FAQ
DO I NEED A PASSPORT?
Yes! Make sure you get one if you don’t have one already, and make sure to check the expiration date. As recent regulations have changed, it takes longer for the US government agencies to issue passports, so give yourself at least 3 months to apply for one or to renew your current passport. Go to the U.S. Department of State's website to stay up to date with travel information. If you’re not an American citizen, you may need a travel visa. Check with your country's Italian embassy or your own country's travel requirements.
ALERT: Current regulations require that your passport be valid for the entire duration of your trip and for at least 6 months after your return date.
DO I NEED INSURANCE?
We recommend you consider trip cancellation insurance and/or travel health insurance. These will cover different situations and may give you financial peace of mind, as well as allowing for safe and healthy travel. While for some travelers, insurance is a good idea; for others, it’s not. What are the chances you’ll need it? How willing are you to take risks? How much is peace of mind worth to you? Take these considerations into account, understand your options, and make an informed decision.
This list is not all-inclusive, but these resources provide information about purchasing travel, health and medical insurance:
WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE IN ITALY?
Italy is not considered to be a large country, especially compared to the USA: about 30% smaller than California. Weather in Italy is very similar to Southeastern US - hot and humid summers, cold and rainy winters, typically with snow only in the mountains. Temperatures can vary during the day, but typically both late Spring tours and early Fall tours enjoy warm temperatures in the high 70’s during the day, into the high 80’s. At nighttime, the temperature can go down to the mid-50’s. Dress in layers so you can put a garment on or off depending on temperature variations. Keep in mind that Italy is on Daylight Savings Time, so as we go towards the Summer months, the days get longer.
WHO WILL BE IN MY GROUP?
Any tour may have a mix of travelers. You will be receiving an email from our office with important reminders for your trip about 60 days prior to your departure. All group members’ names will be listed, along with the state they are from.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE AGE OF GUESTS?
Our typical traveler is one who enjoys an active lifestyle and appreciates wine, food, art, history, and the Italian culture. Most of our clients are between the ages of 35 and 70 years of age.
HOW MUCH WALKING WILL THERE BE?
There will be walking. Most medieval towns were built as hilltop fortresses, and we will be visiting city museums, vineyards, farms, and historical sites. On average we will walk 3-5 miles per day often on ancient cobblestone and in some towns fairly steep uphill and downhill streets/alleys. You must be in reasonably good physical health and be able to walk and stand for extended periods of time. If this is a concern you should contact us directly. Also, if you get tired when we're out on tour you can choose to sit in a cafe with a glass of wine, coffee, etc. and people watch and we'll return to get you. For those who love the outdoors, there are trails around the villa. And as a general rule, you should wear broken-in, comfortable walking shoes.
WHY DON’T YOU OFFER AIRFARE?
There are several reasons why we do not offer airfare. Our clients are from all over the United States, as well as Canada, Australia, and some parts of Europe. Therefore, we want to give our travelers the opportunity to choose their own flights. Many people have air miles they want to use to fly overseas or upgrade to business and first class. Others choose to extend their stay in Italy and visit other cities, before or after the tour. We are happy to provide our experience with routes and airlines, and we recommend using the ‘Hopper” mobile app to “watch” the prices for the airports you will be flying from/into.
HOW DO WE MEET UP WITH THE GROUP?
We provide transportation from the Certaldo train station to the villa whenever you arrive. We can provide transportation options from Americo Vespucci Airport in Florence to the Certaldo train station just email or call us. Please make sure we have a valid email address and cell phone number for contacting you.
WHAT HAPPENS IF OUR FLIGHT IS DELAYED?
Unfortunately, sometimes flights are delayed. As a preventative measure, make sure you have at least 2-3 hours between connecting flights. If your flight is delayed or cancelled please contact the Tour Director (you will receive their name and contact information by email prior to departure). We will do our best to assist you, but it will be your responsibility to get to the accommodation from wherever you are and pay for any associated expenses. You can arrive at our villa at any time so no reason to stress. Whenver you arrive someone will be there. REMEMBER: Consider purchasing a travel insurance policy to cover any unexpected or emergency expenses; https://www.insuremytrip.com
CAN WE BRING ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES?
