Air�conditioning If we state that an hotel has air�conditioning , this can be a fully integrated unit or sometimes just a portable unit placed in your room . Air�conditioning is sometimes only in use from June to September .
Street life , local events , weddings and banquets The Italian way of life is different in that , because of the climate , work can start early in the morning , stop over the lunch�time and afternoon period and restart in the evening . Italians tend to dine late and stay up quite late . This can result in a different pattern of local noise from the pattern you ’ re used to at home . In towns and cities traffic can be noisy . Even in the country , animals and agricultural machinery can be noisy . Local events such as processions , fairs and festivals take place throughout Italy in towns and villages . Such events are integral to local life and do provide local colour . Weddings and banquets can be held at our hotels , especially as so many are held in such high esteem by the hotels . Some of our hotels do hold conferences , particularly out of high season . It is possible that you can be staying at an hotel when they ’ re hosting such a party . Some hotels do advise us at the time of booking if they know at that point what ’ s been planned . Others don ’ t necessarily advise us . Even though you are on holiday , local life has to continue and therefore rubbish has to be collected , deliveries have to be made and these things may take place early in the morning .
Parking Most of our hotels have a car park of their own . Most do not charge for use of an open�air car park but if they have a garage or a secure car park they will probably charge for it . Charges can vary from about Euro 5 to Euro 30 per day . Charges are highest in the cities . Charges for parking are not included in the price of your holiday unless specifically stated as such .
Credit cards Credit cards are widely accepted in Italy , from hotels to petrol stations , motorway tolls and supermarkets . Mastercard and Visa are accepted almost without exception with American Express less readily welcomed . However , some places may not accept credit cards .
Administration
We understand that efficient administration is important to you .
Your holiday documentation We aim to send you your holiday documentation about 3 weeks before the departure date of your holiday . Your holiday documentation will include : ferry ticket ( one per car ) or flight tickets ( one per person and either a paper ticket or an E�ticket ), car hire voucher and notes about car hire in Italy ( for fly�drive holidays ), a voucher to be given to each hotel on arrival , a set of helpful hints per region and hotel , hotel leaflets if available . It may be the case that , for administration purposes , your flight tickets will be sent to you after the rest of your holiday
162 documentation .
Check�in times For flights you should check�in at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time of your flight . For ferries and Eurotunnel , we are advised about 20 minutes at least for Dover or Folkestone with the other ports requiring 45 minutes to one hour .
Names on flight tickets The name in your passport is the name that must appear on the flight ticket . The names you provide us with at the time of booking are those in which we will make your flight booking . We are not allowed to make name changes to flight bookings once the booking has been made . Even a change of initial is not allowed . If we have to change a name , a new booking has to be made , the old booking is lost and perhaps a charge has to be levied to secure new space ( at an additional cost or to cover cancellation charges on the original booking ). This is particularly important with clients who are taking a honeymoon . You must advise us of the correct names at the time of booking .
Passports and Visas Adults require a full 10 year passport to travel to countries featured in this brochure with six months left before expiry . Children require their own passports . For further information please refer to the Passport Office . Non�EU passport holders are responsible themselves for checking passport and visa regulations applicable for entry to countries featured in this brochure . The Company bears no responsibility for passport and / or visa regulations for non EU passport holders . This also applies to holders of British passports issued in some overseas places .
Driving Licences The Italian State Tourist Office advises us that to drive in Italy you need to be in possession of a European Community model driving licence ( usually pink or pink and green in colour ). If you only have an old�style green UK driving licence you should endeavour to change this in good time for your holiday to a new European Community model or take an International Driving Permit with you to use in conjunction with your current driving licence .
Changes to your booking We work very hard to arrange your holiday . If , once we have made the arrangements , you want to make changes , then we will of course do our best to accommodate you . However , changes do cost time and money and therefore charges do have to be made . The level of charges is detailed in our booking conditions .
Executive Club number If you have a BA executive club number or a Hertz no 1 club number , we are happy to advise the supplier at the time of making the booking . In any case , the acceptance of your executive numbers in connection with an Italian Expressions holiday is at the discretion of the suppliers concerned .
Pregnancy If you are pregnant at the time of travelling on holiday , you should advise us . Airlines have www . expressionsholidays . co . uk
restrictions about carrying passengers who are pregnant , so it is imperative that you advise us , at the time of booking if you are already pregnant or as soon as you can .
Insurance We advise most strongly that all our clients are adequately insured ( in case of illness abroad or cancellation or curtailment due to unforeseen circumstances ). Please remember that we cannot be liable for any costs , losses and liabilities which may be incurred and which are not our liability under the terms of the contract governing these holidays if you have not taken out adequate insurance .
Health requirements If you are suffering from any disability or illness , this should be communicated to us before you make a booking . Health regulations for overseas travel may change from time to time . A leaflet is available ( T4 ) ‘ Health Advice to Travellers ’ from the Department of Health by telephoning Freephone 0800�555777 . You should also make yourself aware of the associated risks of DVT from air travel .
Government information The UK government has an excellent website www . fco . gov . uk from which you should obtain up�to�date information about worldwide destinations . This site gives details about trouble spots but also general advice about most countries . We advise most strongly that you visit the site to check notices about your intended destination before you book your holiday and travel .
Extra information
Crime Precautions to prevent crime are often a matter of common sense . We would like to remind you when on holiday to take care , remember to lock possessions away from sight , be careful of handbags , wallets and purses in public and especially in crowded places , keep car doors locked , keep valuables out of sight even when you ’ re in the car , use the room or hotel safe for valuables � just a few examples .
National holidays in Italy Some tourist attractions as well as banks etc may close on the following days : 1 January 6 January ( Epiphany ) Easter Monday 25 April ( Liberation Day ) 1 May ( Labour Day ) 15 August ( Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary ) 1 November ( All Saints ) 8 December ( Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary ) Christmas Day Boxing Day
There are a number of local feast days that can affect conditions locally . Museums tend to be closed on Mondays