Anyone planning or recently done 17 day tour of Italy ?

Hello,
Wear comfortable shoes! You will walk between 10,000-25,000 steps a day on cobblestone streets and uneven pavement. Pack light, no giant suitcases. Pack layers, bring an umbrella. You can use cards practically everywhere just use a card with no foreign transaction fees-but have some euros on you especially for public restrooms. Watch out for pickpockets especially in train stations and crowded places. Keep your valuables hidden and secure. Know a little Italian hello please and thank you ect. Book in advance places like the Colosseum, The Vatican on official websites. No tipping is necessary in restaurants; so, don't -there may be a "Coperto" charge which is a few euros per person added to your bill for tableware, bread, and table linen which is normal. Enjoy, Italy is amazing!!

I did this tour in October 2022. When are you traveling?

Here are my thoughts:

• I agree with good, comfortable walking shoes AND do some work ahead of time on fitness level. I was walking 4 miles 3-4 times a week before this tour. Add in stairs because Rome and Venice are full of them, lol.

• Arrive a few days early. When I did it the itinerary started in Varenna. They've since changed it to starting in Venice. There is a LOT to see in Venice so I'd want to get there 3 nights before the tour.

• Stay a few nights after in Rome if you can. There is so much to see!

• Do some research on what to do on your free days or partial days on the tour. See if you need to book timed entries. For Venice this would include St. Marks and the Doge's Palace. Florence, maybe the Baptistry (you go to the Uffizi and Academia) and Duomo. Rome, yes agree with booking the Colosseum and Vatican if those are of interest to you. I stayed an extra night and booked the Domus Aurea (Nero's Golden Palace) and the Borghese Gallery.

• Watch some Youtube videos on Bernini and perhaps other artists to enhance your trip.

• Pack a waterproof rain jacket with a hood.

• Pack light if you can. The bridges in Venice are actually steps instead of ramps so you will be picking your bag up and over each one.

• Prepare to be wowed! Is this your first RS tour?

• Pack a power bank. Don't expect the charging ports on the bus to work. Also don't expect the wifi to work on the bus but it worked in every hotel.