FAQ

Question 1

Passport, visa & entry requirements

Accepted Answer

- In order to enter Italy, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
- Beginning in 2026, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an [ETIAS](https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravel-europe.europa.eu%2Fetias_en&data=05%7C01%7C%7C6d2b38859eae47b0da2a08dba421f137%7Cf0d1c6fddff0486a8e91cfefefc7d98d%7C0%7C0%7C638284238040739788%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Pxn4%2Fu%2Fkz8GELqvzmgyLsXXTL4sPz%2B2KTz%2B533hfGI0%3D&reserved=0) travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
- Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2026, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our [Help Center](https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.goaheadtours.com%2Fhc%2Fen-us%2Farticles%2F17596554099739-ETIAS-travel-authorization&data=05%7C01%7C%7C6d2b38859eae47b0da2a08dba421f137%7Cf0d1c6fddff0486a8e91cfefefc7d98d%7C0%7C0%7C638284238040739788%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=UrPDlVIIAqXSOYuZCOxyLzIRHuq4ODPsPdNQpo9hZcA%3D&reserved=0).
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to [goaheadtours.com/myaccount](goaheadtours.com/myaccount).

Question 2

Tour pacing & mobility

Accepted Answer

- You will walk for at least 2 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including cobblestone streets and unpaved paths, with some hills and stairs.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions will increase the amount of walking on your tour.
- You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of boats and trains.
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 3

Transportation & arrival information

Accepted Answer

- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Milan and depart from Florence (or Rome on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. 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.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Question 4

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

*   Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
*   Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
*   Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
*   Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Question 5

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

*   We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
*   A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
*   You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
*   It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Question 6

Health

Accepted Answer

- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at [**cdc.gov**](https://www.cdc.gov/).
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to [goaheadtours.com/myaccount](goaheadtours.com/myaccount).

Question 7

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

- Northern Italy is known for flavorful meats and pastries.
- On the Italian Riviera, a taste of the region’s famous basil pesto is a must. Delicious seafood dishes are popular along the shore, but true Ligurians favor simple, traditional recipes like minestrone soup and *farinata*, an unleavened chickpea pancake.
- Tuscany is world-famous for its wine, oil, sauces, and pasta. Menus favor subtle, lighter pastas and desserts made with nuts, fruit, and honey. Try a dish featuring the region’s Chianina beef, perhaps the most prized breed of cattle in all of Italy. For wine, popular Tuscan reds include Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which are primarily made from the Sangiovese grape. Well-known white wines are also made around the San Gimignano region.
- On the tour extension, Roman food is typically freshly prepared and varies depending on the season. Must-try bites include cacio e pepe (a simple dish of pasta, cheese, and pepper) and supplì (a fried rice ball similar to Sicily’s arancini).
- For more authentic meals on the tour extension, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.

Question 8

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

*   Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins.
*   We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
*   The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
*   Your hotel may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Question 9

Mobile App, Wi-Fi & Data

Accepted Answer

- To ensure you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend you download the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. The app is free and provides important deadlines, entry requirements, your detailed itinerary, packing tips and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the chat feature in the app.
- Wifi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wifi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 10

Time zones

Accepted Answer

*   Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
*   When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.

Question 11

Currency

Accepted Answer

- You will use the euro on this tour.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.

Question 12

Tipping

Accepted Answer

- At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $4USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.

Question 13

Purchasing excursions on tour

Accepted Answer

- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).

Food & Gardens of Italy with the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania

Take a deep dive into Italy's garden scene.

Your tour package includes

Included highlights

Itinerary

Overnight Flight

Day 1: Travel day

Lake Como Region

Day 2: Arrival in Italy

Hotels

Lake Como Region - NH Pontevecchio

Hotel Canali Rapallo

Florence - Hotel Diplomat

Hotel Simplon

Flights

Add our airfare and you’ll get:

Weather

Florence, Italy

FAQ

Online Enrollment Not Available

Online Enrollment Not Available

Food & Gardens of Italy with the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania

Take a deep dive into Italy's garden scene.

Your tour package includes

Included highlights

Itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Lake Como Region5 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Italy

Hotels

Lake Como Region - NH Pontevecchio

Hotel Canali Rapallo

Florence - Hotel Diplomat

Hotel Simplon

Flights

Add our airfare and you’ll get:

Weather

Florence, Italy

FAQ

Online Enrollment Not Available

Online Enrollment Not Available

Overnight Flight

Lake Como Region