Destination Details

Things To Do Before Departure

As you know, the Italian Lakes Walk is based in hilly regions and at times we are walking in mountainous terrain. The walks range in length from 4 to 8 miles per day, with a daily average of 6 miles. You must plan to walk with the group for the entire day. There are some steeper climbs and descents with elevation gains and losses in the course of a day of up to 1,300 feet. Paths can be rugged with sections that are uneven and rocky. They may also be wet and slippery in places and muddy at times. We aim to walk at a pace of at least 2 miles per hour including short rest stops.

It is most important that you begin a regimen of training now. Take several 3- to 5- mile walks each week, including some up- and downhill forays. Work your way up to daily walks including an occasional ten-mile walk, wearing the boots you plan to bring with you and carrying the day pack you plan to bring with you. You will be surprised at how quickly your legs and lungs get in shape and at how good you feel afterwards. During the trip there is no "sag wagon" offering rides. 

It is recommended to download the app for your airline(s) and explore it by looking up your reservation etc. The app typically allows you to check-in for your flight in advance of arriving  at the airport. 

We kindly ask you to put on the blank side of the white card insert of your Stanford luggage tag, your first initial and last name in capital letters facing outwards (e.g. J. STANFORD).

Passport and Visa

Passport              

Per the entry requirements of the local government, you will need to travel with a passport that has at least 2 blank pages  and it should be valid  at least 3 months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area (note the U.S. State Department suggests your passport be valid 6 months beyond your date of departure).

We recommend you check the expiration date of your passport as soon as you register for your trip. The State Department announced in March of 2023 that processing times for passports will increase by 2 weeks. This means routine processing of passports is expected to take 10 to 13 weeks and expedited processing will take 7 to 9 weeks. During peak times it may take even longer for renewals to be processed, so plan accordingly. Visit the State Department for details about the passport application and renewal process and current processing times.

Visa                       

U.S. citizens are not required to have a visa to travel to Italy for stays of up to 90 days. In addition US citizens are not allowed to spend more than 90 days in any 180 day rolling period in the European Union Schengen area.

Citizens of other countries should check with the nearest consulates for specific visa entry requirements for their entire itinerary.

If you are traveling independently of the group or to any other countries prior to or after the group program, check the visa requirements with the local consulates of each country you plan to visit.

Accommodations

Our hotels were chosen for their location along our route and are the best available in each location. They are all four and five-star establishments.  Due to the size of our coach and the narrow streets, we will need to walk about 5 minutes carrying our own daypacks (carry-on bags) to and from our coach to two of these establishments. 

Following are links to the hotels on our journey.

Cordevigo: Villa Cordevigo Wine Relais (night of September 14, 15, 16). Località Cordevigo, 1, 37010 Cavaion Veronese VR, Italy. T: +39 045 723 5287

Sulzano: Hotel Rivalago (nights of September 17, 18). Via L. Cadorna, 7, 25058 Sulzano BS, Italy.T: +39 030 985011

Lake Como: Villa Serbelloni (nights of September 19, 20). Via Roma, 1, 22021 Bellagio CO, Italy. T: +39 031 950216

Stresa: Grand Hotel des Îles Borromées (nights of September 21, 22, 23). Corso Umberto I, 67, 28838 Stresa VB, Italy.T: +39 0323 938938

 Health & Medical

General Recommendations

Consult your doctor for medical advice on this program and use your best judgment when evaluating your health, physical ability and the appropriateness of this program for you. This program is a group experience and your level of ability and preparedness will have an impact on the other participants.

Medical care and facilities are readily available in Italy, although accessibility and standards of medical services may vary.

You are responsible for bringing an adequate supply of your personal medications as well as medicines for common ailments. Some medicines that are over-the-counter or prescription in the U.S. may be prohibited in some countries. Check with the foreign embassies and consulates in the U.S. for the country or countries where you will be traveling to find out what medications are prohibited, and speak with your doctor regarding alternate medications to bring, if necessary.

We recommend you carry the telephone number and email address of your personal physician, along with an up-to-date record of medications you take, known allergies and chronic medical problems.

Any traveler who exhibits cold or flu-like symptoms, including those who test positive for Covid-19, will not be required to isolate from the group. However, they may be asked to wear a mask and advised to isolate if their symptoms are particularly severe.

If you have any questions regarding medical advice in your travel destination, Crisis24 is our emergency assistance provider. They can provide advice and assistance before, during, and after your travels regarding vaccinations, medications, etc. You can contact them for advice:

• Phone number: +1-443-716-2305

• When calling or emailing, mention you are with the Stanford University Alumni Group.

Vaccinations       

At the present time, no vaccinations are required by the destinations we visit on this program.

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine and your yearly flu shot. Covid-19 vaccination is not required but is highly encouraged for all participants. Travel/Study strongly recommends that you stay up-to-date with the most recent boosters recommended for you by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

Ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on your personal medical history, where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the U.S. You can also check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website for the most up-to-date recommendations.

See your doctor before your trip to allow time for vaccines to take effect, ideally at least four to six weeks before departure. 

