F.A.Q.: Frequently Asked Questions

1. I heard the Vatican is closed on Sundays does that mean you'll arrange to bring us elsewhere in Rome since I'm assuming it will be unavailable?
2. What is the difference between a tour guide and a driver-guide?
3. What is the difference between a tour guide and a tour escort with bus with over 8 passengers?
4. If we book with TOP TOURS IN ITALY do we need to wait in line to purchase tickets at the Vatican/Sistine Chapel or will that all be prearranged? If not, how long do you expect lines to be?
5. How do i make a reservation with toptoursinitaly?
6. Cancellation policy
7. I booked a transfer from the airport. Where do I meet my driver?

---

1 - I heard the Vatican is closed on Sundays does that mean you'll arrange to bring us elsewhere in Rome since I'm assuming it will be unavailable?

The Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel are closed on each Sundays except the last one of the month. The Basilica of St.Peter's is always open so you will be able to visit it and if you are lucky enough you might be able to see the Pope since he gives a Blessing on this day. When the Vatican museum is closed it will be replaced with a visit to the catacombs or something else you would like to see. The tour is very flexible so we do not follow a strict itinerary and if you have any suggestion we will be happy to satisfy it.

Top

---

2 - What is the difference between a tour guide and a driver-guide?

For those of you who are booking private tours for the first time, perhaps a little clarification would help. A tour driver and a tour guide are not the same. It is to your advantage when booking a private tour to be sure that you understand the difference and know in advance what you are paying for. A tour guide has a license, usually issued by the state / country. He or she has attended school to learn all about the sites you will see. A guide is permitted to go into the historical sites with you and tell you about the history. Naturally, their services will cost more.
A tour driver is not licensed, has not attended "guide" school, and is not permitted inside the site to tell you about the history. Naturally, their services will be more economical. Many drivers are just as well versed in the area history as the guides. The difference of course is that they have to tell you the facts before you go inside.

Top

---

3 - What is the difference between a tour guide and a tour escort with bus with over 8 passengers?

We offer two different services that of course are quoted differently:

• a) bus with driver and tour guide. A tour guide has a license, usually issued by the state / country. He or she has attended school to learn all about the sites you will see. A liscensed guide is permitted to go into the historical sites with you and tell you about the history. Naturally, their services will cost more.
• b) Bus with driver and tour escort , which is training to be a guide but doesn't have a permit.

Honestly their service is more requested since they study a lot and most are still at school, and give more or less the same information the professional guides do.They speak english and are well mannered. However due to strict Italian laws & regulations that protect officially licensed guides, our tour escorts can explain the sights only from inside the vehicle, but are not allowed to do so once they are outside the vehicle. Naturally, their services will be more economical.

Top

---

4 - If we book with Driver in Rome do we need to wait in line to purchase tickets at the Vatican/Sistine Chapel or will that all be prearranged? If not, how long do you expect lines to be?

Having a guide booked for the VATICAN MUSEUM and SISTINE CHAPEL doesn't mean you avoid the line. There is no such thing and do not believe any one promising you this. For those that are not aware, in order to visit the Sistine Chapel you must walk through the entire Vatican museum .Please keep in mind that the Museum closes on Saturdays at 12:20 pm, this means that the queues are long all day so we do not recommend to visit on this particular day. However if this is the only day you will be in Rome and you really want to do the museum we'll do our best to let you in. The museums are closed on Sundays except the last Sunday of the month when the ticket is free. You know what this means? Longer lines then Saturdays. Forget about visiting on this day unless you get in line at 8:00 am hoping to be in by 11:00 am. If you visit on Wednesdays during the Papal audience there is very short line because everyone is at the Papal audience... if you show up after 11:00 am just forget about it!

Top

---

5 - How do i make a reservation with TopToursinItaly?

If you wish to secure a reservation with toptoursinitaly provide us with your credit card information and telephone number. Please note we do not ask you for your CCV so we can't use your credit card arbitrary. You should never give your Credit Card Verification number to anyone but verified Payment Gateways that you really trust (such as PayPal, Verisign, Authorize.net...). Payments can be made in Euro, Euro traveler cheque, at the end of each tour. NO CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS, SORRY. The credit card is used to guaranty your reservation but will never be charged. Once we have this information we will e- mail you a confirmation of your booking.

Top

---

6 - Cancellation policy

Contract

Top tours in Italy limousine service will not be held liable for missed flights due to airline decision to cancel the flight or damaged baggage due to client choice of vehicle size. Top tours in Italy limousine service and their chauffeurs have the right to refuse any passenger who has excess luggage which would result in the car being unsafe (Please make sure you book the appropriate type of vehicle if you have more luggage, for example minibus or van)

Waiting time

1. Our rates for Airport Meet & greet service includes 60 minutes waiting time after the flight has officially landed and parking fee. An extra cost of 30.00 euro will be charged for waiting time over 45 minutes for sedans and 40.00 euro for minivans.
2. If we are picking you up for a ride to the airport and you keep our chauffeur waiting more then necessary a charge for the waiting time could be added. Our fare will change if you request the chauffeur to do extra pickup on the way or otherwise. Please ask our office or the chauffeur for the extra charge you might have to pay. Prices will change only if the passenger request the chauffeur to wait or do an extra pickups.

Cancellation

There will be a full charge for booking cancelled with less than 48 hour notice for any service required. If you miss your flight or if your airline decides to cancel the flight due to bad weather or if your flight is directed to another airport on arrival, please advise us on time(as soon as you know ) or a full charge will be made. Please give us enough time so we can accept other reservations and allocate them to our chauffeurs . If the ship does not make it to the pier for bad weather you will not be considered responsible so NO CHARGE will be made to your credit card. Full charge will be made for no show up.

If you have any complaints please do not hesitate contact our General manager Mr. Nick Solipaca at toptoursinitaly@yahoo.com or call Cell. Telephone: +39 338 4861678

Top

---

7 - I booked a transfer from the airport. Where do i meet my driver?

Once you have collected your luggage and cleared custom head to the information desk of your terminal. This is where you will meet you driver. He will be holding a sign with the name shown on your reservation confirmation. It normally takes 40 minutes from the moment your flight touches ground that you phisically meet you driver, unfortunatly we italians work slow especially during the hot summer. So if it you notice it is taking longer, please call Nick at Cell. Telephone: +39 338 4861678

Or ask the custom police officer to let you come out for a second to tell your driver you'll be late. If the driver does not hear from you he might not wait longer than one hour. After 1 hour extra time will be charged. Please remember that the driver is not allowed in the baggage claima area.

If you experience a long delay, please contact us at the number provided above . If we do not hear from you may be charged for the time we have to wait for you at the airport. If you miss your flight or your flight was cancelled and we do not hear from you, you will be charged for the full amount of your transfer (and tour if requested).