Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Italy. Its purpose is solely to give readers a sense of what might be involved if they take this tour. Although we do our best to make sure that what follows here is completely accurate, it should not be used as a replacement for the formal document that will be sent to all tour registrants, and whose contents supersedes any information contained here.
ENTERING ITALY: United States citizens need a passport valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. At the time of writing, no visa is required for US citizens spending 90 days or less in Italy. Citizens of other countries should consult their Italian embassy or consulate to inquire about entry requirements and visas.
MAP AND COUNTRY INFORMATION: You can view maps of Italy in the University of Texas collections here. The US Department of State background note on Italy is also available on line.
HEALTH: This tour is not a strenuous one: walking, occasionally over rough or steep terrain, is the only physical requirement, but participants always have the option of sitting out any activity they’d prefer not to take part in.
It may be impossible to obtain certain prescription medications during the tour, so bring all you are likely to need with you in their original labeled containers.
The Centers for Disease Control advise that all travelers make certain that their routine vaccinations (such as for influenza, chickenpox or varicella, polio, measles/mumps/rubella, and diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus) are up to date. The CDC also suggests that vaccination for hepatitis B and a booster for tetanus-diptheria may be needed for visitors to western Europe. Check with your personal physician or local health department for more information well in advance of traveling, and review the latest CDC advisories.
Tap water is safe and widely drunk in hotels and restaurants in Italy.
Please note that any health/medical information contained herein is gleaned by WINGS from websites that are dedicated to traveler’s health issues. Advisories and recommendations by agencies such as the CDC can and do change frequently. We urge you to consult with your physician, local health department, or the CDC for the most up-to-date health advisories for travel to Italy. You can check with the CDC on line.
ALTITUDE: We will be birding at elevations from sea level to approximately 6,000 feet. Our highest altitudes—slightly above that of the Denver airport—are not generally great enough to occasion any difficulties, and we will walk slowly whenever we are high in the mountains; should you experience any discomfort, it will be possible to rest, return to the vehicle, or even be driven a short distance downhill, where recovery should be swift.
CLIMATE: You will be most comfortable if you dress in layers that can be shed as the day goes on. Rain showers are possible at any time, and it is best to be prepared with a light rain jacket or umbrella.
PACE OF TOUR AND DAILY ROUTINE: This is a relaxed tour. Our group starts will be relatively late, after breakfast in the hotel. We’ve scheduled breaks at the hotel before dinner, and make every effort to be seated before 8:00 pm.
The most extensive walking of the tour will be found at historical and cultural sites. Though public buildings in Italy are required to provide access for visitors with limited mobility, there are nevertheless certain areas that can be reached only with the ascent and descent of stairs. Because Siena bans vehicles from the historic center, we will need to walk about 45 minutes from our parking area. In Florence, we will walk a cumulative total of about 45 minutes from the Uffizi to the train station by way of Santa Maria Novella. In general, it is well to recall that European cities—including hotels, restaurants, and museums—have more stairs, curbs, and other obstacles than you may be used to.
FOOD: Breakfast is often a lavish affair with cereal, milk, juice, bread, cheese, sausages, fruit, yoghurt, croissants, cake, and tea or coffee. Our lunches will be in restaurants or pizzerias. Italy eats late in the evening, and though we will make every effort to be seated as early as possible, some of our dinners may go until 10:00 pm.
TRANSPORTATION: We will travel by minibus from our hotels to our birding sites. Participants will switch seats each day and must be able to sit in any seat in the vehicle.
DRESS: Dress will be “birder casual” during our time in the field, though somewhat nicer (but still informal) clothes are recommended for evening meals out and for visits to museums and churches. Sleeveless shirts, shorts, or short skirts are generally not acceptable in churches in Italy.
SMOKING: Smoking is not allowed in the vehicles or when the group is gathered. Smoking is not permitted inside in Italian restaurants or hotels. If any accommodation or location where the group is gathered has a stricter non-smoking policy than the WINGS policy, that stricter policy will prevail.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS OF WINGS TOURS: Please take a moment to read the WINGS General Information and Conditions. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A more complete General Information for Tours to Italy will be sent to each registrant on receipt of the booking. Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be sent to you about three weeks before the tour starts. Other news will be communicated as necessary.
Created: 15 November 2010