Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know About Luxury Italy Holidays
From tailor-made itineraries to boutique hotels and small ship cruises,
here are answers to the questions travellers ask most.
What makes Completely Italy different from mass-market tour operators?
Completely Italy creates tailor-made Italian holidays designed around you. Unlike fixed package tours, every trip is personalised to match your interests, travel style, and pace.
With over 35 years of experience, our Italy specialists recommend hand-picked boutique hotels, authentic experiences, and carefully planned itineraries across regions like Tuscany, Sicily, Puglia, and the Amalfi Coast. You’ll always work with a real expert who understands Italy and ensures your holiday runs smoothly.
With over 35 years of experience, our Italy specialists recommend hand-picked boutique hotels, authentic experiences, and carefully planned itineraries across regions like Tuscany, Sicily, Puglia, and the Amalfi Coast. You’ll always work with a real expert who understands Italy and ensures your holiday runs smoothly.
Are your holidays financially protected?
Yes. Your holiday is protected through ATOL and ABTOT financial protection, giving you peace of mind when booking with us.
When you book a bespoke holiday to Italy with Completely Italy, we ensure your travel arrangements are secure and fully compliant with UK travel regulations.
When you book a bespoke holiday to Italy with Completely Italy, we ensure your travel arrangements are secure and fully compliant with UK travel regulations.
Can I book flights, transfers, and ferries through you?
Yes. We can arrange every aspect of your Italian holiday, including flights, private transfers, trains, car hire, and ferries.
Many clients prefer having everything organised together, especially for multi-centre holidays in Italy, so the journey between destinations is seamless.
Many clients prefer having everything organised together, especially for multi-centre holidays in Italy, so the journey between destinations is seamless.
Can I combine Rome, Florence and Tuscany in one holiday?
Absolutely. Multi-centre holidays are one of the best ways to explore Italy.
We can combine destinations such as Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Sicily, or the Amalfi Coast into one seamless itinerary using trains, transfers, or short flights.
We can combine destinations such as Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Sicily, or the Amalfi Coast into one seamless itinerary using trains, transfers, or short flights.
What level of support do I receive during my holiday?
You’ll have support from planning through to your return home.
Your dedicated Italy specialist will design your itinerary and provide advice before departure, while our team offers 24/7 support during your holiday if you need assistance while travelling.
Your dedicated Italy specialist will design your itinerary and provide advice before departure, while our team offers 24/7 support during your holiday if you need assistance while travelling.
Do you only offer luxury travel?
We focus on high-quality, tailor-made holidays to Italy, usually featuring boutique 4-star and 5-star hotels and authentic experiences.
Our aim is to create holidays that deliver excellent value while maintaining exceptional quality and personalised service.
Our aim is to create holidays that deliver excellent value while maintaining exceptional quality and personalised service.
Are there lots of sandy beaches in Italy?
Yes! Italy is blessed with thousands of kilometres of coastline and offers a fantastic mix of sandy beaches, secluded coves and dramatic rocky shores.
Some of Italy's best sandy beaches can be found in:
Sardinia – Famous for its Caribbean-style white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters.
Sicily – Home to long stretches of golden sand and beautiful coastal resorts.
Puglia – Often called the "Maldives of Italy" thanks to its soft sand and turquoise sea.
Tuscany – Popular family-friendly beaches along the Versilia Coast and Maremma region.
The Italian Riviera – A mix of sandy beaches, pebbly coves and picturesque seaside towns.
Travel Tip: Many Italian beaches operate as lidos (beach clubs), where sunbeds and umbrellas can be rented for the day. Public beaches are also available in most resorts.
Some of Italy's best sandy beaches can be found in:
Sardinia – Famous for its Caribbean-style white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters.
Sicily – Home to long stretches of golden sand and beautiful coastal resorts.
Puglia – Often called the "Maldives of Italy" thanks to its soft sand and turquoise sea.
Tuscany – Popular family-friendly beaches along the Versilia Coast and Maremma region.
