LUGGAGE:

We recommend that you travel with one suitcase with wheels that you can easily maneuver and one compact bag, backpack or purse. Limiting your luggage to one piece makes it easier for you to handle getting in and out of buses and hotels.

Please refer to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website at www.tsa.gov or the Air France website for up-to-date packing restrictions. Note that certain items are not allowed in your carry-on bag, such as bottles full of water or large tubes of toothpaste. For a comprehensive list of these items, refer to the Air France website .

We recommend that you carry all of your valuables including your medication, jewelry, money, passport, eyeglasses, contact lenses, camera, computer, and chargers onto the plane with you to reduce the chance of their being lost. We also recommend carrying your toothbrush and a change of shirt and underclothes, in case your suitcase is delayed.

AIRLINE ALLOWANCES:

• Air France allows ONE complimentary checked bag per person, not to exceed 62” total (length + width + height). Refer to the Air France website for up-to-date details.
• WEIGHT LIMIT: Lufthansa allows ONE complimentary checked bag per person, not to exceed 50 pounds total. Refer to the Air France website for up-to-date details.
• ONE CARRY ON: Air France allows ONE complimentary carry-on (to fit in the overhead compartment) and ONE complimentary personal item (to fit under the seat in front of you).

3-1-1 LIQUIDS RULE:

• You are permitted by the TSA to bring one quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Check the TSA website for further details.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Passport
• Tour handbook
• Flight e-ticket record, located inside your MCI neck wallet
• Concert attire and shoes
• Music for concerts, if applicable
• Instruments and other concert props, if applicable
• Credit and debit cards with PIN numbers
• Cash in small denominations in home or local currency (best used only as back up to credit and debit cards with PINs)
• Secure purse or wallet for your valuables, ideally with a zipper
• Pen or pencil for note taking and journal writing
• Phone and/or camera with extra memory card
• Chargers for electronics and phone
• MCI electrical adapter (we will send this to your Group Leader prior to travel)
• Personal toiletries
• Medications in original bottles
• Reading material, music, headphones
• Eye shades, ear plugs, inflatable pillow
• Weather-appropriate touring clothes (please no bare shoulders or short shorts at churches and holy sites)
• Shawl to cover shoulders/legs and to keep you warm
• Comfortable, weather-resistant walking shoes or sneakers
• Bathing suit
• Sunglasses & sunscreen
• A light weatherproof jacket or raincoat
• Collapsible umbrella, just in case!
• Eye glasses, contact lenses and lens solution
• Wash cloth
• Hand wipes or liquid sanitizer
• Band aids and tissues
• Refillable water bottle (a clear bottle is ideal, as some attractions to do not allow visitors to bring opaque bottles)
• Snacks

PACKING MEDICATION:

• Individuals who must carry medications in large supplies (such as insulin for diabetics) are advised to carry a memo on physician’s letterhead stating the following: full name of the drug, condition for which it was prescribed, dosage per day, quantity of drug necessary for the period of time traveling and a section stating that it is required for the well-being of the individual. It is also suggested that all medications be carried in their original containers with the pharmacist’s label attached.
• It may be required to show such documentation when passing through customs. Please refer to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website at www.tsa.gov or the Air France website for official instructions on transporting medications.

PACKING TIPS:

When preparing for a trip, remember that packing light can really make your tour experience more enjoyable. Here are a few packing tips of our own that we find helpful when preparing for a trip:

• Luggage – It is best to travel with wheeled luggage or bags that can comfortably be strapped over one or both shoulders to make it easier for you to maneuver or carry. We recommend walking around with your luggage at home to test whether or not it is manageable to move with before your trip. It is also advisable to bring a small day bag to use as your carry-on so that you can comfortably carry items around with you while on tour.
• Pack light! – Before departing for your trip, make a list and go through each individual object that you are considering to decide whether or not it is crucial to have with you. The less you bring, the less you will need to roll or carry when you arrive in airports and hotels and get on and off the bus. Plan your attire for each day of your tour so you can maximize on the mix and match options. A pair of black pants for example can be worn for a few days with different tops. One blazer can serve for many different outfits.
• Organization – When packing your luggage, remember that you will want your clothing and other items to be easily accessible. Rolling clothing, rather than folding and stacking it, helps to conserve room in your suitcase and will help ensure that that outfits are easily reached. When folding items that wrinkle easily such as dress shirts, try laying a t-shirt or other non-wrinkle item on it and folding that into the shirt; this will help to keep deep creases from forming. Most hotels will have an iron in your room that you can also use to make sure your clothes look nice.
• Footwear – We recommend bringing as few pairs of shoes as possible on your tour since they take up a lot of space and can be heavy. You should be sure to bring shoes that are comfortable, have been broken in and have proper walking support since you will be spending a fair amount of time on your feet.

