My husband and I have reserved a day trip with Luca from Hills and Roads on our upcoming trip to Italy. Is it typical to add a tip to the cost? Or is the price he quoted us all that he would expect. Thanks!

Luca is the owner. I think it is correct NOT to tip him, since he collects the entire fee and has set his price to meet his overhead. But you can do as you like.

I will share this story: The day my friend and I spent with him was a big treat for my birthday. We knew it would be pricey for just two people, but had budgeted for this splurge. We had a great time and Luca seemed to genuinely enjoy himself. At the end of the day Luca seemed almost apologetic about telling us the final cost (hourly rate times number of hours), mentioning how it would have been less expensive per person had there been more than two of us. In the final cost he gave us, he'd knocked an hour off the total. I handed him our payment . . . his hourly rate for ALL the hours he'd spent with us.

We enjoyed Luca so much that we did tip him, plus paid for his lunch. My advice? See how the day goes and do as you please. I'm sure he doesn't expect it, but it did seem appreciated.

I wholeheartedly agree with Ellen and Weadles. Since Luca is the owner of his own company, a tip is not "expected". But we too enjoyed his tours so much that we paid his entire fee, plus tip plus lunch and we made a lifelong friend to boot!!

Enjoy your time with him, you lucky people !!!

We have spent the day with Luca a half dozen times. We did tip him, plus paid for his lunch, and he was most appreciative, though it was certainly not expected.

(In my original response. I forgot to mention that we, too, paid his lunch. But there was no question about that being the case—we just did it, assuming it was the thing to do.)

Thanks so much for the responses. We are really looking forward to the day with him. What would be a reasonable tip? 10% of the total (about 25E?)?

Since he is not expecting a tip, 10% is much more than reasonable.

Some how my emails to Luca have not been responded to. I did get one response when I emailed him again that I had not heard from him. He said he was waiting for his webmaster to fix a bug. I assume that is the case but I still have not heard back from him. I see that he is very well liked so I'm sure there is a valid reason. But I want to plan my tours.I am on a cruise and am not sure what ports he covers or if it is just around the Amalfi area he gives tours. Any suggestions or comments? Thanks. And sorry for jumping onto your thread, CStoneTx, but I figured a fellow Texan wouldn't mind and it seems your question has been already answered here.

Luca lives in Siena and offers tours in Tuscany, not the Amalfi. Try DriverinRome.com for the Amalfi coast and a cruise ship based itinerary.

If he offers tours from cruises that stop at the port of Livorno.

Let me try that again . . .

He offers tours from cruises that stop at the port of Livorno.

It's not expected, but as you've read here, Luca is the kind of person you want to tip. 10% would be generous. Even 5% would be OK, depending on whether you needed some extra service.

We needed him to drive us to our apartment in Florence, and the street was one way and difficult to get to. He could have mentioned that and dropped us off a block away, which would have made it easier and quicker for him. Instead, he figured out a serpentine way to get to our doorstep. We tipped him extra for it.

Thanks, ellenem and kfusto. I figured he did offer tours out of Livorno but I just can't seem to get him to answer my emails. It is for Livorno/Tuscany that I am looking for a guide like Luca.Because of all the rave reviews on Fodors I think he would be perfect for us. I have the Amalfi tour covered with a guide from TourofItaly.com., but they do not service Livorno also.

I don't know Luca, but by all accounts, he is charming and knowledgeable.

But when thinking about tips, do consider that in four days he makes as much (less his overhead) as some professionals with university degrees make in a month.

Thanks everyone for all the advice.

LarryRGV - I contacted Luca back in November for our August trip, and he replied via email within a couple of days. He was always very responsive. Not sure why you're having trouble getting responses - it may be that he is more busy right now b/c it's the summer. Good luck!

LarryRGV - Luca sometimes gets so busy, especially now during high season, that he hardly has time to get to his mails. Don't give up, he is worth it!! Try sending him another one. Also, there are often internet breakdowns in Italy where it takes a long time to fix, this may also be the problem. When is your trip?

I have always been able to reach him by cell.

He generally has time in the office on Fridays to answer messages. I spoke to him last week and he did say he is extremely busy.

Thanks. I got busy and forgot to look at Fodors. I did hear back from him shortly after I posted this note. I have him booked for Livorno and Rome. Thanks, all.

I have booked Luca for August 31 from Siena to the Motalcino/Montapulciano areas. His e-mail says tour is with him or his assistant. Has anyone ever used an assistant? Thanks