FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What documents do I need for Italy?

A valid Passport.  Be sure your passport expires more than six months after your date of arrival in Italy.  For example, if your planned arrival date in Italy is June 9, then your passport must be valid until at least December 9. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. 

Tip: We make a couple of copies of our passports, leave a copy with someone in the U.S. and bring a copy with us stored separately from our actual passport. You can also take pictures of the front and the photo page with all the data and store them on your phone or in the cloud, depending on your comfort level regarding digital security.  You might also want to have backups of any prescriptions. We also bring our driver’s licenses and health insurance info.

Most places that you stay will ask for a passport and take a photo of it or even hold it for a bit.  It may seem alarming at first, but it’s not unusual.

Do I need a Visa for Italy?

You do not need a visa if your stay is less than 90 days, but you may need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) travel authorization. We recommend checking the Department of State travel section on their website for up-to-date information.

The ETIAS requirement has been delayed several times now. As of this writing, the application system is not open. An official launch date will be announced several months before ETIAS becomes operational.

When should I arrive/WHEN DO WE DEPART?

The program starts at Naples Capodichino Airport at noon on the first day indicated in the itinerary, regardless of when you arrive in Italy. Dan and Maria will be at the airport arrival area late morning. If you arrive before the first day and are staying at a local hotel, let us know and we will do our best to meet you somewhere more convenient. Unfortunately, we cannot make any guarantees, however.

We suggest that you plan on arriving in Naples before the first day of the program to get the most out of your Vita Villaggi experience. If you’re interested in a pre- and/or post-extension trip, you can find more information here. If you’re simply looking for a place to stay in Naples for a night or two, we recommend the following hotels there: Hotel San Francesco al Monte https://sanfrancescoalmonte.it/en/; Starhotels Terminus at https://www.starhotels.com/en/our-hotels/terminus-naples/ and Decumani Hotel de Charme at https://www.decumani.com/it/.

The program ends on the last day at Naples Capodichino Airport. Departure for the airport is partially dependent on the flight times of the guests. Thus, departure may be as early as 6:00 am but will not be later than 9:00 am. Breakfast may be take-away for earlier departures.

What is the best way to exchange money?

The currency of Italy is the Euro.  We found that the easiest way to obtain euros is withdrawing from an ATM when we get to Italy.  We use a bank that has low international ATM transaction fees.  You will need to check with your bank for their international ATM transaction fees.

Once in Italy, some ATMs in places like airports charge high fees.  We use ATMs attached to a bank rather than stand-alone ATM machines. Most banks in the U.S. do not need to be notified of international travel, but to be sure check with your bank.

Fun fact:  In Italy the period and comma, when used in numbers, is the opposite of the U.S.
Example: $30.00 in the U.S. would be $30,00 in Italy.

 TIP: Pre-paid “cash” cards are generally not worth it.

Can I use a credit card in Italy?

Yes. Credit cards are widely accepted, but generally you may want a few euros to pay for incidentals. Ask your credit card company about the specific fees that come with using their card overseas. Bankrate has a comparison chart of major credit cards and their foreign transaction fees. We use Capital One which has no foreign transaction fees.

Also, when using a credit card in Italy, especially in larger cities and shops, often they will ask if you want to pay in Dollars or Euros.  Choosing Euros will give you a better exchange rate.  Check with your credit card company to see if they need to be notified of foreign travel.

Apple Pay is also widely used.

Is Italy safe for a traveler?

Italy is generally very safe. We will mostly be in areas with no or very few tourists, so the likelihood of pickpocketing is very slim.  However, always exercise common sense.  Do not put your wallet in your back pocket or carry large sums of money or other valuables in plain sight.  If you are concerned about safety, there are numerous money belts for traveling that are discreet and lightweight and can provide peace of mind.

What type of weather can We expect?

Weather is always unpredictable, but we can offer the following:

For Trips In September
In early September, temperatures should range from a low of 65°F to a high of about 82°F. In late September, this range is abound 60°F to 77°F.

For Trips In October
In early October, temperatures usually range from a low of 55°F to a high of 75°F.  In late October, this range is around 50-65°F. 

For Trips In November
Our trips are in the beginning part of November so expect temperatures from around 47-63°F. 

What is the dress code?

