Do I need a Visa?
No, a visa is not required for Australian residents travelling to Italy for a stay of up to 90 days. A passport needs to be valid for at least six months from your return date.
When is the best time to book flights?
Airlines generally release fares 10-12 months out. Eight months prior to departure is often a good time to find competitive fares. The closer you get to departure tends to result in higher fares as less seats become available.
Can you book my flights?
Yes. Having worked as a Travel Consultant, I have an association with a Travel Agent that can book flights, insurance and all your additional travel needs.
Do we travel together as a group?
No. We meet in Rome at the start of the tour. This gives everyone the flexibility of having a stopover on the way if they prefer to break the journey; arriving in Rome one or two days earlier and flying with a preferred airline to take advantage of frequent flyer points.
What if I want to stay longer?
If you have the time, that’s a great idea! The two week tours have proven to be the perfect amount of time together as a group, but you may like extra days in Italy, in which case I’m more than happy to recommend places to visit and some great accommodation choices.
Another great option is to do two tours as they all join together. For example:
Tuscany – Italian Riviera – Lake Como is followed by
Matera – Amalfi Coast – Capri
Matera – Amalfi Coast – Capri is followed by
Naples – Procida – Sicily
How fit do I need to be?
Irrespective of whether you are walking on cobblestones in Rome, a winding country road through Tuscany or between villages in the Cinque Terre, a moderate level of fitness means you will see more, enjoy more and experience more. However, every day there are choices that will cater to the energetic and those preferring a day of “dolce far niente”, the sweetness of doing nothing!
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. It is a requirement for travelling on a Ciao Italy tour.
What is the maximum number of people on the tours?
Groups are really small with an average of 10 and a maximum of 12 people.
What is the hotel standard?
A big part of your Italian experience is the style of accommodation. It needs to be authentic, capture the essence of where we are and be centrally located. The 3-4 star accommodation is all handpicked. It may be centuries old with a fascinating history as a former convent; family owned for generations or simply rustic with an exposed wooden beam ceiling and wide open shutters to incredible views. We sleep well, we travel well.
Do I have to stay with the group all the time?
Not at all. My mission is to create ‘best days ever‘ which means a range of awesome, authentic experiences every day. I encourage everyone to wander, explore and engage with locals, whether that be alone, as a couple or together as a group.
What should I pack?
Closer to departure time, you will receive a ‘Personalised Travel Pack’ filled with up to the minute information to ensure you are fully prepared! It includes tips on intelligent packing; how to pack; what to pack; average temperatures; Italian survival phrases; really good maps and insider knowledge on where to shop, eat and mix with locals.
Do I meet other people on the tour prior to departure?
Absolutely. If you live on the Sunshine Coast, we all meet for coffee as soon as the tour is booked out. We meet again for a pre-departure meeting, generally 6-8 weeks prior to leaving to talk about final details and important things like how to pack your bag and how much to pack!