Preparing for Your Journey
Pastel Drawing with Camilla Perkins
September 23 - 30, 2025
Ischia, Italy
WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU!
Please read this doc carefully
We are so excited to spend time with you in Italy as we learn all about pastel drawing with the amazing Camilla Perkins. Please take a moment to read through this document in full as it contains important information related to your Ace Camps Travel Trip. The purpose of this document is to help you prepare for your trip.
Your Ace Camps Travel trip will connect you to an incredible community where you’ll meet and form bonds with many wonderful individuals. Given the small-group nature of Ace Camps Travel trips, the health, safety, and well being of you, other guests, the instructors and workshop hosts, and the local communities are a key priority for us.
YOUR ACE CAMPS TRAVEL HOST
We want every aspect of your trip to be an amazing experience. To help us do that, you will have the support of an Ace Camps Travel Host who travels with the group and is there to make sure your trip runs as smoothly as possible. While they are not a local guide, they will assist you in answering questions you may have along the way. We will introduce you to and send you your Tour Host’s contact info closer to the Trip start date. If you have questions between now and then, please continue to email us at hello@acecampstravel.com.
ON-THE-GROUND COMMUNICATION with WHATSAPP
While on the ground in Italy, we will be using WhatsApp to communicate. Before you arrive in Naples, please make sure you have the most up-to-date version of WhatsApp downloaded, installed, and an account set up and working on your mobile device. Your Ace Camps Travel Host will use WhatsApp to send you daily reminders, updates, and any other important information during the course of your trip. In addition to one-on-one communication with your Ace Camps Travel Host, we’ll be creating a group chat with all registered guests where we will send updates that affect the entire group while on the trip. We encourage everyone to engage on the group chat, as it’s a great place to get to know the rest of your new Ace Camps Travel friends, discuss travel plans and ideas, and share trip photos.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
In the case of an emergency, the local emergency number to dial in Italy is: 112 (police, fire and medical aid).
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ARRIVAL INFORMATION | SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
The closest arrival airport is: Aeroporto Internazionale di Napoli (Airport code: NAP).
Your Naples Arrival hotel is: Royal Continental Hotel.
Via Partenope, 38 + 44, 80121, Napoli NA, Italy T +39 081 2452068
The best way to get from the airport to the arrival hotel in Naples is by taxi. Helpful Tip: If you decide to take a taxi, make sure you go to the official taxi line to get a taxi (don’t be fooled by the entrepreneurial folks who approach you in the terminal or at baggage claim). Check in time is 3:00 pm on September 23. If you arrive earlier than 3:00pm, you can drop off your luggage at the front desk and they will store it for you until your room is ready. The hotel rooms are preassigned. If you are in a shared room, you will meet your roommate when they check in. We will stay 1 night in Naples before we leave for Ischia the morning of September 24.
Gentle Reminder: Please complete your Arrival and Departure Form as soon as you have your flight details.
WELCOME DINNER | SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
Once we’re all settled at our hotel in Naples, we’ll be hosting a casual meet + greet welcome dinner so you can get to know the group. Please plan to arrive at our hotel no later than 4:00 pm on September 23, 2025, if you want to join the welcome dinner. This will give you enough time to check in and get settled before dinner. We’ll share more specific details about when and where to meet for dinner a few days before the Trip start date. If you can’t join the welcome dinner, your Ace Camps Travel Host will be in touch with you to make sure you have all the information you need to join the group the next morning.
DEPARTURE INFORMATION | SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
On the morning of September 30, 2025, we’ll take the ferry from Ischia to the Naples Port. The ferry ride is approximately two hours. Our trip will end at the Naples Port and you can make your own way to the airport or wherever you’re planning to go next. We are planning to take a ferry that will get us to Naples Port between 10:30 am and 11:00 am on September 30. Please keep this timing in mind if you are booking onward transportation on that specific day.
Note: If you need to depart earlier, you’ll need to arrange your own transfer from Ischia to Naples. Or, if you are planning to extend your stay in Ischia, you’ll need to arrange your own transfer from our Ischia hotel to your local destination.
