Under the Tuscan Sun: Italian Adventures With Your Grandchild

After you enroll, we’ll ask you to provide or update your personal information and preferences, which includes your health information, lodging and meal preferences for your program.

A passport is required for this program. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

This information about travel documents pertains to participants holding U.S. passports. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

United States citizens don’t need a visa for any of the countries you’ll be visiting. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

A signed Parental Consent form is required for this program. The form must be signed by both parent(s)/legal guardian(s) of the child participating in the program and returned to the program provider prior to the start of the program. You will receive the form as part of your program information packet. You will also be able to access the form through your online account.

For additional health information, please visit the CDC page for Italy at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/italy In Italy, pharmacies are easy to spot by the illuminated green cross. Start there for minor health needs—pharmacists can provide basic medical advice, recommend over-the-counter remedies, and tell you when to see a doctor. Most pharmacies accept both cash and cards. In the hot, humid lowlands (especially parts of Tuscany and the Veneto), mosquitoes—including the tiger mosquito—are common. Take precautions: use repellent (DEET, picaridin/icaridin, or IR3535), wear light long sleeves and pants at dusk and dawn, and keep windows closed whenever possible. Window screens are not standard in Italy, so take extra care. Plug-in mosquito repellents are widely used; you can usually request one from the hotel front desk. Smoking is banned in indoor public places and on public transport. Many cities and venues also restrict smoking in some outdoor areas. Look for posted signs and follow local rules.

If Road Scholar is arranging your air travel to and from the program, and you travel on the scheduled start and end dates, you’ll receive free round-trip transfers from the airport to the hotel.

Arrival day is on July 4, 2027

Meet the group at Grand Hotel Bellavista Palace & Golf in Montecatini Terme

Start of Trip:  2:00 p.m. Day 2 hotel check-in; 4:30 p.m. Neighborhood Walk; 6:30 p.m. Welcome Reception followed by Welcome Dinner.

Getting to the site: For those planning to reach the program site in Montecatini Terme independently, we recommend two transportation options: taking the train or a taxi. TRAIN FROM PISA (PSA): To opt for the train, take the cable-rail shuttle known as the "Pisamover," which travels between the airport and Pisa Centrale, the main train station in Pisa. The Pisamover tickets cost €5, and the train fare from Pisa Centrale to Montecatini Centro is €7. Make sure to validate your ticket before boarding. TRAIN FROM FLORENCE (FLR): Upon arriving at Florence Airport, exit the terminal and head to the nearby tram station. Purchase a tram ticket at a ticket vending machine. Make sure to validate your ticket before boarding. Board the Linea T2 tram heading towards the city center. The tram ride will take you to Alamanni - Firenze Santa Maria Novella, just outside the station. The journey usually takes 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic and stops; the tram fare is €1.70. Use the self-service machines at Firenze Santa Maria Novella station to purchase a train ticket to Montecatini Centro. Check the departure boards for the next train to Montecatini Centro, and board the correct platform. Make sure to validate your ticket before boarding. The train ride takes approximately 50 minutes, and the fare is €7. Upon arrival in Montecatini Centro, taking a taxi to your hotel is advisable, especially if you have luggage. The taxi fare is approximately €12. TAXI: Alternatively, you can take a taxi directly from Pisa or Florence airports to Montecatini Terme. The taxi fare for this journey will be approximately €100–125. This option may be more suitable if you prefer a direct, hassle-free mode of transportation.

Getting to the site by train or bus: Montecatini Terme is conveniently accessible by regular public regional train service from Florence and Pisa. To find the train timetables and purchase tickets, you can visit trenitalia.com.

Your trip ends on: Sunday, July 11, 2027 in Montecatini Terme at Grand Hotel Bellavista Palace & Golf

End of Trip: 11:00 a.m. after breakfast and hotel check-out.

Getting to the airport: Please follow the directions mentioned above in reverse order to travel from Montecatini Terme to Pisa or Florence airports.

Information if you are purchasing your own airfare: Participants who have not purchased airfare through Road Scholar are responsible for making their own transfer arrangements to the first site at the beginning of the program, as well as from the last site at the end of the program. The Information Packet Road Scholar sends in advance of the program includes details needed to make your transfer arrangements. If you wish to purchase airfare through Road Scholar, please call (800) 241-1404. Please note: In the unlikely event Road Scholar must make changes to the program's arrival or departure details, we will notify all participants as soon as possible. Participants who have purchased Road Scholar airfare are protected against airline change fees; however, anyone who has not purchased Road Scholar airfare will be required to make their own adjustments and may incur fees imposed by the airline.