Drinking Water

The tap water is safe to drink. In keeping with our effort to eliminate single-use bottles on all Travel/Study programs we ask you to be sure to bring a refillable water bottle and/or hydration pack that you can fill in your hotel room and refill at lunch to make sure you have plenty of water during the day.

Meals

We generally start the day with a continental buffet breakfast at each hotel. In the middle of the day we stop for a picnic lunch where we showcase some of the best cheeses, bread and cold meats of the region (and the rest of the country) as well as providing ample salads and fruit to ensure that you get the chance to eat fresh food each day. Local wines are also served at lunch. In the evenings we usually eat in some of the best regional restaurants where local cuisine is highlighted. This also gives us a chance to sample a variety of excellent wines from the area as well as the wider country.

Digestive Health  

Traveler’s diarrhea is the most common health-related travel concern. It is not unusual for travelers to experience one or two days of mild intestinal discomfort at some point during the tour. Speak with your doctor regarding preventive measures and suggested treatment for traveler’s diarrhea.

Sun Protection  

The sun is still very strong at this time of year in Italy. To avoid overexposure to the sun during the program, bring a sun hat with a wide brim, a scarf to protect your neck and sunglasses that block 100% of UVB rays. A quality waterproof, long-lasting, ultraviolet A- and B-blocking sunscreen (at least SPF 30) is strongly recommended.

Motion Sickness

If you are susceptible to motion sickness on buses, small boats or ferries, you should plan to bring a supply of motion sickness preventives, such as elasticized “acupressure” bands, small electronic devices, herbal preventives (e.g. ginger supplements), over-the-counter medications or prescription medications. Following are details about timing on vehicles during our program that will help you gauge whether this is a concern for you:

Buses: Drive times are up to 2 hours at a time, sometimes over winding roads.

Boats: Cruise times on small boats range from 10 minutes to 25 minutes.

Insect Precautions

Insects are not a major problem. However, to reduce the risk of being bitten, protect yourself with long sleeves and pants and a good insect repellent.

 Altitude

During our program, we will be at elevations ranging from 300 to 7,000 feet above sea level on two days (15 and 22 September). All the towns on our itinerary are situated at approximately 600 feet above sea level.

Weather

Historically temperatures have ranged from the mid 50s in the early mornings and evenings to the 60s and low 70s (°F) during the day during this time of year. Since weather patterns are increasingly unpredictable, we recommend checking temperatures online at The Weather Channel or Weather Underground a few days before the trip departs. This will be your best source for up-to-date weather information.

Money 

This program includes accommodations, transportation, group meals as noted on our website (including wine at picnic lunches and soft drinks and local wine or beer at group dinners), entrance fees and gratuities for all group activities to guides, waiters and porters. You should need money only for personal expenses, meals on your own, beverages not provided at group meals and for individual purchases.

A few things to note about money while on this trip:

You will need to pay for everything in local currency using cash or credit cards.

ATMs are readily available in all cities on our itinerary. You may have to split off from the group on excursions in order to seek out an ATM.

Major credit cards (VISA, MasterCard and American Express) are accepted in virtually all hotels, most restaurants and large shops.

The currency is Euro. You can find up-to-date information and current exchange rates online, for example at Oanda.

Guidelines for gratuities that are NOT included in the program cost

Hotels: It is entirely discretionary to leave money for housekeeping staff. If you would like to leave a tip for your housekeeper, €2-4 per day is typically what is recommended. You should tip in local currency.

Taxis: drivers generally expect a small tip of up to 10%, by rounding the amount paid to the nearest convenient figure.

Restaurant meals that are not part of our program: It is not customary to tip wait staff in Italy because a service fee known as a pane e coperto is often included. If you wish to tip your server an additional amount of cash, you can round up the bill to the nearest five euros. It is important, and a legal requirement, to take with you a receipt at the end of a meal. 

What to Bring

Luggage                

We ask that you limit your luggage to one suitcase and one carry-on piece (in addition to a personal item such as a purse or handbag).

Regardless of your airline’s luggage weight limits, we ask you to keep your larger suitcase to no more than 42 pounds. Doing so will help our staff to transfer bags from one hotel to another and make it easier for you to handle your luggage on your own in the event you need to do so.

Participants are responsible for their own overweight luggage charges, so please be aware of your luggage limits during the program as well as the restrictions for your international flight carrier.

What to Wear   

We recommend, during the day, casual, comfortable activewear that you can layer. Smart casual attire is appropriate for evening meals, and often travelers will bring an outfit that can be dressed up a bit for the welcome and farewell dinners (jacket and tie not required, but a jacket for men is preferred for the fwelcome and farewell).

Laundry service and dry cleaning service is available in all of our hotels for a fee although a minimum stay of 2 nights is required. Note that this service may not be available on weekends.

Hair dryers are provided at all the hotels on our itinerary.

Note it is highly recommended that you wear your waterproof hiking boots or pack them along with a change of clothes for walking in your carry-on, in case of lost or delayed checked luggage.