Our villa provides hair dryers. If you bring any electrical appliances (hair dryer, flat iron, electric razor, electric toothbrush, etc), you will need an adapter or possibly a converter (Italy has 2 pin plugs; the electricity supply is 220 volts), laptop computers, camera chargers, cell phone chargers, iPods, and other electronics are usually dual voltage and switch automatically to the right voltage. Look at the appliance label. If you see a range of voltages printed such as "110-220" you're ok in Italy and a simple 2 pin adapter is all you need. The practical lesson is this: figure that most travel-type electronics these days work on all voltages/currents and a simple 2 pin adapter will work, but don't assume, if you're wrong you can damage your appliance . Always check the bottom panel of the device, the label, the script embossed in the plastic, the plug, or the instruction manual to be sure. If you do not see that the appliance is dual voltage, or are not sure, you may want to consider buying a slightly more expensive voltage/currency converter.
IS THERE SMOKING ALLOWED?
The smoking laws in Italy are comparable to the US and most other countries. There is no smoking allowed anywhere in the villa, and no smoking on the tour vans. Restaurants do not allow smoking as well. Smoking must be at least 8 meters (~25ft.) from a public area. The villa has grounds, vineyards where one can walk and smoke should you need to do so.
WHAT ABOUT THE FOOD?
YES! There will be a lot of delicious food! You may want to consider shedding a few pounds before you arrive . . . we're not kidding!
Also, Italy is a country of culinary delights, so we ask that you are flexible and open to trying different foods than what you are used to at home. Most meals will not be based on personal menu preferences, rather on a variety of local seasonal specialties selected by the our chef and Villas of Italy. The meals provided on the trip will be Tuscan regional dishes. Our focus is for you to experience the authentic local cuisine & wine, which sometimes may not be like the Italian food you grew up with. Some of the meals will be at our villa, and some out in local restaurants that Villas of Italy has selected for the tour. All accompanied by local Tuscan wines, bottled water, etc. Some meals may be served family-style, in large platters that will be passed around the table for guests to serve themselves. Also, breakfast in Italy is typically a Continental Breakfast; a variety of fruit juices, pastries, cheeses, bread, milk, coffee/cappuccino, tea, yogurt, fruit, etc. American style breakfast e.g., Eggs, bacon, or omelettes are not typically served for breakfast in Italy.
WHAT IF I AM VEGETARIAN, HAVE ALLERGIES, OR REQUIRE A PARTICULAR DIET?
Please notify us if you are vegetarian or have particular food allergies as soon as you sign up for one of our tours so we can inform our chef at the villa and the various restaurants. Even though Italian cuisine specialties include salami, prosciutto, dairy products (cheeses), rice, pasta, fish, and savory meat sauces, there are typically vegetarian options and other non-meat dishes that our chef can prepare and our selected restaurants can offer. We’ll do our best to accommodate you, but if you require specific foods not readily available, you may need to bring your own ingredients.
WILL CELL PHONES WORK OVERSEAS?
Some wireless companies offer an international calling plan, which you have to request before you leave. Please check with your provider to see if this is an option. We do recommend taking a cell phone with you so your family & friends can contact you while you’re away, and we can contact you on tour if needed, but check with your provider to see if they offer coverage overseas, as well as the charges, which can often add up quickly when roaming. If you own a smart phone, make sure to turn your data plan off and turn it to “airplane mode” when you are not using it to avoid a painfully expensive bill. We provide Wi-Fi at the villa and many restaurants also provide Wi-Fi so you can use that to check emails and get online, or Facetime family and friends. You can also rent a cell phone through a third-party company if you so choose.
WILL WE NEED ANY VACCINATIONS?
Unless you’re going to other countries that require shots on your trip, Italy does not (at the time this was written). Some people may develop allergies to cypress trees, olive trees, and other local tree/plant pollens uncommon to where they live. If you are susceptible to allergic reactions (if you get a runny nose in the Spring and Fall), it would be a good idea for you to bring some allergy medication. You can purchase over-the-counter allergy medication in Italy, such as Claritin.
IS THE WATER SAFE TO DRINK IN ITALY?
