ITALY: PRE TRIP INFO

Stretches from the Alps in the north down to the Mediterranean Sea in the south.
Shares borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia, and also enclaves the independent states of Vatican City and San Marino.

Language

Italian is the official language.
English is widely spoken in major cities such as Rome, Milan, and Florence, particularly in tourist areas.

Currency

Euro (€)
1 USD = ~0.90 EUR (roughly)
1 GBP = ~1.17 EUR (roughly)

Religion

Roman Catholicism is the historically dominant faith in Italy and continues to play an important cultural and social role.
The Vatican City, the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church, is located within Rome.

2.2 WHERE WE VISIT

Rome (2 nights)

Timeless capital with a perfect mix of history, culture, and vibrant street life. Rome’s heart lies in its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon — extraordinary remnants of an empire that shaped the world. Beyond its ancient ruins, the “Eternal City” offers a wealth of experiences, from elegant piazzas and magnificent fountains to lively trattorias, artisan gelato shops, and bustling local markets.

Sorrento (3 nights)

Charming cliffside town with a perfect mix of coastal beauty, history, and laid-back Italian elegance. Sorrento overlooks the sparkling Bay of Naples, offering breathtaking views of Mount Vesuvius and dramatic limestone cliffs that plunge into turquoise waters. Its historic center is a maze of narrow streets filled with artisan shops, lemon groves, and inviting cafés. Beyond its picturesque piazzas, Sorrento is known for its traditional limoncello, fresh seafood, and relaxed seaside atmosphere.

Monopoli (2 nights)

Authentic seaside town with a perfect mix of history, local charm, and Adriatic beauty. Monopoli’s enchanting Old Town is a maze of whitewashed houses, narrow cobbled streets, and hidden courtyards that open onto the sparkling sea. Overlooking the harbor stands the impressive 16th-century Castello Carlo V, a reminder of the town’s rich maritime past. Beyond its historic walls, Monopoli offers small sandy coves, crystal-clear waters, traditional fishing boats, and relaxed piazzas where locals gather — delivering a true taste of Puglia’s coastal life.

1.3 WEATHER

We choose our trip dates based on when we believe are the best times to visit Italy, balancing weather, prices, and tourist crowds, as these can vary significantly throughout the year. You can see the expected temperatures below for Rome and Sorrento (with Monopoli sharing a very similar Mediterranean climate).

Overall, conditions are ideal for exploring cities and enjoying the coast, with plenty of opportunities to swim in the sea in places like Sorrento, Capri, and Puglia, where the water is typically warm and inviting. The sun can be strong (especially in summer), so bringing and regularly applying SPF, along with a hat and sunglasses, is highly recommended.

Rome Weather Celsius

Average High and Low Temperatures in Rome (Celsius)

Rome Weather Fahrenheit

Average High and Low Temperatures in Rome (Fahrenheit)

Sorrento Weather Celsius

Average High and Low Temperatures in Sorrento (Celsius)

Sorrento Weather Celsius

Average High and Low Temperatures in Sorrento (Fahrenheit)

1.4 ITINERARY OVERVIEW

A summary version of the itinerary. You can find the more detailed version here.

Day	Where	Activities
1	Rome	Arrival + Trastavere Food Stroll
2	Rome	Colosseum and Roman Forum Tour + Rome Vespa Tour
3	Sorrento	Travel to Sorrento + Cooking Class
4	Sorrento	Amalfi Coast Drive
5	Sorrento	Boat Day in Capri
6	Monopoli	Matera + Alberobello + Travel to Monopoli
7	Monopoli	Free Day + Farewell Dinner
8	Monopoli	Departure

A detailed hour-by-hour schedule will be provided 10 days before the trip.

Some special notes to add about the itinerary:-

1. On day 2, during the Vespa experience, you’ll be riding as a passenger in a sidecar or on the back of the Vespa; you won’t be driving. Each Vespa is operated by a professional, local driver, and all necessary safety precautions are in place so you can simply relax and enjoy the ride through the city.

