F.A.Q.

PrivateTour in Italy – F.A.Q –

Where does PRIVATE TOUR IN ITALY operate ?

We are based in all major City’s and Ports of Italy from Florence Livorno- Tuscany Campania region Civitavecchia Port-Naples -Salerno Port -Sorrento-Amalfi Port- Livorno-La Spezia Port Messina Taormina .

I made a mistake and wrote to a different company with a similar name ?

Make sure when send an email to us, please double check you have written the correct email address info@privatetourinitaly.com ***important*** don’t miss the word ” IN ” between PRIVATE TOUR ( IN) ITALY .

Please feel free to contact us directly for any information at are email address info@privatetourinitaly.com or visit TRIPADVISOR link website to see are reviews from are past clients

Can you explain the difference betwen driver-guide and tour-guide?

In Italy there is a difference between a driver-guide and a tour-guide and they both require different licenses A tour guide has a license, released by the City Hall. They got a degree after having passed a state exam.
A guide allowed to go into the historical sites with you and tell you all the most specific information about the sites you are visiting . Their service is separated from the driver cost.

A guide-driver is not licensed, has not attended specific schools and is not allowed to go inside the site telling you about the history. He will advise you about the most important information of all the sites you are going to visit but then you have to go in by yourself.

If we book with Privatetourinitaly do we need to wait in line to purchase tickets at the Vatican Museum or at the Academia in Florence? Will that be prearranged?

Having a guide booked for the Vatican and Sistine Chapel doesn’t mean you avoid the line. They will do their best.
The Museum closes at 12:20 pm in winter and 03:20 pm in summer time. The museums are closed on Sundays except the last Sunday of the month when the ticket is free.
You know what this means??? Longer lines on last Sundays. Forget about visiting on this day unless you get in line at 8:00 am. If you visit on Wednesdays during the Papal audience there is very short line because everyone is at the Audience. Vatican tickets cannot be bought in advance.

About the Academia in Florence is possible to make a reservation in advance and Privatetourinitaly will do that for you avoiding the long lines.

Do I get the requested driver-guide?

We wish to guarantee to you the driver you requested. You probably read about him trough review on Tripadvisor or Cruise Critic or maybe he was suggested by a friend and knowing that he will be assigned to you maybe will let you feel more secure about booking a tour with us. We schedule the drivers tours at the beginning of each week and try to do our best to assign to each customer the requested driver. This happens most of the times but not always. Anyway if this will not happen, the most important thing is that you will be satisfied with the driver you will have, and you will!!!

Are the prices per person?

NO. The prices are for the carload, not per person. I.e. if you are 2 and the price on the web site says: from 1 to 3 passengers = 400 Euro, it means that if you are 1, 2 or 3 you will always be paying 400 Euro.

Where we recommend you to hire a licensed guide?

• Pompeii ruins
• Herculaneum ruins
• Rome,Vatican Musuem (Sistin Chapel), St. Peter Basilica.

How can I book a service? Can I do it on-line?

You have to complete our “Reservation Form” On-Line or a written order by email. Your credit card number and expiration date.
P.S. We hold your credit card number only to guarantee your reservation. Payments will be charged at the end of your service according to the rates quoted. We accept cash payment only (Euro/Usd), T/C’s or pre-payment with Credit Card.

What is your cancellation policy?

Please, note that there will be no charge if you cancel your reservation by e-mail within at least 20 days prior before date of requested service. If is not done in these terms, our company reserves the right to debit the “no show fee” on your credit card which is the total amount of requested services.

Cancellations made 20 days prior to the service date: 25 % chargé

Cancellations made 7 days prior to the service date: 50% chargé

Cancellations made 48 hours prior to the service date: 75% chargé

Cancellations made 24 hours of less or no show: 100% charge

Do we get charged if the boat doesn’t dock?

We take the credit card details purely for guarantee purposes, the credit card provided will not be charged at anytime. If the ship does not arrive into the port, this would not have been the client’s fault.
However, the tour will be automatically re-scheduled once the boat is in the port, if you are still on board of course.
A fee would be charged if the tour was cancelled for any other reason within the 7 day cancellation period.

How much should we tip the driver? Is the tip included in the quote?

Tip is not included in the quote.
Gratuities are not mandatory in Italy , however we do feel that if the clients have been happy with their service, the driver should receive a tip as a token of appreciation.
Standard gratuities in Europe run between 10-20% depending on the service received.

I heard the Vatican is closed on Sundays does that mean you’ll arrange to bring us elsewhere in Rome since I’m assuming it will be unavailable?

The Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel are closed on each Sunday except the last one of the month. The Basilica of St.Peter’s is always open so you will be able to visit it and if you are lucky enough you might be able to see the Pope since he gives a Blessing on this day. When the Vatican museum is closed it will be replaced with a visit to the catacombs or something else you would like to see. The tour is very flexible so we do not follow a strict itinerary and if you have any suggestion we will be happy to satisfy it.

What is the difference between a tour guide and a tour escort with bus with over 8 passengers?

We offer two different services that of course are quoted differently:

• bus with driver and tour guide. A tour guide has a license, usually issued by the state / country. He or she has attended school to learn all about the sites you will see.A licensed guide is permitted to go into the historical sites with you and tell you about the history. Naturally, their services will cost more.
• Bus with driver and tour escort , which is training to be a guide but doesn’t have a permit.

Honestly their service is more requested since they study a lot and most are still at school, and give more or less the same information the professional guides do. They speak English and are well mannered. However due to strict Italian laws & regulations that protect officially licensed guides, our tour escorts can explain the sights only from inside the vehicle, but are not allowed to do so once they are outside the vehicle. Naturally, their services will be more economical.

How can we locate our driver upon arrival?

Please note that one of our drivers will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall of the airport, upon exit of customs, holding up a sign stating your name and your destination.
The transfer with Pick Up at the Airport includes 1 hour wait. Any additional time will be charged at the standard hourly rate. In case you loose your luggage please come outside to advise your driver so that he does not leave without you, and you do not incur any extra cost. The customs police will allow you to re-enter the lost and found zone.

I will ensure that either myself or one of the drivers will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall of the train station, at the beginning of the track , when your train arrives, holding up a sign stating your name and your destination.
The transfer with Pick Up at the Train Station includes 30 minutes wait.

Any additional time will be charged at the standard hourly rate.
If you have difficulty locating your chauffeur, please call us at +(39) 3398094524. Leaving your pick-up location, without notifying us, wil unfortunately l result in a “no-show” charge us