Hi Guys, hope all is well with each of you, and we hope you're getting excited about your upcoming Italy Adventure! We've recently received a couple different questions from guests on your upcoming Tuscany Expedition this May, and we'll talk about them here...
First, someone has reached out about the new Schengen Area Entry/Exit System known as EES. The new EES system has been in the works for years and has been delayed several times already. They're now estimating that it will come online and be active starting November 10th, 2024". Travelers will need to scan their passports at a self-service kiosk each time they enter or cross an EU external border. The system will register the traveler’s name, biometric data, and the date and place of entry and exit. Facial scans and fingerprint data will be retained for three years after each trip.
If this is in place when you travel in May of 2025, there's nothing you need to do in advance of traveling. (unless you're an international jewel thief). You'll just scan your passport at the arrival airport and the kiosk will snap a facial photo and you'll put your fingers on a digital scanner for fingerprints.
The other new program coming out is The New European Travel Information and Authorization Services (ETIAS). This program has been delayed multiple times over the last 3 years, and is now slated to come online "Mid-2025". It will require non-EU travelers entering Europe to register in advance online for a visa-like document that will be valid for 3 years. Passengers will apply online or via a mobile app and be checked against EU borders and security systems. Most applications will be approved within minutes, but it could take up to 30 days. It will be valid for three years or until the holder’s passport expires (whichever is sooner), at a cost of €7 for those aged 18 to 70. It’s free for those outside this age range.
But again, this is not in place yet, but it may be by the time you're traveling in mid-May of 2025. We will keep you updated on this as we're sure a lot more information will come out on this after the beginning of the year!
But we do always take every opportunity to remind you that the Italian government requires you to have a US Passport that's valid for at least 6 months after your scheduled return date from Italy. If you need a passport or if you need to renew your passport, we strongly urge you to work on it now. It sometimes can take upwards of 3 - 4 months to get a new one or renew.
And lastly, someone has asked about due dates for final payments. Your final balances are due no later than November 17th, (approx 30 days from now). You can make these payments several different ways;
- Personal check
- Zelle Transfer
- ACH or Wire Transfer
- Credit Card
Adventures To Tuscany,
215 Country Acres Dr.
Kunkletown, Pa 18058
If you prefer, you can make a free Zelle transfer from your bank account to our business account at Bank of America by simply making the transfer to our email address: AdventuresToTuscany@gmail.com . (we will caution you that some banks have daily limits on Zelle transfers that could make this more difficult as you might have to make several payments over the course of a week).
Alternatively, if you know how to do it, you. can make an ACH transfer or a Wire transfer from your account to ours; your bank would have to instruct you on their policies and fees to do this. Most banks charge a fee for these services and it can be anywhere from $10 to $30.
And lastly, you can of course use a credit card to make the payments; we happily accept Visa, MasterCard & American Express. But you should be aware that to keep our Tour prices as low as possible, we pass the bank's credit card processing fees (2.75%) on to you. (ie: if your balance is $6290, those fees would be an additional $173.00).
We'll watch for your payments in the mail... If you choose to make any of the above mentioned electronic or digital payments, (Zelle, ACH, Wire or Credit Card) please notify us so we can watch for them.
there are many renditions of this song that are better recordings, but Grahm Nash telling the story behind the song makes this very special... if you're old enough to have been a CSNY fan, you'll appreciate this!