2. On Day 6, we explore Matera, one of the most unique and memorable stops on the trip, but it does involve a moderate level of physical activity. The old town is built into a hillside, with uneven cobblestones, slopes, and a number of stairs. While you don’t need to be highly fit, you should be comfortable walking for extended periods and managing steps at a steady pace. Comfortable footwear is essential, and there will be opportunities to take breaks along the way.

1.5 INCLUDED/EXCLUDED

Included:-

8-days / 7-nights: 2 Rome, 3 Sorrento, 2 Monopoli
Accommodation in hand-picked 4-star hotels (based on sharing twin room)
Meals – all breakfasts, 1 lunch & 3 dinners
Airport pickups & drop-offs
All transportation & activities within itinerary (excluding optional activities)
A trip host plus various local experts

Excluded:-

International flights to get you to Rome and from Monopoli
Alcoholic drinks (except those specifically provided as part of itinerary)
Water & soft drinks (outside of those provided with meals)
Additional meals (outside of those explicitly stated as included)
Optional activities during free time
Tips (for Tour Leaders, local guides, bus drivers etc…)
Travel insurance

1.6 HOTELS

As standard, we use the hotels listed at the bottom of our itinerary page.

From time to time we may need to change a specific hotel if for example it’s not available on those given dates. But in such situations, we will always replace with another hotel at the same quality.

Some special notes regarding hotels:-

Hotel check-in is not until 3pm. Sometimes earlier check-in is possible, however, it won’t be possible to know in advance because it will depend on hotel availability that day (and what time other hotel guests check-out). The only way to guarantee an early check-in is if you’re willing to pay for the hotel from the night before.

You will be sharing a twin room with a fellow traveler of the same gender, unless you specifically paid extra for a private room (these are dependent on availability, see prices in FAQ section of itinerary page).

If you are planning to tag on extra days on either side of the trip, we can help book you into our hotels. We can only guarantee this if you let us know more than 70 days before the trip and we can only do this for a maximum of 2 nights on either side. Any longer and we recommend you book directly with the hotels. Note – contact us for rates for pre and post-trip accommodation.

1.7 ROOM SHARING

As standard, the default on all of our trips is that you will share a room with another traveler. These will be twin rooms, with 2 separate beds, and shared by a max of 2 people.

You will always share with another traveler of the same gender, and we will typically pair you with someone around the same age. You will share with this person for the duration of the itinerary.

Note that we operate this way because – by splitting the room cost between two people – it allows us to keep the overall OWR trip price down.

It is however possible for you to pay extra for a private room if you prefer. Prices for this are shown in the FAQ section of the itinerary page. We hold a limited number of private rooms and these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis (therefore, please check in with us for availability).

In our experience, most people are happy sharing a twin room and it typically works out well.

Some Important Things to Consider:-

SNORING

If you snore, then we highly recommend that you book a private room. While we understand that this will cost you more, it is important to think of the negative impact/experience the snoring could have on any potential roommate.

LIGHT SLEEPERS

Likewise, if you consider yourself to be a light sleeper and are easily woken by the sounds or movements or others, then we also recommend you also consider booking a private room in order to get the most out of the experience.

In addition…

If you would like to book a private room then it is much better to do this in advance of the trip! If you originally signed up for a shared room and then request to move to a private room during the trip, it will be much more challenging because:-

We cannot guarantee that there will still be rooms available (since we will have released our OWR allocation by then).

Our quoted OWR rates will no longer apply (it will be whatever last-minute rates the hotels provide).

Therefore, it is much better for you if you can make this decision ahead of time!

2. Getting Prepared

2.1 TRIP COUNTDOWN TIMELINE

This is what you should expect in the lead up to your trip.

Book trip (secure your spot with a deposit)

Book international flights (these can be booked at any point after we’ve confirmed your spot – don’t leave too late as price will go up closer to trip)

Purchase travel insurance (this will cover for issues leading up to trip as well as during)

> 70 Days Before Trip (cancellation penalties kick-in beyond this point)

Full balance must be paid
OWR sends survey: requests flight information, dietary requirements, health conditions, emergency contacts etc…(must be returned within 7 days)

> 10 Days Before Trip

OWR sends day-by-day schedule, optional activity recommendations & some final info to prepare you for trip

> 3 Days Before Trip

WhatsApp group created with all trip attendees + Tour Leader

> Trip Start Date

Welcome meeting is typically scheduled for 4pm on first day. This is where you will meet your Tour Leader and other guests (note – we may change this time depending on overall group arrival times. If it changes we will notify you).

