Italy Tours

The echo of an Italy Vacation!

Some say that going to  Italy is a recurring dream especially once you have gone. This breathtaking country is full of unmatched cultural and luxury experiences. Where do we even start?  Time immemorial;  the history here, made through the ages, left this country with a mystery and excitement that draws you in with an ever-changing lens.  We’ll curate your Italy vacation with personally designed itineraries that will show you this  Italy.  There are so many choices. Come and explore just a few with us to get your creative juices flowing. Taste some wine in an underground vineyard, explore ancient Renaissance architecture in Florence, see art your way, get lost in Venice, drive a Ferrari to the castle of a princess, and then eat something really wonderful. Experience music that you will make you cry. Laugh, eat, see, love, explore, repeat. Have we forgotten something? Shopping of course, or maybe something else. Experience Italy like you never thought possible. Your Italy vacation awaits. Contact us!

*consultation fee is applied to package

Chloe Johnston Experiences will turn your travel dreams into memorable realities. Sometimes, however, despite those special experiences we create, we understand that you don’t always need a travel concierge. We can still totally spin some magic on those DIYs, but with just a list to start, you can begin the journey on your own and leave the tough part to us!

Here are some suggested DIYs!!
1. The Duomo
2. Leaning Tower of Pisa
3. The Colosseum
4. The Roman Forum
5. St. Peter’s Basilica
6. The Grand Canal
7. The Trevi Fountain
8. The Pantheon
9. Pompeii
10. Pizza
11. Gelato

What to wear in Italy?

• Dress casual chic; comfortable is always in when traveling; jeans, sweaters, and comfortable shoes for the colder months, along with button-downs, scarves, and trench coats.  If you’re on the coast especially in the summer, Italians are not afraid of color. Have fun with it and bring out your favorite sundresses and white linens.
• If you plan to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, you must have your knees and shoulders covered.

Phone plan?

• For Verizon users, call Verizon to activate your travel pass. It’s $10/day and your phone functions the same way abroad as it does at home. Most phone services now have similar options but be sure to call your service to be sure.

Exchanging money?

• We suggest going to your bank before you leave to exchange your money. Exchanging money at the airport can be more expensive than doing so with your bank. The other option would be to use your ATM card and taking out money directly once at your destination. You will need to call your bank ahead of time to let them know you will be traveling and find out any withdraw maximums to avoid freezing your bank cards.

Do my credit cards work there?

• • Credit cards are in fact the preferred method of payment! Make sure you call your credit cards before you leave to let them know you will be traveling.

• Find out from your credit card if there are any international fees

Should I tip?

• • In Italy tipping is not mandatory, leaving some change in a cafe is perfectly acceptable if the service is good. If you are enjoying fine dining again tipping is not mandatory, however, if you choose to tip 10% is more than appropriate.

• For any experiences, tips are more than welcome.

How do I not look like a tourist?

• • Try to avoid wearing workout sneakers or workout pants.

• • If you need a map use the one on your phone.

• If you find yourself lost, don’t panic, have the number of a taxi or enjoy wandering around and discovering new things and then ask a local for help.

Do people speak English?

• In major cities they do but in smaller towns and among the older generation they don’t, Italians are very friendly and generally speaking more than happy to try to help.

Do I need to buy an adaptor?

• Yes, you will need to buy an adaptor. If you forget an adaptor, airports will definitely have one.

Will my hairdryer or straightener work?

• • Most of the hotels or Airbnb’s will have hair dryers. If you bring your own straightener they will not work. You can either buy a cheap one while you are there or go with natural hair during your stay.

• PS. If you are worried about your hair, wear a great hat; your hair is going to be blown, sprayed with water from some source, and generally fabulously messy!

Are there any cultural differences?

• • Most public restrooms in Italy charge 1 to 2 Euros in order to use them.

• Be prepared for lots of hand gestures and what may seem to you like yelling. Italians can get demonstrative and loud. Tourists have been known to mistake this language as angry, they are simply animated. Don’t forget, Americans can be quite loud as well!
• Be on the lookout for scams when you’re in tourist-heavy places. For example, if someone offers to carry your luggage for you, they will expect a tip!

Do I need trip insurance?

• • Chloe Johnston Experiences STRONGLY recommends all participants purchase trip cancellation insurance for protection against trip cancellation, modification, unforeseen circumstances, delayed flights, additional costs incurred due to events that may happen as part of travel, medical or family emergencies, lost baggage situations, full medical coverage abroad, and more. Chloe Johnston Experiences is NOT an insurance provider.                        

• Chloe Johnston Experiences is not responsible for costs incurred by participants preparing for a trip that is altered or canceled. We are not responsible for airfare purchased for a trip that is altered or canceled. These are items that should be covered by the insurance policy. It is the sole responsibility of the purchaser to determine the extent to which the chosen policy covers any event.

• Dress comfortably chic in shoes that you can walk in. Many cities are covered in cobblestone streets which can be uncomfortable when walking long distances so comfortable shoes are important.
  
• Some hotels do not have elevators so be prepared to carry your bag
• If traveling in winter, be sure to bring your jacket as it is generally windy and cold.
• Don’t forget your rain gear for the occasional shower.

• • Call credit cards

• • Stop mail

• • Create a new music playlist

• • Talk to your neighbors/local friends and family to inform them that you’ll be away

• • Call your phone company and set up an international plan

• • Check that your passport is up to date (must not expire within 6 months of travel) and take a copy with you

• • Check to see if you need a visa

• • Wash your clothes/laundry  and bring a bag for dirty clothes

• • Check outlet compatibility

• • Charge your electronics

• • Pick out a favorite book, movie

• • Download a favorite show, movie, book, or game

• • Organize pet sitters if needed

• • Prepare a carry on according to airline demands considering size, weight, and liquids

• • Arrange transportation to the airport

• • Check the map of transportation in Italy

• • Confirm hotel or lodging arrangements, if not booked with CJE

• • Check-in on your flight 24 hours in advance

• • Confirm transportation after arriving at the destination; print details, if not booked with CJE

• • Buy tickets ahead of time to travel to neighboring cities, if not booked with CJE

• • Pack medicine and vitamins you made need

• • Pack chargers

• Learn basic Italian (or maybe learn the basics of the language—like hello, goodbye, thank you)

The Japanese Renaissance: Italy Tours 

Uffizi, Magliabechiana Hall

Piazzale degli Uffizi

Florence, Tuscany 50122 Italy

055.23885

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the “friendship” between Italy and Japan, the exhibition Il Rinascimento giapponese: la natura Nei dipinti su paravento dal XV al XVII secolo looks at Japanese screens from the 15th to 17th centuries. The survey of these works shows the emergence of stylistic and aesthetic tendencies that still characterize Japanese art today – evocative monochrome works close to the Chinese Zen tradition, vs the decorative works with flat backgrounds preferred by aristocrats.

Carnevale Italy Tours 

January-February: Venice, Florence, and Viareggio

From north to south, Italy marks Carnevale with a huge winter festival celebrated with parades, masquerade balls, entertainment, music, and parties that are internationally known. It is actually quite possible to Carnevale hop with events taking place up and down the boot. In Venice, events and entertainment are held nightly, with people in costumes wandering around the city and reveling. The islands of Sardinia and Sicily host especially beautiful celebrations.