Absolutely! The water is very safe in Italy and you should not worry. You can drink tap water, but the taste may or may not be pleasant to you, just like some may or may not like drinking tap water at home. For this reason, bottled water and/or filtered water will be provided throughout the trip.
WHAT TIME CAN WE GET TO THE VILLA?
You can arrive at the villa anytime you like. We recommend you arrive no later than 6pm so you can settle into your room and relax a bit before dinner. We will require your passport when you arrive. This is by Italian law. We ask that you bring a copy of your passport front cover and page that shows your picture and expiration date to speed up the process.
WILL WE GET OUR OWN BEDROOM?
Yes, and each room has its own ensuite bathroom. European bathrooms and bedrooms are typically smaller compared to the equivalent U.S. lodging. Most bathrooms in Italy have a box-shower instead of a bathtub, but some bathrooms have a bathtub with shower head. As with many historic buildings, rooms tend to be different from one another, different size, layout, decoration, and view. Please keep this in mind as a view is not guaranteed. Rooms are assigned to guests on a first come basis, unless you have requested a ground floor, easy access, room relating to health reasons.
WILL WE BE ABLE TO GET ONLINE AND CHECK EMAIL?
The villa has WiFi so you may use your laptop, iPad, or smart phone to access your email account (please note that depending on the number of guests on the villa wifi at any particular time will effect the speed of the wifi). Most of restaurants also offer WiFi service. You will be able to take advantage of this with smartphones as well.
WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE, I.E., WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
We encourage a relaxed-friendly-casual atmosphere, including during our excursions and our meals together. Wear breathable, comfortable, light-weight, casual clothing, possibly in layers, in case you get chilly or hot. You can also bring extra clothes and shoes to leave in the van, if you wish, while on tour. Please note men or women will not be able to enter any of the main churches if you wear any clothes above the knee (capri pants, pants, shorts or skirts) and/or sleeveless shirts. So, if you’re wearing a tank top, you may want to bring a light sweater or scarf that you can put over your shoulders so you can get inside the church. If you are wearing ‘travel pants’ you can carry the bottoms with you and zip them on and off as needed. What matters is that you have a good time and that you are comfortable. Think mix and match, lightweight, comfortable, quick drying, soft and nothing that will feel tight or not let your skin breathe. Also, we recommend that you not bring expensive jewelry with you. If you want to wear some 'bling' we suggest inexpensive or costume jewelry.
HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD WE BRING?
Your Villas of Italy tour includes just about everything so you’ll find yourself spending your money only on personal purchases, souvenirs, buying wine to send home, etc. Hard alcohol and mixed drinks are not covered while out on tours, but beer and wine are always provided.
HOW EARLY DO OUR DAY TRIPS START?
The average day trip starts around 8:00am depending on what is planned that day. We try to get you back to the villa leaving some leisure time to rest or take a swim before dinner. Some days we will have dinner while out on tour so will return to the villa later in the evening.
WHAT IF I CHOOSE TO SKIP A TOUR?
Sure. You are welcome to stay behind at the villa on any of our daily tours. Enjoy the pool, take a nap, catch up on that novel, take a hike or walk to town. The villa is your home during your tour so choose to do as you wish. There is always food in the fridge, meats, cheeses, breads, fresh fruit, beverages, etc., so make yourself a snack or lunch, grab a glass of wine, Prosecco, soda, etc. and we'll see you when we return.
IS THE VILLA IN WALKING DISTANCE TO TOWN?
The villa is 2.5 miles from the nearest town, Certaldo. It takes about 45-60 minutes to walk (depending on how fast you walk and not accounting for wrong turns!?), and is very doable. If you happen to have a rental car it is a pleasant 10 minute drive.
WHAT TYPE OF TRANSPORTATION WILL BE USED DURING OUR TOURS?
Villas of Italy has licensed professional drivers and we use new 8-seater Tourneo Custom air-conditioned vans. All drivers are locally licensed and possess proper permits to drive within traffic-limited-zones (ZTL) and historical centers, which most other vehicles cannot access. The villa van is a comfortable 7-seater which will transport you to/from train station and to town on occasion should you choose to travel there on any free time.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO EXCHANGE MONEY?
