FAQs

At Scappare Travel, we want 100% of your questions answered. Here are some of the most common questions we receive, however if your question is not listed please do not hesitate to contact us at info@scapparetravelclub .com

What makes us different?

Scappare Travel Club Experiences are different. We know Italy. We see, stay at, eat in, and vet each place we send our clients to personally before securing them for our clients or curating itineraries. Many of these places are restaurants we eat in or hotels we stay in ourselves over and over again, or recommend to family and friends when they are in Europe, our “go-to’s”. We also do not recommend every place we have seen or stayed in just because we are familiar with it. The places to which we send our clients require certain attributes, depending on the group or experience. In a nutshell, we won’t just send you anywhere. All of our experiences are hand-picked, vetted, and known to us not only as travel curators but also as travelers ourselves, with insider input from our trusted local contacts. We truly want you to have an amazing experience, and do our homework to make this happen for you, so you don’t have to.

Wouldn’t it be easier to just plan my own experience?

For some, yes! Not for everyone. If you are lucky enough to have unlimited time in Europe you can explore and absorb some less-than-ideal experiences as you seek out your favorites. Most people have a more limited time window so it pays to have the homework done for you. This way you can have an authentic but vetted experience. You might be someone who loves the experience but does not love the planning, reservation-making, language hurdles, deciding which restaurants are authentic or not, etc. We’ve got you. We’ll help curate everything from ground transportation, activities, services, navigating the wide range of deposit and cancellation policies, restaurant reservations and more – all in one place. Also, we will never steer you into tourist traps or places that give tour companies incentives or kickbacks.

What if I book an experience with Scappare Travel but would like to divert from the curated itinerary?

Totally ok! We cannot recommend or guarantee the type of experience you’ll have in a locale we have not vetted, however we at Scappare Travel understand completely that this is part of the travel experience and a valuable part of exploring a new place and culture. Keep in mind that with Scappare Travel you always own your own schedule and there is plenty of time on your own to explore, discover and try new places, or seek out places that you have been curious to try. You can frequent any place you like in lieu of the curated places however the package price for your experience would remain unchanged. We do ask that dinner reservations are honored, however. Many of the restaurants we reserve for our clients are local and family run, and they prepare their dinner service based on the reserved number of guests for the evening and we do our best to honor this.

Will my ATM or credit card work in Italy?

Your regular ATM card should work in Italy with a 4 digit pin. It would be advisable to let your bank or institution know ahead of time that you will be traveling and where, although many banks with updated security systems no longer require this. With each transaction at an atm you will pay a “conversion fee” and a “transaction fee”. Because of this, it can be generally better to pull out larger sums of cash every time you go to the ATM if you are interested in avoiding paying multiple transaction fees. Many places in Italy, particularly family run shops, restaurants, or in smaller towns require or prefer cash payment rather than with card so it is generally a good idea to have cash on hand. Chip enabled credit cards are generally reliable and accepted. You may want to chose one which minimizes or even eliminates foreign transaction fees.

Do I really need travel insurance?

In the end, the end this decision is up to you. However we feel that travel insurance is a must, and strongly recommend that you purchase a travel insurance policy. More people than you would think end up having to cancel trips for unexpected reasons, and you don’t want to make the mistake of thinking it will not happen to you. After a certain point, your trip cost is non-refundable. We are obliged to ensure deposits and bookings and are thus unable to recover the funds once having done so. This is based on when we have to pay our expenses on your behalf to our suppliers. When we are at stages that we no longer offer a refund, it is only because we have paid it out to others already and can not get it back at that point.

Tip: if you buy your policy right away, you could be eligible for a “Cancel For Any Reason” policy which offers the most protection.

Do I need converters or transformers for electronics?

You do. Electricity in Italy conforms to the European standard, coming out of the wall socket at 220 volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. In contrast, in the USA electricity comes out of the wall socket at 110 volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. In short, it’s different there and you’ll need to protect your electronics with proper converters and wall plugs. If you have an iPhone or Apple devices, the Apple store sells European plugs of all types which you can easily switch out for the American wall plugs to charge your devices.

Can you help me with travel planning before or after our time with STC?

Of course! Planning travel in Italy is what we love to do – and we know Italy. Just ask and we can put a special package together for you.

How is internet access in Italy?

The hotels that we stay in all offer in room WIFI and while the speed is acceptable by Italian standards the speed and access may not be quite up to the standards we in the US are accustomed to.

What kind of nightlife is there in Florence?

Florence is a big city, and there is a nightlife scene. Two great places for late-night cocktails or wine are (1) Vineria Sonora – a super vibey vintage/vinyl themed wine bar which showcases local and bio wines, with the nicest owners and staff you will ever meet. The place is super cute inside and there are a few outside tables. (2) il Locale Firenze. This place is cocktail heaven, and super classy. A fantastic place to wander into after dinner with a super cool ambience and they are accommodating to locals, tourists, and walk-ins alike! If you are into the club scene or want to go dancing check out (1) Tenax, or (2) Flo.

Is Florence safe? Is the Tuscan countryside safe?