2.2 CANCELLATIONS / TRIP MOVES

The £200/$250 deposit is non-refundable. However, if you need to cancel at any point, you can put this towards any future trip you book with us (in any location).

The rest of the balance is refundable up until 70 days before the trip. From that point the following cancellation terms will apply:-

> 30-70 days before trip – 50% refund

> 0–30 days before trip – 0% refund

Important Note – it is not possible for us to make exceptions to these terms since from the 70 days mark we will commit payments to our local suppliers in Italy and will be bound by their strict cancellation terms. This is why it’s very important for you to take out a travel insurance policy which includes trip cancellation (from the point of booking the trip).

This applies also to requests to change to an alternative future OWR trip, when such requests are made within 70 days of your scheduled trip departure.

2.3 VISA REQUIREMENTS

Citizens from US, Canada, UK and Australia/NZ do not need to apply for a visa to enter Italy.

If you are from a different country, please check your country specific requirements.

2.4 VACCINATIONS

There are no mandatory vaccinations for entering Italy, only recommendations that you are up to date on the “routine” vaccinations you would have in your own country.

Standard travel vaccinations – information online tends to vary, we recommend checking with a reputable source such as the one below (or the equivalent from your own country).

US:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/italy

UK:

https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/111/italy

2.5 TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is mandatory that all guests have travel insurance in place prior to joining our trips.

Some important info relating to this:-

You must have travel insurance in place to join the trip. No exceptions.
We will ask you to provide your policy number and 24hr emergency contact number (this will be part of the OWR survey 70 days pre trip).
At a minimum it must cover the mandatory elements mentioned in our booking terms (personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation).
However, we strongly recommend you also include the “trip cancellation” coverage. This will cover you for things that can happen between booking the trip and the trip actually starting. Examples are: changes to your personal circumstances, destinations becoming unsafe to travel, flight issues stopping you from joining the tour etc…
We recommend that you start your coverage from the point of booking the tour.
It is your responsibility to ensure your policy covers all of the activities specified on the trip itinerary, in addition to any optional activities you plan to do.

There are numerous policies on the market and you should choose whichever is most appropriate for you. Here’s a small selection to consider:-

World Nomads

Allianz Travel Insurance

BattleFace

Tru Traveller

2.6 LUGGAGE

You can travel with a suitcase or backpack, the choice is completely yours (fyi most people typically do suitcase).
There are no domestic flights with this itinerary, but we ask you to restrict your luggage to one standard piece weighing no more than 20kg/45lbs. This is due to limited space on our private bus transfers.
It’s worth considering whether you could do the trip with cabin luggage only – this would mitigate any risk of lost luggage by the airlines on your international flights (which is not frequent but does happen from time-to-time).

2.7 LOCAL CURRENCY

Italian currency is Euro (EUR €)

You can exchange money in advance, or withdraw local currency from ATMs using a debit or credit card. ATMs are widely available in all Italy and usually offer competitive exchange rates. Just make sure your card is enabled for international use.

Your Tour Leader will point you to the nearest ATM or money exchange if needed.

2.8 PHONE, INTERNET & WHATSAPP

In most locations there is good phone signal and internet access and WIFI is available in hotels & restaurants.

Check out the plan of your phone provider to understand if data roaming is included as part of your package. If not, it is very easy to buy an e-sim for European countries, in which case we recommend Holafly or Airalo services. Normally they will sell a “Europe” bundle which will cover Italy.

You can also buy a local SIM card upon arrival in Italy. Foreign visitors can purchase specific traveller sim cards which are available throughout the larger cities and major airports. Ask your Tour Leader for instructions.

We will use WhatsApp as a means of communicating with the group while on tour and recommend you download this to your phone if you don’t already have it.

2.9 ARRIVAL INFO & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Our trip starts in Rome and you should fly into Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (airport code FCO).

