We here at Italian Tours do everything possible to make your journey seamless, relaxing and stress-free. We always want you to travel from point to point in the most safe and efficient way possible...after all, you are on vacation! Every so often, a client will request to rent a car as their preferred mode of transportation. Driving in Europe is not the same as driving in the United States. The following are some reasons why we feel it is not ideal to rent a car: -Driver misses out: It is difficult to see the beautiful countryside, elaborate architecture or other sights while you are focusing on the road. -Finding Parking: Many cities have very limited parking spaces, in addition to high fees for parking. -Language barrier: It is important to know if a sign says “one way” or “do not enter-” which can be difficult if you do not know the language. Additionally, the signage is different and symbols have important meanings that could be misinterpreted. -Dealing with aggressive drivers: Ask anyone who has been to Rome in rush hour! All over Italy, scooters, small cars and other vehicles often weave through traffic, with little attention to the rules. -Figuring out directions: Your journey will be more stressful as you figure out where to go on small country lanes, unmarked alleys or confusing highways. Even with GPS, Italy can still be difficult to navigate. -ZTL: Many areas are “Limited Traffic Zones,” where cars are not allowed without special permits (issued only to taxis, city buses and career drivers). Secret cameras issue tickets constantly- at a high expense. -Price of gas: Gasoline costs over $8.00 USD per gallon! Most of our clients who insisted and thought renting was a good idea returned to the States regretting their decision. All in all, allow us to oversee the details of your once-in-a-lifetime journey. You will have a safer, more efficient and less stressful experience abroad! At Italian Tours by Diana, we are incredibly dedicated to your journey abroad.
To ensure the best experience on land, we do not book airfare in our office. We focus on the time you will explore La Bella Italia and Europe. This means you are responsible for your own international flights- whether you book independently, through our affiliate, or using another agent.
Tipping in Italy differs from tipping in the United States in many ways. It is often difficult for Americans to determine what the appropriate amount is, who to tip and when to do so. See our guide below: Tipping your drivers varies for per service.
-For a taxi ride, a 2-3 euro tip TOTAL is appropriate. As far as private drivers go: -For a one way transfer, tip the driver from hotel to airport/train station 5-10 euro PER PERSON. -If you have a driver for half a day, it is customary to tip 30-50 euros TOTAL. -A driver who is dedicated to you for a number of days, 50-100 euros PER PERSON at the end of your journey is a nice gesture. For private guides, 8-10 euro tip PER PERSON for each services is best. Restaurants: Tipping is not “required” as it is in the United States, but we recommend leaving 8-10% as a nice gesture if you had good service! Hotel Rooms for cleaning staff: 1 euro per day at the end of your stay if you choose is a kind gesture. For hotel porters, consider leaving 2-3 euros PER PERSON or 5 euros PER COUPLE. Time after time, our clients ask us, "When is the best time of year to travel to Italy?" The answer is simple: ALL of the time! The breakdown is below: January, February: This time of year is low travel season, so you will avoid the masses by traveling these months. Do be aware weather can be overcast, rainy and chilly with highs around 55 degrees or less! March through mid-May: You will be looking at true springtime weather during these months, with highs around 70 degrees. The tourism begins to pick up though so you will encounter more crowds, especially around Easter. Mid-May through June: This is high season at its finest. Gorgeous weather (highs in 70s and 80s) attracts many, so be sure to book far ahead of time to ensure your stay! Prearranged entrance tickets are a MUST to avoid the crowds (we of course can take care of this for you!) July, August: Things really heat up in Italy this time of year, with highs often reaching 95 degrees and above. Many Italians head for the beach around August 15th to celebrate Ferragosto and some tourists opt to travel at other times to avoid the heat. September through mid-October: High season resumes around September 1st, when the heat breaks and everyone is ready to travel. Hotels book up very quickly for this time of year, so be sure to contact us to reserve your rooms well in advance. The 70 and 80 degree weather make the trip enjoyable, but you may have to fend off some crowds. Mid-October to November: With beautiful fall weather, the end of October in Italy sees highs in the mid-60s. Tourists still linger, but the crowds are moderate compared to high season. You may not have the opportunity to lay on the beach at this time of year, but it is still extremely pleasant to be outdoors! November: Italy enjoys a cool down in November, where temps are normally in the 50s and 60s. Not many travelers head to Italy this time of year, so you will experience thinner crowds too. December: With chilly temperatures in the 40s and 50s, December sees a surge of holiday travel. A moderate number of tourists and travelers flock to Italy to celebrate winter break, Christmas or to ring in the New Year! So-all in all, anytime is a great time to visit Italy. It is important to decide what is most valuable to you- warm sunny weather or less crowds? dealing with chilliness or fighting off the masses? It is entirely personal preference. Our travelers always come back smiling, no matter what time of year! Buongiorno tutti!
We are happy to announce we are re-launching our blog for Italian Tours & Travel by Diana. Read about our adventures in Italy, our favorite travel tips and more! Conveniently located on our main website, be sure to check the blog often for new stories, ideas and photos. Grazie! |