In short, yes. Florence and certainly Tuscany are very safe. I have traveled to both alone several times and been out including at night and have never felt threatened or harassed. Keep in mind that Florence is a big city. It pays to be aware of your surroundings, keep money, passport, and other valuable items secure, and know emergency numbers ahead of time:

112 = National emergency number (police, ambulance, firefighters)
118 = Ambulance.
115 = Fire department.
113 = Police.

With this in mind, you can feel secure as you wander the Tuscan streets and tuck yourself into corners and yes even into alleyways to see what they hold.

Do I need to rent a car?

You of course have this option if you like, yes. It is not included in your trip cost but we at STC know that exploring and being in charge of your own schedule is important. Remember before you think about renting a car that already included in the cost of your trip are airport transfers at the beginning and end of the trip, as well as all ground transportation to included activities and back to your accommodation. Please remember that driving in larger Italian cities can be tricky, and even dangerous, for non-experienced non-local drivers.

Will there be laundry service available during my trip?

Generally speaking all of our hotel accommodations make laundry service available while stays outside of the larger cities may require that we make special arrangements which we are happy to do.

Do you have packing advice for STC trips?

Yes. We recommend that you “Stay casual and comfortable”. Unless you plan on visiting the opera you won’t need to dress up at all – although the opera if you can swing it is fantastic. We realize that packing is completely individual and varies with each person. However we thought there are some general packing curiosities you might consider for a Spring or Fall vacation in Italy. I myself follow these to a T every time I am in Italy.

WHAT TO PACK:

– Money belt. You’ll want to protect your cash, cards, passport, and valuable documents. They should be on your person at all times and the safest way is with one of these. This is an example: https://a.co/d/9yR2Lly
– Puffer jacket or vest. We will be traveling together for this experience in the Spring or Fall. The temperature can vary, and is crisp, with cool nights, mornings and evenings and the weather can change quickly. These types of jackets/vests are light weight, squish-able/packable. Plus – Italians wear them constantly. You will fit right in. Example: https://a.co/d/i3Yyvqe
– Layers. As stated, Springtime and Autumn in Italy are the most beautiful times to travel, with the best weather. But the weather is notorious for changing on a dime, and it does. Bring layers, you will be thankful you did. A typical outfit for a Spring or Fall day in Tuscany: jeans or light pants, a light cotton undershirt such as a tank top or fitted t-shirt, a pullover thin sweater, a puffer vest.
– Scarves. For both men & women. Again, this is not a must. However these are very handy to have in your travel wardrobe. They can spiff up an outfit such as for dinner, and help if there is a draft or breeze, and you can also use them as a cover on the plane.
– Medicine. Bring it – in your carry on. Creams (such as hydrocortisone), antibiotics if you have them, antibacterial ointments (such as bacitracin or Neosporin). The pharmacies in Italy are actually extremely helpful and have everything, it is true, and you can always go in and consult them. But it is good to have items of a medical nature you are comfortable with and know how to use. Check with your doctor before you go to ensure you do, in fact, know how to use them properly and for which use. And if Amy is on your trip, ask her. She is also a Nurse Practitioner and can advise you.
– Bandaids…these come in handy in many ways when you are there.
– Sunglasses. Or you can buy a fabulous pair there, of course.

WHAT NOT TO PACK:

A few ideas, based on years of experience traveling to and living in Italy, of what to avoid bringing with you. Don’t waste the space in your luggage.

– Flip flops. We wear them all the time in the US, Italians never EVER do. The streets and terrain we will be covering are not like the streets in the US, they are much different. If you wear flip flops, you will stick out like a sore thumb, and your feet will hate you.
– New shoes. Don’t do this to yourself. It is tempting to buy the perfect sandals or boots for your trip – so if you want to buy cute new shoes, do it way ahead of time and break them in. We have seen countless people attempt Italian excursions in new shoes and it never goes well. I also have personal experience having done this myself (more than once) – never again!
– Too much stuff! We recommend bringing only what you can manage carrying/handling yourself. For us, this usually means a carry on piece of luggage ONLY, as well as a personal item (bag, purse, backpack). You’ll have an easier time with the airlines, and you will not be the person dragging a bunch of heavy luggage you can’t manage all over the place. A way to avoid this is to pack neutral items you can “mix and match”, everyone does it and it’s fine.

How many pieces of luggage can STC accommodate per person on my trip?

One medium rolling suitcase and one carry-on ONLY. We can not accommodate more than this per person in the transport vehicles and it will not be taken with you. Pack wisely, see our packing guide above for some great packing tips!

Should I expect jet lag and what should I do?

Everyone is a bit different with respect to jetlag, as we all have different physiology. Jetlag can be an issue, but with some wise planning and some tips, you can minimize its effect on you.

(1) The moment you get there, ensure you put and keep yourself on local time. Meaning, try your best not to think of what time it is currently at home, but rather of the time it is in Italy (i.e. the local time) – and keep your mentality here.
(2) Do your very best to stay awake until it is bedtime local time on your arrival day. This could seem difficult, but trust that your body and mind will thank you the next day. It can be quite difficult if, after arrival, you allow yourself to sleep straight away and then have difficulty sleeping that first night because of it, and you wake up the next day having not slept and feeling “off”. Remaining awake until it is bedtime, Italian time, is the best way to go and will set you up for a refreshed feeling your first morning in Italy, so you are ready to go!
(3) Drink a nice coffee the afternoon of your arrival. Order a “caffe” at the local bar, and enjoy the beauty of an Italian coffee. Not only is this a delicious introduction to Italy and Italian coffee culture, its caffeine can help get you to bedtime on that first day.

