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March 19-28, 2008
Travel and Flight Schedule
Your international flight is aboard Lufthansa Airlines
to Munich Germany arriving early Thursday morning. From
Munich, board our connecting flight to Bologna Italy
with a scheduled arrival time of 10:35am European time.
From the Bologna airport, we’ll be greeted by our
Italian hosts and transported by private coach to Riccione
and the Bike Hotel Perla (approx.1:20 min from the airport).
On our return home, will depart on Saturday, March 28th
in the early morning hours arriving back at Chicago at
about 1:30 pm.
Overseas air travel
Italy is in the European standard time zone, seven hours
ahead of the U.S. central time zone. Seasoned travelers
know that traveling through seven time zones can bring
on feelings of discomfort and fatigue. For some people
this might last several days. Because we travel overnight
on the flight to Italy, it is important to be well rested
prior to the start of the trip. Upon getting on European
time, be aware of your energy levels and allow yourself
to adjust to the new time zone.
Here are some suggestions for coping with jet lag:
• Every couple of hours on the plane get up from your seat
to walk the isle and do simple exercises.
• Wear loose fitting clothes.
• Drink liquids. Avoid alcohol. Eat light snacks throughout
the flight.
• Sleep or, at least try to. Eyeshades and ear plugs can
be helpful.
• Be patient and relaxed during security checks and the delays
that are a part of airline travel. We fly Lufthansa and
the Star Alliance to Europe because of their record of
timeliness and efficiency.
• Take a short nap upon your arrival at the hotel if you
feel it necessary, but most travelers think its best to
begin your routine right away.
Passport and other documents
You must have your passport with you at all times while
traveling in Europe. Your passport must show at least a
six-month validity date from the date of your departure.
DO NOT pack the passport in your suitcase. You will need
to present your passport at the airport on departure and
at O’Hare. Without it, you will be denied boarding.
As a precaution, make a copy of the photo page of your
passport and store it away from where you carry your actual
passport. The name on your air ticket MUST match that on
your passport. Make copies of your credit cards and carry
these copies separately. Take your credit card company’s
toll-free number for use from abroad so you can call in
case of theft or other card-related issues.
What is not included in the price of the tour?
Items of personal nature, souvenirs, airline security and
fuel surcharges, postage, laundry services for ‘street’ clothes,
meals-on-your-own, extra beverages not provided with
meals. There are interesting ceramics stores; good fashion
shopping in Riccione and Rimini; and a variety of Italian
culinary specialties such as olive oil, balsamic vinegar,
and, of course, wine.
Appetito buono!
Our meals are prepared to showcase the cuisine of this
area of Italy. Daily breakfast buffets, training buffet
lunches, and most dinners are included. You will find
pastas, meats, and seafood choices offered at lunch and
dinner. A special evening meal in the medieval town of
Santecarangelo is also included. Beverage options—at
an additional cost other than coffee, juices and tea
at breakfast—include a great variety of quality
wines. Local Italian wines are included in our Hotel
Perla dinners.
Should I change money before I go?
It is not necessary. An ATM debit or credit card works
well. ATMs are widely available, convenient, and usually
with English language menus. There is an ATM 50 feet
from the Hotel Perla. Traveler’s Checks are almost
never used and cash exchange of dollars is unfavorable.
Italy uses the euro for its currency. It currently takes
approximately $1.53 to buy one Euro. After we arrive
at the hotel, there will be time in the afternoon to
get money.
Larger stores will accept major credit cards for purchases.
Notify your credit card company or bank that you intend
to use your card in Europe and which dates. Credit card
companies may deny charges when a sudden change in spending
pattern occurs (such as from abroad) if they have not been
previously notified.
Medications
Bring enough prescription medications to last the duration
of your tour. Bring along a second pair of prescription
glasses or sunglasses to use as a backup in the event
yours are lost or broken. Aspirin, Tylenol, Rolaids,
Pepto-Bismol, vitamins and Lomotil are available but
are a good idea to have on hand
Emergency Contacts
If your family or friends need to contact you in an emergency,
they can call or e-mail the Hotel Perla.
Emergency Contact:
Hotel Perla, Riccione Italy
TEL. 011-39.0541606918 CELL 011-39.3397774939
E-MAIL: hotelperla@tin.it (emergency messages only please)
To call Italy one must dial;
Exit Country Code 0ll + 39 + City Code + The Number
How do I keep in touch with home?