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ABOUT YOUR HOTELS
We will stay in two different hotels over the course of the trip:
September 23 - 24, 2025 - 1 night
Royal Continental Hotel
Via Partenope, 38 + 44, 80121, Napoli NA, Italy | +39 081 2452068
September 24 - 30 - 6 nights
Castello Aragonese d, 80077 Ischia NA, Italy | +39 081 992435
About the Royal Continental Hotel in Naples: September 23 - 24
Location: Our hotel is located on the seafront a short distance from central Naples. There are plenty of restaurants, and cafes within easy walking distance.
Room Setup: Rooms include either a large bed or two twin beds and an ensuite bathroom. Guests booked in shared rooms will share the room with one other guest.
Amenities + Food: There is a small pool located on site- however access is limited and a reservation must be booked after you check in. The hotel also features a lobby bar, restaurant, gym and various spa services to be booked by reservation directly with the hotel.
About Il Monastero in Ischia: September 24 - 30
Location + Getting Around: Our Ischia hotel is an incredible historical property located somewhat remotely on a peninsula next to the castle. For location reference, you can find our hotel on this map: Il Monastero Hotel Ischia.
Room Setup: Rooms include either a large bed or two twin beds and an ensuite bathroom. Due to the historical nature of this hotel, rooms are more compact than you might find in a modern hotel. Guests staying in shared twin bedrooms are reminded that beds will be located very close to one another due to the room size.
General Amenities + Food: There are limited resources available at the hotel property itself. There is no hotel laundry service, and it is difficult to organize this easily on Ischia in general. There is a cafe open during daytime hours and a formal dining room open in the evenings (except on Sundays) and only with advanced booking. You will need to leave the hotel peninsula to reach other restaurants or required resources so you might want to consider picking up snacks in Naples to bring with you. Walking from the hotel to the nearest seaside town is roughly a 10-15 minute walk.
Room Amenities:
Hair Dryer
Shampoo + body wash in each bathroom
Additional room amenities include a basic toiletry kit which contains shower caps and a sewing kit. They do not provide toothbrushes and toothpaste - please be sure to bring your own.
Tap water is safe to drink on Ischia. You can use this to refill your reusable water bottles. The hotel will also provide glasses you can use in your room.
Additional Considerations for Guests in Shared Rooms:
If you are a light to moderately light sleeper we strongly encourage you to bring ear plugs, a sleep mask, and install a white noise app on your phone with earphones to assist in your personal slumber.
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ITINERARY DISCLAIMER
We do our best to keep to the itinerary on the Trip Details page of the Ace Camps Travel website. However, sometimes adjustments may occur. For example, we may need to make changes to the itinerary due to inclement weather, timetable changes, or circumstances beyond our control. While we do our best to plan ahead and prevent this from happening, it may be unavoidable. It can also happen with little notice, so please bear with us if we have to make modifications to the itinerary on the fly.
CASH + CREDIT CARDS
Italy uses Euros as the local currency. While many places in larger cities take credit cards, we recommend having a combination of cash (Euros) and credit cards on hand. Helpful Tip: We recommend making sure you get some cash in Naples (if you aren’t bringing any with you from home) as there are only a few ATMs on the island and many of the small shops and restaurants only accept cash. You will have several free evenings and depending where you choose to eat dinner may need some cash on hand. Additionally if you would like to order alcohol with your group meals when not included, you may need to pay for this in cash directly to the restaurant.
GRATUITIES
Tips and gratuities for your guides, group drivers, and group meals are taken care of by Ace Camps Travel. At the end of your stay in Naples and Ischia, you’re welcome to leave a small tip for housekeeping, if you choose to, which you can leave in your room.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is required for all guests that includes: trip cancellation/disruption insurance; travel medical insurance; and medical evacuation insurance. Ace Camps Travel does not sell travel insurance. If you have questions, we suggest you discuss concerns about your coverage directly with a local travel insurance provider. Please ensure your listed emergency contact has all of your travel and medical insurance coverage details.
WEATHER
Days are usually warm with balmy evenings. Daytime temperatures usually range from 67°F to 77°F. The end of September is difficult to predict so you can except a mix of sun and cloud and always a possibility of rain so we suggest packing some warmer layers, an umbrella, and rain jacket, and footwear that you can wear in the rain just in case.