When walking, you will undoubtedly work up a sweat. It is important that you wear the proper clothing and layers to protect yourself from overheating, experiencing the chills and from sun exposure. When dressing in the morning, we recommend you start out wearing three layers: a base, insulation and shell layer. As you work up a sweat, you can remove layers. When you stop for an extended period of time, you can add layers to avoid getting chilled. We recommend you plan to dress in layers as follows:

Base layer: short-sleeve, quick-dry shirts OR long-sleeve, quick-dry shirts (for sun protection)

Insulation: light weight fleece ; vest

Shell: lightweight waterproof rain gear (pants, jacket and boots)

Past travelers have recommended this website for an easy breakdown of how to dress in layers.

Footwear

In addition to proper clothing, sturdy, comfortable, well broken-in hiking boots with good tread and some ankle support are a must. If you are planning to purchase new boots, do so NOW and take several long walks between now and departure time to be sure they are comfortable and fit properly. Several of our walks will be up- or downhill and on uneven and rocky trails, where poorly fitted boots can cause blisters and other problems. Goretex™ boots are a good choice as they are lightweight and waterproof.

Socks are equally important as your boots. There are many socks made of fibers that wick moisture away from your feet and are designed with extra cushioning or arch support to keep your feet comfortable throughout a day’s walk. We recommend these socks over those made of 100% cotton or wool. We also recommend that you bring lots of socks. Heavy socks may not dry for several days, especially if they are made of 100% cotton or wool.

Clothing and Outerwear

• comfortable, broken-in walking shoes or lightweight waterproof hiking boots or waterproof hiking shoes

• rain gear: waterproof rain coat and waterproof rain pants. Note that it is advised to treat your rain gear to ensure it is waterproof for the trip as we walk rain or shine.

• lightweight poncho

• sweater, sweatshirt or light jacket

• windbreaker

• dressier outfit(s) for welcome and farewell dinners; jacket and tie NOT required

• scarf, hat and gloves

• bathing suit

Miscellaneous

• refillable water bottle or hydration pack (aka bladder)

• waterproof day pack or backpack large enough to hold your water supply, sunscreen, walking stick(s), rain gear and jacket, a snack, and whatever else you might need during the day. It can also serve as your carry-on.

• waterproof cover for backpack, if your backpack isn’t waterproof

• drybag to keep items in your backpack dry

• wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses

• collapsible umbrella

• voltage converters and plug adapters (see electricity section below)

• reusable bags for storing toiletries, supplies and keeping camera equipment dry

• money belt

• travel sewing kit

• TSA-approved luggage locks

• extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts*

• washcloth (many European hotels do not provide washcloths; if you prefer using one you may want to bring one or two from home)

• small scrub brush to clean your boots

Documentation

• passport*

• printed copy of your e-ticket for your flights*

• photocopies of credit cards*

• extra passport photos (in case you lose your passport and need to apply for a new one)

• photocopies of any prescriptions for prescription medications you are bringing with you* 

• a printed list of all medications you take (prescription and OTC)*

Toiletries, Medications & First Aid

• sunscreen and lip protection

• unscented insect repellent

• insect bite and sunburn relief products

• anti-bacterial gel

• tissues (small travel packs)

• blister prevention & treatment products

• Aspirin®/Tylenol®, etc.

• cold remedies

• anti-diarrheals (Imodium AD® and/or Pepto Bismol®)

• prescription medications (in their original containers)* 

• motion sickness preventives

• travel-sized containers of shampoo and conditioner (this helps one avoid using single use plastic bottles)

• travel hairdryer (provided by the hotels)

Personal Protective Equipment

While Travel/Study does not require masking or social distancing (unless mandated by local authorities or tour operators), we support all individuals who wish to do so in accordance with their personal risk tolerance and underlying health conditions. However, if a traveler is exhibiting cold, flu or allergy symptoms, we would ask that, out of consideration for their fellow travelers, they take precautions including wearing a mask during enclosed group activities. 

• If you do need to wear a mask, the CDC offers a guide to masks which you can access on their website, here.

• We recommend you pack a sufficient personal supply of liquid hand sanitizer to last you throughout your travels. 

Special Equipment

• drybag to keep items in your backpack dry

• small scrub brush to clean your boots

• binoculars (one pair per person)

• collapsible walking stick (and carrying bag)

• pedometer

• Often restroom facilities are not available along the trail and it can be necessary to make use of a bush, tree, rock or whatever else the terrain might provide. As we have a “leave no trace” philosophy, we encourage you to bring bags to remove your paper waste after your visits to “the woods.”

Electricity

Adapter

You will need an adapter plug that looks like this to charge any of your electrical devices. If you travel frequently, a universal adapter will cover you on this trip as well as your future travels. However, in general it is recommended you bring a universal adapter when traveling, in the case you may encounter a variety of outlet shapes. 

Converter

Most laptop computers, cell phones, and digital camera battery chargers can operate on a range of currents from 110-240 volts, in which case a converter is not necessary since the current is 230 volts, 50 cycles.

Internet                

Most of our hotels have free internet connections in the rooms but do not have a business center. Connection speeds will vary.

Cell Phones        

Contact your cell phone provider to find out how you can use your cell phone abroad. Charges will vary depending on the destination and your existing plan. Please note that many U.S. cell phone plans do not include international roaming, and charges can be quite high.