Bits and Pieces

With just 24 days to go it’s time to get serious about a few last minute things. We have been busy though, working through our lists. 

I went into my local RACQ and organised an International Drivers Licence. I needed a passport sized photo but they took that while I was there. Some branches don’t do this so it would pay to check; you may need to go to the Post Office to have this done. You will also need your Australian Drivers Licence. The staff can process your application right there and then.

We’ve also purchased a TravelSIM card. We bought ours from Australia Post. There are two types of cards, depending on your phone and whether you want just calls and SMS or if you want to add data. We have a simple phone (mine) and so purchased a SIM card loaded with $20 for calls or text messages. This phone will allow us to call ahead to booked accommodation, or to call home in an emergency. It will also allow family from home to call us if necessary.  Most of our contact to and from home will be via our iPads. If you opt for a travel SIM just be sure to check that it is unlocked. If your provider has locked your phone you will need to apply to have it unlocked.

A friend has loaned us a power adaptor but we opted to buy a USB adaptor as well. This will enable us to charge 2 iPads at the same time. I won’t be taking anything else that needs power but my sister wants to take her hair dryer, so an adaptor will be necessary for that. We will also need this for our phone.

Now that all our accommodation is booked, along with our train journeys from Rome to Venice and Venice to Florence, I have printed Itineraries for both the UK and Italy. I double checked the dates and made sure we have somewhere to sleep each night. I also worked through our budget – actual and estimated – and see that we are on target. Now we have these figures, it’s time to decide how we will access funds while we are away. We looked at Travel Cards but decided that the costs and fees involved in using these are very difficult to work out. For the cash we want while we are away, we are looking at different currency exchanges, and our banks for the fees and charges involved if we use ATMs in UK and Italy. This is how I obtained funds while I was away for previous trips and although there were fees and charges, if one didn’t go to the hole in the wall every day they weren’t too outrageous. I will also have my VISA card for those times we can’t get cash or for larger purchases. I will just need to check my bank account regularly while I’m away to be sure that I transfer funds to my credit card before I am charged interest.

Passport and Visas

I've had a very busy few days but was finally able to get back to my lists for a short while today.

A month or so ago, my sister asked me if we needed visas, particularly for Italy. I've never needed a visa for the United Kingdom or Italy before but thought it might be an idea to check the requirements.

If you are unsure, for the United Kingdom, go here and click on visas and immigration. Because my late husband was born in Scotland, I have right of abode in the UK but it was interesting to read the information on this page. My sister doesn't need a visa to visit that country. If we were staying for an extended time, that would change.

For Italy, you will need to check here.  Coming from Australia, staying less than 90 days and visiting as tourists – ie not intending to work - we don’t need a visa for Italy. 

However, from my research and reading I see the it is advisable, if you’ve ever been refused entry to a country to apply for a visa. Even without a visa, you may be asked, at a country’s border, to supply further documents. We will have receipts for accommodation and other paid-in-advance tours, to justify the purpose and duration of our stay in Italy. Bank cards will also help, as will our airline tickets.

It's also a good idea to check your passport expiry. Make sure that it will not expire for some time after you are due to return, in case of delays. If your tax return is due, make sure you file it with the ATO before you leave Australia. If you are receiving a government pension, you must advise the appropriate department if you are going to be away for longer than the time stipulated.