2026 – Sailing Italy & Croatia: Dalmatian Wonders

Fitness level –  Moderate walks and activities. It’s important to know your limits! AFS trips are generally soft adventures with moderate activity. Others can be extremely active. All tours involve walking, at times extensive and on uneven pavement.

As we get older, it’s easy to assume we can still do everything we used to, but travel often reveals when an activity is too demanding. If you feel you’d be more comfortable with a less strenuous trip, consider Eldertreks, which specializes in travel for older adults. Please remember that we cannot take responsibility for booking trips that exceed your physical abilities. For liability reasons, AFS reserves the right to remove any participant from a trip if we believe they are unable to safely keep up. Our trips are designed for everyone to have a great time. Out of respect for your fellow travelers, please choose an itinerary that matches your abilities so you can fully enjoy your experience.

General Air Info – Consider flying in early to ensure you’re there when the cruise embarks. Always download and use your airline’s app! Use the app to track your booking, delays, bags, to show boarding pass and to contact them. If you have a flight problem, go to the airline’s website “contact us” page or reach them by text, social media, Skype or call their international number. Also, premium credit cards often offer many air perks, assistance, insurance, lounge passes, global entry and more. Read more at www.tpg.com for best cards.

Many say they want to fly business class but don’t realize fares range from $4K to $9K. We do have two good contacts that can get sometimes get seats near half cost.  Email Ali at [email protected].

Group Air:  None.  Min 16 seats required, but people prefer doing their own air now. Sometimes we offer group air but find few people book, sometimes find better rates on their own, direct from their hometown.  This provides you with better flexibility to go early or extend at the trip’s end. I know we will not meet the minimum required to make a group booking since this is a small group.

Important Trip Air Dates:  July 22 – Aug 1, 2026.  Air is easy flying USA into Venice and out of Rome. 

Doing Own Air – We like Google Flights.  3rd-party booking engines like Expedia make it easy to book, but it is nearly impossible to handle air problems.  Buy direct from airline or pay a travel agent to ticket you.  Stopovers are great to add on own.  If you need help air with the economy seat,  our guy Delhi can help; email [email protected] with your exact air dates, destination, passport name, and details with birthdate. Your trip leader will be collecting your air schedules three weeks prior to departure.

About Airport Transfers –  Due to the complexity of managing individual flight schedules and the varying arrival times, it’s not possible to provide a group transfer. We’ll collect everyone’s flight information through a form later so you can share rides. Cruiselines are slowly eliminating airport transfers. Deanna will give you tips later on Uber and taxis. Venice airport to the port is around 20 minutes. On return, from Civitavecchia Port to Rome airport, it is one hour by Uber or two hours by bus to train.

Meet Up With Group – On July 24, a time will be set to meet the group onboard for a briefing. More on this later.

Baggage – Think light to ease your burden, not like you’re fleeing your homeland. 1 carry-on bag & 1 medium suitcase not to exceed 45lb checked bag – weigh on a bathroom scale. Apple AirTags work great to track checked bags when the airline cannot, also good for carry-on. Leave space for great souvenirs. Be sure to attach ID inside and out of carry-on and checked bag.

Packing-  Google the weather in Rome a week before. Travel hacks from our AFSers! Pack overnight outfit in your carry-on, liquid IV packets to hydrate, use packing cubes, Downy wrinkle spray, Apple AirTags, extra nylon bag to check laundry at home, tons of US dollars for extra tips, fully charged travel banks, less is more, get Global Entry.

For a nice sailing cruise ship in Italy, here’s a smart outfit suggestion for dining, along with a list of essential items, including chargers and adapters.

Electric– EU & USA plugs onboard (hotels do not). Don’t forget a portable backup charger, cords, gadgets, etc. Cell phones and tablets do not need a converter; you only need an adapter plug. AFSers often leave charger cords in room, so be sure to double-check your room before check out. All properties have hairdryers.  Plug Type F common European plug.  See https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com

Money Matters – Always bring some cash, but you won’t need much.  You will need some cash for personal tipping, meals, and shopping. $200 cash should suffice.    Change currency on arrival at airport, bank, or hotels or withdraw local currency from an ATM.  Amateur tourists may get currency in USA before they leave not knowing that they are losing at least 20%, no need for this. Note -independent ATMs are risky due to skimmer scams. Safest ATMs are at airport and banks. Always shield your pin number when entering.

Master Card and Visa widely accepted.  Amex rarely accepted. Credit cards are far safer than using your debit card. I use my credit card for most purchases.  Many cards now offer no foreign transaction fees. (Some countries in Africa and Asia require new bills dated after 2016. Older bills not accepted when changing money.)

• Currency Exchange Rate $1 = .88 Euro

Gratuities –  Gratuities for crew will be added to your final invoice when onboard when you settle your tab onboard. Discretionary tips help ensure a good relationship and the only thing we travelers leave behind is our reputation.  Suggested protocol is $16 per day.

Tipping on own  –  If service is stellar, feel free to give more directly. All we tourists leave behind is our reputation. I carry a stash of US ones in an envelope to draw from as needed.

Porters – AFSers roll bags to their room.  If you use a porter, please tip. 

For group lunches or dinners included, please leave $2 for waitstaff!

