your bare shoulders and legs when entering, so it's useful to carry a light scarf with you. Since we'll be walking quite a bit, you should pack your most comfortable walking shoes to bring with you.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Visitors from the US, Canada and Australia need a valid passport to enter Italy and the European Union, but visas are not required for Americans, Canadians or Australians visiting for less than 3 months. If you are a citizen of another E.U. country, you do not need a passport, only an identity card. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the European Union. Before traveling abroad it's a good idea to make two photocopies of your passport, your driver's license and your credit cards. Leave one copy at home with a trusted person and another in your suitcase. 

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE INFORMATION

This tour starts and ends in Rome (you should arrive at and depart from the Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) International Airport, code: FCO). The tour starts at 4:00PM on Thursday, October 24, 2024 in Rome, Italy, and your flight should arrive no later than 2:00PM. You'll probably depart North America on Wednesday October 23, 2024. If you are prone to jet lag and travel fatigue, we recommend arriving a day early. We have arranged for individual airport transfers on arrival in accordance with your flight, and you will be met by a chauffeur on your arrival in Rome. This tour ends on Tuesday, OCtober 29, 2024, and you will have a private transfer from the hotel to the Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino International Airport according to your flight's departure time. 

JET LAG

To avoid jet lag (common when crossing more than five time zones), you should drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids and eat light meals. Upon arrival, get exposure to natural sunlight, exercise and readjust your schedule (for meals, sleep and so on) as soon as possible.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT AND ROOMMATES

To avoid paying the single supplement, we offer guaranteed roommate matching, and we will try to match you with a roommate of similar age. Otherwise, there are six single rooms available on this tour, but they tend to fill up early. Please keep in mind that all shared rooms are non-smoking.

THE TRAVEL GROUP

The Italy group is limited to the maximum of 16 women + the tour director. The minimum group size is 10 women + the tour director. In addition to the tour director, the travelers will be assisted by private local guides and bus drivers, who will accompany the group throughout the tour. 

HEALTH

In general, Italy is viewed as a "safe" destination, although problems, of course, can and do occur anywhere. You don't need to get shots; most foodstuff is safe and the water in cities and towns potable. If you're concerned, order bottled water. It is easy to get a prescription filled in towns and cities, and nearly all places throughout Italy have English-speaking doctors at hospitals with well-trained medical staffs. Italy does not offer free medical treatment to visitors. Travelers from Canada and the United States must pay for medical services rendered, but will be reimbursed by their travel insurance. You should pack prescription medications in your carry-on luggage, and carry prescription medications in their original containers, with pharmacy labels. Otherwise, they may not make it through airport security. Also bring along copies of your prescriptions in case you lose your pills or run out. Don't forget an extra pair of contact lenses or prescription glasses. Carry the generic name of prescription medicines, in case a local pharmacist is unfamiliar with the brand name.

WATER

Thanks to the mountains, clean drinking water is abundant and relatively available across most regions. Drinking water in Italy is cool, safe and readily available everywhere, and in some parts of Italy you can still see people meeting around the local water well. Otherwise, bottled water is readily available from grocery stores, convenience stores and vending machines.

TOILETS

Bars, restaurants, cafes, gas stations, airports, rail stations, and all hotels have facilities, and public toilets can be found near many of the major sights. Usually they're designated as WC (water closet) or DONNE (women) and UOMINI (men). The most confusing designation is SIGNORI (gentlemen) and SIGNORE (ladies). Most toilets are western style, so you may still come across a Turkish style toilet once in a while. Many public toilets charge a small fee or employ an attendant who expects a tip, so you should always have some coins in the local currency with you. It's a good idea to carry some tissues in your pocket or purse, as they often come in handy.

SAFETY

Rome is generally safe, but pickpocketing is a problem. Women should keep their wallets in a money belt or under their blouse. Purse snatching happens occasionally, with young men on Vespas who ride past you and grab your purse. To avoid trouble, stay away from the curb and keep your purse on the wall side of your body and place the strap across your chest. Don’t lay anything valuable on outdoor tables or chairs, where it can be easily snatched. Groups of child pickpockets have long been a particular menace, although the problem isn’t as severe as in years past. They might approach you with pieces of cardboard hiding their stealing hands. Just keep repeating a firm no!

WOMEN TRAVELERS

Italian travel is as easy for women as it is for men. You may get complimented, whistled at, pinched, prodded, or propositioned, but you’re probably physically safer there than you are at home. You should feel perfectly safe in Rome, even at night. Of course, it always pays to play it safe and stick to populated streets after dark. One trick that has worked wonders for solo women on the road is the fictional husband, who is always just around the corner where you’re going to meet him in five minutes. It helps to dress modestly to avoid unwanted attention, and wear dark shades to avoid eye contact.