MOBILE PHONE USAGE + OTHER HELPFUL APPS
Here are a few other resources you may find helpful when traveling:
Using an ‘e-sim’ app to have data on your phone while you travel (depending on your phone model). There are several companies offering e-sims that can save money instead of roaming through your network provider. Companies like Airalo offer various Italy or “All Europe'' options to choose from.Note: While e-sims are great, they do take some time to set up and install so be sure to spend some time before you leave your home country setting it up so you can just turn it on once you land (while we love to help where we can, our Ace Camps Travel Hosts aren’t tech support specialists).
Help manage jet lag with Timeshifter.
Use the Google Translate app on your phone to translate words and speech on the go.
GROUP TRAVEL ETIQUETTE
Please remember this is a small-group travel experience. It is important for you to join us with compassion, patience, and respect for everyone you interface with during your Trip. For example, if you asked to meet at a certain time, please be on time to avoid keeping the rest of the group waiting. If you choose to skip any activities or meals, please confirm your absence with the Ace Camps Travel Host directly so we’re not worried about your location or well being.
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HEALTH
Illness (including COVID)
Our goal is for each of our guests to enjoy the amazing trip we’ve put together. To ensure that happens, we make the health and safety of the group as our top priority. Please keep in mind while traveling with a group, you may need to take additional precautions.
In the days leading up to and during your Ace Camps Travel Trip, thoroughly washing your hands, wearing a KN95 mask if you feel ill or if you display symptoms of illness, and keeping a safe distance from others who exhibit signs of illness are small, but impactful, things you can do to keep the trip safe for everyone. Please make sure you bring KN95 masks, hand sanitizer, and a few COVID tests on the trip in case you or those around you start to have symptoms of an illness. COVID tests may not be accessible or available to purchase locally so it is very important that you bring your own supply.
During the trip, if you feel unwell, please alert your Ace Camps Travel Host immediately, wear a mask, and keep a safe distance from others until we know more about your situation. If you exhibit signs of, or test positive for an illness, you should be prepared to follow the advice of local health authorities as well as the Ace Camps Travel Host to ensure the health and safety of the entire group. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, viral nature of your illness, and where we are staying, there may be a need to mask, distance, self isolate, or remove yourself completely from the trip which will be determined by the Ace Camps Travel Host with the best interests of the group health and safety as the main priority.
Per the Ace Camps Travel Terms and Conditions, you are responsible for any additional costs if, due to illness, including COVID, you have to leave a trip early as determined by a health care provider or the Ace Camps Travel Host. This is one of the many reasons we require you to purchase travel insurance.
Medications and Vaccines
You should consult with your doctor and a specialized travel doctor at least five weeks before the date of your departure for any necessary vaccinations and specialty prescriptions. You may want to ask about a wide spectrum antibiotic in case of gastrointestinal or other infections. If you have a medical condition, you should also share your travel plans with your doctor.
We encourage you to travel with medications that can help you if you encounter any health issues. Here are a few common concerns you may want to consider bringing medications for, though what you choose to travel with is up to you and/or you and your doctor
Motion sickness, if boat or bus rides affect you as we have some longer travel days
Nausea, indigestion, or an upset stomach
Diarrhea/Dysentery
Constipation
Minor aches and pains
Minor and severe allergies
Cold/flu symptoms
Bug repellant/spray
Minor cuts and bruises
Stomach Issues
Stomach issues can occur when traveling and eating new types of cuisine. We strongly recommend bringing various medications to ensure if you have any issues, you are able to manage them and continue enjoying your trip.
Eye Glasses + Contact Lenses
If you wear eyeglasses, it is advisable to carry an extra pair on the trip. If you wear contact lenses, you may want to take an extra pair of back-up regular glasses.
General Fitness
To take full advantage of your trip to Naples + Ischia it is best to be in good health. You will be participating in some walking tours and activities which might take you up hills, particularly when we visit Ischia and Procida. You may also find many of the sidewalks and streets are cobblestone and can be slippery in wet weather.
Water
Tap water is generally safe to drink in Italy. Please bring a refillable water bottle of your own and avoid using single use plastic bottles.
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SMOKING, ILLEGAL DRUG USE, and ALCOHOL
Unless it is specified on the itinerary, alcohol is not usually included with meals. If you would like to have alcoholic beverages during your trip, you will need to pay for these separately.
Ace Camps Travel Trips are 100% smoke free and we do not tolerate any kind of illegal drug use. We require responsible alcohol consumption.
