Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I choose you? What are the advantages?

Shore Excursions Italy customises your day based on your own personal preferences. We don’t do big groups – smaller minivans for up to 8 people have access directly into the city centres where larger buses are not permitted – MEANING you will get there quicker, see and get more from your day. Remember on a big group trip you will have to move as a group and can only go as fast as the slowest person! All our tours are based on five very important aspects –

 

• QUALITY - only the best shore excursions, drivers and guides
• VARIETY - all tours feature the best sites to see and things to do based on the interests of our clients
• SERVICE - efficient organisation of each tour and professional, friendly drivers
• SAFETY - all our vehicles are maintained to the highest standards and we can supply child safety seats
• VALUE - carefully monitored prices to ensure you get good value for money

 

 

DOCKING

What happens if the boat doesn’t dock?

If the boat does not dock it is not your fault. We will contact you to rearrange your new tour if possible.

Will I miss the ship if I go on tours?

Our drivers always schedule ample time for the return journey back to your ship before it sails and you will usually find yourself back at the docks between 5.00pm and 5.30pm

 

 

DRIVERS AND GUIDES

How do I locate my driver upon embarking?

Your driver will be as close as possible to the ship holding a sign with your name. The usual appointment time is 8am but we will be there before to guarantee no delays in departure. Careful! Sometimes there will be more than one exit from your ship and in that case we will stay in between the two gangway exits to guarantee that you will see us. You will always be given the cell number of your driver and it helps if we have a cell/contact number for someone in your party.

How am I guaranteed that you will be there?

Upon placing a booking with us, you will receive a confirmation voucher which gives detailed information regarding your tour and guarantees the service you have booked.

Are the shore excursions guided?

All our drivers speak English and are able to give general information regarding highlights of your tour according to their knowledge – they are driver-guides and not locally licensed guides. Drivers must stay with the car at all times and are therefore unable to accompany you into museums/monuments but are still able to give you some historical background and interesting facts. Should you wish for a professional guided tour in any of the city centres or someone to accompany your group on foot, this can be arranged at an additional cost.

Do you suggest we take a guide as well as a driver?

We think that for a day excursion, you will see many things with your driver-guide and a licensed guide is not necessary. However, if you are looking for more detailed information, wish to spend a lot of time in particular museums, want to delve more deeply into a particular area, or prefer to take in the city centre on foot, then it would make more sense to have a professional guide accompany you. Do remember that many places offer audioguides (small extra charge) that give detailed information in all languages and you can also download our recommended ipod tours.

Should we tip our driver or guide?

A tip is not included in the rate. Gratuities are not mandatory in Italy, however, if you have been happy with your excursion, the driver should receive a tip as a token of appreciation. General rule of thumb is between 10 – 20% depending on how you feel about the service you received.

 

 

ONCE ON SHORE

Are museum or reservation included in your rate?

No, but we are happy to assist with reservations/pre-booked tickets which allow you to visit museums without having to waste time standing in long lines.

Do the tours include much walking and stair climbing?

Most excursions involve some walking, some more walking and climbing than others. Walking may be over uneven surfaces such as cobblestone city streets or the rocky pathways of ancient ruins and in some places there may be stairs to negotiate. Please keep in mind that most of the buildings you will be visiting were constructed well before conveniences such as elevators were invented and have been preserved in their original state.

What about lunch?

Lunch is not included but our drivers certainly all have particular favourites. As part of the booking process, our office will suggest restaurants and places that we particularly like from personal experience and if necessary make reservations. We try usually to stay away from “tourist traps”, making suggestions based on what we think would best suit you and how well this can be incorporated into your day.

Can I change my itinerary?

With your own private driver-guide all tours are flexible and open to change based on your own personal wishes for a service of up to 9 hours. Change should be within in reason – you will need to take into consideration any pre-booked museum tickets (for which there will be a charge) as well as particular reservations, ie for restaurants, vineyards and wine-tastings.

What type of clothing should I wear on a shore excursion in Italy?

Much depends on the time of year but always something casual and comfortable, especially shoes (low heeled walking shoes or sneakers/trainers) as many city centres have uneven cobbled streets. During the spring and fall you may wish to carry with you a light jacket just incase of any rainfall. Our drivers will have a supply of umbrellas for you to use if necessary. Don’t forget your camera but we do recommend you leave most valuables onboard your ship. For golf excursions collared shirts and either long pants or Bermuda style shorts are required. If you intend visiting religious monuments, churches and cathedrals, please respect local custom that requires you to keep shoulders and knees covered.

What about physically challenged guests?

Our central office will talk you through all the options outlining the best things to see and do whilst on shore. However, with your own private driver and car (under 8 passenger seated vehicle) you will be able to see and do things with flexibility and at your own pace. Your driver will be able to take you right to the very heart of most cities without too much walking. Most vehicles can accommodate collapsible wheelchairs but you should notify us of this in advance.

What about families travelling with young children? Are there any age restrictions?

We will talk you through all the possibilities and outline the best things to see and do based on the age of the children. Usually there are no restrictions as long as children are accompanied by an adult. There may be certain areas younger children cannot access once on shore, ie the Leaning Tower of Pisa does not permit children under 8 years of age. Most vehicles can accommodate collapsible children’s buggies and we can supply children’s car seats appropriate to the age of your child.

Is there time for shopping on the tours?

Shopping is, for many, an important part of travel. Your driver-guide is at your complete disposal throughout the day so all tours are flexible. If you wish to stop and shop at any stage, just let your driver know. Please note that shopping may be limited depending on how much of the historical highlights, museums and monuments you also wish to see.

 

 

ROME

 

What do I need to know?

The Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel are closed each Sundays apart from the last one of the month. The Basilica of St.Peter's is always open so you will be still be able to visit it and if you are lucky enough you may even get to see the Pope who gives a blessing each Sunday. When the Vatican museum is closed it will be replaced with another one of Rome’s many monuments or something else you would like to see. With your own driver-guide the tour is flexible so there are no strict itineraries to follow and we are always happy to follow any requests you may have.
Vatican – 17euro per person for pre-booked tickets
Colosseum 12euro per person

 

 

 VENICE

 

What do I need to know?

Venice is a city of canals and bridges. There are no automobiles in the city centre and therefore boats and walking are the only means of transport. The streets are made of cobblestones and bridges have as many as 200 steps. No wheelchair access is available.
Please note that in the Basilica and the Doges Palace large purses or backpacks are not allowed. Please bring only small items or you may be turned away.
Due to a recent ordinance of the city council, boat tours along the Grand Canal are allowed only after 5pm.

 

 

 

FLORENCE

 

What do I need to know?

If you are interested in visiting any of Florence’s museums, we would recommend pre-booked tickets as lines are long especially for the Uffizi (Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera) and the Accademia (Michelango’s David). We would be happy to organise this for you. Please note many of the museums are closed on Monday.
Uffizi Museum and Accademia Gallery 10euro + 4euro booking fee

 

 

PISA

 

What do I need to know?

Please note that you should reserve your tickets for the Leaning Tower if you wish to guarantee entrance. Children under 8 years are not allowed.
Leaning Tower of Pisa – 15 euro plus 2 euro booking fee
Cathedral – 3euro
Baptistry – 5 euro which also includes Cathedral

 

 

SIENA & SAN GIMIGNANO

 

What do I need to know?

Please note that driving in the centre of both Siena and San Gimignano is restricted and the driver must stay with his vehicle at all times. There will, therefore, be a little more walking involved on this tour.

 

 

CINQUE TERRE

 

What do I need to know?

Comfortable walking shoes are a must – the fishing villages are filled with uneven streets and if using the ferry you will need to jump on and off a small gangplank from the ferry to the shore. The Via del’Amore, the famous part between RIOMAGGIORE and MANAROLA, is a beautiful possibility for flat walking in the maritime park of the Cinque Terre. It is gentle, not too strenuous and will take about 40 minutes. There will be some steps to take but is certainly not strenuous. In the event of bad weather, ferries may not run. Should this be the case it is still possible to reach all villages by car however please note drop off and pick ups are not allowed on the waterfront of these little villages and some walking is involved to and from your car. The other alternative is by train departing from La Spezia train station. Most train stations are set quite central in each of the villages (apart from CORNIGLIA).

 

 

TRANSPORT

 

What type of ground transportation/vehicles do you use?

Most cars are Mercedes, all with air-conditioning. All under 8 seats have direct access into city centres and restricted areas.

How far from the main attractions and sites can you get our group?

The permit for all of our under 8 passenger seated vehicles allows us to enter right in the very heart of the city centre, which, also includes pedestrian areas. This mean that we can reach the front door of any destination or monument you wish to see in most cities.

Is a big bus allowed to the center?

Larger buses of over 8 people are not allowed to the proximity of the center. This means that on larger group tours there will be a lot more walking to do and your itinerary will be limited. With our smaller tours you have flexibility to do and see the things you wish to do.

 

 

TERMS AND BOOKING CONDITIONS

 

How do I make a reservation?

If you wish to book a shore excursion or transfer, please complete one of the following forms on our website:
SHORE EXCURSIONS BOOKING FORM
TRANSFER ENQUIRY (USING OUR CONTACT FORM)
Early booking is recommended in order to secure the best drivers, guides, restaurants, museum entrances, etc. Upon receiving your written request, we shall forward a voucher will full details and useful information that confirms your tour. All payments are quoted in euro and as standard include fuel, tolls, parking fees and taxes. They do not include meals, guides, entrance fees to museums, churches, monuments, etc, unless otherwise stated. Gratuities are at client’s discretion.

How do I pay for my shore excursion or transfer?

On booking, a credit card is required in order to confirm and guarantee your tour. For individual one day tours or transfers no pre-payment is necessary and your card will only be held as a guarantee against your booking. However, when a private car and driver is booked for more than 3 days, a 25% deposit is required with the outstanding amount payable at the time of service. Most tours are payable directly to your driver at the end of the service in either cash (euros, US dollar or pound sterling) or by traveller’s checks or by credit card (Visa, Mastercard and American Express). If you do not wish to travel with cash or credit cards on the day, you can pre-pay all of your services with a credit card (VISA only) by completing our credit card authorisation form and faxing this to our office at +39 0583 971464. (note - you'll need Adobe Reader to view this form - if you don't have it, download it here) Please note credit card payments incur a 5% bank surcharge fee.

What if I have to cancel my shore excursion or transfer?

If you need to cancel your shore excursion, please inform us immediately in writing via email. There will be no charge if we are notified within 7 days of your planned tour. Less than 3 days before your planned tour, there will be a cancellation charge of 50% of the total cost. Less than 24 hours or a no show on the day and your credit card will be charged for the total amount of the confirmed service. Should you experience delays due to a missed or cancelled flight or train, you are requested to advise us at least 2 hours prior to the expected arrival time. If we do not hear from you in time to cancel the transfer you will be charged in full as a no show.

Email Warning

On occasion we do experience problems with American email providers aol.com, sbcglobal.net and comcast.net which, may automatically reject our replies due to very selective anti-spamming filters. When you write to us at info@shore-excursions-italy.com or valter@luccalimo.com, please add us to your personal address book as an approved address to make sure our reply is not considered trash and thus rejected. Should you not receive a reply to your email within 24 hours please either contact us using an alternative email address, send us a fax (+39 0583 971464) or call us +39 0583 971464 / +39 4406367 / +39 6066859.