Veneto Region (North-East Italy)

• You can contact us to book your stay by emailing hello@sojournventurestravel.com

• We suggest you contact us as soon as you know when you would like to travel so we can do our best to book your preferred dates. We reccommend booking 1 year out if possible.

Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)

Venezia Santa Lucia Station (about 2 hours by train from Florence, 2.5 hours by train from Milan)

• May-September will have the warmest weather and also the largest crowds. October-April tends to have fewer crowds but also less predictable weather, and Venice is notorious for winter and springtime flooding, so that should also be a consideration. Ultimately it is up to you, as there are pros and cons to every season.

You will only need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned date of departure from Europe.

Visas will be required starting in 2025 to enter Europe. The visa is called an ETIAS visa

No. Venice is a collection of tiny islands connected by canals and pedestrian bridges. If you are arriving by car you will need to drop it off on the mainland and catch a water taxi or vaporetto (water bus) to reach the main part of the city.

• Yes, our local partner will meet you at the train station and accompany you to your accommodations. If you are taking a water taxi from the station he will help you get the taxi but transportation costs are not included in the service.

• Our local partner can help secure luggage porters if you need help with your bags. That is a separate service and will need to be paid in cash to the porters directly. Please advise our team in advance if you will need assistance so this can be arranged.

You need to get a special international plan for texting and phone service before arriving in Italy. We strongly encourage you to bring a Smartphone that has been activated with an international plan, in the event of an emergency or unforeseen delay to your arrival in Cortona.

You can usually buy euros in advance through your bank. There are ATMs in all airports and train stations, as well as several in central Cortona. Many restaurants and shops accept Visa and Mastercard.

Wheelchair access is unfortunately not as prevalent in Europe as it is in the U.S. You should be aware that most public buildings such as museums are not wheelchair accessible. In addition, city centers and train transport can be extremely difficult. Cortona is very hilly and has very few level areas for wheelchairs.

None of the in-town accommodations are entirely accessible by wheelchair. If you are an individual with reduced mobility, please contact us for more information.

• Within the city, the main form of public transportation is the Vaporetto (water bus), which runs the length of the Grand Canal.

• Alternatively, you can take water taxis. There are water taxi stands at most of the big landmarks on the Grand Canal, as well as at the airport and train station.

• Italy operates on a 220 volt system. You will need simple plug adapters for items like computers, cameras, and phone chargers.

• You will need an actual electrical transformer or converter to convert the voltage for items like hair dryers, hair curling and straightening irons, or electric shavers.

• Italians are used to having Americans tip, since we are a tipping culture. Your tips are more than welcomed and appreciated.

• A 15-20% tip is recommended. These are some services where you would be expected to tip:

• Restaurants

Taxis

Tour guides

Chefs from cooking classes

Hotel concierge service, bellhop

Cleaning services in private residences (Cortona) and hotels