Italians dress up a bit more than we do in the U.S., a sort of fashionable business casual.  Leggings and sweatpants are generally only worn for exercising.  Below are some suggestions, but please wear whatever you are most comfortable with.

Please keep the weather in mind. We find that lightweight synthetic fabrics or merino wool tend to work well, can be rinsed in the sinks in the rooms, and dry quickly.  For early fall, a light sweater or jacket is advisable as evenings al fresco can get cool.  For late fall, we recommend layers and a light all-weather jacket.

Shoes
Comfort is a must. Sneakers or walking shoes are highly encouraged.  We will be walking on several type of terrain and lots of stone. Some of our programs include harvesting, foraging, and visiting farms so do consider a closed shoe for these excursions.

Also, if you are not used to uneven cobblestones, walking sticks may be helpful.

What is the activity level?

The activity level is medium to active. The ability to climb stairs, walk for a mile on uneven surfaces, stand for an hour or two, and climb on and off a minibus unassisted is needed.

We will be staying in historical places, with no elevators. Rooms are reachable only via several flights of stairs. We will be walking on uneven surfaces including cobblestone streets, farm roads, in fields, and up hills. The buildings are not ADA compliant as this is a U.S. requirement not applicable in Europe.

What must I pack?

Please bring all your meds and documents or items that cannot be lost in your carry-on bag.

Check the TSA website for restrictions and rules on what can be packed for check-in and what can be brought on board.

Liquids in carry-on bags must be less than or equal to 3.4 oz or 100 ml.

TIP: Vaseline, thick lotions, liquid make-up, peanut butter, and jams are all considered liquids.

Although sunscreen and bug spray are readily available in Italy, you may be more comfortable with a true and tried product that you trust.  Please keep in mind the environmental impact of these products.  Italy is generally forward thinking on ecological matters, and we will be visiting organic farms that do not rely on pesticides.

Also, please bring an adapter (or adapters) to plug into wall sockets for charging electronics and using any medical devices.  A type C plug will fit into almost all electrical outlets in Italy.  Adapters for Europe, including Italy, are easily available online, including on Amazon.

Should I get travel insurance?

Although that is a personal decision, we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance.  It can help with medical coverage for illness or injury, trip cancellation and/or interruption, baggage loss, medical evacuation, and more.  

Can I use my phone in Italy?

You can sign up for an international/global plan through your carrier.  Most U.S. Carriers (T-Mobil, AT&T, etc.) provide international plans. These international plans usually involve a daily rate charge that is activated when you reach a country. Rates can vary widely. Call your carrier or check their website for the latest pricing.

Another option is to purchase an eSIM card. A good explanation of eSIM cards can be found here. There are many companies to choose from. If you don’t know where to start, Saily appears to be a good option. Dan has tried this option and is not a fan but we wanted to let you know it’s available.

Alternatively, you can use Wi-Fi rather than go through your carrier’s plan, which is what we mainly do in order to text, FaceTime, and make calls. Your carrier should allow Wi-Fi calling but you may have to jump through some hoops. We have AT&T. We first had to enable Wi-Fi calling on the phone in our Settings while in the U.S., and when we are abroad, we must keep the phone on Airplane Mode. WhatsApp (available as a free app) is widely used in Europe and allows you to make calls, text, and video chats for free as long as you are connected to Wi-Fi. The downside, of course, is that Wi-Fi is not always available.

is the water safe to drink?

The tap water is very drinkable and safe.  However, most places will serve bottled water rather than tap water and offer you a choice between effervescent (basically mineral water or seltzer) and still (what we normally think of as bottled water). Ask for “natural” for still and “frizzante” for effervescent. Free water with your meal and ice are the exceptions in Europe rather than the norm. 

Fun fact: soft drinks, although available, are relatively expensive compared to local wine and bottled water. Also, while a favorite like Coca-Cola is popular and generally available, the European formulation is not the same as the U.S. formula and thus will taste a bit different. Speaking of Coca-Cola, a number of the places where we will be eating are “zero kilometer” (meaning the ingredients have been sourced less than one kilometer from where they’re eaten) and thus do not provide mass-produced soft drinks.

What are typical mealtimes?

Breakfast is typically between 7:30 and 9:30 am.  During our programs, we will be having breakfast at our accommodations before the excursions (with the possible exception of the last day. See “When should I arrive/When do we depart” FAQ). 

