Need advice on tipping private driver
 

I have booked Luca Garapa for 2 days in early June based on all the fabulous reviews. I am wondering how to tip him--We will have him for 7-8 hrs/day at 35 euro/hr.
Thanks for the input

First of all, you are in for a wonderful time with Luca, rest assured. We just came back 2 weeks ago from Tuscany and also used him for 2 day trips. He was just great and we loved the tours we took with him.

That said, we did not tip him per se. I believe that the fee he charges is more than enough pay for his services and probably takes some kind of "tip" into account. We did, however, invite him to lunch at our expense and we did use him for driving transfers between Florence and Rome.

If you insist on tipping, which I really don't think he expects, if you give him the equivalent of an extra hour, I believe that would be more than adequate.

We went on several day trips with Luca two years ago and had a wonderful time with him. We paid for his lunch each day and also tipped the equivalent of an extra hour or two depending on the length of the trip.

Have a great time!

We hired a great driver for our Salisbury/Stonehenge/Sarum trip in England. www.vicstaxi.com -- we had him all day, and tipped him lunch. We decided we would come back Sunday, so he made sure we had someone to pick us up at the train station, and we tipped there, too :)

We had a recent tour a few weeks ago with Luca. He is as wonderful as all the posts say he is. In fact, I tried to tip him 40 Euro and he refused to take the whole tip (this is the first time in my life that someone has refused my tip due to kindness).

He will be great!!! You are very lucky to have booked him.

Thanks.

Hi rp,

Mr Garapa has priced his services at what he considers a proper rate.

He does not expect a tip, nor should you tip him unless he performs an extraordinary service.

((I))

Thank you everyone. We are looking so forward to our trip!

I disagree with Ira. I think it's good manners to tip unless the service is really subpar.

Hi Weadles
>I disagree with Ira. I think it's good manners to tip unless the service is really subpar.<

Italian views on tipping are different from American ones.

There, a tip (especially a large one) can be construed to be creating a master/servant relationship.

That is why I recommend tipping only for extraordinary service, in this case.

((I))

I'll politely disagree again. I'm aware of Italian views on tipping since I've been going there for over 20 years. There's no need to overtip, but I still think a reasonably-priced tip for good service is usually appreciated.