FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LIVITALY TOURS

Many travelers have questions regarding their booking experience, tour info, dress codes & more. Take a look through our frequently asked questions, and if you don’t find what your looking for in the LivItaly FAQ, feel free to email us at info@livitaly.com or take a look at our Terms & Conditions or Privacy Policy for more info.

GENERAL

WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE LIVITALY TOURS OVER OTHER TOUR COMPANIES?
LivItaly Tours was created to provide high quality touring services to help not only simplify the planning of your vacation but also to assure that your Italian holiday will be uniquely memorable. Our guides are chosen from a roster of professionals in the tour guide business, but must also have certain essential capabilities: perfect, accent-free English; in-depth knowledge of not only the historical and cultural details but also of interesting, little-known facts and stories; personal experience as a resident in Italy and first-hand knowledge of all locations; and finally, the ability to be pleasantly entertaining in all situations.

The LivItaly mission is to help you “live and feel” Italy, so whether you are interested in a countryside excursion, a one-day orchestrated whirlwind visit of Rome, a unique travel adventure, or if you are searching for the land of your ancestors, LivItaly Tours will bring to you the best of the Italian peninsula making your vacation nothing less than a remarkably enjoyable and an unforgettable success!

DO YOU SELL TOURS OUTSIDE OF ITALY?
We have over 150 tours in all of Italy and now we have also opened in Spain! Contact us for more info or take a look at our Spain Travel Blog.

BOOKINGS

WHY AM I HAVING PROBLEMS BOOKING ON YOUR WEBSITE?
If you are using an old version of Internet Explorer (Explorer 9 and/or before), you might have some problems proceeding with your booking. Try to either update your internet browser or try using a different one (i.e. Firefox Mozilla, Safari or Chrome). You are always welcome to call or email us and we will be happy to help you finalize the booking.

I DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE BOOKING ONLINE. IS THERE SOMEONE I CAN CALL OR EMAIL DIRECTLY?
Of course! We are available via Skype (free!), by telephone, or email. Please feel free to contact us at any time, day or night. You can find our contact information on the Contact Page. In addition, you can fill out our question form and we will respond promptly.

I booked for tomorrow and my booking is “pending”. What does this mean?If you are making a last minute booking, you may see a “pending” message. This means that your credit card has reserved your places, and we are diligently working on finding you space on the next day’s tour. As soon as we find space on the requested tour, you will receive a confirmation email to the email provided. Confirmation will arrive within the day. Your card will only be charged once your tour is confirmed.

DO YOU ACCEPT SAME-DAY BOOKINGS?
Unfortunately, we don’t accept same day bookings. But depending on availability, if you book the evening before, we will try to accomodate you for the following day.

DO I NEED TO BRING MY CONFIRMATION EMAIL TO THE MEETING POINT?
You are not obliged to show your confirmation email at the meeting point, but it is strongly suggest that you print it out and take it along, as it had important information such as meeting point address, starting time and emergency numbers.

WHEN WILL I KNOW ALL OF THE DETAILS REGARDING THE TOUR I BOOKED?
Once you have completed your reservation and booked online or called one of our representatives, you will receive an email confirmation. The email will include all your reservation info (date, time, total cost, and method of payment). Please check your spam inbox since the email might get stuck there.

WHERE CAN I INSET ADDITIONAL INFO THAT I THINK WILL BE RELEVANT TO YOU WHEN BOOKING?
While booking, you will have the option of adding a personalized message in the field called “Additional Notes”. Use this to tell us if any children under 3 will be joining the tour, if you have any dietary restrictions on a food tour, questions about an upgrade and any other request you have for us.

MY CHILD IS UNDER THE AGE OF 3, HOW DO I ADD HER TO THE BOOKING?
Children under the age of 3 can join LivItaly tours for free! Please put this information in the “Additional Notes” section of the booking page, especially if you are doing a Treasure Hunt Tour so we come equipped with goodies for all the children. Children 3 and over pay a reduced price and can be selected in the drop down list while booking.

WE ARE TRAVELING WITH OUR YOUNG CHILDREN. ARE THE TOURS APPROPRIATE FOR US?
Children under the age of 3 years are welcome to join all our tours for free.