Fun Fact:  Italians usually have un caffe’ (espresso) or a cappuccino for breakfast with a small, sweet pastry. Also, cappuccino for Italians is only enjoyed in the morning.  A cup of regular American coffee is sometimes hard to come by.  You can sometimes order it Americano, but note that this is generally just diluted espresso. If you find yourself out and about, you may want to try a “cornetto” and un caffe’ for breakfast.  Cornetti are the Italian version of a croissant.  Dan is particularly fond of the ones filled with “crema” or pastry cream.  Maria’s favorite is “marmellata” (jam), usually apricot.

Lunch, known as pranzo, is eaten around 12:00 to 1:00. It is normally the main meal of the day.  It’s an integral part of the day in small towns, so much so that everything shuts down from 1:00-4:00 to allow for the midday meal.

Dinner or supper is later than what we are used to in the U.S.; most restaurants and pizzerias do not even open or serve food before 8 or 9 p.m.

What does a typical meal consist of?

Breakfast is usually very light, normally just a coffee with or without a small sweet.  We will be having a more substantial breakfast, but still considered continental.  This may turn out be a good thing as you may want to save room for our heartier lunches and dinners.

Lunch, or pranzo, is the main meal of the day.  It is typically several courses: an antipasto (a hearty appetizer with an assortment of meats, cheeses, and seasonal offerings); a primo (usually a pasta dish); a secondo (a meat or fish or vegetarian option); and a dessert. The servings of each course are smaller than we’re accustomed to, but since there are several of them, we’ve never left hungry.  Also, pranzo is leisurely.  It is not uncommon for it to last more than two hours.

Dinner, or cena, is eaten late in Italy, usually after 8:00 PM.  Cena for Sannio families is typically not as abundant as lunch, but we are guests of some amazing restaurants that are delighted to share their specialties with us, so expect cena to also be at least two to three courses.

How does one tip in Italy?

Tipping is different in Italy than in the U.S.  We have a great article reference on tipping from Frommer’s travel guide here.

Your package includes tips at restaurants and other excursions. However, you may want to leave a small tip at coffee shops, or for someone you think has gone the proverbial extra mile for you, like a porter, guide, or bus driver.

Can I take wine, oil, and other products back to the U.S.?

The short answer is yes.  However, liquids must be put in your checked bags.  Some establishments will ship them for you to the U.S.

Fun Fact:  If you are looking for gifts or souvenirs, we will be stopping at the following places that have great locally made products. These are the places that Dan and I shop to bring items back to the U.S. We are not sponsored by them, nor do we receive any kickbacks. We just think they have excellent products.

For pottery, we like the shops in Cerreto. 

For the horn and other iconic Campania objects, we think the bottega of Salvatore Troiano can’t be beat.

Mozzarella D’Oro carries high quality food item as cheeses, pastas, sauces, jams, and other small batch made products.

TIP: if you buy items at the duty-free shops at the airport you are allowed to take on board whatever you purchase, including bottles of oil and wine. However, if you have a connecting flight, we suggest you let the duty-free shop know. They can seal the bag for you. You may be able to get through security without a sealed bag, but why risk the hassle.

What are some tips on flying?

If you have a connecting flight, keep in mind that the distance between connecting gates is usually very long.  Also, once you land in your first European country you will have to go through passport control before you get to your connecting flight.  These lines are sometimes long, and you may find yourself rushing to catch your connecting flight.

It is a good idea to stay well hydrated as it helps with jet lag and overall wellness.

It is also recommended to wear light compression socks to help avoid blood clots.  They may be purchased online or in any medical supply store. Additionally, move and stretch your legs as much as you can on the plane.

Regarding jet lag, sleeping on the plane is very helpful but not everyone is able to.  If we have a very early morning arrival, we try to take a one to two hour nap once we get to our destination followed by coffee and breakfast to minimize the jet leg.  However, if it’s a later morning or early afternoon arrival, our strategy is to stay awake until bedtime.  If we nap during the day, we find it very hard to fall asleep that night, which makes the next day difficult too.

How do I greet people in Italy?

A “Buon Giorno” when entering a shop or restaurant is polite and the norm, as is “Arrivederci” when leaving.

Italians, both men and women, greet each other with a kiss on each cheek.