For any additional questions Jay Bundalian: +18562467695 or jayrbundy@gmail.com Aimee King: +18167266528 or kjaim88@gmail.com Whatsapp is our go-to when communicating abroad. It is secure and free. We highly recommend downloading.
Please RSVP by Feb 1st 2024. Aimee and Jay realized this is an early RSVP. If you're unable to attend, please let them know asap. If you need more time to decided, please contact Aimee or Jay.
NO! not anymore Visas for American are NOT needed till 2025. Yay! More information: https://www.boundless.com/how-to-apply-for-etias-travel-requirement-for-europe/
No, Aimee and Jay would need full commitment between Sept 20th-23rd 2024. We have beautiful meals and events plan for the entire weekend and are counting on your presence for each event.
No, Aimee and Jay would love for you to enjoy this experience without the worry of additional expenses other than airfare. Transportation to and from the Castle provided. All accommodations will be assigned per Aimee and Jay. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided throughout your stay.
https://www.ristonchi.com/packing-list Italian adapters and converters (3 prongs) see example here Please note: Italy uses different power outlets and Voltage https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/italy/ Ceremony attire: Cocktail/Formal Garden Swimming suit Sunscreen Sunglasses Sandals and slippers Toothpaste and toothbrush Hairdryer/Straightener/Curling Iron (don’t forget a converter!) Hair, skin and makeup products Hand washing laundry detergent if doing laundry Mosquito repellant and after bite cream Copies of your passport Medical information and medication list Medication for allergies Small first aid kit Small sewing kit, (for last minute issues) Comfortable shoes (if you plan on walking or hiking) Sweater/Light Jacket/Wrap (please be sure to check the weather) Camera/Cell Phone/Memory Card (don't want to miss the beautiful moments) Euros and credit cards Reusable water bottle
September offers ideal weather: cool evenings and bright and sunny days with temps averaging between 59°F to 81°F (15-27°C), making it one of the more pleasant times of year to visit Tuscany. The rainy season has yet to fully set in, though you can expect an increase in precipitation with Florence receiving 3 inches of rain over 6 days, and as the Tyrrhenian Sea remains in the low to mid 70s range (22-25°C), you’ll do well if you pack an umbrella alongside your swimsuit and layers. Updates on current weather at https://www.accuweather.com/en/it/pelago/1548049/weather-forecast/1548049
We are so excited to welcome you to our stunning venue, Castello di Ristonchi in Tuscany, Italy! Ristonchi Castle is a rustic, 1,000 year old medieval castle surrounded by olive groves and a forest of chestnut trees and wild edibles. It's not a regular hotel, so their won't be daily cleanings, but all of the basics will be provided for you such as clean sheets, towels, pillows, blankets, toilet paper, soap and shampoo. The furnishings are typical Tuscan style, and some of the bathrooms are small and quirky, but that's the fun of staying in an old castle. When you wake up you know you’re in Tuscany! There is heating, but no air conditioning. The thick stone walls and fresh mountain breeze should keep you comfortable, or there is a fresh spring water pool that will definitely do the trick! We will set up an ironing station for anyone needing to iron their clothes during their stay. There are no laundry facilities onsite. There is a bar and small shop where you can buy coffee, drinks, ice cream and snacks. The castle is secluded so please bring everything special (like medication) you'll need for the weekend with you.
Yes please! if possible. The castle has fresh mountain spring water and is safe to drink
No. All alcohol must be purchased at the castle and served by our staff. Alcohol may not be served to minors. Illegal substances are not allowed at any time on the premise. Drunken/Violent disturbances are prohibited and subject to immediate removal from the premise and possible termination of event without refund.
Yes there is onsite parking free to all guests for around 20 cars. We recommend your guests carpool.
Yes, wifi is available in the meeting rooms, Templar Hall, Breakfast Room, Rave Cave and all common areas inside and outside, the pool and all the Tower/Castello guest rooms. Average download is 134 Mbps and upload is15 Mps. Peak is 300 Mpbs. The Fattoria and Borghetto apartments have very thick stone walls and do not reach the wifi.
Aimee and Jay are happy to provide childcare in advance
No, they are not. The castle has very thick stone walls so the rooms stay on the cool side, even in the summer. There are some of the lofts or higher floors of the tower that do get very hot in summer months. We have fans for all rooms. If booking in July or August prepare for the heat and warn your guests.
