FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the event? September 12 - 18, 2010.
Will I need a Passport? Yes.
Will I need a Visa? At this time entrance into Italy does not require a Visa, but you should check with our travel agent in case this changes.
Are my expenses Tax Deductible? We will defer to the IRS or your tax advisor. For some light IRS reading you can go to http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf.
How is the weather? Go to www.weather.com and enter Siena, Italy. Siena is the closest city to where we will be staying.
Is the route challenging? The route is considered to be moderate with challenging hills every day. Each day is designed so that every Walker can finish. In addition, many of the roads are packed sandstone and you will be traveling on many foot paths.
What happens if I can’t Walk a particular part of the route or a day? No problem, we are there for you. If you are out on the route we will pick you up. If you start the day being unable to ride, you can come with us in the van.
Are there laundry facilities? Not usually, but some of the places we stay at may offer laundry service for a fee.
How do I get to Buonconvento? Buonconvento is easily accessible via train from any of the major cities in Italy. For a time schedule please visit www.trenitalia.it. Once in Buonconvento, a shuttle van will be ready to bring you to the starting hotel.
When can I arrive at Buonconvento? You can arrive anytime on Sunday before 6:00pm (18,00h). This will give you time to unpack, meet everybody, and be ready for the safety meeting at 6:30pm (18,30h).
When can I leave the Walk? The van will be ready to take you back to the train station on Saturday morning after breakfast. Everyone must be out of the property by 10:00am (10,00h). Please book your train schedules accordingly.
What happens if I need to leave early? If you need to leave early, you can do so at any time. We will try our best to get you to the train station, but we may not be able to accommodate your schedule.
If I leave early can I get any of my money back? No. Unfortunately we cannot offer you a refund if you leave early. The Walk has been confirmed as a group, it’s how we get lower rates and are able to pass these savings on to you.
Are all my meals and snacks included during the week? All (6) breakfasts are included, as well as each night’s dinner beginning on Sunday evening with the exception of one dinner. All Walk water, snacks, and lunches are also included. Alcohol is not included. If you want different or additional snacks or meals you will be responsible for paying for them.
If I decide not to eat with the group can I get a discount or part of my money back? No. The Walk has been confirmed as a group, it’s how we get lower rates and are able to pass these savings on to you.
Will I need additional cash/spending money? Yes. You will need to buy one night's dinner, any alcohol you consume, and any additional snacks you may want. In addition you may want to buy souvenirs and you will need a little cash for tipping.
What kind of food is served? Local cuisine consisting of beef, pork, veal, wild boar, and rabbit. Seafood is not usually served, since the coast is over two hours away. Dinners usually consist of three or more courses, an antipasto dish, a pasta dish, and a meat dish. Italians are not known for their breakfasts, but we will have cereals hot and cold, eggs, juices, and café latte, a strong espresso like coffee with hot milk.
I’m a vegetarian; can you accommodate me? Yes, but make sure you tell us before hand and note this on your registration form. If you are a strict vegetarian and will not eat anything that is cooked on the same grill as a meat product, this may not be the Walk for you.
I have food allergies, what can I do? Make sure you note this on your registration form. We will try to make every effort to accommodate you, but there are some things we may not be able to avoid. If this is the case, you will be notified before your registration is accepted.
I have medications that need to be refrigerated; can you make accommodations? Yes, but please make sure you note this on the registration form. Please note that at times your medications will be kept in a cooler on ice. If this is not acceptable, this may not be the Walk for you.
What is a siesta? This is a period during the day when all the shops close. Many businesses in Italy do recognize siesta and most businesses close around 2:00pm (14:00) and start to re-open around 4:00pm (16:00)
What is military time? Military time is a form of time stated in a 24-hour period. Most time descriptions in Italy are noted in military time. An example would be 1:00pm = 13:00 and 12:00am = 24:00 (midnight).
What are the sleeping arrangements; will I have to share a bed? We try to book rooms with two single beds, In some cases you may have to share a full or queen size bed, think of it as sharing a tent only you are not sleeping on the ground. If it makes you feel more comfortable you can bring a sleeping bag, but one is not required.
Do I have to share a room? Yes. If you do not want to share a room there is a single supplemental cost of $1,000.00 (USD)
Who will I be rooming with? If you do not come with a friend we will match you up with someone who needs a roommate.
