Hello all, a couple of questions please:
I am planning on going on the RS Village Italy (14 days) trip in June/July this summer.
(1) Do I need to bring a hairdryer, or do most places provide one.
(2) When leaving, on the last day to go back to Milan, how hard was it for you to get there? I have read a couple posts about trouble finding taxis/etc. on a Sunday. Should I wait til Monday to leave and spend an extra day? If so, should I stay at Lake Orta an extra day or go to Milan on Sunday and stay overnight?
Thanks!
If you don't get feedback from anyone who's been on the Village Italy tour recently, try calling the RS Tour Dept with your questions - especially the one about Sunday transportation since that may effect your airline tickets. They're very knowledgeable about the tours.
I sent an e-mail several months ago to the RS tour department questioning the tour's schedule to finish in Lake Orta and leave guests to find their own way back to Milan. I didn't get a response.
I assume that the tour guide does offer to arrange shuttles back to Milan or Malpensa but I would call the office in Edmonds, WA to be sure. Orta has limited public transport connections.
Gretchen - We did the RS Village Italy Tour last fall and our tour guide arranged shared rides back to Milan to the airport or to central Milan. It was not a problem. Our tour ended on Friday so I don't know about Sunday. We left Lake Orta about 6:30 in the morning and it was about an hour to the airport. I know you will have a great time on the tour. It was one of our favorites.
I forgot to answer your first question. You shouldn't need a hair dryer. Almost everywhere provided them. I don't remember not having one anywhere we stayed. Have a fun trip.
Gretchen,
If you have a little hairdryer, I would take it. We went on the Venice, Florence & Rome trip last year and while we did have a hairdryer at all the hotels, one of them had very little drying power. I ended up using my own hairdryer in order to get done in time to join the tour for the day! I guess it depends on whether you NEED one for your particular hairstyle. I do, so I always take it, just in case.
Deb
We did this tour in May/June 2007 and if you can spare the time I would recommend that you stay the extra day in Orta. On the tour you will arrive around noon and by early evening you will get together for your last meal together. Not enough time to see and enjoy Orta! Our tour ended on Friday and we arranged for train travel to Milan on Saturday while in Levanto. The train route was great!! It followed the coast of Lake Maggiore thru Stresa and was beautiful. We then spent one night near the airport to catch an early flight. If you want to leave on Monday this won't work. If you want to take the train, let me know so I can tell you a secret about changing trains in Cuzzago. Have fun!!