We also offer a range of tours that are kid-friendly, and exclusive LivItaly Treasure Hunt Tours designed specifically for families with children. Please have a look at our Treasure Hunts at the Vatican  Colosseum and Underground Rome.

IS EVERYTHING INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
Yes! Prices on LivItay’s website are transparent so you know exactly what is included in the cost. Prices are all-inclusive and there are no hidden costs. What you see is what you get. Costs which are not included in your tour are upgrades, such as hotel pick-ups and on some of our longer tours, lunch.

CAN WE REQUEST A DIFFERENT STARTING TIME FOR OUR TOURS?
Flexible starting times are available for private tours only. Please consult us before booking if you wish to start another time than the ones proposed on the product web-page.

I HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES/RESTRICTIONS, CAN I STILL DO YOUR FOOD TOURS OR COOKING CLASSES?
Of course! Let us know about your allergies ahead of time and we will make sure dietary alternatives are reserved for you. If you are booking for more than one person, please be specific about how many of the booked guests have allergies/restrictions.

POST BOOKING

WHERE CAN I FIND MY CONFIRMATION EMAIL?
Your confirmation email will be sent to the email you have provided. Please check your spam inbox if you have not received it upon booking.

CAN LIVITALY CANCEL MY TOUR?
We do not cancel tours. In the event of an extreme circumstances, we will always look for a solution to work around honoring our end of the agreement. Having to cancel reservations is a very rare occasion.

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY TOUR IF IT RAINS?
LivItaly Tours run rain or shine.

I AM LATE. HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU?
Call or text the emergency number that you find on your booking voucher. We will do our best to have you join your tour.

GROUP TOURS

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON THE GROUP TOURS?
LivItaly Tours believes that the only way to properly live a city ir to see it in a small, intimate environment. So, unlike our competitors, group sizes include maximum 6 people per tour guide.

CAN YOU GUARANTEE THAT THE GROUP SIZE WILL BE LIMITED TO 6 PEOPLE?
When you book a LivItaly Small Group Tour,  you are guaranteed one tour guide per group of 6 people. There is on occasion, the rare exception of an additional traveler, in order not to split friends or families. This is not the norm, and should be considered an exception.

MY GROUP IS MORE THAN 6 PEOPLE. CAN I STILL BOOK A TOUR WITH LIVITALY?
If your group consists of more than 6 people, you will have to book a private tour. All of our small group tours have equivalent private tours. Booking a private tour for a group of 5 or more is typically more economically convenient as well.

HOW I WILL I RECOGNIZE MY LIVITALY TOUR GUIDE AT THE MEETING POINT?
Your tour guide and/or a LivItaly representative is always present at the meeting point 15 minutes prior the starting time. He/she will hold a LivItaly sign with our logo, making it easy for you to spot us.

EXTRA SERVICES

I AM TRAVELLING ON A CRUISE, DO YOU PICK UP FROM THE PORT?
Yes we do! We actually have Shore Excursion Tours designed for those docking at nearby ports, with just enough time to see city highlights.

CAN YOU HELP ME MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO GET TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT?
Absolutely! If you are planning to reserve one of our tours, we will be happy to help you with your airport shuttle reservations as well. Have a look at our Transfers Page for more info.

DO YOU OFFER HOTEL PICKUP SERVICE?
Yes, we offer pickup services from your hotel to all our private tours. You can easily add on the service when booking a tour. Please note that the service only includes one-way. Contact us if you wish to add a return trip.

I see that there is a minimum 2 people policy on some tours. I am traveling alone, how do I book this tour?
Unfortunately solo travelers cannot book a tour which requires a minimum of 2 people booking. But we offer plenty of small group tours which are perfect for solo travelers to book.

COMPANY POLICY

WHAT IS LIVITALY’S CANCELLATION POLICY?
You can read our cancellation policy here.

WHAT HAPPENS IN WEATHER CONDITIONS DO NOT ALLOW ME TO VISIT THE ITINERARY PROPOSED & SOLD TO ME BY YOUR TOUR DESCRIPTION?
Our tours run come rain or shine and we never cancel due to weather conditions. In the case of closures that our beyond our control, we do our best to give you an equivalent alternative route.

