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GRAND CIRCLE TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE Impressions of Italy: The Amalfi Coast & Tuscany 2021 Learn how to personalize your experience on this vacation Grand Circle Travel ® Worldwide Discovery at an Extraordinary Value 1 Grand Circle Travel ® 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210 Dear Traveler, At last, the world is opening up again for curious travel lovers like you and me. Soon, you’ll once again be discovering the places you’ve dreamed of. In the meantime, the enclosed Grand Circle Travel Planning Guide should help you keep those dreams vividly alive. Before you start dreaming, please let me reassure you that your health and safety is our number one priority. As such, we’re requiring that all Grand Circle travelers, Program Directors, and coach drivers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure. Our new, updated health and safety protocols are described inside. The journey you’ve expressed interest in, Impressions of Italy: The Amalfi Coast & Tuscany vacation, will be an excellent way to resume your discoveries. It takes you into the true heart of Italy, thanks to our groups of 42 travelers (with an average of 30). Plus, our Italian Program Director will reveal their country’s secret treasures as only an insider can. You can also rely on the seasoned team at our regional office in Rome, who are ready to help 24/7 in case any unexpected circumstances arise. Throughout your explorations, you’ll meet local people and gain an intimate understanding of the regional culture. Journey into the Sorrentine countryside to visit a local dairy farm, which has been owned and managed by the same family and handful of master cheesemakers for generations. You’ll also stop at Cantina del Tufaio, a small, family-owned vineyard, where you’ll meet the owners and learn about their proud wine-making traditions. Plus, a portion of our proceeds goes toward the charitable efforts of Grand Circle Foundation: inside you’ll also see how your travel dollar helps make the world a better place. We understand that no two people are the same. That’s why more than 80% of our travelers take advantage of the freedom to personalize their experience. Join the 55% of travelers who extend their time abroad. Add the pre-trip extension to Italy: Rome, post-trip extension to Italy: Venice, or both of these extensions to your Italy vacation. I hope you find this Grand Circle Travel Planning Guide helpful. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact one of our Travel Counselors at 1-800-221-2610. Warm regards, Harriet R. Lewis Vice Chairman Overseas Adventure Travel P.S. For further peace of mind, please know that we are EXTENDING our Risk-Free Booking Policy through 12/31/21. Learn more at www.gct.com/riskfree-booking. 2 WHAT’S INSIDE TRIP SUMMARY It’s Included . 4 Departure Dates and Prices . 5 Freedom to Personalize Your Experience . 6 DETAILED DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY . .7 ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION . .29 Travel Documents & Entry Requirements . 31 Rigors, Vaccines & General Health . 33 Money Matters: Local Currency & Tipping Guidelines . 36 Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch . 39 Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits . 43 Climate & Average Temperatures . 49 About Your Destinations: Culture, Etiquette & More . 51 Demographics & History . 60 Resources: Suggested Reading & Movies . 63 Health & Safety Measures – Vaccines Required . 68 MAP . .71 3 New! Impressions of Italy: The Amalfi Coast & Tuscany Italy: Sorrento, Montecatini Countries: 1 | Cities: 2 Amalfi, Amalfi Coast, Italy Experience Bella Italia with extended 7-night stays in two scenic regions IT’S INCLUDED 16 days from $2995 • Choose to purchase Grand Circle’s airfare, and your airport transfers, Including international airfare government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges are included. Or, make from New York or Newark your own air arrangements Travel from only $188 per day • Accommodations for 14 nights in comfortable rooms with private baths • 25 meals: 14 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 6 dinners (including 1 Home- 15 days from $1995 Hosted Dinner) Tour only • 16 included features: 7 guided tours and 9 exclusive Discovery Series History of Campania Sorrentine Farm Travel from only $133 per day events: • Home-Hosted Dinner • Experience • Italy & the Camorra discussion • Vineyard experience • Art of the Renaissance Single Supplement: FREE discussion • Italian immigration discussion • Chianti cooking lesson • Olive oil mill visit • Exclusive services of a local Grand Circle Program Director (assigned to no MAXIMIZE YOUR more than 42 travelers) DISCOVERIES & VALUE • Gratuities on your main trip for local guides and motorcoach drivers OPTIONAL EXTENSION S • Personal headset for all included and optional tours on your main trip • Private motorcoach land travel Rome, Italy 4 nights pre-trip from $995 • Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person, including tips Venice, Italy • 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next trip 4 nights post-trip from $1195 To get a richer view of the Included Features on this trip, watch our Trip Itinerary video at www.gct.com/acm2021 The Amalfi Coast & Tuscany 4 RISK-FREE BOOKING POLICY: RESERVE WITH IMPRESSIONS OF ITALY: THE CONFIDENCE—NOW THROUGH 12/31/21 We will waive any change fees if you transfer to another departure date for AMALFI COAST & TUSCANY any reason—up until 24 hours prior to departure. 