Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read our general FAQs, where you can find essential information that applies to all of our programs.

Resources to Learn & Teach about Italy

Visit our recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have lesson plans and Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.

Terms and Conditions

It is very important to review our Terms and Conditions before signing up for a GEEO program.

GEEO Program Confirmation Process

We require a minimum of 6 participants for most GEEO programs. We officially confirm that a program will run once at least 8 people have signed up, which provides a margin for individual cancellations. Nearly all GEEO programs ultimately meet this enrollment quota, and in the rare event that a program does not meet the minimum requirement and GEEO cancels the program, we will work with you to find a suitable alternative or provide a refund of your deposit if you prefer. We encourage you to sign up for any program that interests you, and we will notify the entire group once 6 people are booked and again once 8 people are booked. We always emphasize the importance of exercising caution when making non-refundable travel arrangements, especially given the unpredictable nature of travel. For example, we typically recommend booking flights with flexible change/cancellation policies.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO in writing by emailing your request for cancellation to travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105.

• If you cancel 60 days or more prior to the start of your program, all your program fee payments will be refunded excluding your $350 deposit, which is kept on file for future use and never expires. (Exception for participants who receive grants from our university partners: To address disruption caused by cancellation from grant recipients, deposits paid by grant recipients are forfeited upon cancellation.)
• If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to the start of your program, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit will be kept on file for future use and will never expire.
• If you cancel within 30 days prior to the start of your program, you will receive no refund, but your deposit will be kept on file for future use and will never expire.

Trip Notes

1. LUGGAGE: In Europe, it is very rare to find elevators in train stations, hotels, or other public places. We use some public transport on this trip, which means you will need to carry your luggage from platform to platform, in and out of trains and buses, etc., and possibly up several flights of stairs. You will also need to be able to stow your luggage safely on trains and buses. You should be able to comfortably walk for 10-30 minutes at a time with your luggage. It is therefore essential that you pack light and bring luggage that is compact and lightweight. Carrying your luggage remains your responsibility at all times.
2. ACCOMMODATION: Accommodation in Europe is quite different from other parts of the world. You can expect clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations, though customer service may sometimes be imperfect. Due to high demand, especially in summer, hotels can charge a premium and may have little motivation to improve facilities. Important: Single room accommodations in European hotels are often smaller, and may not be to the same service level as double-occupancy rooms.
3. PACE: This trip has a rapid pace and the heat of the summer can make it quite exhausting. Please know in advance that you will see a lot, but this isn't a relaxing vacation.
4. ORIENTATION WALKS: The orientation walking tours on this trip are often on cobblestone streets at steep grades and can last several hours in the heat of the summer. Feel free to opt-out of these walking tours if you wish, as they can be quite physically taxing. On the other hand, it may feel like the orientation walks move a bit too slowly for you. Feel free to go off on your own with a map, a travel app, or a guidebook. GEEO wants you to have the experience you desire, and sometimes that means separating yourself from the group so that you can do your own thing.
5. GUIDES: In Europe, all guiding is based around local guides, all of whom are licensed to work only in a particular city. As such, our leaders are able to provide orientation walks that will give you the layout of each town and city, as well as the location of local services such as laundromats and ATMs, but are legally not permitted to share historical details in public places. Your tour leader will be able to help you find a local guided tour in each location if you would like one.

•  RESERVE TICKETS IN ADVANCE: Please note that if you wish to visit popular museums such as the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel) and Villa Borghese in Rome, or the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries in Florence, we strongly advise reserving tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line for a long time (especially during the high season from May-September, where this can take several hours). Tickets can be reserved online through sites like Weekend in Rome and Weekend in Florence or directly on the museums' websites. Please refer to your full itinerary to ensure you reserve tickets for the correct dates you will be in Rome and Florence. There may be the possibility of arranging tickets on arrival on Day 1 with the help of your tour leader, but availability cannot be guaranteed at such short notice.
• AIR CONDITIONING: Occasionally hotels in Italy lack air conditioning units in rooms. However, nearly all hotels will provide a fan for your room on hot nights. If you do not already have one in your room, please ask your tour leader to organize one for you with reception. Our partner tour operator, G Adventures, adjusts hotels based on customer feedback, and they assure as that the rooms will be a comfortable temperature at night. If you have any hot nights where the room was uncomfortable, please let us know as soon as possible.