Communication – Internet is available on the ship. With smartphones, be sure to check with your provider for rates and coverage for international phone plans before departure. Data Roaming rates can be expensive. To reach home – Texting, iMessage, WhatsApp, and Facebook messaging when using WIFI. Be cautious using public Wi-Fi without using VPN. Without VPN never open attachments or view financial or personal accounts on the Internet while abroad. Phone calls, text messages, and data usage of all kinds, it is crucial to understand that, unless you are connected to Wi-Fi, every use of your phone incurs a data toll. That means that viewing and downloading email, browsing the web, viewing social media, and mapping all incur data charges, as do applications that we sometimes assume to be “free,” such as Skype and WhatsApp. Unless you are connected to Wi-Fi, however, WhatsApp is using cellular data, so you are getting charged at your provider’s international roaming data rate.  Facebook Messenger Phone is an easy free way to make calls.

Safety –  Avoiding Hackers on Vacation. Thieves not only want your money but also your data. Change passwords often. Check device security settings before you leave for your trip. Back up, update, and encrypt your devices and data using a virtual VPN. Since 1989, your safety is our primary concern. Our local teams are experts, constantly monitoring any issues with your destinations. They can access real-time safety issues and will keep us informed if necessary.

Shore Excursions – Click here for a list of shore excursions.

Open link to view the list. Skip the private VIP ones. If you prefer a tour, you can call Windstar to book directly. Many AFSers like to do their own independent touring. See Suzy’s tips below.  Later, you can call Windstar at 877-737-6740. Group reference is 56461 then give them your reservation number.

All Inclusive Packages – this includes tips, Wi-Fi and drinks. Not much need for Wi-Fi as it is everywhere nowadays.

Drinks  –  nonalcoholic beverages complementary. Also, you’re allowed to bring three bottles of wine on board. Note $15 corking fee if you bring bottle to the dining room. You can purchase an alcohol drink package in advance, sometimes after you get your documents or just pay per drink on board. Deanna will brief you on what may be most conducive for you.

Amending tour pre-or post-trip. We honor your independent spirit, but encourage you to extend more days at the trip’s end when you’re acclimated well to the destination.  If you add another country, we often see many AFSers on Facebook urging others to join them what do you consider the cost of tours, transport, hotels, etc.  Stopovers are great to add, but understand AFS has no responsibility for the quality of your trip. Please understand that we are a group tour organizer and do not have the time or resources sources to arrange private vacations for individuals.

Private Facebook Group Page  –  The benefit of the Private FB Group Page is that you have an opportunity to introduce yourself to your fellow travelers before departure and share trip photos during and after the tour.  The link can be found in your Wetravel welcome letter after your initial deposit.  (We found that some never read the Trip Tips jumping right to the Private FB Group Page assuming they will get all trip info needed. Often, they only receive rumors or misinformation. All important information is ALWAYS emailed to each participant and posted in Trip Tips under UPDATES. Nobody misses a thing.)

Emergency Contact – AFS phone or text 770-432-8225, or email us at https://afstravelers.com/contact-us/    More contacts will be provided with your Final Docs email 2 to 3 weeks before departure. Your guide can handle a call home for a true emergency. Do not expect to use your trip leader’s cell phone; you’ll need to use your own.

Cancellation Policy –  At Adventures For Solo Travelers (AFS), we understand that sometimes unforeseen circumstances may require you to cancel your tour. We have established the following cancellation policy to provide clarity and fairness to all our travelers; thus keeping in line with other tour operators and global suppliers today.  See website for details

Travel Insurance– While travel insurance is optional, in today’s world we highly encourage you to get standard coverage to cover trip interruption and cancellation.  Best source for all is www.insuremytrip.com.  Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) covers most things but is expensive. Note that no company covers for fear.

Preexisting conditions  –  If you would like the security of travel insurance and have a pre-existing condition (elderly parent, medical, etc.), you must purchase insurance within 15 days from your initial trip deposit in order to assure full coverage. The trip cost can be amended or adjusted as needed after your initial purchase (eg. like adding an air ticket cost later). You can buy travel insurance at any time, just know that there may be some possible limitations if purchased outside the 15 day period.  We like TravelSafe, Allianz or Seven Corners.

• Click here to Purchase Travel Insurance online

AFS Group Etiquette – When you’re happy, we’re happy.  Prepare for your departure joyfully with no contempt before investigation upon arrival. Please understand that with travel, things are not like at home and changes may occur. Please note that AFS is non-partisan – With our homogeneous groups of travel lovers, we all want to focus on the common denominator – our love of travel. In today’s divisive world, we suggest members not discuss politics and if you must, please practice my rule of TOK:  Tolerance, Open-mindedness and Kindness.

Great trips work best for those with an open mind, flexible attitude and adventuresome spirit.  If you have a problem during a trip, talk to your trip leader.  If changes occur, embrace them with serendipity. Who knows?… The unexpected may prove to be a better experience. Adapt and go with the flow with a laid-back attitude. Be spontaneous. Be tolerant of foreign cultures in respecting their centuries of traditions. Embrace the differences. Be curious, not shy. Smile – locals will sense your energy of kindness and kindness always begets kindness. Our common goal is to experience different cultures, make new friends, get great photos, have large fun, and return home safely with memories worthy of recollection.