We know you’re curious and have lots of questions about joining us on tour. You’ll find the answers to commonly asked queries here but, of course, if you don’t find what you are looking for you can always contact us.

General Tour Questions

Our guests come from all walks of life and mainly from the USA, Australia and Canada. We are thrilled to welcome guests from all around the world traveling as couples, with friends, solo travelers and more
 
United by curiosity for different cultures and a love of local food and wine, our tour guest ages range from mid 30s to some very sprightly over 80 year olds. We love that intergenerational connections have been formed through shared experience on our tours.
 
Your bilingual tour host is on board to answer your questions and facilitate conversations with locals we meet along the way and you’ll also spend time with our team of passionate local farmers, winemakers, artisans and tour guides who share the unique stories and history of their towns and villages.
 
Check out the short videos below to see our guests having fun on tour

We keep our trips to 10 guests or fewer. This enables us to visit places and enjoy experiences generally not available to independent travelers or larger groups.

While there’s no doubting the allure of an Italian summer, this is the time when Italians and Europeans are also on vacation, the weather is very hot and the crowds are intense. We prefer the more relaxed pace of Spring and Fall and know you will too!

Yes we are here to make sure your trip runs smoothly as soon as you arrive in Italy, during your tour and right up to the day you depart. For example – we are happy to recommend transportation options, hotels, restaurants and activities for our tour arrival and departure points.

We sure can. Please reach out to info@untolditalytours.com and we’ll work through your requirements together.

We are delighted to assist groups of 6 – 10 people plan a private trip based on our existing tour itineraries. Please reach out to info@untolditalytours.com to start a conversation with us about your preferred tour and dates.

Accommodation

We’re proud to select unique luxury properties for all our trips. As we travel in small groups we choose smaller boutique accommodation that pays respect to the local environment and heritage. From historic masserie in Puglia and Sicily to charming farmhouses in Tuscany with vineyard views and delightful cave hotels in Matera, our accommodation is memorable both for its style and service.

We do our very best to source properties that offer twin bed accommodation however in some of the regions of Italy that we visit this style of room is not common.

On some trips, the twin bed rooms will include a large double bed and a sofa bed rather than two separate beds.

If you would like to share a room on a twin bed basis please reach out to us at info@untolditalytours.com and we can advise the room layout for the tour you are interested in.

We know many of our guests join our tours as part of a larger trip and do our very best to ensure there is an option to do laundry while you are with us. We will advise the laundry options before each trip departure.

Dietary Requirements

Vegetarians are welcome to join us on tour however unfortunately we are unable to cater for vegans. Italian cuisine has a strong focus on dairy products and use of eggs in cooking which is difficult to adjust for on an individual basis.
Mostly yes however please reach out to make sure.
  • Gluten intolerance and celiac disease is common and well understood in Italy and most recipes/meals can be adapted
  • Lactose intolerance is also well known and many cows milk products are substituted with goat or sheep’s milk

You are more than welcome to join us however please be advised that wine is included in most meals and is considered part of the cultural experience.

Pricing and Cancelation Policies

Yes. Prices are per person, in US dollars. Please inquire if you wish to pay in another currency. Please note a supplement applies for solo travelers wanting a private room. Refer to each trip pricing schedule for details

We’ve designed our tours to be as inclusive as possible with luxury 4 star accommodation, transportation on tour, all activities, most meals including wine and tips for drivers and guides.
 
Our tour prices do nott include:
  • your international roundtrip airfare or domestic travel to your tour departure point
  • travel insurance
  • activities not included in the trip itinerary
  • additional hotel charges such as room service, hotel bar tabs and laundry;
  • food and beverages not included in our itinerary
Gratuity for your tour host is also not included.

No, Untold Italy tour prices do not include airfares or ground transportation to the tour departure point. You will need to make your own flight arrangements. Do reach out if you’d like assistance organizing a transfer to our tour departure point.

No one books a trip to Italy with the intention of canceling, but unexpected events do occur. Our cancelation policy is in place to help guests, our local partners and us through expenses that may arise from unexpected cancelations.
 
Our cancelation policy once you have made a deposit or trip payment
  • If you cancel your trip up to 120 days prior to departure, you will receive a full refund minus a $US 250 per-person service fee (to cover credit card fees and other non-refundable costs associated with your booking)
  • Cancel between 119 and 61 days prior to the trip departure, and a 50% refund applies
  • Cancelations within 60 days of departure incur a 100% cancelation fee

For more details read our complete terms and conditions

Travel Documentation

All travelers to Italy must have a valid passport with 3 months remaining until expiry on departure from Italy. To be safe we recommend you have 6 months validity on your passport.
 
US, Canadian, UK, Australian and New Zealand citizens are currently not required to have a visa for stays in Italy of under 90 days. This is likely to change in late 2023 when the new ETIAS system is implemented in Europe.
 
Citizens of other countries should check with the Italian embassy or consulate for information and requirements relating to their citizenship and residency.
Yes, we require all travelers to take out appropriate travel insurance that should cover you for both travel cancelations, and medical emergencies in Italy.
 
The unexpected can occur and becoming ill or injured in a foreign country is a very daunting experience, therefore we require guests take insurance with international evacuation coverage for all trips.
 
Please consider cancelation insurance also because refunds are made available only per our terms and conditions, and we are unable to make exceptions for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies.
 
You should book a policy as soon as the trip has been confirmed. We can provide a list of recommended providers on request.

Health and Safety

You need a moderate level of fitness to join an Untold Italy Tour due to the decent amount of walking involved. We do walking tours in historic district areas where the streets are paved with uneven cobblestones and rambles in the countryside.

Our tours are generally focused on gentle cultural pursuits, however please be advised that there is also a decent amount of walking involved – sometimes on uneven ground. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss your situation with us.
Should you or someone else fall ill during your trip or test positive for COVID, we will help you to access appropriate medical care as quickly as possible.
 
At that point you will be responsible for following the advice of local health authorities if there is a need to quarantine or self-isolate.
 
Per our terms and conditions we will not be able to provide any refund, even if the trip is interrupted or you are unable to resume the tour.
 
You (or your travel insurance) will need to cover any expenses incurred for medical treatment, testing, medication or self-isolation will need to be covered by you or your travel insurance.
We ensure our tours are compliant with current Italian health authority requirements. Masks and hand sanitizer are no longer required in most settings but are available on request.
 
Our tour hosts are responsible for keeping the group healthy and safe while on tour and will communicate all requirements and protocols as necessary. Should you or another guest fall ill, it is critical to follow the tour host’s instructions for the health and wellbeing of the group.

Pre Trip Planning Information

We will provide a list of books, articles, and podcast episodes to get you excited for your upcoming trip. We’ll also share some favorite places and things to do at our trip departure points should you arrive early.

Your sense of wonder and awe of course, and a healthy appetite!
 
We will provide a packing list outlining suggested clothing and other items to bring with you once your tour is confirmed.
 
Please keep your luggage to a medium sized suitcase or smaller if possible.