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WHAT TO BRING
Now onto the fun stuff - what should you bring?!? Below are some suggestions, based on our experience. Particularly once we get to Ischia, you may not be able to find all the resources you’re likely used to at home so please keep this in mind when you’re planning and packing.
General
PASSPORT (make sure it has at least six months on it) and consider bringing a photocopy and/or passport photos. In the (hopefully!) unlikely event your passport gets lost or stolen, an extra set of passport photos can make it easier for you to get a replacement)
Travel plug adapters, depending on the country you are traveling from.
Clothing
Layering pieces, including a light jacket, and scarf or shawl, for cool mornings and evenings, with much hotter daytime temperatures
Rain shell and/or small umbrella (rain showers are always a possibility!)
Comfortable workshop clothing you don’t mind getting messy during your pastel and painting sessions with Camilla
A zippered day pack and/or a small-ish bag you can safely carry around each day
Bathing suit (your Naples hotel does have a small pool, the Ischia hotel does not have a pool but depending on the weather you might like a dip in the sea!)
Footwear
Comfortable and supportive footwear you feel comfortable walking in for moderate distances and on a variety of terrain. This Ace Camp Travel trip includes walking tours where the ground may be uneven or poorly maintained, could involve gravel or dirt, and you may be on your feet for a few hours at a time.
Personal Items
Glasses and/or prescription sunglasses if needed
Earplugs (high quality foam or sleep focused noise dampening, such as Loop)
Toiletries kit, including your own shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, if you are particular or there are certain brands you prefer to use while traveling
Sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher, sunhat, sunglasses, and lip balm with sunscreen
High quality bug spray
Small pack of tissues
Refillable water bottle
Hand sanitizer
KN95 masks–in an effort to keep our group as safe as possible, you may be asked to wear a mask
Personal supply of COVID Rapid Tests–you may be asked to take a COVID test at any point during your Ace Camps Travel trip in an effort to keep our group as safe as possible.
Required Workshop Supplies
The majority of your workshop supplies for your learning sessions with Camilla will be provided in Italy however there are four items each guest will need to bring as personal supplies. We have provided links to examples for most of the required items. If you cannot bring the exact items noted below please ensure you bring something very similar.
1 x Sketchbook
Example (US)
Example (UK)
Size: A4 or Letter Paper size (8.5” x 11”) | Must be Hardcover | Minimum ‘Cover’ Paper weight of 65 lbs /170 gsm
Please do not bring spiral bound sketchbooks. Paper should be medium thickness, minimum 170gsm cartridge paper - please ensure paper is not too thin.
1 x Clipboard
Example 1 (US)
Example 2 (UK)
Size: A3 or Tabloid Paper size (11” x 17”) | You will use this while drawing on the go.
1 x Tupperware Container (with well fitting lid)
Size: Roughly Sandwich Size
You will use this container to transport your pastels when you bring them with you on outings around Ischia.
1 x Portfolio Case
Example 1 (US)
Example 2 (UK)
Size: A3 or Tabloid Paper size (11” x 17”) | You will need a way to transport your larger drawings home with you. Camilla strongly recommends you bring a flat portfolio case. Drawings cannot be rolled without damaging the artwork due to the nature of pastels.
Luggage
We have limited space in the transport van and there is a personal luggage limit on the ferries.
Please limit your luggage to no more than: 1 checked bag; 1 carry-on bag, such as a small backpack; and 1 personal item, such as a purse.
On the ferry you will have to carry and move all of your own luggage on, around and off the ferry for your journey from Naples to Ischia and back to Naples so please ensure you consider how you pack. Clearly identify your luggage with luggage tags and your contact information.
We suggest keeping important items in your carry-on in case your luggage gets lost en route to Italy. We also suggest putting AirTags in your luggage (both checked and carry on) so you can track their location, in the event they get lost in transit.
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SOCIAL MEDIA
If you are taking photos and would like to share them as a part of our trip story please tag your posts and/or stories on Instagram with @acecampstravel or hashtag #acecampstravel
THANK YOU AND SEE YOU SOON!
Thank you for taking the time to review this information, we hope these details help with your travel planning and prepare you for your time exploring Naples, Ischia and Procida. If you have questions between now and then, please continue to email us at hello@acecampstravel.com. See you in Naples!