The Italian Riviera – A mix of sandy beaches, pebbly coves and picturesque seaside towns.
Travel Tip: Many Italian beaches operate as lidos (beach clubs), where sunbeds and umbrellas can be rented for the day. Public beaches are also available in most resorts.
Do I tip in Italy and where?
Tipping in Italy is appreciated but not expected in the same way as in some other countries.
Quick Tipping Guide
Restaurants: Leaving 5–10% for excellent service is appreciated but not obligatory.
Cafés & Bars: Simply rounding up the bill or leaving small change is common.
Taxis: Round up the fare or leave €1–€2 for good service.
Tour Guides: €5–€10 per person for group tours or around 10% for private guides.
Hotels: €1–€2 per bag for porters and a few Euros per day for housekeeping is appreciated.
Tip: Many restaurants charge a coperto (cover charge) per person. This is not a tip but a standard charge for bread, table service and place settings.
Quick Tipping Guide
Restaurants: Leaving 5–10% for excellent service is appreciated but not obligatory.
Cafés & Bars: Simply rounding up the bill or leaving small change is common.
Taxis: Round up the fare or leave €1–€2 for good service.
Tour Guides: €5–€10 per person for group tours or around 10% for private guides.
Hotels: €1–€2 per bag for porters and a few Euros per day for housekeeping is appreciated.
Tip: Many restaurants charge a coperto (cover charge) per person. This is not a tip but a standard charge for bread, table service and place settings.
Do I need a visa to travel to Italy?
UK nationals do not need a visa for short tourist visits to Italy.
As Italy is part of the Schengen Area, British citizens can stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa.
This applies to holidays, visiting family and friends, short business trips and short-term study.
Entry/Exit System (EES)
The European Union is introducing a digital Entry/Exit System (EES), which will gradually replace passport stamping. When travelling, you may be required to provide fingerprints and a facial photograph at border control.
As Italy is part of the Schengen Area, British citizens can stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa.
This applies to holidays, visiting family and friends, short business trips and short-term study.
Entry/Exit System (EES)
The European Union is introducing a digital Entry/Exit System (EES), which will gradually replace passport stamping. When travelling, you may be required to provide fingerprints and a facial photograph at border control.
What passport validity do I need for Italy?
Your passport must:
Have been issued less than 10 years before your date of entry.
Be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure date from Italy and the Schengen Area.
We recommend checking your passport well before travel.
Have been issued less than 10 years before your date of entry.
Be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure date from Italy and the Schengen Area.
We recommend checking your passport well before travel.
What currency is used in Italy?
Italy uses the Euro (€).
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout the country, including in hotels, restaurants and shops. However, carrying a small amount of cash is useful for local markets, smaller cafés and rural areas.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout the country, including in hotels, restaurants and shops. However, carrying a small amount of cash is useful for local markets, smaller cafés and rural areas.
Do I need travel insurance for my holiday?
Yes, we strongly recommend that all guests take out comprehensive travel insurance from the time they book their holiday.
Your policy should cover:
Cancellation and curtailment
Medical expenses
Personal belongings
Travel delays
Any activities you plan to undertake during your trip
Your policy should cover:
Cancellation and curtailment
Medical expenses
Personal belongings
Travel delays
Any activities you plan to undertake during your trip
Can I use my EHIC or GHIC card in Italy?
Yes. Your valid EHIC or GHIC card can be used in Italy and provides access to medically necessary state healthcare during your stay.
However, it is important to remember that the EHIC/GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance and may not cover all medical costs, repatriation or private treatment.
Travel Tips
Check your card is still valid before travel.
Keep receipts for any medical treatment received.
Dial 112 for emergency services throughout Italy and the EU.
However, it is important to remember that the EHIC/GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance and may not cover all medical costs, repatriation or private treatment.
Travel Tips
Check your card is still valid before travel.
Keep receipts for any medical treatment received.
Dial 112 for emergency services throughout Italy and the EU.
When will I receive my flight and travel documents?
