We are preparing for our October 16th RS "Best of Sicily in 11 days". We will be doing carry on and have a couple questions for recent travelers in the last 3 mos. Our last tour was 2019.
*How many self tests should we pack?
*Do we need to take a Proctored Test Kit?
*Are self tests easy to acquire?
*How many N95 masks to take with us?
Travelers on that Tour are welcome to PM us we arrive on the 14th.
Unless the tour requires them, you don’t need any self tests, no proctored test needed to return to the U.S., and how many masks is up to you. Masks on public transportation are mandatory until at least Sept. 30. If you test positive you’ll need to self isolate for between 5-14 days. The U.S. Embassy in Italy has a complete list of requirements. RS will let you know specifically what the tour requires.
We just got back from the Southern Italy tour, and we were required to self test the first tour day. RS will send you an email with that information. Also, I've heard from other tours that if someone gets sick, then everyone must self test. You don't need a proctored test kit.
How many masks depends on you. We were required to wear a mask whenever on the bus, and a lot of us wore ours when in crowded places. Also, we chose to wear our masks on the airplane. So I took a couple of extras just to have them. Of course, you can buy them just about anywhere in Italy (especially the numerous pharmacies).
I'm heading out on the Best of Italy soon. I traveled in April/May and masked the whole time even though not required. I took enough masks for every day. This time I'm planning to rewear masks a couple of times with 72 hours in between so I'm taking about 12 N95s for my 3 weeks. I've also had a bunch of bands break in the last 2 days but I think these were masks that have been riding around in my car during high summer heat, lol.
I am taking 2 packs of 2 tests each. Some are taking proctored tests IF you have some kind of insurance that will pay for quarantine/isolation hotels if you test positive. I chose not to have any kind of hotel insurance, I will just have enough room on my CCs to charge any extra hotel nights if needed. So, I am just taking the regular tests and will buy more along the way if I need them.
Enjoy your trip!
I’m on the South of France tour now, ending Friday breakfast. Pre-tour I spent 5 days in London and 4 in Venice; post-tour I’m headed to Venice. You do need to self-test on the first day of the tour and show your CDC/vax card. You can buy self tests at any pharmacy.
I brought 5 self-tests, used 4 so far. No proctored tests are needed. We tested several times during the tour because over half of the tour people either tested positive during the tour or were companions to someone who tested positive
I over packed masks, both KN95 and level 3 surgical. I suggest no less than 1 KN95 or N95 mask for every 2 days. I didn’t wear the surgical masks. I wore a mask on the bus (required), during all tour activities, and out on my own. The only time I didn’t mask was during meals.
Have a healthy and great trip!
Pam in Coeur d’Alene & Horsewoofie in Phoenix thank you for great feedback on my questions. I had not heard that all tour participants are required test if someone else is positive.
Sounds like test and masks are easily acquired in route.
I think the four of us will each take 2 or 3 self test and break them down for easier packing and leave the proctor tests at home due to the size of the boxes. And 15 N95 masks as they are easy to pack. We are so excited to get back to travel after 3 years.
Just reread horsewoofie’s post and think miss I interpreted. Self tests when others are positive may not be a requirement.
We're in Sicily now and masks are only required on public transportation -- busses and ferries. This is enforced. Very few people wear them elsewhere. The only other place I've seen people wearing them is in pharmacies.
