Private excursions in Italy

[disneyfaninaz]

One of the reasons we started using Tours by Locals is that you could make credit payments on the website in USD.

 

[KDG]

In Rick Steves’ Mediterranean Cruise book (2018), he recommended a tour company called Miles & Miles. Are any of you cruisers familiar with them? We usually bring (parts of) his guidebooks along when traveling in Europe.

 

[mmmears]

Rome in Limo was willing to use our credit card in advance after I complained about not wanting to walk around with that much cash. Our Barcelona tour company said it was cash only, then texted us the day before asking if we would pay by card in advance because their own tour guide didn't want to walk around with that much cash. It's annoying that this is even an issue these days. I also book with Context and they require advanced payments online (so no cash required).

 

[KDG]

Rome in Limo was willing to use our credit card in advance after I complained about not wanting to walk around with that much cash. Our Barcelona tour company said it was cash only, then texted us the day before asking if we would pay by card in advance because their own tour guide didn't want to walk around with that much cash. It's annoying that this is even an issue these days. I also book with Context and they require advanced payments online (so no cash required).

That makes sense! Both parties would be at risk for theft with all that cash! I will try to convince whatever tour company we choose to accept our credit cards. Thank you for the advice!

 

[KDG]

Our travel party has pretty much decided to book private tours for three Italian ports and now we are wondering how much to tip for each excursion. What is customary?

Also, if a private guide assists us (like the Vatican or Pompeii), that person is also tipped? How much?

Again, our travel group includes four adults and two teenagers. Thanks, everyone!

 

[brentm77]

Our travel party has pretty much decided to book private tours for three Italian ports and now we are wondering how much to tip for each excursion. What is customary?

Also, if a private guide assists us (like the Vatican or Pompeii), that person is also tipped? How much?

Again, our travel group includes four adults and two teenagers. Thanks, everyone!

I am curious about this too for future reference.

I can tell you that when I gave our private guide 100 Euros in Amalfi for a full day tour, since he went above and beyond for us and did all the driving too, he acted surprised and very grateful. But when I gave our private guide 60 Euros in Greece, plus 20 to the driver, she acted disappointed. My wife noticed it more than me. I thought it was plenty generous for a half day tour, but do wonder if she expected some percentage that I didn't hit. I am curious what others think and if there is a customary amount.

P.S. I can't recommend private guides enough if the Med. You invest so much money to get there, might only see a site once in your lifetime, and they were far superior to the DCL cattle experience with mediocre guides in my humble opinion. Plus the good ones will beat a lot of the cruise crowds to the major sites. For example, at the Parthenon and museum, we were always ahead of the major crowds and it made it much more enjoyable. I have been on far too many DCL tours where you spend an hour or more just waiting to get off the ship and onto the transportation. That's a lot of prime time wasted. There are places I would make exceptions, such as very far drives from the port, or maybe just a cheap DCL tour that only includes transportation if I want to explore on my own but getting to the spot is complicated or expensive.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Tipping for us in Europe was in the 10% range-for a private guide. A bit less for the driver. Rome we left a bit more and he wanted to refuse, but he was absolutely fantastic. Guide in Athens- we also invited us to have lunch with is. She seemed happy about that. We had really great private tours and guides on our cruise. I am glad because I may not get back that way again. Only DCL tour we took was Taormina to the Greek Theater. I was hesitant, but we ended up with a very vibrant and great guide, so it all worked out. As stated by Brentm77, I gauge my comfort level on distance from port and my plans and what I want to see. We are on a British Isles cruise this fall. The Scotland sights I want are really far. I may just stick with DCL on those.