Ideally, you should arrive at the hotel by 4 pm on the first day. This is when we have our welcome meeting, followed by a food stroll (although if you arrive later, it’s perfectly fine to catch up).

There will be someone there to meet you upon arrival as you walk through the gates (they will have a sign with your name on it).

Hotel check-in is not until 3 pm but if arriving earlier you can drop off your bags and go explore the surrounding area.

Please ensure that you have read all of the EU entry requirements (it is your responsibility to ensure you comply):-

US Citizen Entry Requirements

UK Citizen Entry Requirements

CA Citizen Entry Requirements

(if from a different country, please check those requirements specific to your home country)

When going through passport control in Italy you may be asked to show the following:-

Passport (must be issued less than 10 years ago + valid for at least six months after your planned departure from the European Schengen Area. It must also be machine-readable)
Evidence of a return flight leaving the EU
Rome hotel address (Via Orazio 21, 00193 Rome (Vaticano Prati), Italy)

Please have this information on hand.

2.10 DEPARTURE INFO

You should arrange your flight home from Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (airport code BRI). We will arrange your airport transfer according to your flight time.

You can leave at any time on the last day. There are no activities scheduled for that day.

2.11 AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Airport transfers are included at both the start and end of the trip.

The following conditions apply:-

We only do transfers between airports and our selected hotels. No other locations (other hotels, Airbnbs etc…)
For those tagging on extra days, we will endeavour to include transfers up to 2 days outside of official tour dates. Beyond this we will not include transfers.

2.12 PACKING GUIDELINES / CHECKLIST

Our Italy trips take place throughout the summer. If you are going during the shoulder seasons (June/September) expect spring/summer type weather where you can wear mostly summer clothing but it’s good to also have a few slightly warmer items for when it gets cooler.

If you are going mid-summer, then it is likely to be much warmer and only summer clothing is likely necessary.

We don’t recommend specific clothing items – because everyone has their own personal style – but below are some things to think about.

Documents

Flight info (especially important to be able to show you have a flight leaving the EU)
Travel Insurance info (especially your policy number & 24hr emergency number)
Passport
Supporting documentation for medications – see advice here

Things To Think About

Swimsuits
Comfortable shoes/trainers for walking day-to-day (and something that could be waterproof in the rain)
Lightweight rain jacket
Day backpack/bag
Sunglasses
Power supplies/batteries – for phones, laptops, cameras etc…
Camera
Ear Plugs (if a sensitive sleeper)
Personal entertainment (books, podcasts etc… for travel time)
Toiletries
Personal Medication
Travel sickness pills (if necessary)
Sun protection
Refillable Water Bottle

Other

Download WhatsApp on phone (to be used for group comms while on tour)
Set up data roaming

3. During Tour

3.1 TRIP EXECUTION & TOUR LEADER

You Tour Leader is responsible for leading the group throughout the trip, they will be there from the welcome meeting at the start until the last morning when the trip ends. We will connect you with your Tour Leader – via WhatsApp – in the days leading up to the trip.

They will be your first point of contact for any issues during the trip but you can also contact us at [email protected]

3.2 FREE TIME

At various points during the trip the trip schedule will show ‘Downtime’ and ‘Free Time’

Downtime is where there are a couple of hours or so free between activities. There is probably enough time to go for a coffee, relax or go for a wander but not quite enough time to go do another activity.

Free Time is where there is a sizeable chunk of time available – half day or full day – where you could feasibly go off and do another activity (outside of the OWR itinerary). It is there to give you flexibility to go do your own thing and explore your own interests.

We will provide recommendations of possible activities for you to do during Free Time (we will send this 10 days before the trip).

We don’t recommend booking most activities prior to arriving in Italy as typically most things can be arranged at short notice and often our guests decide to do things with other people in the group. *

* If you do plan to visit key sites in Rome, such as the Vatican Museums, these are exceptions where advance booking is strongly recommended. Vatican tickets are limited and should be booked as early as possible to secure your preferred time slot. Note that the Sistine Chapel is inside the Vatican Museums, so you don’t need a separate ticket: entry to the museums includes access to the chapel, which you’ll reach as part of the museum route.