CALLING:

• To call Italy from the USA: Dial 011 + 39 (country code Italy) + phone number.
• To call USA from Italy: Dial 00 + 1 (country code) + area code + phone number
• When dialing on a cell phone, you may simply press and hold 0 + the (country code) + city code + phone number. This eliminates the need to dial 011. The same holds true if dialing from a foreign country back to North America. This eliminates the need to dial 00 before the phone number.
• Note: It may be necessary to dial additional digits for operator-assisted or non-direct calls.

CELL PHONES:

Cell phone service is widely available internationally, but while it can be convenient, calling, texting and emailing with your cell phone can be very expensive, so be sure to check with your cell provider before traveling.

• Unless you have an international plan in place prior to traveling, go to your phone's settings and turn off the cellular data to avoid any unforeseen fees.
• Should you decide to travel with your personal phone while abroad, contact your cellular carrier in advance to check the following:
• Ask your cellular carrier whether or not your phone will work where you will be traveling.
• Check the international service plans available with your carrier as rates for voice calls, texting and data vary by carrier and by the amount of data you plan to use while "roaming" (using cellular data and not WiFi).
• Ask how much it will cost per minute to make calls home and how much it will cost to send and receive a text message. This will help you determine if you should sign up for a global plan (best if you anticipate using a lot of data), or a pay-as-you-go plan if you do not anticipate using your device much outside of WiFi zones.
• We suggest that you ask what the overage fees are for voice, data and texting in the event that you use more than the amount your plan covers. Consult your phone company for specifics on overage fees.
• *If you do set up an international plan, be sure to cancel it as soon as you return home.
• If you want the convenience of a cell phone but don't want to bring your own, you may decide to rent one in advance of your trip. Just type "rent a phone for international travel" in a search engine and choose from the many options that will best suit your needs.
• You might also elect to purchase a pre-paid calling card. These can be purchased at local convenience shops, post offices and newspaper stands in a variety of amounts. They offer dialing instructions in English. As you use your card, the charges for the call are deducted. Please be sure to check the instructions and rates for the phone you are calling from.

HOTEL ROOM PHONES:

The phone in your hotel room is a great way to communicate from room to room and for receiving wake up calls. We do not, however, recommend using your room phone to make calls outside of the hotel as many hotels charge high service fees.

WI-FI:

The most effective way to contact friends and family back home is by using Wi-Fi either at your hotel or at a Wi-Fi hotspot. Please check with the front desk for any fees associated with using Wi-Fi at the hotel.

• Apps such as Skype, Viber and FaceTime allow you to make both voice and video calls for free. The quality of the calls will depend upon the strength of the Wi-Fi signal.
• For Apple users, iMessage allows you to text other Apple users for free over Wi-Fi from anywhere in the world. However, data roaming fees will apply if you contact a non-Apple user. To avoid this, go to settings / messages and turn off the "send as SMS" option.

ALWAYS REACHABLE:

Regardless of how you choose to communicate with friends and family back home, you may always be reached at your hotel. Hotel phone numbers are listed in your handbook. The person trying to reach you need only call the hotel and ask for you by name. The hotel will forward the call to your room or pass on a message if you are out.

• In case of emergency, your family can also contact Music Contact International and our staff will contact you through your tour manager. To reach Music Contact International call: 1-802-862-2200 or 1-800-624-0166

CARDS:

We recommend using ATM/debit cards to get cash abroad. They ensure that you get the best exchange rate and do not limit you to banking hours. Be sure to inform your bank that you will be traveling abroad. With the increase in identity theft, banks and credit card companies are constantly monitoring for any suspicious activity on your account, including overseas purchases, which could result in a declined transaction if they are not notified prior to your departure.

