• flights and ground transportation from airport
• food & alcohol (except as noted on schedule)
• additional or extra excursions 
• spa services or treatments
• tips and gratuities for staff, guides, and hosts
• visas and travel insurance

We move at a 'human pace,' but Italy is best explored on foot. You can expect to walk several miles a day over uneven cobblestones and ancient stairs as we navigate historic markets and city centers.

You don't need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable being on your feet for a few hours at a time with plenty of breaks for espresso and people-watching along the way.

May in Italy is beautiful, but the weather can be a "mixed bag." You’ll experience crisp mornings in Bologna, sunny afternoons in the Tuscan hills, and potentially a quick spring shower in Rome. The secret to Italian style is "dressing like an onion" with lots of light layers!

• Footwear (The Most Important Choice!): We will be walking a lot on historic cobblestones. Bring two pairs of well-broken-in shoes. Think sneakers or supportive loafers.

• The "Market Chic" Uniform: Natural fibers like linen, cotton, and light silk are your best friends. Pack a mix of midi skirts, flowy trousers, and a few versatile tees. Jeans are perfectly fine for day trips, as long as they are comfortable for walking!

• Smart Layers: A lightweight trench coat, a denim jacket, or a high-quality cardigan is essential for early mornings and late-night aperitivos.

• Church-Ready Accessories: To enter Italy’s beautiful cathedrals (like the Duomo in Siena), shoulders and knees must be covered. A beautiful silk or cotton scarf in your bag is the perfect "quick fix" to drape over your shoulders.

• Market Essentials: Since we’ll be hitting my favorite flea and food markets, bring a portable tote bag (or buy there as a souvenir). It’s much easier to carry your market finds and local snacks than trying to juggle paper bags.

• Tech & Essentials: * Power Adapter: Italy uses Type C and L (three-prong) outlets.

  • Portable Charger: For all those photos of your carbonara.

  • Small Umbrella: A compact "just in case" travel umbrella.

  • Find my must-have for travel on Amazon via this link: https://a.co/aLpjOF1

• Room in Your Suitcase: This is the most important tip! Leave about 20% of your suitcase empty. Between the Bologna flea markets and Siena’s artisan shops, you will find treasures you’ll want to bring home.

Should I bring checked luggage or carry-on?
This is completely up to you. For ease of travel, we suggest travelling with a carry-on.
This makes flight transfers and getting around much easier. There are great packing containers you can order via Amazon that compress your items, etc. Check out this link for my most recommend travel buys:
https://a.co/aLpjOF1

You’re in luck because this is Richelle's specialty when it comes to trip to Italy. For additional help with booking trains or questions you might have, choose the 'additional support' on the form below. 

If you'd like further and more detailed support to extend your stay, she offers personalized travel planning services to help with everything from flights and pre/post-stay hotels to curated Google Maps and suggested itineraries. She can even help you plan extra time before or after the trip if you’d like to extend your holiday adventure.

Reach out via email: hello@richelletakesyou.com to enquire about booking her travel planning services. 

For our Italy Food and Markets trip, here’s what you need to know:

• ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) will soon be a mandatory electronic travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors, including those going to Italy, starting in late 2026; it's not a visa, but a pre-travel security check for short stays (up to 90/180 days) from 59 countries, requiring an online application linked to your passport for a small fee, valid for three years. Currently this is not required for Italy. You can check more information here: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/ltr

• Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your departure from the Schengen zone. 

• Currency in Italy is the Euro (€). Make sure you bring a credit card (notify your bank you’ll be abroad) and cash for market vendors or cozy cafés where cards may not always be accepted.

We recommend to book travel insurance. This is to cover unforeseen emergencies and cancellations that might come up. 

Our choice for travel insurance is via Safety Wing. Their Nomad Insurance covers all the basics you might experience one your travels.

To reserve your spot and room, a non-refundable 600usd deposit or full payment must be made at time of booking.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
Credit Card
PayPal
Bank transfer via wise or your bank
Direct deposit - Canada

*All CC and PayPal payments are subject to a 6% processing fee

Upon registration, information will be sent for your payment choice if you do not choose CC or PayPal.

Payment policies:
Your spot and room will be reserved with a non-refundable deposit of $600usd or payment-in-full. Please read our cancellation and booking policies so you are fully informed.

If you require alternative payment dates or a scheduled payment plan, please feel free to get in touch with regards

CANCELLATION POLICY

RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENTS
Reservations are initiated on receipt of either a full payment or non-refundable deposit of US$600 per client.
If a reservation is made within 45 days of the trip departure the entire cost of the trip must be paid at the time of confirmation.
All reservations are automatically canceled if all payments are not received by the due date, with full loss of trip deposit, unless otherwise organized with yoru retreat hosts.

RESERVATION AMENDMENTS
All reservation amendments will be subject to changes in cost of the original itinerary and will be subject to the same cancellation penalties described below.

CANCELLATION AND PENALTIES
All cancellations must be made in writing, signed by the client, and sent to hello@richelletakesyou.com.  All trips are subject to the following, per person cancellation charges based on the number of days before trip departure that we receive your written cancellation request.

• More than 90 days from scheduled start date: full refund minus non-refundable deposit and processing fee of 100usd
• From 90 to 45 days: 50% refund of the total costs minus non-refundable deposit
• Less than 45 days: No refund of trip cost
• No refunds for unused tours or services during your trip

REFUNDS
All refunds will be processed within 30 days after we receive your letter of cancellation and are calculated as of the day we receive your written request. In the unlikely event that the trip itself is canceled prior to commencement of the trip due to circumstances beyond our control, and you are unable to schedule for another time, all moneys are refundable with the exception of your personal trip expenses (e.g. non-refundable "advance purchase" tour tickets, deposit). There is no refund for any unused portions of a trip once it has commenced.

INSURANCE
Basic travel insurance that includes medical benefits is advised for each passenger. A comprehensive travel insurance policy including trip cancellation and interruption, baggage, accident, emergency assistance and medical assistance is advised due to the uncertain nature of travel. Please see the tab "travel insurance" for recommended travel insurance companies.

RESCUE AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
In the unlikely event of rescue and medical assistance being needed, the participant shall be liable for the entire cost thereof, unless covered by insurance.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
By forwarding the trip deposit or full payment, the client certifies that he/she does not knowingly have any physical or other condition of disability that would create a risk for himself/herself or other trip participants. Any required vaccinations must be recorded by the client's health practitioner on a valid vaccination certificate which the client must carry in his/her possession during the trip.