Aimee and Jay are requesting a phone free ceremony. They have photographers that will be taking and sharing photos. Please refrain from using phones so it doesn't limit other peoples view during the ceremony. Thank you
A destination wedding is an enormous commitment of time and resources. The gift of your company is all we ask. We really want you to know your presence is the biggest gift, but after much consideration we have activated our Zola registry. Please avoid bringing us cash or gifts we need to pack back to the States after the wedding. With all our Gratitude.
Spots are very limited. Please refer to the RSVP link to see if your child/children and plus one are included.
Italy uses Euros as Cash. You still need cash in certain situations. Such as taxis and coffee bars. Debit and credit cards are widely used. We recommend you notifying you bank before traveling. You are going to have a much easier time using public transit if you have contactless payment on your phone "apple pay/google pay" We find the easiest way to exchange cash is at the airport once you arrive. Depending on your budget I recommend at least 100 euros. You can alway get more cash at an ATM later. We find when using ATMs do no use one in very touristy areas because the exchange rate will be high. If you can find an ATM associated with a bank that is best. Be aware there will always be some foreign in transaction fees. When paying by card we alway select Euros when asked, USD or EURO? They also might ask you to sign (have a pen) in Italy. Make sure the back of your credit card is signed because sometimes they might ask to reference your signature. Cash back in not common at establishments.
It is common to have to pay 1-2 Euros to use the bathroom. It is also common to need to buy something at an establishment for access to the toilet. Keep a stash of 1 Euro coins on you so you don't have a toilet emergency.
Tipping is not at all expected in Italy. When eating at a restaurant there is a fee for water and bread. If someone is asking for a tipping they might be targeting you as a tourist. Do not pay a tip to someone if they are asking for one, especially taxi drivers. It is a good idea to ask the price of the taxi ride before getting the the car. Now if someone is giving you great service, feel free to tip them in cash. No not leave money on a table, hand it directly to the person who gave you great service. It is best not to tip on the credit care machine. Usually 10-15% a good amount for exceptional service. Overall, we have found people are not expecting a tip have a tip. We have even had people hand out money back to us. Such a culture shock.
Check with your Data/Cellular carrier if they have prepaid plans. We have T-Mobile and often we add international data to start on a preplanned date. Make sure your internet is at least LTE or 5g if you plan on using the GPS on your phone. ESIM: https://www.airalo.com/united-states-esim This is the most affordable plan if you have a ESIM compatible phone. We love this because it is often cheaper then going through your phone carrier and easily accessible if you are traveling to multiple countries in one trip. Experienced travelers can plan to pick up SIM card in Italian airport. Pocket wifi is our last recommendation for Europe but still very effective with proper planning.
https://youtu.be/JCoQawQ_hlc?si=AEpnoqYC1fglh9Se This video is great. These are the best travel apps that will make a big difference during your trip to Italy. Travel apps like Omio, Trenitalia, DeepL, Google Translate, WhatsApp, GlobeConvert, 3B Meteo, iLMeteo, ConvertLite, Moovit and FreeNow. Google maps, google translate, WhatsApp are ones we use every single trip to Europe.
CALL: 112 NO country code needed An Overview of the Italian National Health System: In Italy, patients are free to choose between public hospitals and private hospitals. Public hospitals normally provide both emergency and non-emergency services. At public hospitals, patients may receive emergency services at no cost or upon payment of a limited contribution, depending on the public hospital’s policy. Non-emergency services provided by public hospitals are subject to a fee. Public hospitals’ quality standards may be different from those of American hospitals. However, Italian public hospitals must meet quality standards and criteria established by Italian law and are normally equipped to provide emergency services. In case of an emergency, for immediate medical attention or to call an ambulance dial 112 from any telephone in Italy. No country code is necessary if calling from within Europe. Private hospitals do not normally have emergency rooms. Private hospitals normally have higher fees than public hospitals. Patients in private hospitals are generally required to pay fees upfront before leaving the hospital. (Patients with insurance may subsequently seek reimbursement from their insurance companies.) Some private hospitals may be “accredited” which means that fees can be reimbursed by the Italian National Health Service if the patient is an official resident in Italy and affiliated with the National Health System. ***COPIED FROM THE US EMBASSY***