Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you are required to obtain travel insurance to travel with us. Further information is available on our Travel Insurance page.
United States citizens must present a valid passport upon entry to, and departure from, Italy. Non-citizens have other requirements that should be checked with appropriate government agencies. Specific questions about Non-Resident (US) cards and other questions related to travel documents should be directed to Private Italy Tours. Vaccinations are not required for travel in Italy.
Airlines typically charge extra fees for checked luggage exceeding 62 inches (calculated by adding the width + height + depth). Airlines will apply additional charges for any bag over the weight limit. The weight limit for most U.S. based carriers (as of 6/1/2020) is 50 lbs. per checked piece. We encourage you to check with your specific airline carrier regarding restrictions or fees to avoid any surprises at check in for your travels.
We will provide information about our villas, specific to the tour, including the nearest city, accommodation descriptions, and services you will enjoy during your stay.
We will provide complete hotel information by name, location, and phone number prior to your departure.
Yes, we do charge a single supplement, and the amount can vary by tour. Further information regarding the supplement is listed within the details section of each tour.
If you travel with another single traveler and wish to share a room with that guest, Private Italy Tours will not charge a single supplement for either of you.
Yes. All our villas provide air conditioning/heating in the bedrooms for guests. Common areas, such as living rooms, dining rooms (often we enjoy meals on the covered terraces of our villas) do not provide climate control. Depending upon season and location of the villa, the use of air conditioning or heating may not be available. In those cases, we will inform our guests.
Once a deposit is paid for you (and/or your travel companion if traveling with another guest) you have confirmed space(s) on that specific tour. The balance payment for your tour is due 120 days prior to the departure date from the United States.
If you wish to confirm space on one of our tours, and your decision is within 120 days prior to the departure date from the United States for that tour, we require full payment at the time of booking. Please refer to the specific tour details we provide at the time of booking.
During local or national holidays abroad, certain facilities such as museums and shopping may be closed or may be operating on an adjusted time schedule. In such instances, and whenever possible, slight itinerary adjustments will be made to minimize inconvenience. Most of your Private Italy Tours visits do not coincide with any Italian national holidays. You will be informed well in advance of your departure date if any adjustments need to be made.
Our tour summaries include details regarding which meals are included with each tour. For those meals not included, Private Italy Tours staff will assist with recommendations for restaurants, cafes, or trattorias. All meals prepared at our villas by local cooks are included with our tours.
Our tours include local wines, soft drinks, and water consumed during your stay at our villas and for group meals shared while on tour.
For clients requesting vodka, scotch and other ‘hard liquor’, we require that clients inform Private Italy Tours, by type and label, a minimum of two weeks prior to their departure.
We cannot guarantee that a specific label name will be available for purchase for our clients use while at our villas, i.e. Grey Goose Vodka, Tanqueray Gin, etc. However, our staff in Italy do everything possible to locate the specific label requested. Some international liquors are not available in various locations across Italy.
The cost of these liquors is paid directly by clients before departure at the conclusion of their tour.
When traveling with Private Italy Tours, all guests understand that the company is not responsible for any injury to guests related to the consumption of any alcohol while on our tours.
Ten percent, on average. Americans are generally known to be generous tippers. Ten percent is truly a good tip, particularly if a cover charge (Coperto in Italian) has been added to your check.
No. In Italy, only cash tips can be granted to waitstaff. Please be prepared to leave a cash tip for any dining you enjoy while in Italy.
During your travels with us, you will meet phenomenal, experienced staff. From tour leader to housekeeper, guide to cook, you can expect the utmost professionalism and courtesy.
Private Italy Tours staff include payment of gratuities for any group meals consumed away from our villas or hotels. Additionally, we recommend the following gratuities at the conclusion of your tour:
Tour Leader: Euro 20.00 per day per couple
Housekeeper: Euro 5.00 per day per couple
Cook: Euro 5.00 per day per couple
Housekeeper and Cook: In some villas, the housekeeper and the cook are the same person. In this case, recommended gratuity is: Euro 9.00 per day per couple
Hotel Porters (if hotel is used during your tour): Euro 1.50 per bag delivered to your room upon arrival.
City Guides: Gratuities are included with your tour
Drivers – Van/Car: Euro 5.00 per person per day
GUIDELINES FOR CUSTOM ITINERARIES
Hotel City Taxes
Most hotels in Italy now charge a daily hotel city tax per person for each night’s stay. The amounts vary depending on the city in which the hotel is located. These taxes are due at the time of checkout.
Tour Guides (With the exception of guided tours in Rome) For half-day guided tours we recommend a Euro 45.00 and for full day guided tours, we recommend Euro 60.00, paid in cash. In Rome ONLY, we recommend Euro 60.00 for half day guided tours and, for full day we recommend Euro 85.00.
Hotel housekeeper: Euro 5.00 per day per couple
Cook (If staying at a villa during your travels): Euro 5.00 per day per couple.
Hotel Porters: Euro 1.50 per bag delivered to your room upon arrival or to your vehicle upon departure
Cooking Lesson Chefs: Euro 25.00 per person in cash at conclusion of the cooking lesson dinner.
Drivers – Van/Car: Euro 5.00 per person per day
The above recommended gratuities represent the average for the type of services provided while traveling with us. Certainly, these are at the discretion of our clients, and your tour leader will always be available to assist with any questions. The Tour Leader understands all client perspectives on gratuities; he or she will remain neutral in their assessment of any questions or concerns.
If you have arranged to arrive in Europe before your scheduled tour, or to remain after the conclusion of our tour, please let us know. We will work with you to support your early arrival or later departure. Costs associated with hotels, trains, reservations, and other related charges for these additional arrangements are your responsibility.
If you are physically challenged or require any accommodation or special support arrangements for a tour, please let us know as soon as possible. Many of the cities and towns visited on our tours are ‘out of the way’ locations where some accommodations for your request may simply not be available. If you have special needs, it is your responsibility to let us know; we depend on that. We believe strongly that it is in your best interest to travel with a qualified assistant or companion if you require assistance climbing or walking long distances.
As of January 2005, smoking is no longer permitted in any restaurants, interiors of cafes and bars, and some public buildings. Due to the strict requirements of our villa property owners, and in compliance with Italy’s laws, smokers are not permitted to smoke inside our villas. We respectfully request that you adhere to these requirements.
Smoking is also prohibited in all private transportation provided during day trips, travel to/from airports, and travel to/from train stations.
If you take medications prescribed by a physician, please ensure you bring sufficient supplies for a minimum of at least three weeks. These medications should be carried with you in your carry-on luggage as you travel in the event any checked luggage is delayed arriving with you to Europe.
Pharmacies in Europe are plentiful. Please request from your doctor, and bring with you, the medical (Latin) name of the medication in the event you need to request a refill during travels.
Due to the differences in translation and generic names of medications (Tylenol/Paracetamol for example) the Latin name of the medication will assist pharmacists in ensuring you receive the correct medication required.