We are in the process of securing a guide for a trip to Pompeii and Naples. They will pick us up in Rome and take care of most including a tour of Pompeii, but then we end up taking a self-guided tour of the museum in Naples.
When the tour is over what is considered appropriate to tip the driver and guide??
The tour is not cheap, probably over a grand, but less pain and strain for us and we have very limited time in Rome.
Dan
Add in some more specifics. How many people, how many hours? A small private tour using a car for 2 people is a whole different thing from a bus tour with 15 people. (or more)
Tips should completely depend on the quality of the tour and the service you get. This should be spontaneous and not a set, decide-before-hand deal. Did you love the tour, was the guide passionate about what they were showing you, were they always polite and considerate? Is the tip being divided up between a large group of people or just you and your partner? 1000 € sounds like a ton of money if it is just the 2 of you.
Other than that, anywhere from 5-10 % is appropriate for the guide. I wouldn't give very much to the driver unless you felt they did something exceptional, or this was a super long trip. Buy their lunch and their drinks during the day and toss in 10 €. Again, if this is a bus tour, the amounts should be much, much smaller. A few € from each participant for the guide, maybe up to 5 € if the tour was outstanding.
Great reply!! We may not even go. It's a stretch and the Vatican is one of our top tours. Plus I sent in for the Necropolis tour under St Peter's. If we get it, it will be an all time high for me!!(GRIN)
Last summer I took my two 16 year old nieces to Italy and from Rome we took an all-day Viator guided bus tour to Pompeii. We also went to Naples for a quick look-see which we would happily have skipped. This was my second guided tour of Pompeii., having gone with a college-sponsored group of adults the year before. I selected this tour for two reasons - (1) Pompeii is a time-consuming distance from Rome and is hard to get to--by train to Naples and then a crowded un-airconditioned local milk-run train to Pompeii, and no way would I rent a car in Rome to drive; and (2) the value of a guided tour for this site. Viator had comfortable coaches with AC and the connections in Rome were not too inconvenient or confusing. Our tour also included lunch in the town of Pompeii which we enjoyed with another family met on the bus.
The Viator tour sounds good, but the problem I have with them is while they go to Naples, I want to see the Archeological Museum. Much of what was in Pompeii resided there. Many tours do not take you to the museum.
What did the tour cost?
Dan
Do be aware that Viator is not doing these tours themselves, they sell tours from various companies. Just a middle-man. They don't have a good reputation, being somewhat rather hit or miss when any problems arise.
Have you checked tours in the RS guidebooks or asked for recommendations in the Italy forum? Check Trip Advisor too, for up to date reviews from tour companies. You can also ask on their forums too, or on Fodors. The more input you have, the easier your decision will be.
Then I might want to wait till I get to the entrance of Pompeii and take pot luck! I wonder about Walking Tours??
I also downloaded Rick's App, Audio Europe on my Iphone and then the sections I need for the specific things I plan to see. I went through the one on the Forum and Pompeii and ACTUALLY, it's not bad for a self guided tour. What I really want to see is the museum in Naples. I'm told most of the really good things they found are there!
Thank you!
Dan
Holy crap! $1000+?!? How many people?
Two people, the wife and I, but I guess if I got a group together it would cover it. It included a ride from Rome to Pompeii and then Naples and back. It got better. The gal wanted me to wire her half the money to a Western Union account in Naples. I didn't fall of the turnip wagon yesterday. She balked and then said we could make the payment when we met. I just told her we decide not to go due to time issues. Pretty shady!
I downloaded a tour app from Rick Steves on my Iphone and then you download the sites you will see. Gives a spot by spot information like he is with you. Also a map and pictures of the same thing you should be looking at. We have limited time, and the Vatican tour is tops on our list. Seem like most reputable private guides are around $60 to $75 and hour. We have one for the Vatican and I found out about the Necropolis tour under St Peter's and we will take that for sure! I was surprised we got it firmed down. You actually see the remnants of St Peter'!
If we go to Pompeii, we will take the train to Naples and the other to Pompeii. We may hire a guide there, or just wing it with Rick Steve's App. then back to Naples to see the Museum where many things from Pompeii rest today.