What happens if I don’t get along with my roommate or I want a different roommate? There are no extra rooms for someone to move to if they are not getting along. If, when you get to the Walk you would like a different roommate, we will try to accommodate you.
Is any part of my deposit refundable if I decide not to go on the Walk? No, once you have paid your deposit, it is not refundable.
Is my deposit transferable? If I decide not to go and can get someone else to go in my place? Yes, if you cannot go on the walk and can find a replacement your deposit is transferable. Please note that we will not issue a refund you would need to get your deposit back from the person taking your place.
Am I required to meet the fundraising minimum? All Participants are required to meet the minimum fundraising requirement before arriving in Buonconvento.
What happens if I arrive at the Walk without meeting my fundraising requirement? You will be asked for a credit card and the balance of your fundraising requirement will be charged to you.
If you charge me my remaining fundraising requirement can I get it back if I meet my requirement after the Walk? No. Your donation is not refundable even if you surpass your fundraising requirements after the Walk.
What happens if I cannot meet my fundraising requirements? We will help in anyway for you to meet your fundraising requirement. If you are unable to meet your requirement you will be required to make the difference up yourself. Also, if you have a friend who is Walking, he/she can give you their pledges if they have surpassed their fundraising requirement.
Are pledges refundable? No. Once our office receives a pledge, it is not refundable. Pledges are in fact donations, not a pledge or promise to pay.
How much is the registration fee? This depends on the Registration option you choose. There are three Registration fees (1) $500.00 with a minimum fundraising requirement of $2,500.00 (2) $1,650.00 with a minimum fundraising requirement of $1,000.00 and (3) $2,500.00 with no minimum fundraising requirement. Why is the registration fee so high? This fee covers your expenses while on the Walk, including meals, lodging, snacks, and sweep vehicles. The higher registration fees also ensure a high percentage of your donations go back to the beneficiaries.
Can I pay the registration fee with pledges? No. We are unable to use pledges as payment for your registration fee.
Can someone else pay my registration fee? Yes.
Do matching gifts count toward my fundraising requirement? YES! We encourage you to ask all your donors if their company has a matching gift policy. This is a great way to raise over and above the minimum. Please remember that all donations, this includes matching gifts, must be turned in before the commencement of the event.
What is a matching gift policy? Matching gift policies can vary from company to company, but many companies will match an employee’s contribution to a non-profit company, registered as a 501(c)(3).
What is a 501(c)(3)? This is the designation given to non-profit companies by the IRS.
Is For A Cause a registered 501(c)(3) organizations? Yes and all donations are fully tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Will my cell phone work in Italy? This depends on your service provider and we encourage you to call and ask your provider.
If there is an emergency, how can someone contact me? You will be provided with a phone number where someone can leave a message for you. Keep in mind that if we are out on the route you may not receive the message till we get back to a hotel. Also, please remember this number is for emergency situations only and there is a minimum 7-hour time difference.
Will my health insurance cover me while in Italy? You need to contact your health insurance carrier. Most US-based health insurance companies will only reimburse you for medical claims incurred outside the US. In other words, you may have to pay the hospital and then submit a claim for reimbursement.
Will I need health insurance coverage for this trip? Yes, all participants will be required to fill out a health insurance form prior to leaving for the trip. It is also suggested you purchase trip insurance that includes health insurance and emergency evacuation.
What should I bring for clothing? During the day you will be Walking please bring appropriate Walking clothing, including light rain gear, you may also want to bring a walking stick and hiking shoes that cover the ankle. In the evening we will be in local towns for dinner and the temps may be on the cool side. Comfortable clothing is fine. You will need long pants or skirts below the knee; this is for both men and women. Churches follow a strict dress code and no clothing above the knee or sleeveless shirts are allowed.
Where does the money go? You can designate a beneficiary of your choosing or one of our beneficiaries, Breast Cancer Network of Strength or the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and 80% of your donation will go to either. Also, at the end of the year, we make an additional grant to both Breast Cancer Nerwork of Strength and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation based on the total amount of donations received. Remember when choosing a beneficiary, it can be any beneficiray that is close to your heart, past participants have choosen such organizations, as the National Autism Foundation, the National Kidney Foundation, the National Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and many others.
If I choose an additional beneficiary, what percentage of my donations will go to them? Your donations will be divided 80/20, 80% to your designated beneficiary and 20% stays with For A Cause.
What should I do if I have a question that is not answered here? Please send us an email with any questions.