2021 DATES & PRICES See details at www.gct.com/riskfree-booking. MAY 1, 8; JULY- JUNE; DEPART FROM: APRIL AUGUST MAY 15, 22 OCT 2-16 SEPTEMBER OCT 23 NOVEMBER DECEMBER New York, Newark $4395 $4595 $4895 $4695 $4995 $4295 $3595 $2995 Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, $4495 $4695 $4995 $4795 $5095 $4395 $3695 $3095 San Diego, Tampa, Washington, DC Atlanta, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, $4595 $4795 $5095 $4895 $5195 $4495 $3795 $3195 Phoenix, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle Additional departure cities are available. Upgrade to Business Class may be available for the international portion of your flight. Call for details. APRIL; JULY- MAY 15, 22; AUGUST MAY 1, 8 OCT 2-16 JUNE SEPTEMBER OCT 23 NOVEMBER DECEMBER Land tour only $3295 $3495 $3595 $3395 $3895 $3195 $2595 $1995 ACM2021 Prices are per person. Airfare prices include government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges. All prices and availability are effective as of the date of this publication, and are subject to change without notice. Standard Terms & Conditions apply, please visit our website: www.gct.com/tc. Every effort has been made to produce this information accurately. We reserve the right to correct errors. For specific departure dates, current availability, and detailed pricing, visit www.gct.com/acm2021pricing SAV FREE SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS SHARE YOUR LOVE OF TRAVEL WITH OUR GOOD BUY PLAN on your main trip and extensions. New travelers you refer will instantly The earlier you reserve your departure We don’t charge you more for your save $100, and you’ll earn increasing and pay in full, the more you’ll save—up own room. rewards—up to a FREE trip! to 10%—plus, you’ll lock in your price. Each departure has limited solo space For details, visit www.gct.com/va For details, visit www.gct.com/gbd available—call today. Publication Date:12/29/20 1-800-221-2610 • www.gct.com/acm2021 5 Freedom to Personalize Your Experience Your Choice, Your Trip, Your Way Extending the length of your stay in a destination can improve your overall travel experience—and allow you to seek out even more eye-opening cultural interactions. Your local Program Director will help to ensure you’re getting the personalized experiences you’re looking for. In fact, 85% of our travelers are personalizing their experience in more than 85 countries. Call us at 1-800-221-2610 to discuss personalizing your vacation today or visit us online at www.gct.com/personalize-acm2021. Maximize Your Time & Value: 55% of our travelers Back-to-Back Trips: 90% of our travelers who choose to take a pre- or post-trip extension combined two vacations rated it excellent See more of the world and maximize your value by One of the most common vacations travelers combine with taking advantage of your already-included airfare. this one is Romantic Villages of Alpine Europe. If you're On this vacation, you can choose between Rome, Italy already overseas, why not see more of the world and avoid and Venice, Italy. another international flight? Plus, you'll save $250 per person when you reserve two trips right after one another. “Break Away” Options: 30% of our travelers choose to arrive early or stay late in their destination Air Options: More than 50% of our travelers Before or after your main tour or trip extension, "break customize their flights away" anywhere you'd like to go to do more exploring We make every effort to provide you with non-stop entirely on your own. flights and acceptable connection times to and from your destination. You also have several other ways you can Please note: Our Travel Counselors can help you plan your airfare if you'd like to "break away," however since this option personalize your air itinerary, including choosing your is completely on your own, you will need to plan your own departure city and airline, upgrading your seat, and more. accommodations, meals, tours, and transfers. Rome, Italy 6 Impressions of Italy: The Amalfi Coast & Tuscany 2021 16-Day Land Tour EXTEND YOUR TRIP PRE-TRIP Rome, Italy POST-TRIP Venice, Italy Your Day-to-Day Itinerary 7 GRAND CIRCLE TRAVEL Grand Circle Travel, founded in 1958 to serve the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP), is the leader in international travel and discovery for Americans over age 50.