You can order Euros from your local bank (for a fee) before your trip rather than exchanging US Dollars or other foreign currency once you’re there. Your first expenses may include: a taxi ride (not many taxis take credit cards), a snack, bus ticket, etc. prior to arriving at the villa so having a little cash handy is a good thing. For the record, the Euro is the ONLY currency used and accepted in Italy. You can also wait until you arrive in Italy and use an ATM as they are plentiful and easy to use.
USE YOUR ATM CARD
ATMs are the best way to take cash out once you are in Italy, but notify your bank that you’ll be gone before you leave. Also, verify that you can use the same pin number overseas and the daily withdrawal limit (which can be smaller on foreign withdrawals). Also, most bars, coffee shops and stores now accept debit cards just like in the US.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A DEBIT CARD
Nowadays, you can easily get a pre-paid VISA and charge it with the amount you think you’ll need during your trip. You could also open up a temporary checking account to use for your trip, then close it once you return home. This is good for security reasons as well, in case your card goes missing, it’s not tied to your main checking account.
USE YOUR CREDIT CARD
Italy is mostly a cash-based society and items such as coffee, snacks, and small purchases typically cannot be charged, but credit cards can be used for purchasing and shipping wine/souvenirs. MasterCard and VISA are the most commonly accepted cards. Notify your credit card company and/or bank before you leave telling them dates and countries of travel so they will not put a hold on your card(s) if you make a purchase which is often standard practice by banks to guard against fraud. This now applies to debit cards as well.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE NEED TO CANCEL OUR PARTICIPATION?
As much as we hate to have travelers miss out on such a wonderful and unique experience, we understand that unexpected things happen. Purchasing a Travel Insurance policy is strongly recommended for unforeseen circumstances such as cancellations, missed flights, inclement weather, health emergencies, etc. This will not just cover the cost of your trip, but will also give you peace of mind. There are many companies offering coverage and we strongly recommend that you shop around and research the coverage that is right for you.
To get a quote: https://www.insuremytrip.com
IS THERE A LIMIT TO LUGGAGE?
Since you will be staying at our villa your entire tour there is no limit to luggage. But, airlines do have limits. Excess baggage fees can add up quickly, so please check with your choosen airline. We highly recommend you travel as light as possible. Think mix-and-match with your clothing, only bring what you need. If you plan to stay longer on your trip and travel by train you will definitely not want to be lugging around a lot of baggage.
ARE WASHERS OR LAUNDRY SERVICES AVAILABLE?
The villa has a washer and dryer for guest use. Local laundry service is available for an additional fee should you desire it.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD WE BOOK OUR FLIGHTS?
If you are planning on using frequent flyer miles, the sooner the better. The longer you wait, the more you will run into black-out dates, seat unavailability, or having to make multiple connections. If instead you are buying your ticket, the typical “ideal window” for best airfare deals is between 3-5 months prior to departure. We recommend using the ‘Hopper” mobile app to “watch” the prices for the airports you will be flying from/into.
IMPORTANT: On all flights from the US to Europe you will lose a day, arriving the day after your departure. Make sure to book your flights accordingly. When you return, you’ll arrive back in the US on the same day you leave Europe.
HOW EARLY DO WE NEED TO BE AT THE AIRPORT?
International flights require that you be at check-in no less than 2 hours prior to departure. Because of new regulations and tightened security measures, you may find longer lines, so we recommend you arrive at the airport 2 and ½ hours prior to your departure time on international flights. If you have a layover in a European city (such as Munich, Frankfurt, London, etc.), then you need to be at the airport 90 minutes prior to departure time.
WHEN IS THE BALANCE DUE FOR THE TRIP?
All balances are due 120 days prior to the tour. A reminder email will be sent about 5 months prior to the tour.
WHAT IF WE WANT TO SEE OTHER PARTS OF ITALY?
Since you will already be in Italy we recommend extending your trip either arriving earlier or staying on after the tour. Past guests who have extended their trips both before and after tell us to recommend extending before coming to the villa. They've told us having to 'fend for themselves' after our tour, having to make all the decisions was too stressful and tiring. Arriving at the villa for the tour after allowed them to really relax and enjoy, not having to make any decisions (except how much wine to drink). We are happy to provide recommendations on where to go and what to see and guide you on how best to make those arrangements.
