Everyone knows that if you go out to eat and receive good service you leave a tip to show your appreciation. The same goes for the tour guides and drivers but instead of using a percentage of the total, you tip per person. At the conclusion of the tour we recommend the equivalent $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person to your tour director and $3USD/CAD to $5USD/CAD per person per day to the driver. Tips can only be paid in cash (preferably Euros). Please keep the Currency exchange rates in mind while tipping.

In Italy the standard Voltage for wall outlets is between 220-240 Volts (US/Canada 110-120). So it’s a little different than what you’re probably used too. Most Outlets in Italy use the standard “Type L” Italian CEI 23-16/VII and if your appliances do not match, you will need to have Travel Plug Adaptor. The Travel Adaptor just changes the end of your appliance plug to match the socket you need to plug into. Now the Adaptor doesn’t change the voltage of the outlet, and really the only way to check and see if your appliance works is to plug it is and try. Most appliances that run on batteries have been built to be compatible with worldwide voltages such as: Laptops, PDAs, Cell phones, Digital cameras and camcorders, music players, Etc. But things such as: hair dryers, curling irons and shavers you should be care and aware of if they are to be plugged in.

We do not provide the customer with Airline tickets but we do have a few tips and tricks to find those reasonably priced tickets. Once you have booked the airfare we then coordinated with you for Arrival and Departure dates so we can provide you with a private Chauffeur to take you wherever you need to go for a stress-free experience.

Depending on which Airline you have chosen for the trip will determine the fees and Baggage limits for the flight. Most Airlines allow a carry-on and one bag under 50.5 Lbs. (23kg) free of charge per customer. For every additional Bag and any bag over 50.5 Lbs. a fee will be charged.  As you are preparing to head home, just keep in mind that your bag is most likely heavier now than when you started and baggage fees may come into effect. Be sure to label every piece of baggage with Name, Address and Phone number just in case you lose track of your luggage. We recommend keeping any valuables and documents either on your person or in your carry-on at all times while traveling.

We all know Italy for its food. Italians are passionate about eating a well-balanced Mediterranean diet that is seasonal and fresh. You will find that fruit and vegetables are generally only available in season on local menus, and that the flavor they contain may be much more intense than what you are accustomed to. So, if your diet is restricted due to picky eating, we encourage you to taste everything at least once, because it may be the best thing you’ve never had! However, if you do have a restricted diet, have no fear. Italy, despite being behind the curve on some modern trends, is a world leader in healthy food options for everyone.

Cuisine in Italy varies considerably by region, so do some research on where you will be visiting before you go to have an idea of what you may or may not be able to eat.

Vegetarian Options

Vegetarians have it pretty easy in Italy! Most pizza, pasta and rice dishes can be made without meat – just be sure to specify that you don’t tolerate meat at all. It could be lurking in the broth or cooking juices used to make some soups or side dishes that otherwise don’t contain meat. The Mediterranean diet is centered of lots of vegetables and legumes so look out for dishes like pasta e ceci (pasta with chickpeas), minestrone (vegetable soup), or zuppa di faro (faro soup) for a healthy, hearty vegetarian meal. Also remember that contorni (side dishes) are often vegetable based as well.

Vegan Options

Depending on where you go, vegan options are also quite readily available nowadays in Italy. The further south you go, the less prominent they become, but they are available in most major cities.

For a list of Vegan restaurants in Europe, see here: http://www.paginevegan.it/cat/ristorazione/

Gluten Free/Celiac

Gluten free pasta is readily available in most major cities in Italy. You can also ask when you sit down to eat at a restaurant if they have pasta senza glutine as a substitute. If gluten free pasta is unavailable, look for other options such as risotto, rice-based dishes, or polenta, a porridge made with cornmeal. Another great option is farinata or cecina, a kind of flatbread made from chickpea flour that is very popular across the north of Italy.

Gluten free bakeries are popping up every day, and many farmacies carry gluten free products, so check out the Italian Celiac Association’s website for suggestions on where to buy gluten free: http://www.celiachia.it/dieta/Dieta.aspx?SS=95&M=1280

Lactose Intolerant

Believe it or not, many people who consider themselves lactose intolerant in the United States find that they have no problem with dairy here in Italy! Different methods of production and laws regarding additives make the dairy products in Italy extremely tasty and healthy, and much more easy for our bodies to handle. A lot of hard Italian cheeses are actually naturally lactose free as well. Emmenthal, Gorgonzola, Grana Padano, Gruyere, Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Stagionato and Smoked or Sweet Provolone can all be eaten without problems! In the café you can opt for latte di soia (soy milk) in your coffee.

 If you do require products like milk, that are senza lattosio (lactose-free) they do exist, but most likely not in any restaurant. You will need to look in a pharmacy or a large chain supermarket. 

Steps to Create a Trip Yourself

Step 1

Start off by creating an account by clicking here!

Step 2

Once you are logged in, you'll be able to save trips to your favorites and even create custom lists to organize different trips together. To save a trip to favorites, simply log in and select the "Add to favorites" tab above any trip.

Or Create custom lists that you can group your trips into. Create a list for a certain day's activities, or multiple lists that break out your trip into multiple days!

Step 3

Visit your Trip Planner page to view all your saved favorites, create new lists, or view your list items!

Or Let Us Create Your Trip

Here at L&B we strive to create not only a business relationship with our service providers but also build a strong bond on a deeper more personal level, so we can craft the most authentic Italian experience. Many of our partners are small businesses and cannot handle the volume of online bookings. Therefore, if you are interested in visiting this area, please let us know and we will be happy to create a tour or trip itinerary just for you!

Select A Territory

Sardinia and Sicily are the biggest islands in the the Mediterranean Sea.

Select A Territory

Perhaps one of the more intriguing pieces of Italy for the traveler who has been to the big cities of the North. Take a class to learn the deft hand movements required to make a pile of eggless "little ears" pasta, the orecchiette that dominates the Primo Piatti section of the Pugliese restaurant menu. Drive the lonely roads of scenic Basilicata, Italy's poorest region and the background of countless Italian and American films and commercials. Tour the rupestrian cave churches hewn out of rock. Learn to make sheep milk cheese. The south is awash in interesting possibilities for the active traveler.

Select A Territory

The north is the Italy tourists are most familiar with. It's a land of fine wine--especially in Piemonte, Fruili and the Veneto regions. Residents exhibit a preference for Polenta over pasta and butter over olive oil. The land spills from Alpine foothills into lakes and fertile valleys. Summer temperatures make the north the idea place for a mid-year vacation; take in a performance in the Roman Arena of Verona, a cooking class in Venice, or learn how they make Prosecco, the world's most popular sparkling wine.