You will normally receive your flight references, e-tickets and any car hire vouchers approximately 2 weeks before departure.
We will email you access to your personal travel portal where all documentation can be viewed and downloaded.
If you have not received your documents within this timeframe, please contact our team and we will be happy to help.
We will email you access to your personal travel portal where all documentation can be viewed and downloaded.
If you have not received your documents within this timeframe, please contact our team and we will be happy to help.
Do I need to check in for my flights myself?
Yes.
Most airlines now require passengers to complete online check-in before travelling via the airline's website or mobile app.
Your booking reference will be available within your customer portal to enable you to complete the process.
If you experience any difficulties, our team will be happy to assist.
Most airlines now require passengers to complete online check-in before travelling via the airline's website or mobile app.
Your booking reference will be available within your customer portal to enable you to complete the process.
If you experience any difficulties, our team will be happy to assist.
Do hotels in Italy charge a tourism tax?
Many towns and cities in Italy charge a local tourist tax (tassa di soggiorno).
The amount varies depending on the destination, accommodation type and length of stay. It is usually payable directly to the hotel upon arrival or departure.
Your booking documentation will advise if a local tourism tax applies to your holiday.
The amount varies depending on the destination, accommodation type and length of stay. It is usually payable directly to the hotel upon arrival or departure.
Your booking documentation will advise if a local tourism tax applies to your holiday.
Is Italy a safe country to visit?
Yes. Italy is generally a very safe destination and welcomes millions of visitors every year.
As with any popular tourist destination, we recommend taking normal precautions, particularly in busy city centres, train stations and tourist attractions where pickpocketing can occasionally occur.
Keep valuables secure and remain aware of your surroundings in crowded areas.
As with any popular tourist destination, we recommend taking normal precautions, particularly in busy city centres, train stations and tourist attractions where pickpocketing can occasionally occur.
Keep valuables secure and remain aware of your surroundings in crowded areas.
Can I use my mobile phone in Italy?
Many UK mobile providers allow customers to use their phones in Italy under European roaming arrangements.
However, roaming charges and allowances vary between providers, so we recommend checking with your network before travelling to avoid unexpected costs.
Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafés and restaurants throughout Italy.
However, roaming charges and allowances vary between providers, so we recommend checking with your network before travelling to avoid unexpected costs.
Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafés and restaurants throughout Italy.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Italy?
Most UK driving licence holders do not require an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Italy.
If you plan to hire a car, you must carry:
Your full UK driving licence
Your passport
Car hire documentation
Some rental companies may also require a credit card in the lead driver's name.
Please note that many historic city centres operate ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) restricted traffic zones. Entering these areas without permission can result in substantial fines, so always check local regulations when driving in Italian cities.
If you plan to hire a car, you must carry:
Your full UK driving licence
Your passport
Car hire documentation
Some rental companies may also require a credit card in the lead driver's name.
Please note that many historic city centres operate ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) restricted traffic zones. Entering these areas without permission can result in substantial fines, so always check local regulations when driving in Italian cities.
What is the best time to visit Italy?
Italy is a year-round destination.
Spring (April–June): Pleasant temperatures, flowers in bloom and fewer crowds.
Summer (July–August): Perfect for beaches and islands, although popular destinations can be busy.
Autumn (September–October): Warm weather, harvest season and excellent food and wine experiences.
Winter (November–March): Ideal for Christmas markets, city breaks and skiing in the Italian Alps.
The best time to visit depends on the type of holiday you are looking for.
Spring (April–June): Pleasant temperatures, flowers in bloom and fewer crowds.
Summer (July–August): Perfect for beaches and islands, although popular destinations can be busy.
Autumn (September–October): Warm weather, harvest season and excellent food and wine experiences.
Winter (November–March): Ideal for Christmas markets, city breaks and skiing in the Italian Alps.
The best time to visit depends on the type of holiday you are looking for.
Ready for Your Next Adventure?
Ready to Plan Your Italian Holiday?
Speak with an Italy specialist today and start designing your tailor-made trip.