FAQs

FIT” stood for “foreign independent tour” but now it is commonly used to describe a fully independent traveler or tourist. It is also known as “free independent traveler”.

Under Independent you can find a selection of quality private city tours (also called sightseeing). As well, you can find private excursions focused on specific categories such as art, archaeological, walking tour, etc.

The length of a tour varies depends upon what is chosen.

In each Private Tours description you will find the duration of the service.

Most private tours will meet you directly at your accommodation. In any case, once a tour is confirmed, Hello Italy Tours will send you a voucher with all the information you need.

By Culinary & Wine Independent we mean all those services related to wine and/or food experiences, such as Cooking Classes, Wine Tours, Winery Visits, Wine and/or Food Tastings, etc.

Hello Italy Tours offer a wide variety of services and not all of them are published on the website. Contact our Italy Specialists to get a quote on the service you are looking for. Email: info@helloitalytours.com. Toll free: 866-HI-ITALY (866-444-8259)

Click on the Culinary & Wine Independent section; select your destination and category (cooking class, wine tour, etc). Once you get the list of services available for the requested destination and category, you can click on the service you are looking for. Add your name and select how you want to be contacted. Once you have filled in all the needed information, click on the Submit button. Hello Italy Tours will respond to your request with a quote in 24 hours (only during business days – Monday to Friday).

To visit museums like the Vatican Museums, the Sistine chapel, or any church in Italy, you must respect a dress code. The code is based upon what is considered “modest” and “appropriate” dress for visiting catholic churches and sites. The dress code forbids:

• wearing hats inside
• shorts/skirts above the knees
• sleeveless shirts
• shirts which contain profanity
• excessive jewelry

Shoulders and knees must be covered

A private transfer is a chauffeured car service (or boat service in Venice) from point to point, tailor-made based on your specific requirements. Hello Italy Tours offers private transfers all over Italy to take you anywhere you need. If you wish to have a car with driver at your disposal for a certain amount of hours/days, you need to request this in the Private Driver section.

No, Hello Italy Tours only provide its clients with private transfers.

Yes, normally there is an extra charge which is called a supplemental fee if you choose your private transfer on Sundays or with a pick up between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. NOTE: This time frame varies according to the supplier. Hello Italy Tours will quote you the price of a transfer based on the specific pick-up date and time.

For private transfers, sedans are used for 1 or 2 passengers with 1 piece of luggage each. Minivans are usually used for 3-5 passengers with 1 piece of luggage each. Minibuses are usually used for 6-8 passengers with 1 piece of luggage each.

Click on the menu tab Transportation and then select Private Transfers. Then select a Pick up city and location and Drop off city and location, choose date and time. Add your name and select how you want to be contacted. Once you have filled in all the needed information, click on the Submit button. Hello Italy Tours will respond to your request with a quote in 24 hours (only during business days – Monday to Friday).

Contact our Italy Specialists to get a quote on the transfers you are looking for.

Email: info@helloitalytours.com. Toll free: 866-HI-ITALY (866-444-8259)

Click on the menu tab Transportation and then select Car Rentals. Select Pick-up and Drop off cities and locations, dates, time and transmission type. Then add your name and select how you want to be contacted. Once you have filled in all the needed information, click on the Submit button. Hello Italy Tours will respond to your request with a quote in 24 hours (only during business days – Monday to Friday).

Hello Italy Tours defines Private Driver as a service that allows you the opportunity to have at your disposal a car with driver for your use based on your necessities. Hello Italy Tours can offer you a car with driver for a minimum of 4 hours or longer and for the amount of days you chose. We can also provide you a driver at your disposal for your entire stay while in Italy.

Click on the Private Driver page under the Menu tab Transportation. Fill in the form and submit it. Our Italy Specialists will get back to you with a quote within 24 hours (from Monday to Friday only).

In case you need the car for more than one day, contact our Italy Specialists

Email: info@helloitalytours.com. Toll free: 866-HI-ITALY (866-444-8259)

You can find the most requested trains online. If there is a train you would like that is not listed online, please send your request via email to trenitalia@helloitalytours.com. On your request please include the following information:

• Train departure and arrival city
• Date and time of departure
• First class or Second class ticket
• # of Adults
• # of children (15 and under, also include ages as the age varies by the type of train)

Train tickets will be sent to your email address in a pdf format. If you have a smartphone, you can show the representatives your e-ticket directly from you phone. Otherwise, you can print it to show when requested.

Holding an e-ticket reservation enables you to bypass the crowds at the Italian train stations and go directly to your train. With the exception of regional trains, the wagon and seat number is provided. As e-tickets are sent in pdf format, if you have a smartphone, you can show the representatives your e-ticket directly from you phone. Otherwise, you can print it to show when requested.

These trains reach a speed of 224 miles/h and they can take you very fast to your destination. Check here below some of the durations from point to point:

• 2h 05’ from Venice to Florence (Frecciargento train)
• 3h 45’ from Venice to Rome (Frecciargento train)
• 1h 18’ from Florence to Rome (Frecciargento train)
• 2h 55’ from Rome to Milan (Frecciarossa train)
• 35’ from Bologna to Florence (Frecciarossa train)
• 1h 10’ from Rome to Naples (Frecciarossa train)
• 60’ from Turin to Milan (Frecciarossa train)

The fares are in US Dollar currency.

Fares are not guaranteed until ticketed.

You usually can buy the Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca and Intercity train tickets 4 months prior to departure.

With the exception of regional trains, all other trains provide a seat reservations. Seats are automatically assigned by the system and there is no guarantees that seats will be together.

Most train stations in Italy are located within the city center and are very easy to find. Keep in mind that big cities usually have several stations (ex: Milan: Milan Centrale, Milan Porta Garibaldi, Milan Rogoredo, etc.) Check your ticket to find out which train station your train departs from.

We recommend arriving at the station at least 30 minutes prior to your departure.

At the train station, look for the Departures (Partenze) and Arrival (Arrivi) Boards or TVs usually located in the center of the station. Check for your train number on the board. The departure platform (binario) is listed next to the train. When you reach the platform, check the wagon number which is listed on your PDF reservation. Each wagon clearly identifies the number. Once you board the wagon, look for your seat number.

Although most trains have a restaurant car, you may bring your own food and beverages aboard.

All trains have air-conditioning and heat.

You can find bathrooms on all trains and they are usually located at the beginning of each car.

A limited section in each car is allocated for placing luggage as well as in the overhead section of each compartment.

All trains operated by Trenitalia prohibit smoking.

Hello Italy Tours offers a wide variety of hotels from 3* to 5* Luxury. We have a selection of accommodations that can make your stay unforgettable including boutique hotels, designer hotels, historical properties, farm, relais, etc. If you are looking for specific accommodations like villas, you need to click on Villas under the tab Accommodations. For apartments please contact our office.

If a property you are interested in is not on our website, please contact our Italy Specialists. We will assist you in finding the accommodation or offering alternatives if necessary.

Email: info@helloitalytours.com. Toll free: 866-HI-ITALY (866-444-8259)

Hotels are always on request. Fill in the form and Hello Italy Tours will get back to you with a quote within 24-48 business hours or with alternative hotels in case the hotel you requested is not available.

Yes, unless specified otherwise.

In accordance with the Italian law, hotel city taxes cannot be prepaid, and are to be paid in cash at the time of checkout. City taxes vary upon the hotel category and the city in which the hotel is located.

Yes, Vat is always included in our pricing