In order to register please click on the “Register Now” button at the top of this webpage. We will then process your registration and contact you by email with more information.

For questions regarding cancellation, please refer to our Terms and Conditions found here: https://prorome.com/terms-conditions/

Airline

The group is flying on United Airlines from Washington Dulles (IAD). See the brochure for the detailed flight itinerary. The cost of $1250 is included in the package price. If you opt to fly on your own this amount will be deducted from your invoice.

Seating

The group will be allocated a block of seats in the economy cabin of the airplane and seats will be assigned automatically during check-in. Passengers with the same last name will be seated next to each other.

Upgrades

As upgrades are not possible on group bookings, we can book you the same flight as the group but in an upgraded cabin. In this event you will be given the “flying separately discount” which is $1250 and the new airfare cost will be added to your invoice. Please contact our travel agent Alex for more information: alex@prorome.com

The Weather 

You can expect pleasant weather in Spain in mid to late October. Daytime temperatures average a high in the mid-70s, with early mornings and evenings falling to the mid-50s. There will be a chance of rain when in the northern part of Spain. Lourdes will be a little cooler, averaging temperatures in the mid-40s to the mid-60s. 

Packing 

Please remember to bring one rain jacket and at least two pairs of shoes – a pair for more formal occasions and a pair for touring. Although we’ve eliminated as much walking as possible, Italian city-centers are more often than not pedestrian only. We will be walking (on average) three to eight miles each day. Make sure your “tour shoes” are broken-in and comfortable. 

Tip: Many seasoned travelers pack the essentials in their carry-on bag, in case their luggage happens to get lost or delayed. 

Tour Dress

In Europe style is everything. You’ll find that the Europeans dress incredibly well and you’ll want to dress up yourself. That being said, comfort is paramount. We will be walking a lot and will be constantly getting on and off the bus. The most important thing to keep in mind is your feet. 

Tip: Worn-in walking shoes – preferably water proof – will serve you faithfully. Moleskin and baby powder might also come in handy!

Dinner Dress 

We call the dinner dress code “country club casual” or “smart casual. ” That means something like collared shirts and non-jeans pants for men, and a casual dress or pants with a nice top for women. These suggestions are by no means mandatory, they are solely meant to be taken as humble advice if you would like to fit in with the European culture. They like to dress well!

Tip: A jacket that can be dressed up and dressed down is an autumn traveler’s best friend.

The Meals

Daily breakfast and daily dinner are included in the tour package. The main meal of the day – dinner – has been pre-arranged and selected by ProRome. You can expect three or four bountiful courses – an antipasto – literally “before the meal,” a main course, and a desert. Beverages OTHER THAN water and house wine are not included. 

Tip: If you are allergic to something simply inform the tour director at the beginning of the trip. 

We suggest that each pilgrim leaves $20-$30 (or euro) for both the tour manager and the driver. A collection will be taken at the end of the trip for this.

If you feel inclined to leave a tip for the housekeeping at the hotel, a few euro left in your room is more than sufficient.

Tipping is not required nor expected in restaurants, taxis or bars.

There are no dietary restrictions. Vegetarian or vegan, gluten-free or celiac, we work only with restaurants and caterers who have ample options for you.

Regarding health, please review a clause from our Terms and Conditions.

ProRome Tours expects you to make a realistic assessment of your health. All Participants are expected to be in active good health, to enjoy traveling as part of a group, and to be ready to experience cultural differences with grace. Walking and climbing stairs are required in many hotels and airports, to board the aircraft, and as part of many excursions. Prior to traveling, we highly recommend visiting your personal physician for a check-up, so that you may discuss your ability to participate in this type of journey. For the latest recommendations on specific health precautions for the areas you will visit, consult your physician and the Centers for Disease Control. Any physical condition requiring special attention, diet, or treatment should be reported in writing when the reservation is made. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate Participants with special needs; however, we cannot accommodate wheelchairs. If you require a slower pace, extra assistance, or the use of a cane or walking stick, arrangements will be made for private touring at each destination, if necessary, at the discretion of our Tour staff. Any extra cost for such arrangements will be the responsibility of the Participant. If you would like to forgo some of the scheduled sightseeing to rejuvenate and relax, please feel free to do so at any time.

If you are calling from an American phone number, you must dial the international “dial out” code first, which is “00”, or simply the “+” symbol. You must then dial the country code (USA is 1, France is 33, Spain is 34), followed by the number. 

NB – Remember to CONTACT YOUR SERVICE provider a few days before the trip and activate international calling on your phone.