WORK WITH US

I AM A TRAVEL AGENT, HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU TO START WORKING TOGETHER?
You can send us an email here on our Agent Signup and we will be in touch shortly.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ROME TOURS

VATICAN

WHAT CAN AND CAN’T I WEAR AT THE VATICAN?
The Vatican is a sacred place which does not allow low cut or sleeveless clothing, shorts, miniskirts or hats. All guests must cover their shoulders and knees. This is valid for men and women. Bring a sweater or scarf and make sure you are wearing pants or a skirt which goes below your knee.

CAN I BRING FOOD AND DRINKS INSIDE THE VATICAN?
You are allowed to bring drinks inside the Vatican Museums, as long as they are not in glass or can.  Small snacks in packages such as chocolate bars or energy bars are allowed. Unwrapped, open foods are not allowed. No icre cream. No unwrapped sandwiched. This is to ensure that no damage is done to the prestigious artwork which housed in the Vatican Museums.

WHAT CAN’T I BRING INTO THE VATICAN?
To ensure the safety of visitors and to protect the artistic patrimony, the Vatican Museums require all knives, scissors and/or metal tools of various types to be stored in the cloakroom.

CAN I BRING A BAG WITH ME INSIDE THE VATICAN MUSEUMS?
You are allowed to enter the Vatican Museums with a bag no larger than 15.7 inches x 13.7 inches x 6 inches (40cm x 35cm x 15cm). Larger bags must be checked in. You also cannot enter with a long umbrella or camera tripod. These items must be checked in at the entrance. If you decide to check your items in, keep in mind that the tour will end at a different place from where it began about a 10 minute walk away.

WHAT DOES PRIVILEGED ENTRANCE AT THE VATICAN MUSEUMS MEAN?
Entrance for the general public to the Vatican Museum is usually preceded by long lines which snake alongside the walls of the Vatican city – many times (especially in the high tourist season or on weekends) making a 1-3 hour long wait not. LivItaly Tours has been granted privileged entrance rights to the Vatican Museums. This means that we have daily, specially reserved VIP slots so that our guests can avoid the long queues.

COLOSSEUM

WHAT CAN I AND CAN’T I BRING INTO THE COLOSSEUM?
You cannot bring large backpacks, camping gear, bulky bags, suitcases or trolleys, a pocket knife, glass containers and similar items. You will be going through a mandatory metal detector where all bags are checked to ensure that Colosseum policy is enforced.

IS THERE A LOT OF WALKING ON THE COLOSSEUM TOUR?
Yes. The Colosseum consists of several tiers and steep steps. It involved a good amount of walking and is not a sedentary tour.

IS THERE A SKIP THE LINE ENTRANCE AT THE COLOSSEUM?
When booking a tour with LivItaly, you will never have to worry about standing in line. Our prices always includes entry tickets with skip-the-line access.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FLORENCE TOURS

 

I DON’T DRAW WELL. CAN I STILL TAKE THE FLORENCE DRAWING CLASS?
Yes you can. The tour included a drawing portion but your guide will walk you through technique and give you some expert pointers on what it was like for the great artists of Renaissance past. You are not expected to be skilled in drawing. All levels are welcomed.

DO YOU SKIP THE LINE TO THE ACCADEMIA IN FLORENCE OR UFFIZI GALLERY IN FLORENCE?
Yes. You sure do. LivItaly Tours knows how important a traveler’s time is which is why our Accademia Tours and Uffizi Gallery are designed to give you direct access to the museums. So now waiting on ticket lines.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT VENICE TOURS

 

DO YOU SKIP THE LINE AT SAINT MARK’S BASILICA OR DOGE’S PALACE IN VENICE?
Yes. You sure do. LivItaly Tours knows how important a traveler’s time is which is why our tours which include the St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace are designed to give you direct access to the museums. So now waiting on ticket lines. Keep in mind that skipping the line is only available in certain seasons. Our Venice tours which include St. Mark’s will let you skip the line from April 1 – October 31.