3.3 SCHEDULE CHANGES

While we endeavour to operate all trips as described in the published itineraries we always reserve the right to change the trip itinerary.

Changes may be necessary as a result of unforeseen circumstances, operational concerns, concerns for your health, safety, enjoyment or comfort.

Any changes are at the discretion of OWR.

This includes the right to replace Tour Leaders, alter accommodations, change transport, modify the order in which places are to visited, and make any other changes to the itinerary.

We will inform you of any such changes as soon as reasonably possible.

3.4 BEHAVIOUR ON TOUR

We request that all guests take responsibility for their personal behaviour on the tour, specifically to:-

Respect the decisions of the Tour Leader (and raise concerns respectfully)
Show respect and consideration for the other members of the group
Drink alcohol responsibly
In addition we have an absolutely zero tolerance no drugs policy.
Be on time to start activities as per the schedule (be respectful of the time of other members of the group)

We also ask that you read about our OWR Trip Style prior to joining the trip.

3.5 SAFETY ADVICE

In general Italy is a safe country to travel.

Millions of foreigners visit every year and the vast majority of those are trouble free.

However, we do recommend taking some extra precautions and being more vigilant than you typically would in your home country.

Leave jewellery / expensive handbags etc… at home
Don’t go wandering outside the tourist areas without a local
Keep only small amounts of cash on you when out and about
Drink alcohol moderately, avoid making yourself vulnerable (and don’t leave drinks unattended)
Avoid walking alone at night
Don’t go off to party with people you’ve just met!

We also strongly recommend reading the travel advice provided by your government / consulate / foreign office.

3.6 SPENDING MONEY

We include just about everything on the tour.

The itinerary was designed so that while you’re in Italy, all you need to do is focus on enjoying yourself.

With that said you will likely need a little spending money which we estimate as follows:

$350 – $600 (US)
£300 – £500 (UK)

(for other currencies please convert)

These estimates factor in lunches and dinners not included within the itinerary; snacks and water; a couple of alcoholic drinks each day; and optional activities during free time.

You may need more depending on your tastes and for additional items such as souvenirs.

We also recommend you have access to additional funds in case of an emergency.

3.7 TIPPING

Tips for guides are not included and are therefore completely at your discretion.

You will encounter various local guides and drivers during the trip and if you are planning to tip it is useful to carry some cash for this purpose. While tipping is not mandatory in Italy, it is customary to offer a small tip as a gesture of appreciation for good service. In restaurants, you may also notice a small “coperto” (cover charge, usually €1–€3) added to your bill; this is standard in Italy and is not a tip or something that goes directly to the waiter. It is a fixed per-person charge that typically covers things like table service, bread, and general dining setup.

At the end of the trip you may also want to tip your Tour Leader who would have been with you for the full duration of the trip. A recommended amount is $4-$7 (£3-£5) per day (per person), but this is completely up to you and you should only tip what you feel comfortable with.

3.8 LAUNDRY

Some travellers prefer to pack light and do laundry while on tour. There will be various points throughout the trip to do laundry (your Tour Leader will inform you during the trip).

3.9 POST TRIP

We will send you a survey asking for feedback on your experience.

If you enjoyed the tour we would love it if you could recommend us on Google and/or Facebook.

We also have some special offers to those on our trips:

If you book a new trip within 2 weeks of your current trip ending, you get a £200 / $250 discount.

If you book a new trip after this point, we still offer a £100 / $125 discount.

4. Readiness Checklist

We know this is a lot of information to digest, therefore, here’s a quick checklist to ensure you’re ready for your upcoming trip.

Have you:-

Purchased your international flights to and from Italy?
Purchased travel insurance?
Paid your full balance with OWR?
Checked your passport validity? (expiry date must be 6 months beyond your Italy departure date + 1 blank page)
Checked that you have your up to date routine vaccines?
Completed the OWR survey (will be sent 70 days before the trip)
Checked our packing guidelines?
Set up your data roaming + downloaded WhatsApp?
Changed money or made plans to withdraw cash in Italy for tips etc…
Read our OWR Trip Style document to ensure you are comfortable with what to expect?

If so – you are good to go!