Will my phone work in Italy?

It will work, yes, with a few pre-planning steps. We recommend contacting your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, etc) prior to your trip to let them know and signing up for an International Plan as not doing so can result in a much higher bill. In addition, many of our clients invest in a pre-paid data package via an eSim, which can also save you money. Airalo is a good company with good support if needed, but there are several others. eSims usually do not cover phone calls, rather they cover data usage and we find them of very good value.

Please note: we at STC do not manage or troubleshoot phone, connectivity, data issues or install/activate eSims. Please ensure you have a valid International Plan with your carrier and know how to use any purchased eSim or other data product you purchase so that your phone works within minutes of stepping off the plane.

Be aware: even when you have everything in order and ready to go with your phone and devices such as the above, it will take between ~1-6 minutes after turning your phone on after you land for the phone to find and become connected to local networks. These moments, after you’ve turned your phone on just after landing, and are waiting for it to connect can be worrisome as it seems your phone is not finding coverage. We advise waiting several minutes. It likely will if you have everything in order. Don’t panic.

Is airfare included in the trips?

Your trip cost does not include airfare, no. There are several reasons for this, the most notable of which is that if your airfare is booked via a third party, the airline will not deal with you directly should there be a problem, delay, cancellation, etc. which can be frustrating for the flier. Secondly, many of our clients choose to bookend their trip with us and add additional time in Italy, either before their STC trip or after. Airline tickets are specific to each traveler, so booking them is at the discretion of the traveler. Third, airfare can be very unpredictable and is always changing. Because of this it can be difficult to build it into a trip cost ahead of time.

We do have a service at STC which can help you search for airfare for a modest fee, if this is something you would like assistance with however you are free to book your airfare as you like, with or without the help of our service or any other. While Airfare is not included in our itinerary pricing we are more than happy to assist with any questions that you might have.

Do I need to speak Italian?

Nope! We do, and either Amy or Maria will be there with you in each city you visit in case you need help. Many Italians speak English and you can also navigate smaller interactions such as making purchases, buying coffee, by pointing and gesturing. We find the majority of Italians to be very friendly and helpful in this regard. We do however very much recommend that you learn and practice basic words and phrases for the sake of politeness before you go. Some of them follow.

“Salve” = Hello.
“Buongiorno” = Good Morning/Good Day (in a greeting sense)
“Per Favore” = Please
“Grazie (emphasis on the last “e” – don’t forget to pronounce it!) = Thank you
“Vorrei” = I would like

If you are on one of our Florence + Tuscany trips we offer an “Italian for travelers” beginner (optional) fun class at the beginning of your trip if you would like more formal instruction in the basics. It’s fun and easy, but also not necessary for you to be able to navigate things and enjoy your trip!

Will there be someone at the airport to meet and collect us?

100% yes. Either Amy or Maria will be at the airport at the stated meeting time and place, with an STC sign ready to collect you, transport vehicle waiting to take you and your luggage to your hotel.

Please note: There is a specified window of time in which we will be at the airport with the transport vehicle ready to be loaded with your luggage and to take you to the hotel. Please ensure you are there at that time and have a working phone number so that we may reach you as needed. Due to contracts and pre-bookings, we will not be able to remain at the airport after the specified window of time to collect you in the case of delayed or missed flights.

What if I don’t drink wine or alcohol?

No problem at all. You will be provided alternatives.

Will there be time to shop?

Definitely yes. While we endeavor to plan for lots of memorable activities and experiences we also recognize that part of La Dolce Vita is a relaxing stroll with time to navigate the small and curious little streets as well as the special little shops that you may encounter along the way.

How much walking or physical activity will there be?

As much or as little as you feel comfortable with. While discovering Italy’s many cultural offerings entails some walking, with our trips it is generally at the passeggiata (leisurely stroll) pace; unhurried and meant to be enjoyed.

Do I need a money belt?

A money belt is something to consider, but being aware of one’s surroundings and carrying reasonable amounts of cash and a credit card with a chip will help in minimizing this concern.

✨ Important considerations when traveling in Italy ✨:

They don’t have ketchup in restaurants. Best not to ask for it.
Remember you are in Italy. The pace is different here. Often the stores, businesses, restaurants are closed in the afternoons for a rest period. Learn to respect this, even enjoy it, and go with the flow. It is part of the insider Italian experience, culture, and lifestyle.
Cappuccino time finishes at 11:00am. Thereafter, you’d be wise to avoid ordering one.
Learn to go with the flow and be flexible. Italians are, and in doing so you will further immerse yourself into Italian life and culture.
Be aware of your surroundings and use common sense. Go with the flow.
Beware of unsolicited help and do not be afraid to say “No, Grazie” if someone approaches you and offers to carry your bags, etc.