Yes! Make sure you get one if you don’t have one already, and make sure to check the expiration date. As recent regulations have changed, it takes longer for the US government agencies to issue passports, so give yourself at least 3 months to apply for one or to renew your current passport. Go to the U.S. Department of State's website to stay up to date with travel information. If you’re not an American citizen, you may need a travel visa. Check with your country's Italian embassy or your own country's travel requirements.
ALERT: Current regulations require that your passport be valid for the entire duration of your trip and for at least 6 months after your return date.
DO I NEED INSURANCE?
We recommend you consider trip cancellation insurance and/or travel health insurance. These will cover different situations and may give you financial peace of mind, as well as allowing for safe and healthy travel. While for some travelers, insurance is a good idea; for others, it’s not. What are the chances you’ll need it? How willing are you to take risks? How much is peace of mind worth to you? Take these considerations into account, understand your options, and make an informed decision.
This list is not all-inclusive, but these resources provide information about purchasing travel, health and medical insurance:
- Department of State
- International SOS
- MEDEX
- International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers
- https://www.insuremytrip.com
- American Association of Retired Persons
WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE IN ITALY?
Italy is not considered to be a large country, especially compared to the USA: about 30% smaller than California. Weather in Italy is very similar to Southeastern US - hot and humid summers, cold and rainy winters, typically with snow only in the mountains. Temperatures can vary during the day, but typically both late Spring tours and early Fall tours enjoy warm temperatures in the high 70’s during the day, into the high 80’s. At nighttime, the temperature can go down to the mid-50’s. Dress in layers so you can put a garment on or off depending on temperature variations. Keep in mind that Italy is on Daylight Savings Time, so as we go towards the Summer months, the days get longer.
WHO WILL BE IN MY GROUP?
Any tour may have a mix of travelers. You will be receiving an email from our office with important reminders for your trip about 60 days prior to your departure. All group members’ names will be listed, along with the state they are from.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE AGE OF GUESTS?
Our typical traveler is one who enjoys an active lifestyle and appreciates wine, food, art, history, and the Italian culture. Most of our clients are between the ages of 35 and 70 years of age.
HOW MUCH WALKING WILL THERE BE?
There will be walking. Most medieval towns were built as hilltop fortresses, and we will be visiting city museums, vineyards, farms, and historical sites. On average we will walk 3-5 miles per day often on ancient cobblestone and in some towns fairly steep uphill and downhill streets/alleys. You must be in reasonably good physical health and be able to walk and stand for extended periods of time. If this is a concern you should contact us directly. Also, if you get tired when we're out on tour you can choose to sit in a cafe with a glass of wine, coffee, etc. and people watch and we'll return to get you. For those who love the outdoors, there are trails around the villa. And as a general rule, you should wear broken-in, comfortable walking shoes.
WHY DON’T YOU OFFER AIRFARE?
There are several reasons why we do not offer airfare. Our clients are from all over the United States, as well as Canada, Australia, and some parts of Europe. Therefore, we want to give our travelers the opportunity to choose their own flights. Many people have air miles they want to use to fly overseas or upgrade to business and first class. Others choose to extend their stay in Italy and visit other cities, before or after the tour. We are happy to provide our experience with routes and airlines, and we recommend using the ‘Hopper” mobile app to “watch” the prices for the airports you will be flying from/into.
HOW DO WE MEET UP WITH THE GROUP?
We provide transportation from the Certaldo train station to the villa whenever you arrive. We can provide transportation options from Americo Vespucci Airport in Florence to the Certaldo train station just email or call us. Please make sure we have a valid email address and cell phone number for contacting you.
WHAT HAPPENS IF OUR FLIGHT IS DELAYED?
Unfortunately, sometimes flights are delayed. As a preventative measure, make sure you have at least 2-3 hours between connecting flights. If your flight is delayed or cancelled please contact the Tour Director (you will receive their name and contact information by email prior to departure). We will do our best to assist you, but it will be your responsibility to get to the accommodation from wherever you are and pay for any associated expenses. You can arrive at our villa at any time so no reason to stress. Whenver you arrive someone will be there. REMEMBER: Consider purchasing a travel insurance policy to cover any unexpected or emergency expenses; https://www.insuremytrip.com
CAN WE BRING ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES?
