Perillo Tours

Find answers to the most frequently asked travel questions.

• General Questions
• Reservations and Travel Documentation
• Traveling to Italy
• Traveling to Hawaii
• Traveling to Israel

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General Questions:

When will I receive my tour documents from Perillo?

You will receive final instructions, hotel lists, e-tickets and information approximately 1 month prior to departure. The detailed daily itinerary will be given to you upon arrival by your tour guide.

What are optional tours?

A series of optional tours will be available for purchase from your tour guide while on the tour - they cannot be purchased before the tour starts. You are under no obligation to take any, they are strictly optional.

For an updated list of optional tours, please select your tour on our website and then click on the optional tours link. Depending on the tour, if you avail yourself of all optionals, the total cost will be about $200 to $600. Please note that on Italy tours, payment can only be made in Euros, no credit cards can be accepted.

Are tips included?

Tips for luggage handling, doormen, housekeepers & restaurant personnel are included; tips for tour guides, local guides and bus drivers are not. Such gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis. The SUGGESTED tip for a tour guide is $3.00-4.00 per day per person and for a bus driver and local guide is $1.00-2.00 per day.

Can I request certain seats on the plane?

Seats are assigned by Perillo Tours as a courtesy at time of ticketing. If you have special requests, please call the airline directly after receiving your airline tickets. Please note that the airline can change your seats at any time.

Can I travel with a wheelchair?

We allow collapsible wheelchairs on our tours. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a tour member for walking or getting on and off motorcoaches or other transportation vehicles. Travelers who need such assistance must be accompanied by a qualified companion.

Can I request special dietary meals?

Yes, please advise at time of booking if you require special meals.

How many pieces of luggage can I bring with me?

Each tour member is limited to one large suitcase and small carry-on bag due to limited space on our buses. The airlines are charging extra fees for checked luggage exceeding 60" (calculated by adding the width + height + depth). The luggage should not weigh more than 44 lbs. Carry on bag should not exceed 45 inches total and no more than 11 lbs.

Is smoking allowed on the Perillo Tours buses?

There is a no smoking policy on our buses but there are plenty of opportunities to smoke during the frequent stops.

What are the airline restrictions on bottles and containers?

All containers for gels, liquids and aerosols must be 3-oz. or smaller and placed in a clear plastic bag. Each traveler is limited to one quart-size plastic bag which must be placed in your carry-on baggage. For a more in-depth description of these and other travel restrictions (including prescription medications), please visit www.tsa.gov.

Reservations and Travel Documentation:

Do I need travel insurance?

We strongly suggest that you purchase our traveler's insurance for $149 per person. It is very important that you protect yourself in case of trip cancellation/interruption, travel/baggage delay or loss of baggage and medical expenses.

What documents will I need to travel?

United States citizens require a valid passport. Non-citizens have other requirements which should be checked immediately. Most non U.S. citizens require visas for entry into Italy. Non-citizens are urged to contact the Italian consulate for entry requirements (http://www.consnewyork.esteri.it ).

Vaccinations are not required by anyone.

Your first and last name must appear on your airline ticket exactly as it appears on your passport.

How much of a deposit is required to book a tour?

A $350.00 per person deposit is required within 10 business days of booking. If obtaining the $149.00 optional insurance, it must be purchased at the time of deposit.

When is my final payment due?

Final Payment is due 60 days prior to departure.

What type of payments do you accept?

We accept checks, Visa, Mastercard & American Express.

Traveling to Italy:

Do I need to bring an adaptor with me for any appliances?

The electrical current in Italy is 220 volts. Wall outlets take plugs with two rounded prongs. If you plan to use U.S. electrical appliances you will need to bring a converter/adapter. It is suggested that you purchase these items before you leave on your trip or at the airport.

All hotels in Italy supply a hair dryer in each room.

Irons are not supplied in hotel rooms in Italy due to safety precautions. Hotels offer ironing, dry cleaning and laundering services for a fee.

What is the best way to exchange money?

The Euro is the official currency in Italy. Notes are in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500. Coins are in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50.

The best place to exchange money is through an ATM machine in Italy. Be sure to bring your pin number with you. You should also advise your bank or credit card company so that they don't freeze your account due to abnormal charges.

Cirrus and PLUS are widely accepted ATM cards. Before departure, check with your bank about using your ATM card in Italy and about any fees that might be assessed. Traveler's checks are extremely difficult to exchange. Most banks in Italy will not provide a cash service for travelers checks in any currency due to the high number of forged travelers checks being circulated.

It is a wise idea to purchase at least 200 Euro prior to leaving the U.S.

What kind of clothing should I bring with me?

Comfortable casual clothing is recommended; the same as you would wear on a sightseeing trip in the U.S. The only time you'll want to "dress up" a bit is at the Gala dinner. Sports jacket for men is suggested; ties are not required.

Please note that there are dress codes in most churches in Italy: no bare shoulders or knees.

What is the weather like in Italy?