ACTIVITY LEVEL

During the Insider's Rome tour in Italy, we will travel by a private bus, by public transportation (metro) and on foot. Because of the amount of city walking, this tour requires more stamina than other Italian tours. To be able to fully enjoy the tour and participate in scheduled activities, you need to be able to walk, at a leisurely pace, up to 5 miles throughout the day, frequently on uneven surfaces and cobble stoned streets. You should be able to stand unassisted for up to 30 minutes, you should be able to climb stairs, get in and out of vehicles without assistance and manage your own luggage without assistance. Overall, this trip is not strenuous, although it is filled with activities, so it requires more energy than other, more leisurely tours (like Tuscany).

WEATHER

The climate in Rome is generally very mild. In October, the weather continues to cool down, although the city is still pleasantly warm. At the beginning of the month, the average temperature is 65°(F) with low humidity, and there is a 40% chance of rain. In October, Rome experiences eleven hours of daylight each day.

CELL PHONE/INTERNET

Italy's cities have Internet access available in internet cafes, hotel lobbies and in some public places. Internet access in rural areas may be available, but it varies widely. Cellular phone coverage is generally very good in Italy's cities and metropolitan areas, although expect limited coverage in remote or mountainous areas. All hotels where we’ll be staying have WiFi Internet available for their guests.

ELECTRICITY
ELECTRICITY

Voltage in Italy is 200 volts AC (50 cycles) and the plug is the typical European plug with two round prongs. Many stores in North America sell the appropriate transformers and adapters, and they can also be purchased on arrival in Rome's airport. If you bring a hair dryer, it should be a dual-voltage one, and you'll need an adapter plug. Any heat generating appliances that you bring need a transformer, and they may still not work properly with the different voltage. Small electronics which are "meant to travel", such as laptops, tablets, iPhone, etc., have dual voltage, so you only need a plug converter.

LANGUAGE

Italian, of course, is the language of the land, but English is generally understood at most attractions such as museums, hotels and restaurants that cater to visitors. Even if only a few staff members at a restaurant, for example, speak English, one person almost always does and can be summoned. As you travel in remote towns and villages, it is helpful to know a few basic phrases in Italian.

MONEY

The Euro, the new single European currency, is the official currency of Italy. Each Euro is divided into 100 Eurocents. Some people like to bring local currency with them when traveling to a foreign country, but it is not needed, and depends on what you're comfortable with. We believe that the easiest way to get local currency is on arrival at the airport ATM. ATMs are common throughout Italy, you'll find them inside and outside all banks, in major shopping centers, in supermarkets and gas stations. Before leaving, you should notify your bank/credit company that you will be using your card in a foreign country, so that it doesn't get blocked for suspicious activity. You should have a 4 digit PIN to withdraw cash. Keep in mind that your bank/credit card company will charge you for each withdrawal, so you should withdraw larger amounts of cash less often.

TIPPING

This custom is practiced with flair in Italy, as many people depend on tips for their livelihoods. The tips for restaurants, guides and drivers are included in the cost of your tour. It is customary to tip the chambermaid .50E to 1E per day, the bellhop or porter 1.50E to 2E for carrying your bags to your room. At the conclusion of the tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director a gratuity. We recommend $15 per person per day if you feel that her services enhanced your experience of visiting Rome.

SHOPPING

What should you bring home from Rome and from Italy? The best souvenirs will be just that - the memories you make and perhaps the photos you take, but if you want to take some more tangible reminders of Rome, here are our suggestions: Italian scarves are always a good buy: choose from beautiful, patterned, light silk scarves or the larger, delicate pashmina wool wraps. If you want real fashion, the exclusive Via Condotti near the Spanish Steps will definitely inspire you. Italian shops selling shoes are a delight. They're extremely good value and you'll find assistants in shoe shops very helpful. Leather bags are also a good buy, but beware of the street traders selling 'Gucci' bags for €15. They're actually good reproductions - but designer they are not! If you can afford it, gold jewelry is well worth buying, and the designs are always elegant and unique. Food is a great souvenir, as it pleases even those who have everything: balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sundried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, chocolates - if you love Italian food you'll find these readily available all over Rome. Try the shops in the small side streets near the Trevi Fountain, but be aware that because many Italian foodstuffs - including chocolate - don't contain preservatives, they don't travel well.