Our villa provides hair dryers. If you bring any electrical appliances (hair dryer, flat iron, electric razor, electric toothbrush, etc), you will need an adapter or possibly a converter (Italy has 2 pin plugs; the electricity supply is 220 volts), laptop computers, camera chargers, cell phone chargers, iPods, and other electronics are usually dual voltage and switch automatically to the right voltage. Look at the appliance label. If you see a range of voltages printed such as "110-220" you're ok in Italy and a simple 2 pin adapter is all you need. The practical lesson is this: figure that most travel-type electronics these days work on all voltages/currents and a simple 2 pin adapter will work, but don't assume, if you're wrong you can damage your appliance . Always check the bottom panel of the device, the label, the script embossed in the plastic, the plug, or the instruction manual to be sure. If you do not see that the appliance is dual voltage, or are not sure, you may want to consider buying a slightly more expensive voltage/currency converter.
IS THERE SMOKING ALLOWED?
The smoking laws in Italy are comparable to the US and most other countries. There is no smoking allowed anywhere in the villa, and no smoking on the tour vans. Restaurants do not allow smoking as well. Smoking must be at least 8 meters (~25ft.) from a public area. The villa has grounds, vineyards where one can walk and smoke should you need to do so.
WHAT ABOUT THE FOOD?
YES! There will be a lot of delicious food! You may want to consider shedding a few pounds before you arrive . . . we're not kidding!
Also, Italy is a country of culinary delights, so we ask that you are flexible and open to trying different foods than what you are used to at home. Most meals will not be based on personal menu preferences, rather on a variety of local seasonal specialties selected by the our chef and Villas of Italy. The meals provided on the trip will be Tuscan regional dishes. Our focus is for you to experience the authentic local cuisine & wine, which sometimes may not be like the Italian food you grew up with. Some of the meals will be at our villa, and some out in local restaurants that Villas of Italy has selected for the tour. All accompanied by local Tuscan wines, bottled water, etc. Some meals may be served family-style, in large platters that will be passed around the table for guests to serve themselves. Also, breakfast in Italy is typically a Continental Breakfast; a variety of fruit juices, pastries, cheeses, bread, milk, coffee/cappuccino, tea, yogurt, fruit, etc. American style breakfast e.g., Eggs, bacon, or omelettes are not typically served for breakfast in Italy.
WHAT IF I AM VEGETARIAN, HAVE ALLERGIES, OR REQUIRE A PARTICULAR DIET?
Please notify us if you are vegetarian or have particular food allergies as soon as you sign up for one of our tours so we can inform our chef at the villa and the various restaurants. Even though Italian cuisine specialties include salami, prosciutto, dairy products (cheeses), rice, pasta, fish, and savory meat sauces, there are typically vegetarian options and other non-meat dishes that our chef can prepare and our selected restaurants can offer. We’ll do our best to accommodate you, but if you require specific foods not readily available, you may need to bring your own ingredients.
WILL CELL PHONES WORK OVERSEAS?
Some wireless companies offer an international calling plan, which you have to request before you leave. Please check with your provider to see if this is an option. We do recommend taking a cell phone with you so your family & friends can contact you while you’re away, and we can contact you on tour if needed, but check with your provider to see if they offer coverage overseas, as well as the charges, which can often add up quickly when roaming. If you own a smart phone, make sure to turn your data plan off and turn it to “airplane mode” when you are not using it to avoid a painfully expensive bill. We provide Wi-Fi at the villa and many restaurants also provide Wi-Fi so you can use that to check emails and get online, or Facetime family and friends. You can also rent a cell phone through a third-party company if you so choose.
WILL WE NEED ANY VACCINATIONS?
Unless you’re going to other countries that require shots on your trip, Italy does not (at the time this was written). Some people may develop allergies to cypress trees, olive trees, and other local tree/plant pollens uncommon to where they live. If you are susceptible to allergic reactions (if you get a runny nose in the Spring and Fall), it would be a good idea for you to bring some allergy medication. You can purchase over-the-counter allergy medication in Italy, such as Claritin.
IS THE WATER SAFE TO DRINK IN ITALY?