The weather in Italy is mild in the South and colder up North in the winter. Summers are hot all over Italy. There is no rainy season in Italy. For average city temperatures in Italy, please visit the following website: www.italiantourism.com/temperature2.html

What is VAT?

VAT is a value added tax that is included in the sale price of most goods. As a tourist, you are entitled to reimbursement of this tax.

If you see a "Euro Tax Free" sign on a store window or door this means that the store participates in the "Tax Free Italy" program. When making a purchase at a tax free store, present your passport at the cash register and ask the store clerk to issue you a "Tax Free Shopping Cheque" along with a receipt. The store will charge you tax at the time of sale. The Tax Free Shopping form will indicate the amount of VAT (IVA) refund that you are eligible to receive at the Global Refund desk at the airport.

Keep the merchandise that you purchased with you at the airport (if possible) when submitting your refund form as Customs sometimes inspects the merchandise before stamping the Tax Refund Forms. Remember not to wrap gifts to be carried on board the aircraft.

Allow plenty of time at the airport to process your claim!

Please note that the refund can only be given at the airport in Italy. Once you have returned to the United States, it is not possible to obtain it.

For further information, please visit the following website: http://www.globalrefund.com/

How much am I allowed to bring into the United States?

The present duty free allowance for persons returning to the U.S. is $800.00 worth of goods per person.

Calling the U.S. from Italy

To call the United States from Italy, you must dial 001 + area code + phone number.

It is recommended that you take advantage of the Perillo Tours Global Phonecard for tremendous savings in international calls. Application will be sent with your final documents 30 days prior to departure.

Calling Italy

To call Italy from the United States, you must dial 011+ 39 (which is Italy’s country code) + area code + phone number.

Traveling to Hawaii:

What documents will I need to travel?

United States citizens require a government issued picture I.D., including a driver's license.

United States security procedures state that all passengers 18 years and older must present official photo identification, such as a driver's license, at the airport. Your first and last name must appear on your airline ticket exactly as it appears on your documentation.

Can I extend my trip?

Yes, you may extend your stay before the tour up to 3 nights in Honolulu or after your tour in Maiu or Kauai at very special discounted room rates. Please call Perillo Tours for more information.

You may also stop-over, pre or post, in Las Vegas, San Francisco or Los Angeles for $75.00 per person airfare stopover fee. You must make your own arrangements during your stopover in these three cities.

What kind of clothing should I bring with me?

Comfortable casual clothing and shoes are recommended; the same as you would wear on a sightseeing trip in the continental U.S.

Traveling to Israel:

Do I need a visa to travel to Israel?

No. American citizens are issued tourist visas free of charge upon entering Israel. Of course, you must hold a valid passport, and it must be valid for at least another six months from the date they enter the country. People with no nationality must hold a valid laissez passer, as well as a visa back to the country that issued it. For visa requirements for other countries or more information, visit: http://www.goisrael.com/Tourism_Eng/Tourist+Information/Planning+your+trip/Visa.htm

Is it safe to travel to Israel?

Yes. In the recent years the security situation in Israel has been increasingly calm. Your Perillo guide will be taking you to major points of interest, and will be up to date on any situations that might have arisen. Bear in mind that no place in the world is perfectly safe, however tourism to Israel has been growing steadily – last year alone  there were about 2 million visitors to Israel.

Is it possible to travel to Jordan or Egypt from Israel?

Yes. You can travel between Israel, Jordan and Egypt. Check with the relevant embassies and agencies to see whether you need a visa to these countries

Do I need any vaccinations before my trip to Israel?

No. Visitors to Israel do not need any special vaccinations prior to their trip. Israel is a modern, developed country with levels of health and hygiene equal to those of Western countries.

Can you drink tap water in Israel?

Yes.  But you will also find mineral water everywhere – it’s a very popular drink in Israel. Be sure to drink enough in the dry climate, especially when out walking and on hot days.

What about electricity?

Most Israeli sockets are three-pronged, but many can accept some European two-pronged plugs as well. The electric current in Israel is 220 volts AC, single phase, 50 Hertz, which means that American electric shavers, hair dryers, traveling irons and other small appliances probably require adapters and/or transformers.  These can be purchased in the U.S. at a travel store or in Israel.

   

Are all the restaurants in Israel kosher?

No. But most hotels serve kosher food, and so do some restaurants, but it not a matter of law. If kashrut is important to you, check for it at each place where you hope to dine. Places serving kosher food will display a kashrut certificate from the local rabbinate.

Is everything closed on Saturday?

Not everything. Public offices in Israel are closed on Shabbat, as are most private businesses. In most cities, public transportation, like local trains and buses, do not operate. Most, but not all, restaurants are closed.  Radio and TV broadcasts operate as usual.

Can I rent a cellular phone in Israel?

Yes. You can do so when you arrive in Israel.

Do they tip food servers in Israel?

Yes. Since most waiters and bartenders earn tips only, it's customary in Israel to tip them generously. 12% is the official tipping rate.