GRATUITIES GUIDELINES

Tips are never included in your pricing as they are always on a merit basis. However, general guidelines are below:

  • For Guides and Drivers:
    – €20 for airport transfers
    – €50-150 per couple for half-day to full-day touring
  • Boat Captain: €50-150 per couple
  • Restaurants: 10% on the bill or just round up to the next ten
  • Cafes and bars: rounding up the bill is fine (e.g. €3 if your coffee is €2.60)

Please tip in cash.

DRESS CODES

DINING

Unless otherwise notified, there is no specific dress code at a restaurant. However, Italians are generally more “dressy” than Americans (e.g., no sweatpants, flip flops, hoodies, etc.).

CHURCHES & PLACES OF WORSHIP

Please note that religious buildings often have a dress code that generally requires respectful attire that covers shoulders and knees. While some locations are more lenient, it is best to err on the side of caution. Please also note that some locations will not allow bags to be taken into the building, in which case you will have to check them into a locker before entering.

DINING WITH YOUR GUIDE

You may, at your discretion, choose to invite your guide to dine with your party. You are under no obligation to do so, but if you do extend such an invitation, the guide is your guest, and you will be responsible for the cost of his/her meal.

HOTEL CHECK IN AND CHECK OUT

Accommodations usually have a 10:00 a.m. check-out and 3:00 p.m. check-in. When needed, we will request early check-in and late check-out. As a member of Virtuoso, we usually get these requests granted. During high season or a busy period, it may not be possible, but we will do everything we can for you!

INTERNET & SIM CARDS

  • Most American companies allow you to activate your SIM card for roaming/travel at a rate of around $10/day. This is a great idea for your first day, if you’re not tech savvy, or if your priority is ease over budget.
  • The Airalo Esim App is a great option for reliable & affordable in-country data.
  • TIP: Download all your tickets on hotel wifi, or ahead of time, in case your internet is slow on the night of the event, on the train, etc.

MONEY

  • We always recommend having at least two credit cards in case your bank blocks one unexpectedly. If you use an AmEx as your main credit card, we emphasize this recommendation as many will still occasionally encounter places that don’t accept AmEx.
  • You’ll get the best exchange rates at the Post Office (both for taking out money at an ATM or exchanging USD to EUR). The Post Office in Italy is also a bank. We recommend taking out cash directly from the ATM: it’s faster, and the rate you get will be the same.
  • VAT means “Value Added Tax.” Unlike in America, tax is included in the price that is posted for goods. If you plan on buying high-value items (>€70) in one store, make sure to ask for a Tax Free form. Some stores will give you the refund right away, but you must declare the goods at the airport in order not to get re-charged for the tax upon return to America.

EMERGENCIES

To connect to any emergency services in Europe, you can simply dial 112 and request the service that you may need. In Italy, this number will connect you to the Carabinieri, and you can dial the emergency services’ direct numbers for:

    • 113 Local Police Force (Polizia)
    • 115 Fire Brigade (Pompieri)
    • 118 Ambulance (Ambulanza)

COMMUNICATION RETURNING

There are names and cell number references for all of the people you will meet and interact with along your adventure. You should save them in your address book in your cell (with the +39). All guides and drivers may not have been assigned at this time, but you always have a direct reference, and you can reach everyone with the contacts listed. In addition, we are always available to you via email, cell, or WhatsApp.

RETURNING HOME

If you are a U.S. citizen who doesn’t have another expedited clearance (e.g. TSA Pre-Check), make arrival easier for yourself by downloading Mobile Passport Control (MPC) ahead of time.