• When you notify your credit card company that you will be traveling in advance of your trip, also inquire whether a service charge, currency conversion fee, or international transaction fee will be applied for using the card abroad. These fees are generally lower than any exchange fees you would pay for exchanging cash or traveler's checks.
• We do not recommend using credit cards to withdraw cash abroad as the cash advance fees are usually quite high.
• You will also be able to use a credit card for purchases in most places of business, though there are some locations (including some department stores) that only accept European bank cards. Many stores, cafes, and restaurants have a minimum charge (usually 10 Euro) for credit card use.
• Please note that many countries around the world are adopting a system of chip-and-PIN credit/debit cards which means that some machines will not accept swipe-and-sign credit cards (especially many toll booths and ticket kiosks). Because of this, it is always recommended to have spare cash on you while traveling abroad so that you can exchange at a bank or the hotel front desk if necessary.

CASH:

You may also find it convenient to carry a small supply of cash for miscellaneous expenses; inquire at your local bank a few weeks before departure as to whether they can provide a small amount of the foreign currency to you for the destinations you will visit. Shops in international airports will usually accept U.S. or Canadian dollars.

• The exchange rate as of The exchange rate as of August 2023 is: $1.00 = 0.91 € (Euro)
• In Italy, the unit of currency is the Euro. The banknotes come in different colors, sizes are in denominations of: 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 1 and 2 Euros and then 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Every Euro coin carries a common European design on one side and each member state has its own design for the reverse side. No matter which motif is on the coins they can be used anywhere where the Euro is the official currency. A visitor in France will be able to buy a hot dog in Berlin using a Euro coin carrying the imprint of the King of Spain.
• The above rate is only temporary and can be updated by referring to the Foreign Exchange table in your newspaper or through a number of currency exchange websites.
• You may carry an unlimited amount of American or Canadian funds during your trip. However, you may not depart from a foreign country with more money than you brought into that country.

GRATUITY:

We recommend designating one person in the group to be in charge of tipping for the group. Tips should preferably be offered in cash, in either USD or local currency.

PASSPORT:

You will need to make three photocopies of your passport. Please give one copy to your Group Leader four months before your trip so it can be forwarded to us at Music Contact International, leave the second at home with a friend or family member who will be reachable while you're abroad, and keep the third with you while you are traveling.

• Passport copies are collected to ensure that the ticketing information provided to airlines accurately matches your passport information. If there are any discrepancies between information on your boarding pass and information on your passport, you may be liable for additional fees at check-in or you may be refused entry through security and onto your flight.
• Having passport copies in-house also allows us to assist you if your passport gets lost or damaged while on tour. With your passport copy, we can support you in the event that you need to obtain a new passport while abroad.
• Passport copies are due four months prior to your departure date, so please take care of this important step at your earliest convenience.
• Check your expiration date! Your passport must be valid for six months after your planned return date. This requirement has become quite stringently enforced in recent years. It is of utmost importance that you examine your passport and check its expiration date well in advance of your departure.
• Applying for and obtaining a new passport without paying additional expediting fees requires ample lead time. Please be sure to check your passport at your earliest convenience.

VISA:

For individuals holding an American passport, no traditional visa is required. The European Union is preparing new travel document requirements for American tourists, and we will keep you informed as these requirements are finalized.

It is important that, if you have a passport from a different country, you verify whether or not a visa will be required for entry into Italy.

• Should you require a visa to visit your destination, please be sure to take care of this well in advance of your departure; these proceedings can often take long periods of time to process and sometimes have fees associated with attaining the visa. Making sure you have met all these requirements will ensure that you don't run the risk of hindering your travel plans.

The United States Customs Office allows you to bring home up to $800 worth of goods (retail value) without paying customs duty, if:

• articles are for personal use or gifts
• articles accompany you
• you have not claimed an exemption within the preceding 30 days
• You may include in this duty-free exemption:
• 100 cigars or 200 cigarettes (1 carton)
• one liter (33.8 ounces) wine, beer or liquor, if 21 years of age or over

You may choose to mail purchases to your home residence, but it will be necessary to pay the applicable customs duty on the merchandise upon your return to the country. Gifts worth up to $100 may be sent, free of duty and tax, to friends and relatives in the U.S. as long as the same person does not receive more than $100 worth of gifts the same day.

