8 Day Rome, Florence & Venice by Rail

• Watch what you eat. Try new foods in modest quantities, and depending upon your destination, you may want to avoid street foods, salad bars, raw vegetables and fruits, unless they have thick peels like bananas or grapefruit.
• Stay hydrated. Drink bottled water and avoid consuming ice cubes made with tap water.
• If you have allergies to foods, medications or insect bites, or have any other unique medical issues, consider a medical alert bracelet and/or a physician’s note detailing required treatment should you become ill.
• Wash your hands regularly and carry hand sanitizer.
• Where appropriate, pack sunscreen and insect repellant (for both active and warm destinations).
• You may also want to bring a small first-aid kit with bandaids, antibiotic cream, pain killers, bug bite cream, digestive aids like antidiarrheal or anti-bloat medications, antacids, and cold medicine. This is in addition to any prescription medications which should be adequate for the entire trip.

Your travel documents will include electronic rail tickets(e-ticket). Tickets will be sent to you a few days after your final documents Please call Virgin Vacations if you don't receive your rail tickets a week prior to your trip date.

Your tickets will be written in Italian. Please take note of the following important information (with English translations) on your ticket:

Ticket changes are not permitted. However, train and seat reservations may be amended prior to departure online at: http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=7318434eb728a110VgnVCM1000003f16f90aRCRD

In order to make changes you will need the PNR (Reservation code) and a CP Code. You will receive this information along with your electronic documents on a separate email. No changes can be made without the information required above.

Boarding the Train

For Italian Eurostar, Intercity and Intercity Plus:

The actual issuing of the ticket for Italian Eurostar (incl. Frecciargento, Freccariossa, Frecciabianca), Intercity and Intercity Plus ONLY trains takes place on board the train. The conductor will “issue” the ticket after checking the PNR (Reservation code) on your reservation with their list of expected passengers. In the instance that a passenger loses or forgets their PNR (Reservation code / Codice CP), but can provide proof of identity (using a valid piece of identification) that corresponds with the details on the list, the conductor may issue the ticket without requesting payment. Under all other circumstances, you will have to pay for the ticket. In the unlikely event that you are charged for a new ticket, please retain all receipts and ticket stubs to submit for a potential refund upon return to the United States.

Alternatively, prior to boarding the train, you may choose to “issue” your ticket(s) at a Self Service Machine. You will need the PNR (Reservation code / Codice CP) on the e-ticket which you will receive with your E-Document or Documents. Once you arrive at the Station, locate a Self Service machine and follow the instructions. On the self-service machine screen select "Internet" and follow the simple issuing procedure.

You will be allowed to collect your rail tickets up to 10 minutes prior to the train departure time from any self service machine (or station ticket desk in case the self service machines are not available or out of order). Before getting on the train, remember to validate your ticket using one of the punching machines located at the beginning of each platform.

There is limited space for luggage in the rail carriages, so lines may form at the time of boarding as people stow their bags.

For all other trains (Diretto, Interregionale & Regionale):

An actual paper ticket will be needed for all regional trains. Rail tickets will be delivered to the first hotel of your tour. Please call the local phone number on your documents if you do not receive your tickets upon check in at front desk

• Be aware of potentially dangerous places and situations as you would be at home. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and carry your valuables concealed in inside pockets or hidden pouches. Your objective is to avoid drawing attention and to blend in with the crowd
• Don't put all your valuables (money, credit cards, passports, etc.) in the same place (in case one wallet is stolen, you should have other valuables and identification in another safe place)
• Do not leave valuables laying loose in your room. Use the hotel safe. Keep copies of your passports, credit card numbers and travelers checks numbers in the hotel safe
• Credit cards are generally accepted everywhere and are safer than traveling with large amounts of cash
• Do not pack valuables (cameras, computers, jewelry, etc.) in your checked luggage. Keep hard-to-replace valuables with you in your carry-on bag
• Keep wallets safely tucked into front trouser pockets and/or wear a money pouch inside your clothing
• Carry handbags close to your body, shoulder bags the cross-body method with the bag in front of your body.

• Remain alert and cautious. Be wary of any unusual contact or commotion in crowded public places, including train stations, markets, subways and tourist sites;
• Be especially careful when traveling independently, or leaving your tour group to explore on your own. Try not to travel alone, especially at night. Avoid narrow alleys and poorly lit streets;
• Use only official taxis and check the change you receive from all taxi drivers and vendors;
• Beware of pickpockets often working with an accomplice who will distract you by spilling something on you, dropping a wallet or other seemingly valuable object, or tripping and falling down in front of you;
• Beware of aggressive street vendors who may approach you offering a demonstration which may end with you being pressured to purchase an item or act as a distraction for another pickpocket;
• Don’t tip beggars;
• Wear the shoulder strap of your bag across your chest;
• Carry modest amounts of cash (US dollars) in small denominations so that you can avoid flashing large bills when paying for small items;
• ATM machines can be a convenient way to carry less currency. However those machines too can be used for robbery. Be wary of anyone who can look over your shoulder when inputting PINs. Another scam involves rigging the machine with a plastic insert which makes your card retrieval difficult; the thief then removes your card after you walk away;
• If you are confronted, do not fight back - give up your valuables. If your possessions are lost or stolen, report the loss immediately to the local police and keep a copy of the official report for insurance claims.

• Ambulance/Medical: 118
• Fire: 115
• Police: 112

Please note that in addition, local feast days are held in honor of town patron saints, generally without closure of shops and offices. These include:

Catania:	February 3 - 5 (St. Agatha)
Sorrento:	February 14 (St. Antoninus)
Venice:	April 25 (St. Mark) & November 11 (St. Martin's Day)
Florence, Genoa & Turin:	June 24 (St John the Baptist)
Amalfi:	June 27 (St. Andrew)
Rome:	June 29 (St. Peter & Paul)
Siena:	July 2 & Aug 16, Palio horserace
Palermo:	July 15 (St. Rosalia)
Como	August 31 (St. Abbondio)
Naples:	September 19 (St. Gennaro)
Bologna:	October 4 (St. Petronius)
Trieste:	November 3 (St. Giusto)
Montecatini:	December 4 (St. Barbara)
Bari:	December 6 (St. Nicholas)
Milan:	December 7 (St. Ambrose)