4-Day: G20241127 Departure Graf: Thanksgiving in Italy

Meeting point for the start of the trip
Your trip starts and finishes in Grafenwoehr, Germany.

Address: Dießfurter Str, 92655 Grafenwoehr (parking lot)
Instructions: if you are exiting McDonald’s parking lot in Grafenwoehr you will turn right on to B299 as if you are going towards Netzaberg. You will then take your very first right (as if you are going towards MegaPlay) and as soon as you cross the small bridge there is a driveway on the right side which you can enter into a parking lot. You should see several cars and the bus there. The parking lot is exclusively available for our passengers during the duration of the trip.

Passport and Visa Requirements
Explore Europe enforces the requirement to possess a tourist passport for all trips outside of Germany. Should you come to the departure point and present the incorrect passport, you will be turned away with no refund, per our cancellation policy.

Important passport rules are as follows:
If you have a passport with a SOFA stamp on any page (a “No-Fee” passport), you are provided permission to reside in Germany, NOT to travel outside of Germany. You have to have a tourist passport in addition to the SOFA/”No-Fee” passport to travel outside of Germany. You cannot travel with a RED Official passport as that is used only for the purpose of a mission or deployment. If you have a passport with a detachable SOFA card clipped inside, it is acceptable to travel with as that was issued originally as a tourist passport. If you are not sure: a tourist passport will be BLUE and will be valid for 10 years for adults. It cannot contain a SOFA stamp on any page or it is not acceptable. A child’s tourist passport (under 15 years of age) is valid for 5 years, but will not have a SOFA stamp in it anywhere. All of this information has been verified to be correct with the Grafenwoehr Passport Office.

Baggage Allowance
Each adult is entitled to one luggage and one personal item. Luggage should be able to be stored below the bus and the personal item should contain whatever you might need on the bus. Pillows and blankets do not count for the personal item. If you have additional items such as strollers, carseats, etc. please send us a message to make those arrangements.

Clothing & Packing Tips
To ensure you’re comfortable while out exploring, we recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered. For sightseeing, we suggest bringing a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers, as well as a lightweight sports jacket or rainwear. If you’re planning a visit to a high-end restaurant or performance, you may also want to bring dressier attire. Also, please remember that it’s preferable to avoid showing bare legs or shoulders during visits to churches or other religious sites (entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health
There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Italy. Be sure to check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and travel requirements.

Cuisine
In Italy, the cuisine is often slightly varied by region, and many cities and towns have their own specialties. Tuscany is known for its wine, oil and sauces, Rome and southern Italy for its pizzas. For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small, family-owned restaurants that tend to be set away from the main piazzas and squares. Italians tend to indulge in long meals featuring wines and the occasional beer, followed by the requisite after-dinner drinks grappa or limoncello. American or English-style bars and pubs are not as common, although they can be found in the major cities and are currently gaining in popularity, especially in Rome.

Transportation
Included transportation is by private motor coach. In your free time, you may wish to explore the three cities on foot or by public transportation. Pisa and Florence are walkable, although frequent local buses are also available. Purchase tickets at tobacconists or at vending machines. Rome offers both underground transportation and bus service to the city’s major attractions. Subway and bus tickets may be purchased separately or in bulk. This tour does involve a moderate amount of walking.

Museums in Florence
If you are interested in visiting any of Florence’s many museums during your free time, we recommend that you make reservations in advance. Additional information is available on the Polo Museale website.

Electricity
Italy operates on the European standard of 220 volts.

Currency
The euro is the currency you’ll use on tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in your destination countries, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We advise that you take a combination of bank/ATM cards and credit cards, as needed. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Tipping
At the conclusion of your trip, it’s customary to offer your Trip Leader a gratuity. We recommend tipping €1-2 per person per day for your Trip Leader. Tips can only be paid in cash.