Absolutely! The water is very safe in Italy and you should not worry. You can drink tap water, but the taste may or may not be pleasant to you, just like some may or may not like drinking tap water at home. For this reason, bottled water and/or filtered water will be provided throughout the trip.
WHAT TIME CAN WE GET TO THE VILLA?
You can arrive at the villa anytime you like. We recommend you arrive no later than 6pm so you can settle into your room and relax a bit before dinner. We will require your passport when you arrive. This is by Italian law. We ask that you bring a copy of your passport front cover and page that shows your picture and expiration date to speed up the process.
WILL WE GET OUR OWN BEDROOM?
Yes, and each room has its own ensuite bathroom. European bathrooms and bedrooms are typically smaller compared to the equivalent U.S. lodging. Most bathrooms in Italy have a box-shower instead of a bathtub, but some bathrooms have a bathtub with shower head. As with many historic buildings, rooms tend to be different from one another, different size, layout, decoration, and view. Please keep this in mind as a view is not guaranteed. Rooms are assigned to guests on a first come basis, unless you have requested a ground floor, easy access, room relating to health reasons.
WILL WE BE ABLE TO GET ONLINE AND CHECK EMAIL?
The villa has WiFi so you may use your laptop, iPad, or smart phone to access your email account (please note that depending on the number of guests on the villa wifi at any particular time will effect the speed of the wifi). Most of restaurants also offer WiFi service. You will be able to take advantage of this with smartphones as well.
WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE, I.E., WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
We encourage a relaxed-friendly-casual atmosphere, including during our excursions and our meals together. Wear breathable, comfortable, light-weight, casual clothing, possibly in layers, in case you get chilly or hot. You can also bring extra clothes and shoes to leave in the van, if you wish, while on tour. Please note men or women will not be able to enter any of the main churches if you wear any clothes above the knee (capri pants, pants, shorts or skirts) and/or sleeveless shirts. So, if you’re wearing a tank top, you may want to bring a light sweater or scarf that you can put over your shoulders so you can get inside the church. If you are wearing ‘travel pants’ you can carry the bottoms with you and zip them on and off as needed. What matters is that you have a good time and that you are comfortable. Think mix and match, lightweight, comfortable, quick drying, soft and nothing that will feel tight or not let your skin breathe. Also, we recommend that you not bring expensive jewelry with you. If you want to wear some 'bling' we suggest inexpensive or costume jewelry.
HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD WE BRING?
Your Villas of Italy tour includes just about everything so you’ll find yourself spending your money only on personal purchases, souvenirs, buying wine to send home, etc. Hard alcohol and mixed drinks are not covered while out on tours, but beer and wine are always provided.
HOW EARLY DO OUR DAY TRIPS START?
The average day trip starts around 8:00am depending on what is planned that day. We try to get you back to the villa leaving some leisure time to rest or take a swim before dinner. Some days we will have dinner while out on tour so will return to the villa later in the evening.
WHAT IF I CHOOSE TO SKIP A TOUR?
Sure. You are welcome to stay behind at the villa on any of our daily tours. Enjoy the pool, take a nap, catch up on that novel, take a hike or walk to town. The villa is your home during your tour so choose to do as you wish. There is always food in the fridge, meats, cheeses, breads, fresh fruit, beverages, etc., so make yourself a snack or lunch, grab a glass of wine, Prosecco, soda, etc. and we'll see you when we return.
IS THE VILLA IN WALKING DISTANCE TO TOWN?
The villa is 2.5 miles from the nearest town, Certaldo. It takes about 45-60 minutes to walk (depending on how fast you walk and not accounting for wrong turns!?), and is very doable. If you happen to have a rental car it is a pleasant 10 minute drive.
WHAT TYPE OF TRANSPORTATION WILL BE USED DURING OUR TOURS?
Villas of Italy has licensed professional drivers and we use new 8-seater Tourneo Custom air-conditioned vans. All drivers are locally licensed and possess proper permits to drive within traffic-limited-zones (ZTL) and historical centers, which most other vehicles cannot access. The villa van is a comfortable 7-seater which will transport you to/from train station and to town on occasion should you choose to travel there on any free time.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO EXCHANGE MONEY?