Gifts for more than one person may be shipped in the same package (called a consolidated package) if they are individually wrapped and labeled with each recipient’s name. The package must be marked “unsolicited gifts and consolidated package” with the total value and nature of each gift and the name of the recipient.

If any single gift is over $100, duty will be charged on the entire package. These gifts will not reduce your duty-free allowance. Articles accompanying you in excess of your $800 duty-free exemption will be assessed at graduated rates of duty based on the fair retail value in the country of acquisition. These articles must be for personal use or for use as gifts and not for sale.

When returning to the USA you will receive a customs card on the flight which needs to be completed before you cross through immigration. It is best to fill it out while on the plane to save time at immigration. If you are bringing over $800 in purchases back with you, all items must be declared on this card. If you have spent less than $800, you do not need to list the items, you just need to indicate the total amount you spent on items you are bringing back into the country.

Any weather can be great for touring! It is a good idea to know in advance what the weather will be so you can plan accordingly. About a week before your departure, you can begin to see reliable forecasts for the cities and regions you will visit. Check those forecasts online or in an international newspaper and plan for the specific weather you are likely to encounter.

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine." -Anthony J. D'Angelo

Florence, Italy

Together with your handbooks and airline tickets, you have received an adapter plug from Music Contact International. This adapter will allow you to use a European electrical outlet with your U.S. equipment; the round contacts will fit in a European outlet and the spade contacts of a US style appliance will fit into the other end.

• Almost all European countries use 220 volt outlets, while in the Americas 110 volt is standard. Almost all battery chargers for video cameras, iPods, digital cameras, laptop computers and other personal electronic devices can take a range of voltage from 100V – 240V and will automatically reduce the output voltage to the level required for the device. Please check the label on your charger to verify this information.
• Please note: if your electric appliance (e.g. a hair dryer, curling iron, hair straightener etc.) is not designed to accept multiple voltages, you will need a voltage converter. Voltage converters are available in specialty electronics stores. You should never plug a 110V-only appliance into a 220V outlet. It will destroy your appliance and could cause a fire.

SHOPPING:

Many stores are closed on Sundays and holidays. Please note that some religious holidays have an extra day (i.e. Easter Monday and Pentecost Monday). If you need to buy something on a holiday or a Sunday, you will find shops open in train stations or around tourist attractions.

PUBLIC RESTROOMS:

Typically, public bathrooms and bathrooms in restaurants or cafes will either require a coin to open the door or you may see a request to leave a tip for the person who maintains the bathrooms. For this reason, it is advisable to always have coins handy. The good news is that public bathrooms tend to be very tidy as they are cleaned quite often

SEATS:

Group flight reservations do not accommodate specific seat assignment requests. Music Contact International cannot accept seating requests from travelers. Your group’s seats will be allocated by the airline. These seats will be located within the economy section of the aircraft and there is no guarantee that spouses, family members, or friends will be seated together.

• We are aware that certain airlines are now offering pre-assigned seating for individuals for an additional fee. However, Music Contact International cannot address such requests. Even seat assignments paid for in advance are not guaranteed by the airline; aircraft and seat configuration may change, and airlines may reallocate seating at their discretion.
• To best accommodate your seating wishes, we suggest that you arrive at the airport early, check in at least three hours prior to your flight, and speak directly with the agent at the check-in counter. You may need to change seats once airborne with members of your group to sit next to your family members.

SPECIAL MEALS:

Travelers with dietary restrictions or food allergies should let their group leader know as soon as possible. Most airlines can provide suitable alternative meals if the request is made with sufficient lead time. If you are a vegetarian, please indicate whether you would like a Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo Meal (may include dairy products), or Vegetarian Vegan Meal (no dairy products.)

If you are planning on traveling with instruments or other equipment, please send us the dimensions (length x width x height) and weight of each item in its hard cover case. Also please indicate if the item will be checked-in or carried-on the plane, and note the traveler responsible for that item. Instruments can only be checked-in if they are in a hard cover case.

• Please send us the list as soon as possible; the sooner the airline receives your list, the more cooperative they will be. Airlines require that we send this list at least 45 days in advance of your departure in order for them to give us an estimate of any extra baggage fees that may be incurred. After that, we cannot guarantee that the airline will be able to quote fees prior to departure.
• Although the airline will provide estimated baggage fees for instruments, these costs can only be confirmed at check-in.