Quick Facts

• Official Name: Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España)
• Population: 47.3 Million
• Capital: Madrid
• Language: Spanish
• Type of Government: Unitary Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
• Currency: Euro (€) (EUR)
• Time Zone: Six hours ahead of EST
• Most Popular Sport: Soccer (“Football”)
• Industries: Automotive, Medical Technology, Textiles, Shipbuilding, Tourism

Basic Spanish

• Hola (oh-la): Hello
• Buenas noches (bweh-nas no-chase): Good Evening
• Adiós (ah-dee-ohs): Goodbye
• Por favor (poor fah-vor): Please
• De nada (day nah-dah): You’re welcome/No problem
• Gracias (grah-see-ahs): Thanks
• Perdóneme (pare-doh-nay-may): Excuse me 
• Lo siento (loh see-en-toh): Sorry
• Si (see): Yes
• No (no): No
• Habla usted Ingles? (ah-blah oo-sted een-glays): Do you speak English?
• No comprendo (no com-prayn-doh): I don’t understand.
• ¿Cuánto cuesta este? (kwahn-toh coo-ays-tah es-tay): How much does this cost?
• Dónde está (don-day ay-stah): Where is…?
• Dónde está el baño (don-day ay-stah el ban-yo): Where is the restroom?
• Té (tay): Tea
• Café (ka-fay): Coffee
• Salud (sah-lood): Cheers
• Cheque (check): Check
• Numbers 0-10: Uno (oo-no), dos (dose), tres (trays), cuatro (qua-troh), cinco (sink-oh), seis (says), siete (see-eh-tay), ocho (oh-cho), nueve (noo-eh-vay), dies (dee-ays)
• Days of the Week: Lunes (loon-ays), Martes (mar-tays), Miércoles (mee-air-coh-lays), Jueves (who-ay-vays), Viernes (vee-air-nays), Sábado (sah-bah-doh), Domingo (Doh-meen-go)
• Feliz cumpleaños (fay-leez coom-play-an-yos): Happy birthday!

Visas and Passports

American passport holders are not required to obtain a visa prior to visiting Spain for up to ninety days in any one hundred and eighty day period. If you hold a passport from another country, please check with your local consulate about requirements for travel to Spain. All passengers traveling internationally are required to have a passport. Please carry proper identification (your passport) on your person and do not leave it in your suitcase or hotel room. International law requires you to carry your passport with you at all times.

Currency – The Euro

The official currency of Spain is the Euro. 1 Euro is roughly $1.09. It is up to you whether you would like to exchange your USD for EUR for the trip. Most places will not accept USD, though they will take American credit and debit cards. In larger cities, it is possible to find authorized currency exchange vendors who will exchange USD for EUR, though their fees are rather high. Smaller shops will ask you to pay in cash or have a minimum amount required to use a credit or debit card. You should always carry some cash on you for small purchases such as postcards or a refreshing drink. 

Budgeting and Shopping

The following budget guidelines are just approximate values or starting values for meals and are per person. Actual prices vary widely by restaurant and city within a country, but below are some averages as provided by our experienced personnel. 

• The approximate cost of a soft drink/mineral water/coffee is approximately $2, or €1.50.
• An average lunch consisting of a salad or sandwich and a soda or water starts at approximately $14, or €12.
• Dinner at a mid-range restaurant starts at approximately $30, or €25.

Please note that soft drinks and mineral water are often as expensive, if not more expensive than wine or beer. Sales tax or VAT (value added tax) is included on price tags. To obtain VAT refunds (which may take up to three months to process), special forms usually have to be stamped by Customs; please ask for a tax-free shopping form with each purchase and follow the instructions for completion. Customs import charges on items shipped home are not included in purchase prices.

Electrical Outlets

Spain operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. For Spain, there is one associated plug type: C. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins. This plug type will also work in Lourdes, France. You will need to bring an adaptor for the plugs. Here is a link to one on Amazon.

The following scenarios are typical “crisis” situations that may occur while on tour Italy and how to best prevent and manage them. Please read. If you would like to read our full plan please download it here: https://prorome.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ProRome-Crisis-Management-Plan-.pdf. 

You Get Lost

This is a common occurrence. First of all, stay put. Most folks who get really lost do so by running in the wrong direction! Your tour manager will find you if you stay put. If you have a cell phone, please call your tour manager, or any other group member you may be in contact with. If you cannot dial “+” on your phone, dial “00” followed by “1”, followed by the number. If after 30 minutes you are unable to reach your tour manager and cannot find the group, proceed to the nearest Taxi stand and have a cab take you back to the hotel. The hotel address can be found below. If you do not see a cab stand nearby, enter the nearest hotel and ask the concierge to call you a cab. Upon arrival at the hotel please call your tour manager and let him know that you have returned to the hotel. 

You Lose Your Phone, Wallet or Passport 

Nine times out of ten, this can be prevented. Theft is not uncommon in Rome, so remember to keep your valuables as protected as possible. Fanny packs under the shirt are ideal. If you use a purse or backpack, hold it in front especially in crowds. Be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on those around you as well. If you do lose your phone, wallet or passport, inform your tour manager immediately. We will then inform the local authorities and say a prayer to St. Anthony! The US embassy in Rome can turn around new passports within a few hours, but expect a hefty fee – 500 euro!

You Get Injured 

Again, nine times out of ten we can prevent personal injuries by following rules and guidelines that are put in place. That includes never standing while the bus is moving, only crossing the street at crosswalks, and wearing sturdy walking shoes and keeping your eyes on the road. If you do experience an injury, inform your tour manager immediately. If necessary, we will arrange emergency transportation to the nearest hospital for care.

Dehydration and Fatigue

It is crucially important to begin hydration at least three days prior to departure, and to increase your electrolyte intake as well. Touring in autumn can be deceiving, because while you may not feel thirsty in 60 degree weather, your body will nonetheless require lots of water. Always carry a water bottle with you. If you do experience dizziness, a fever or sudden fatigue, notify your tour manager immediately and sit still. If necessary, we will arrange emergency transportation to the nearest hospital for care.