You can order Euros from your local bank (for a fee) before your trip rather than exchanging US Dollars or other foreign currency once you’re there. Your first expenses may include: a taxi ride (not many taxis take credit cards), a snack, bus ticket, etc. prior to arriving at the villa so having a little cash handy is a good thing. For the record, the Euro is the ONLY currency used and accepted in Italy. You can also wait until you arrive in Italy and use an ATM as they are plentiful and easy to use.
USE YOUR ATM CARD
ATMs are the best way to take cash out once you are in Italy, but notify your bank that you’ll be gone before you leave. Also, verify that you can use the same pin number overseas and the daily withdrawal limit (which can be smaller on foreign withdrawals). Also, most bars, coffee shops and stores now accept debit cards just like in the US.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A DEBIT CARD
Nowadays, you can easily get a pre-paid VISA and charge it with the amount you think you’ll need during your trip. You could also open up a temporary checking account to use for your trip, then close it once you return home. This is good for security reasons as well, in case your card goes missing, it’s not tied to your main checking account.
USE YOUR CREDIT CARD
Italy is mostly a cash-based society and items such as coffee, snacks, and small purchases typically cannot be charged, but credit cards can be used for purchasing and shipping wine/souvenirs. MasterCard and VISA are the most commonly accepted cards. Notify your credit card company and/or bank before you leave telling them dates and countries of travel so they will not put a hold on your card(s) if you make a purchase which is often standard practice by banks to guard against fraud. This now applies to debit cards as well.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE NEED TO CANCEL OUR PARTICIPATION?
As much as we hate to have travelers miss out on such a wonderful and unique experience, we understand that unexpected things happen. Purchasing a Travel Insurance policy is strongly recommended for unforeseen circumstances such as cancellations, missed flights, inclement weather, health emergencies, etc. This will not just cover the cost of your trip, but will also give you peace of mind. There are many companies offering coverage and we strongly recommend that you shop around and research the coverage that is right for you.
To get a quote: https://www.insuremytrip.com
IS THERE A LIMIT TO LUGGAGE?
Since you will be staying at our villa your entire tour there is no limit to luggage. But, airlines do have limits. Excess baggage fees can add up quickly, so please check with your choosen airline. We highly recommend you travel as light as possible. Think mix-and-match with your clothing, only bring what you need. If you plan to stay longer on your trip and travel by train you will definitely not want to be lugging around a lot of baggage.
ARE WASHERS OR LAUNDRY SERVICES AVAILABLE?
The villa has a washer and dryer for guest use. Local laundry service is available for an additional fee should you desire it.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD WE BOOK OUR FLIGHTS?
If you are planning on using frequent flyer miles, the sooner the better. The longer you wait, the more you will run into black-out dates, seat unavailability, or having to make multiple connections. If instead you are buying your ticket, the typical “ideal window” for best airfare deals is between 3-5 months prior to departure. We recommend using the ‘Hopper” mobile app to “watch” the prices for the airports you will be flying from/into.
IMPORTANT: On all flights from the US to Europe you will lose a day, arriving the day after your departure. Make sure to book your flights accordingly. When you return, you’ll arrive back in the US on the same day you leave Europe.
HOW EARLY DO WE NEED TO BE AT THE AIRPORT?
International flights require that you be at check-in no less than 2 hours prior to departure. Because of new regulations and tightened security measures, you may find longer lines, so we recommend you arrive at the airport 2 and ½ hours prior to your departure time on international flights. If you have a layover in a European city (such as Munich, Frankfurt, London, etc.), then you need to be at the airport 90 minutes prior to departure time.
WHEN IS THE BALANCE DUE FOR THE TRIP?
All balances are due 120 days prior to the tour. A reminder email will be sent about 5 months prior to the tour.
WHAT IF WE WANT TO SEE OTHER PARTS OF ITALY?
Since you will already be in Italy we recommend extending your trip either arriving earlier or staying on after the tour. Past guests who have extended their trips both before and after tell us to recommend extending before coming to the villa. They've told us having to 'fend for themselves' after our tour, having to make all the decisions was too stressful and tiring. Arriving at the villa for the tour after allowed them to really relax and enjoy, not having to make any decisions (except how much wine to drink). We are happy to provide recommendations on where to go and what to see and guide you on how best to make those arrangements.