FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions
•Subscribe•- How do I reserve a tour or reach Ciao Darcy?
- To sign up for a Ciao Darcy Tour, go to our Reservations page.
- To reach Ciao Darcy, complete the form on the Contact page.
- How do I pay for my tour?
- You can mail a personal check paid to Ciao Darcy and sent to the address below or call 425.941.0164 for credit card transactions.
- Ciao Darcy
321 High School Rd NE, Ste D3 #122
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
- How large are your tours?
- We are a small tour company taking on average 8-10 people. This way we can stay in smaller, charming, family-run hotels. We also have a larger choice of restaurants, eating in wonderful local trattorias.
- What is included in the tour?
- All hotel accommodations (double occupancy)
- All breakfasts, some lunches and most dinners with wine – see specific tour for details
- All park entry fees
- All scheduled admission fees
- Gratuities for hotels, meals, and local guides
- All transportation during the trip, including bus, boat, train, cable car or funicular
- What’s not included?
- Airfare is not included in the tour price however.
- Transfers to the hotel at the beginning and the end of the tour.
- What about trip insurance?
- We highly recommend taking out trip insurance before your departure.
- Travel Guard: www.travelguard.com
- Insure My Trip: www.insuremytrip.com
- TravelersMed: Short term medical travel insurance – www.travelersmed.com
- What will the weather be like?
- The best weather is generally found in spring and autumn. Rain can be common in March, April, May and September. Check out some weather web sites before you go:
- www.weather.com
- www.usatoday.com/weather
- How physically fit do I have to be?
- To comfortably complete our walking tours, you should be able to hike moderate terrain with some hills and be able to climb a number of stairs. We will be walking a fair amount in the towns we visit. To prepare yourself for one of our tours, start a walking program at least 2 months before the tour.
- Do I have to carry my own luggage?
- Yes, so pack light and use luggage with sturdy wheels. We try to book a hotel with an elevator but that is not always available. For helpful hints on packing, check out the following sites:
- One Bag – www.onebag.com
- The Container Store – www.thecontainerstore.com
- Don’t want to check your luggage?
- Try a luggage shipping service! They will come to your house and ship your luggage directly to your hotel. We recommend:
- Luggage Free: www.luggagefree.com
- Luggage Forward: www.luggageforward.com
- What should I pack for my trip?
- The most important item should be your shoes! Wearing poorly fitting shoes on our tours is a recipe for disaster.
- We will be doing a lot of walking/hiking so it is important to wear something with good support and traction.
- A light-weight Gore-Tex jacket is a good idea in case of rain.
- A daypack is a must for carrying personal belongings you will want for the day, such as an umbrella, water, sunglasses and to have room for any purchases you may pick up along the way.
- For packing tips, click here »
- How do I apply for a US passport?
- For passport services, go to http://www.travel.state.gov
- What can I bring home from my vacation?
- For customs information, go to http://www.cbp.gov
- Could you design a private tour for my family/friends?
- Yes, we can design a tour according to your needs and interests. Whether you are interested in cooking, ancient history, challenging hikes, or all three, we are ready to create a unique vacation for you and your family/friends. Our Itinerary Planning Services are available to handle the research, planning and booking for you.
