ITALY

Country Info

Known as the cradle of Western civilization, Italy is one of the most historically rich and visually stunning countries in Europe. Tourists travel from around the world to explore its ancient ruins, marvel at Renaissance art, and enjoy its iconic cuisine. From the canals of Venice to the rolling hills of Tuscany, Italy offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Yet beyond its landmarks, the heart of Italy is found in its people—warm, expressive, and deeply tied to family and tradition. While Italy has a strong Catholic heritage, cultural Christianity often outweighs personal faith. This creates opportunities to share the freedom and life found in a personal relationship with Jesus.

BASICS

- Currency: Euro (€)
- Language: Italian (with regional dialects)
- Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant Christian, Non-Religious

CULTURE

Italians are known for warmth and hospitality, often greeting one another with a kiss on both cheeks or a warm handshake. Family plays a central role in daily life, and meals are a cultural cornerstone. Punctuality is valued in formal settings, though life often flows at a slower pace. When speaking, Italians tend to be expressive and animated, often using hand gestures to emphasize their words. Respect for elders and appreciation for tradition are deeply ingrained in Italian society.

EXPLORE (some of these require more time than you will have on the non-ministry day)

- Visit Rome’s Colosseum, Roman Forum, and St. Peter’s Basilica to explore the city’s ancient and spiritual heritage.
- Wander the charming streets of Florence, home to Michelangelo’s David, the Duomo, and world-class art museums.
- Take in the beauty of Venice’s canals with a gondola ride or a stroll across the Rialto Bridge.
- Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine at a local trattoria and sip espresso at a sidewalk café.
- Explore Pompeii for a glimpse into life in ancient Rome, frozen in time by Mount Vesuvius.

As a U.S. citizen, you will not need to purchase a visa for Italy prior to arrival or upon entry. However, if you are not a U.S. citizen, you will be responsible for checking on your country of residence's process to obtain a visa for Italy.

Below is information from the U.S. Department of State as of September 2025. We will do our best to update if anything changes, but ultimately it is your responsibility to ensure you meet all entry requirements. Be sure to review this carefully before travel.

PASSPORT VALIDITY: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date from Italy.
BLANK PASSPORT PAGES: You should have at least 1 blank page available for entry and exit stamps.
TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: No. U.S. citizens may enter Italy without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
VACCINATIONS: No vaccinations are required for entry.
CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS (ENTRY/EXIT): There are no restrictions on the amount of currency you may bring in or take out. However, if you are carrying $10,000 USD or more, you must declare it and provide documentation of its source and purpose.

Here is the link to the State Department website.

ENTRY FORM

Italy’s customs and immigration process is straightforward, but there is no separate online entry or exit form required for U.S. travelers at this time. Instead, you will present your passport to border control upon arrival and have it stamped. Travelers may be asked about their plans, proof of lodging, or return ticket, but no paperwork is required in advance.

For customs declarations, you will complete a paper form on the airplane or at the airport if you are carrying items that need to be declared (for example, large sums of cash or certain restricted goods). If you are not carrying anything beyond your personal luggage, you can typically proceed through the “Nothing to Declare” lane.

To make the process smooth:

Keep your passport and return ticket easily accessible.
Have the address of your lodging or contact information readily available.
If you are carrying €10,000 or more in cash or equivalents, you must fill out a declaration form upon entry and exit.

There is no requirement to complete an online form before arrival or departure from Italy, but it is a good practice to print copies of your travel itinerary and confirmation emails in case of spot checks or Wi-Fi issues at the airport.

PARENT VISION TRIP INFO

AIRPORT

You’ll be serving alongside one of our ministry partners located in throughout Italy. However, you will need to fly into the Naples International Airport (NAP) or Rome Airport.

DO NOT PURCHASE your plane ticket until the trip has been greenlighted. Once it is greenlighted, you will receive the arrival and departure windows from Parent Ministry so you know when to book your flight and where to meet the other participants.

MEETING LOCATION

Once all participants have submitted their flight information, we will schedule a shuttle or train time to take the entire group from Naples to Sorrento, where you’ll be connected with your student and begin our journey through Italy.

If you plan to be in Italy for personal travel prior to the trip dates, please notify Parent Ministry so they can help you arrange transportation to meet the group in Sorrento.

PACKING

You are required to pack in one checked bag and one carry-on bag, plus the personal item allowed by airlines as a second, smaller carry on. (Any items you are taking to your Racer must fit into this limit.) We recognize this may be a challenge, but we have two primary reasons for requiring this. First, we are unable to make return trips to an airport if checked luggage is delayed or lost. Second, we typically rent vans or buses to transport parents from the airport to the PVT location. These vehicles are simply unable to accommodate large pieces of luggage in addition to the number of trip participants. Even if you are arranging your own transportation to Naples, you are still required to pack in in the one alloted checked bag. This requirement applies to everyone, regardless of any extra travel you are doing.

CLOTHING

Please be sure to check out the general packing guidelines found in the Personal Preparation section of the Trip Preparation tab.

Please keep up to date on google for exact weather conditions. No short, tight, or clingy clothing is permitted. If you cannot raise your arms above your head or touch your toes without showing your stomach or lower back, leave it at home. Make sure clothes are not stained and/or torn. Please make yourself presentable. Shorts must come to the top of the knee. Capris and gaucho pants are great options! Skirts and dresses should be below or close to the knee. Shirts should be short sleeved. You may bring any types of shoes you wish. Keep in mind, you will be walking some, so comfort is key!

MEALS

Breakfast and lunch will be provided and covered by AIM.
Dinner will be the responsibility of parents.

On the adventure/free day, all meals will be covered by parents.

MINISTRY

LODGING

Parents may be staying in hostels or dorm-style housing, depending on availability.
Lodging and accommodations for Racers during the week between the end of the fall term and the start of the PVT will be covered by AIM.

Important Note on Family Visits

Parents and family members are only permitted to spend time with Racers during the official PVT dates (December 1–7).
If you arrive in Italy early or stay later, please plan accordingly—time with Racers outside of PVT dates is not possible.

FOOD / WATER / COFFEE

You'll be eating really good local food. If you have any allergies, let us know ahead of time before food is bought. We will do our best to accommodate your food needs, but may not always be able to do so. Please travel with snacks or other provisions that can bridge the gap if we are not able to fully support your dietary restrictions. Clean filtered water is provided for everyone, please bring a water bottle (like a Nalgene). Do not drink the tap water, and be cautious to brush your teeth in it as well. Filtered water is preferred. Coffee may or may not be provided. If you are super particular and in need of daily coffee, bring packets of your own.

WIFI / INTERNET

There may be wifi availability at the lodging site but often on PVTs we find that the wifi cannot handle a large number of parents and Racers being online at the same time.

NON-MINISTRY DAY

On the non-ministry day, since you are located in the city, you will be allowed to do whatever you'd like with your Racer! Depending on the schedule, you may need to be back for an after dinner worship time. All non-ministry day expenses will need to be paid for with personal money (except breakfast).

DEPARTURE:

The group will depart from Palermo on December 7.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION:

All travel from Rome or Naples to Sorrento will be covered by Adventures in Missions (AIM). Parents can simply submit receipts for reimbursement.

ELECTRICAL OUTLET

The standard residential voltage used in Italy is 230 V.

P V T E M E R G E N C Y N U M B E R : 877.356.9266

A D M I S S I O N S A D V I S O R : 770.744.4542

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