Italian Lakes & the Bernina Express 

Passport validity requirements:

If you are travelling to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.Your passport must be:

• issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)

• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

You must check if your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.Contact the embassy of the country you are visiting if you think that your passport does not meet both these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. Check with your transport provider or travel company that your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.Passport stamping. At Italian border control, you may need to:

• show proof of your accommodation, for example, a hotel booking confirmation or proof of address if visiting your own property (for example, a second home)

• show proof of insurance for your trip – check FCDO’s travel insurance guidance

• show a return or onward ticket

• prove that you have enough money for your stay. The minimum amount required depends on your accommodation

Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Italy as a visitor. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.You can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence include boarding passes and tickets.

Visa requirements

You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

If you are travelling to Italy and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

From the 12^th October 2025 the EU is introducing a new European Entry System (EES) that will be phased in and fully operational by the 10^th April 2026. Non-EU nationals including British passport holders will now be required to complete biometric checks on arrival and exit to Schengen countries, which will include facial recognition and fingerprints. There is no cost for this, and no action needs to be taken.

Compulsory vaccinations: None.

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change. You can also visit the travel health website for more information; Italy 

Lake Como guided tour to Ballagio

Lake Como boat trip, sail across Lake Como to the beautiful town of Ballagio, where you will enjoy a guided tour and some free time before taking the ferry to Tremezzo and transfer back to our hotel by.

£120pp based on a minimum of 10 pax, pre-book is essential and the tour will not operate unless minimum numbers are reached.

Alternatively, our Tour Leader can help to arrange tickets for ferry crossings for a self-guided exploration of Lake Como. A day pass on the ferry is around €23.30 (prices may vary).