Group Leader Description

All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure’s group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEOs). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.

Fitness Level

This trip includes light walking and hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels. In the cities, you can split apart from the group to go your own pace. It is very hot in Italy during the summer, so make sure you stay hydrated.

Single Travelers

Half of GEEO’s participants travel by themselves, so please don’t worry if you do not have a travel companion for your trip. Our program fee is for one traveler in double-occupancy accommodation, and GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender if you do not have a travel companion. Most of our programs have a “My Own Room” option, also known as a “Single Supplement,” which is an extra fee that you can pay to have a room to yourself. You will only incur an additional charge if you specifically request a single room. To see the price for the “My Own Room” option, please find your program on our extra services page. If you want to room alone, please email travel@geeo.org to request a single room.

Emergency Contacts

Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS G Adventures UK office (manned UK 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.) +44 20 7243 9870 For absolute emergencies after office hours please contact +441858378000 If you are unable for any reason to contact the local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with the 24-hour Sales team, who will happily assist you. Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100 Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000 Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000 Calls from Australia: 1300 796 618 Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307 Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Packing List

Please read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person. In Italy, shoulders should be covered while visiting churches and cathedrals. Ask your tour leader for more specific advice. Suggested Checklist

• Light windproof/waterproof jacket or umbrella
• Personal clothing for hot weather – we recommend packing 8-9 days of outfits so you only have to do laundry once; covering shoulders is advisable
• One set of modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders
• Sturdy walking or running shoes
• Sport sandals or flip-flops
• Bathing suit and towel
• Daypack
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Water bottle
• Watch or alarm clock (or use your phone)
• Toiletries – important: some hotels may not give you soap and shampoo
• Camera (or use your phone)
• First-aid kit, including lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking

Optional Checklist

• Travel pillow
• Money belt
• Phone/tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
• Chargers for electronics as well as converters/adapters, if needed
• AirTags or Tile trackers
• Packing cubes
• Earplugs
• Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can buy snacks when you get there too, so don't go crazy here
• Ziplock bags
• Reading/writing material
• Hand sanitizer/baby wipes
• Light fleece top

Document Checklist

• Passport (with photocopies)
• Travel insurance (with photocopies)
• Airline tickets (with photocopies)
• EUR/USD cash
• Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
• G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information, and dossier
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent 10-30 days before departure

Laundry

Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. You can also use a local laundromat, if necessary. We recommend packing enough clothes so you don't have to do laundry. All GEEO programs require the participant to have a valid passport. Please see our general FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. As with all of our trips, we try to provide the most accurate information we can, but governments sometimes change visa rules. It is your responsibility to double check the information we provide below by searching here. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to travel to Italy. Non-American participants should check with their government and local Spanish Embassy to find out if they need a visa.

Money Exchange

Italy is part of the Eurozone and uses the common currency, the euro (EUR). As currency exchange rates fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com. We recommend that you obtain cash from ATMs while traveling; they will dispense the local currency. We do, however, recommend that you bring at least $200 USD in cash for emergency use or in case you have trouble with the ATMs. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but you may be charged an international transaction fee; ask your financial institution about their international fees. Please note that if you are carrying U.S. dollars, the bills should be in good condition (i.e., not torn, wrinkled, or marked on in any way) and dated recently.

Tipping

It is customary in Europe to leave a small tip for service providers, such as waiters, if you are pleased with the service (€1-2 EUR for snacks or 10% of a meal bill). Tipping is an expected, though not compulsory, component of this program and an expression of satisfaction with the people who assist you on your trip. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There will be opportunities during the trip to tip your local guides or drivers. You may do this individually, or your tour leader may offer to collect the money and give a tip on behalf of the group. Recommendations for tipping local guides and drivers range from €3-5 EUR per person per day, depending on the quality and length of the service. Ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and expectations. Also, at the end of your program, if you felt your G Adventures tour leader did an outstanding job, a tip would be appreciated. The amount is entirely your personal preference, but as a guideline, €30-40 EUR per person per week would be appropriate.