Calling home from Italy is relatively economical and convenient.
Telephone calling cards are the best bet. A phone card
can be purchased from newsstands and tobacco shops in
Riccione and used to call home from the hotel or from
a pay phone. Verify from your long distance provider
what will be best for you. There’s internet service
for your use at the Hotel Perla and all rooms are wireless
connected.
Italian Culture and language
Our Hotel Perla hosts Ernesto and Frederica Bronzetti (Ernesto’s
sister), local tour guides, and bicycle guides speak some
English. Italian people appreciate bicycle tourists and
the bicycling culture. A smile and an attempt to speak
even a few words of Italian will be appreciated.
Tipping
Extra service from staff or others who assist you should
be tipped. Basic gratuities associated with your group
meals outside the hotel are covered in the tour price.
Waiters, our chef, bicycle guides, local tourist guides
and hotel service staff are trained professionals and
should be treated accordingly. As in hotels everywhere,
cleaning staff are appreciative of tips.
What about electricity and small appliances?
Hotel Perla has converters to use, especially handy to
charge camera batteries. European electric current is
220 volts at 50 cycles while our electrical appliances
operate on 110 volts at 60 cycles. This means our appliances
(shavers, hair dryers, and irons) need both a converter
and adapter. Converters can be purchased at most luggage
or department stores for about $20. You can also buy
dual voltage appliances here that only require a special
adapter plug.
Biking preparation
It is most important to get some saddle time before you
go. The best way to train is to ride but that being impossible,
try to get at least 3 days-a-week of some type of saddle
time (a stationary bike or spinning class) from now until
we leave.
How much luggage may I bring?
Although you can check two bags for each person, we find that if clothing and
personal items fit in one suitcase and one carry on per person you will be
happier. . Checked bags can weigh no more than 50 pounds each. Excess baggage
weight will incur significant additional airline charges. Keep travel documents,
money, cameras, prescription medications, and other valuables in your carry-on.
All luggage must be kept unlocked or have a universal lock available at luggage
stores. All luggage should have tags attached with your name and home address.
Put your name and address inside as well.
Packing tips
Pack light, easy-care fabric clothes. Liquids such as nail polish, eye drops,
or drinking water are not allowed in your carry-on but must be packed in checked
luggage.
•
Pack heavy, solid items first, such as shoes and helmet, in the bottom of the
bag.
•
Pack jackets, skirts, and dresses inside out. Inverted wrinkles don’t
wrinkle as much. Use plastic from a drycleaner to pack each “wrinkleable” item
separately.
•
Lay out everything you plan to take before packing. Mix and match clothing
(jerseys too) to see if you need more or less of something.
• If you have space, pack a collapsible spare bag
to carry purchased items home.
Bike clothes and equipment
Attached is a list of clothing and equipment suggested
to bring to Italy. The list includes your bicycle helmet,
pedals and shoes. To insure optimum comfort level and
performance, your rented bicycle will be fitted with
your pedals. The Hotel Perla will do bicycling laundry
daily—you’ll get a mesh bag for the riding
clothes you want washed. They will be returned clean
the next day.
Leisure clothing
Off-bike activities will be varied and informal—bring
comfortable shoes and clothes for leisure and sightseeing
activities. You may wish to bring a set of clothes for
evenings as we plan a night “out-on-the town” in
Riccione; a town known for its nightlife. Swimwear is appropriate
as there is a sauna and outside pool at the hotel and we
are adjacent to the Adriatic sea; although the water is
usually not yet warm enough for comfortable swimming during
this time of year.
Weather
The average high temperature for mid to late March in Riccione
is 59-62 degrees with an average low of 45 degrees. On
some of the longer rides we will be climbing into altitude
where it may be snow covered. Bring appropriate clothing.
Customs allowance
We will pass through U.S. Customs when we reenter the USA
at O’Hare airport. Each person can bring can bring
back $800 worth of duty-free goods. This includes 4 bottles
of wine that must be packed in luggage and cannot be taken
on board. The next $1,000 is taxable at 10 percent. The
personal exemption and limit on alcohol are per person.
Honesty is the best policy. Do not attempt to bring fruit,
vegetables or any meat products back into the US. European
shopkeepers are often willing to ship goods for you from
their store.
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