Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are gratuities included in the price?
In Italy tips are never included in the bill and there isn't any moral obligation to leave a gratuity. Our prices are therefore intended as the Grand Total. Tips are nevertheless welcome and appreciated as a sign that the service was of your liking! A gratuity in the 5%-10% range will certainly make the driver happy.
Do you have stretch limos?
No, stretch limos would be impossible to maneuver in many of the narrow streets that are so typical of historic city centers like Downtown Florence.
Are child seats or booster seats required and do you provide them?
Unlike regular private vehicles, limo service vehicles like ours are NOT required by law to have child or booster seats when transporting children. However, we can provide these. So please let us know if you need any for your kids specifying age and approximate height/weight. We will be happy to provide child or booster seats free of charge!
Are museums, wineries, restaurants and stores always open?
No. The Uffizi and the Galleria dell'Accademia (David) are closed on Mondays. Many wineries are closed on weekends. Restaurants often have a closing day during the week. On the other hand, stores in Downtown Florence and the shopping outlets will normally stay open 7 days a week including lunch hours.
How do winery visits work?
Although every winery is unique, a winery visit typically lasts about 1-1,5 hrs and comprises: a) Guided tour of the estate & cellars b) Description of wine making process c) Tasting of the locally produced wines. The visit is carried out in English by the local winery staff. The winery will charge a fee (typically around €15-€25 per person although some upscale estates can be more expensive). Minors will not be served wine but can attend for free with their parents. Wineries (especially larger ones) will often group visitors together (maximum group size is about 15 people). It is sometimes possible to request for a private visit (just for 2 or more depending on the size of your party). In all cases Reservations are required. Some wineries offer the option of having lunch at the winery (for a fixed price or à la carte). Many wine shops and some wineries offer the possibility of stopping by for a simple wine tasting (without a full guided visit), for free or for a small fee. A simple wine tasting usually lasts under 30 minutes. Our price does NOT include meals, winery guided visits & wine tastings which you would pay for directly to restaurant/wineries.
Do you provide guides?
Our drivers are English-speaking and knowledgeable about the areas traveled but they are not officially licensed city guides (guide turistiche). The laws are somewhat complex (..) but only licensed city guides are authorized to act as guides, entering churches and museums (ie Leaning Tower, Accademia, Uffizi, etc) with their customers. So if for instance you want a guide in Florence and Pisa to walk you through the various museums and churches, you would have to hire 2 different guides (one for each city). Guides can be hired online. We will be glad to assist if you need help finding a guide. You would pay guide(s) directly (they typically charge €100-€150 for 3hrs of private guiding and they typically accept only cash). In any case our drivers will be glad to come forward with general insights about the local history, landmarks, works of art, restaurants, things to see & do. Most of our customers in fact don't feel the need to hire an official guida turistica and are happy exploring the towns on their own!
How many passengers & how much luggage can your vehicles carry?
Our largest Vehicle (the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter) can carry up to 8 passengers with a Total Luggage Allowance of 8 Large + 8 carry-on size suitcases . Larger groups or more luggage will require multiple vehicles.
About "cash rates"
Sometimes customers ask us if we can match a “cash rate” offered by another company which offers a very low price (for instance a transfer from Florence to Lake Como for €500) at the sole condition that you pay cash. They might even ask you to provide a credit card to bill in the event of a no show on your part. But they make clear that if the service is performed they expect you to pay in cash. In Italy, as elsewhere, this kind of "cash rate" is often the telltale sign of a company which is deliberately trying to avoid taxation. This is obviously highly illegal. And yet many still get away with it. As a customer you might not care if the limo service pays their taxes. After all, you are just trying to go from A to B and are happy to save some money even if you have to hit the ATM machine before the service in order to have the cash ready. And yet you are trusting your life to them. What other laws are they breaking? What about their safety standards? Are they properly insured? Are their vehicles inspected? Who are these people? Law-abiding business owners or mafiosi? Do yourself (and the world) a favor and steer clear of those offering a discount in exchange for a cash payment.