Flights

We find the best prices for flights are often available around 90-120 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year. You should wait until this trip is confirmed before you book non-refundable flights. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. This program begins in Rome and ends in Venice. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Rome, which usually means departing the U.S. one days prior. We recommend arriving a day or two early to see the major sights. You may want to arrive in Italy one or more days early in case you have flight disruptions. You can arrive at any time you choose, but try to make it in time for our 6:00 p.m. Welcome Meeting on Day 1. You can depart from Venice at any time on the final day of the trip, or stay later to see more of the city. We include one and a half days in Venice, which is enough time to see the major sights. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world, so if you want to relax or explore more, staying an extra day or two would be worthwhile.

Plugs and Converters

There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers (also called electrical converters). The adapter is for your device's plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two- to three-pronged power cord to fit the local outlets. The transformer/converter changes the local voltage to the voltage used in the U.S. Italy uses the Europlug (type C/F outlets), and the voltage is 220-240V (standard U.S. electrical outlets are 120V). Most new devices, including phones and laptops, are made to work with the different voltage rates, but some devices, like hair dryers, may only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device's plug or manual to see what voltage range it requires. Most transformer blocks will have an “Input” line that defines its voltage capacity; for example, “Input: 100-240V” means that it will work with voltages between 100V to 240V. If your device can’t handle the higher voltage, you’ll need to purchase a transformer/converter. You can find world transformers/converters online or at many retail stores in the travel section.

Expectations

Before you decide to travel with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program you are considering. Remember, our programs are quite adventurous.

• The purpose of the accommodation is to provide a safe, well-located place for you to sleep. Sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised, but do not expect luxury, however, as our priority is keeping our programs as affordable as possible.
• The same goes for transportation. We use a mix of transportation that gets our guests from location to location safely. Sometimes you will have full days and nights of transportation as our trips tend to cover a lot of ground. The transportation will often be an adventure in itself.
• You must be able to carry or roll your luggage easily, so do not over-pack.
• We recommend always carrying snacks with you because sometimes meals can be far apart.
• Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip as they are not the traditional “guide” you may be expecting. While our trips are educational, they aren’t study/lecture trips. We want you to learn through exploring and much of your experience will be based on how active you choose to be in acquiring knowledge and interacting with locals.

Hopefully this is the kind of adventure you are interested in!

Advice From Jesse

Our itinerary only includes one full day in Rome. In my opinion, you will need at least three or four days to see the major sites of Rome, so I highly recommend arriving a few days early. Make sure you check when sites will be closed, as some take days off. I would spend one full day doing the following: Visit the Colosseum (when I was there, the time to arrive was 8:15 AM to get in line for opening at 8:30 AM, but you should double-check the times online), Palatine Hill, Roman Forum, Capitoline Museum, Vittoriano, and Trajan's market. All of these locations are close to each other, and it is probably easiest to visit them in the order I listed. I would spend another day doing the following: Arrive early to St. Peters Basilica to avoid lines (Like 8:00 AM), then visit the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. Make sure you wear long pants and cover your shoulders for your visit, as you will not be permitted in otherwise. In the afternoon, visit nearby Castel St. Angelo. For dinner or lunch, you may want to visit the lovely neighborhood of Trastevere, which was one of my favorite places to spend time when I lived in Rome. I really love the pizza at La Renella. On day 2 of your tour, you will have a migrant-led walking tour. I am not sure where they will take you. You will have the afternoon free. Depending on what the guided tour entailed, I would recommend spending the afternoon in the heart of Rome visiting sights such as the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Piazza Navonna. These places are amazing at night, too! The monuments look very different lit up at night, when you are also able to avoid the heat of the day. That said, make sure you have a chance to go into the Pantheon during the day when it is open (for free). In terms of architecture and history, it is one of the most important buildings in the world. If you have spare time, an open-top bus tour can take you to parts of Rome that are not within walking distance of the city center. You may want to look online or a guidebook, as there are many things to see besides the sites listed above. I found the OMNIA card to be a great deal. It allowed us to avoid the lines at St. Peters, the Vatican museum, and the Colosseum. They have a 24- and 72-hour versions of the card. As long as you use its many features, it should save you a lot of money, too. The included unlimited open-top bus is very handy for getting around the city, as well as unlimited public transportation for three days. [From Josh: I love the Roma Pass! The Omnia is essentially a Roma Pass combined with a Vatican Museum ticket, but with a big markup. You can easily purchase both independently to save some money.]"

Weather

Italy is hot and dry in the summer, with temperatures typically in the 80s and 90s F.