What's the difference between Deluxe, Classic and Lotus categories on Italy's Great Cities Tour?
Deluxe, Classic and Lotus inclusions on our 14 Day Journey: Hand-Picked hotels located just seconds to minutes apart. Deluxe 4+ to 5 Star Hotels featuring a full, hot "American Style" breakfast with American coffee, espresso coffees, juice as well as table service if you prefer. Classic 3 to 4 Star Hotels feature a light, continental breakfast. Deluxe hotels will have grander lobbies and guest rooms, while Classic will be more conservative in the traditional Italian style. Deluxe/Lotus for this tours includes 8 total dinner events (6 dinners + 2 Appericene). Classic includes 1 dinner but can upgrade to all 8 dinner events for $585 per person. Lotus hotels will be 5 Star or 4 Star properties in the upper category rooms. What's the Lotus category of room? Lotus class features 5-Star hotels or 4-Star properties in upper category rooms.
See detailed description about Deluxe and Classic here
When will I receive my tour documents from Now Journey?
Your final logistics itinerary and email will arrive no later than 2 weeks prior to your trip departure date. The logistics itinerary intentionally does not reflect every timing detail as things change! Your Tour Captain will advise you while on tour in advance of each day. If you are considering booking optional excursions separately from Now ourney, please inquire with us beforehand to ensure things have not changed: We cannot be held responsible for changes on our tour that impact an excurions or activity you book outside of Now Journey.
How active are Journey Tours?
Our pace for sightseeing is leisurely with ample opportunity to stop and even opt out should a guest desire to do so. We walk about 45 to 90 minutes per day on our sightseeing tours on average.
What amount of leisure time is there on a Journey Tour?
Yes, Journey features a Slow Travel concept on most of our trips with most sightseeing occurring in the mornings and the afternoons at leisure. That being said, we do not necessarily recommend adding many optional excursions as we have a balanced sightseeing tour already planned for your maximum enjoyment.
How many guests are on a Journey Tour?
Our tours feature 2 to 16 guests — unlike most tour companies which feature an average of 24 to 44 guests.
What is the average Now Journey guest like? What kind of people travel on a Journey tour?
Journey's trips are designed to engage people of all ages and backgrounds, but the 'average' Journey guest is not average at all: they enjoy interesting excursions, learning about history and culture, and above all enjoy having fun while on tour. Experiencing foreign lands bring with it a host of amazing and sometimes challenging experiences, so a great attitude is essential for the Journey guest and the Modern Traveler.
Passport, Visa and Electronic Authorities
A valid Passport is required for citizens from the USA and Canada (other countries: please speak with your consulates) to enter all of our international destinations. The Passport must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond your return date. We may suggest keeping a photo of your Passport in your email as an unsent draft.
Airfare Purchases
Airfare is not included in the tour price. However, you can book through our recommended air provider. Any changes to flights booked through an outside travel agency must be managed by that agency.
Airport and Included Arrival Transfer Details
Upon clearing customs, you will be met by our Now Journey driver who will whisk you along to the water taxi or hotel, all included.
Luggage On Tour
One (1) 50 pound suitcase is included in your portage throughout the tour. You are also entitled to a carry-on bag, and a purse or satchel. Remember, your airline or the airline on tour if applicable may have more restrictive limits — be advised you are responsible for any fees incurred on all flights.
Walking and Mobility on Tour: We walk a lot.
Be prepared to be standing and/or walking for up to 3 hours on various terrain including cobblestone streets, stairs and uneven surfaces. We anticipate 10,000 to 13,000 steps per day on average. We walk a lot on our tours but we are unhurried and you may opt out of most sightseeing tours at just about any time (there are restrictions for example at the Vatican or on boat travel). The Journey Tour Captain is unable to provide mobility assistance.
Please carefully read the: Trip Agreement to understand your obligations and responsibilities.
Hotel Guest Rooms: Air Conditioning, Electricity, Bathrooms and WiFi
Each of our guest rooms feature ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning and select amenities in Deluxe category. Daily breakfast is included in each hotel category. Italy utilizes the 220 Volt system, so you will need a converter for those devices that do not already have one, as well as an adapter for the physical US 2 or 3 prong to the Italian dual prong system. WiFi is included with your Journey vacation wherever available.
Journey Style Dining
Journey’s approach to dining is unique in the travel world (just like the regions of Italy we travel through). We include Premium Beverages (wine, soda and cocktails) and you choose your dinner from the menu. The Italian chefs and families are proud of their delicious dishes which hail from each of the regions in which Journey travels. From Lombardia and beautiful Lake Como to the Veneto region with Venice all the way through to the Amalfi Coast and Campania, you will enjoy a variety of dishes featuring pasta, seafood combined plates, vegetable inspired contorni and of course Tuscan inspired dishes. While in Tuscany we will eat from the land with locally grown produce where the concept of nostrale, or home-grown, is so evident.
Is smoking allowed on Now Journey adventures?
There is no smoking allowed at all while on a Now Journey adventure: on our transportation, walking tours, dining events — absolutely no smoking.
Medicine and Health on Tour
Please do not pack essential medicines in your luggage, rather take them with you in your carry-on (alert: liquid medicines may need additional approval by the airline). Should you have any food restrictions or allergies, please ensure you note this on the Traveler Profile.
Currency
The Euro is used within Italy. We recommend you bring with you around €250 per person. To obtain more cash while on tour, use your Debit Card with your PIN memorized (we may suggest keeping this information in your email as an unsent draft).
Tipping in Italy | Tipping the Now Journey Tour Captain
Tipping is not a normal custom in Italy (still today). However, we recommend leaving a 1 or 2 Euro coin if you have received great service. Tipping your Tour Captain is recommended at the finalé of your Journey. You are invited to provide a gratuity to your Journey Tour Captain at a recommended amount of $USD20 per person per day for your Journey Tour Captain. You may tip by Euro, USD, Check, Venmo or in advance. Customary gratuities are included on your Journey for included dinners, drivers and local guides.
No Up-Sell on Tour: Rest Easy
Unlike most tour operators, we do not up-sell to you while you're on tour. Your Journey Tour Captain will assist you with any request while on tour, but will not proactively sell to you — this is not our culture or style of travel. We recommend you select your optional activities at least 90 days prior to your trip departure date.
Weather in Italy
Expect early spring showers possible in March and April with highs in the 60s to 70s. May and June, mostly clear patterns with highs in the 70s to 80s, July and August are the hot summer months, but still fun to explore with highs in the 80s to 90s. September is still considered high season with highs in the 70s, with October more of a shoulder season with high temps ranging from 70s to 80s in the first week to 10 days, and 60s to 70s in mid to late October.
Clothing Recommendations
March through April with October: Layer your clothing with warmer sunshine expected by 10am on most days. Have a rain jacket or umbrella just in case. May through June with September: Summer clothing is recommended with jeans, slacks, dresses, shorts, sneakers and caps/hats completely acceptable. July through August: It's hot, so dress accordingly with sunscreen on hand. Remember, entrance into the Vatican and certain other church buildings require shoulders to be covered and shorts down to the knees, generally.
