What To Expect
A holiday in Italy is different from one in Britain - and there are some variations you should expect, especially if this is your first experience renting in Europe. We want you to know what to anticipate, so that there are no surprises other than wonderfully pleasant ones. Most people find the cultural differences a refreshing challenge as well as a lot of fun. Most guests rave about their villa stay, and they come home ready to book again for the following year. Knowing what to expect makes all the difference.
YOUR VILLA OR APARTMENT will be clean and welcoming, with modern plumbing, and an adequately equipped kitchen or kitchen area. Unless otherwise stated, there will be a gas or electric hob (and sometimes an oven), sink with hot and cold water, refrigerator, adequate cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery, glasses and other household equipment to a reasonable standard for holiday use and suitable for the number of people the house accommodates. We inspect all of our properties regularly; in addition, we ask guests to complete a questionnaire about their villa or apartment and we update our information frequently. If there is something you absolutely need, ask us if it is supplied or pack it to avoid being disappointed. If some essential small item is missing, please ask the owner or their representative if they can supply it for you. Please be aware that items such as breadboards, kettles and toasters are not in general use in Italy and it is often the case that (except in restaurants) tumblers, not wine glasses, are used for wine. Family life in Italy centres on meals and the table. In a few houses you may find fewer armchairs than you would expect in a ‘British’ one.
ARRIVALS are usually set for Saturday, between 16.00 hours and 19:00 hours. On the ‘change over-day’, following the departure of the previous guests in the morning, the accommodation will be properly cleaned and prepared prior to your arrival. In general, the ‘change-over day’ in the villas and apartments is a Saturday. There are one or two exceptions (with Friday start dates, for example) and many owners are also more flexible about the arrival and departure day in off-peak months, so please ask us if you wish to start and finish your booking on a different day of the week. Please do not turn up at the property (unless by special agreement) earlier than the stated arrival time, the property may not be ready for you to occupy and the owner may deny you access. If you are going to be later than 19.00hrs, you will need to inform the owner of any delays; otherwise, you may find you are unable to get into your villa or apartment until the following day, in which case you would have to spend the night at a hotel, at your own expense. It is best to arrive during daylight hours, when shops are open and you can pick up supplies. If your flight itinerary requires a very early morning or late night arrival, or if you are going to arrive on a Sunday (traditionally a family day in Europe), special arrangements must be made in advance.
TELEPHONES are not usually provided, especially since so many Europeans travel with mobile phones. Unless the description specifies that there is a telephone, there is none. If you require a fax machine or computer hook-up, let us know at the time of booking so we can advise on properties with the service you require, or you can visit internet cafés for checking e-mail.
ELECTRICITY in Europe is used more carefully because of the high expense. For instance, in Italy, houses can have 6 KW (kilowatts) or 3 KW. Please ask the key holder which of the two is supplied with your villa. This will be the maximum amount that can be used at any one time without blowing a fuse. Appliances use the following: electric oven (2.5 KW), clothes washer (2.5 KW), dishwasher (3 KW), or iron (2 KW). Each electric bulb uses 60 watts. If you are staying in a villa with several major appliances and a pool pump, it is essential to stagger electrical use or the electricity will cut out. Please respect the European custom of turning lights off that you are not using and when you go out.
HEATING is very expensive in Italy and should be used sparingly, but of course, you’ll want to be comfortable. If you are cold, please notify the owner of your villa or apartment. Heating charges are not normally included in the villa rental price but are payable locally based on (metered) consumption. Please never leave windows open while the heat is on. Unless new regulations come into place, in Tuscany the heating can be used only from November to the end of April (8 hours a day). Outside of this period the possibility of using the heating and the cost of such must be determined directly with the owner or his/her representative.
KEYS are expensive to replace. If you lose your key or lock it inside, there will be a substantial replacement fee. Always remember to close the windows and lock your villa when you go out. Owners’ insurance does not cover their furnishings if you leave windows open or doors unlocked; if there is rain or theft, you will be held responsible for damage or loss of their possessions and for yours. Please double check each window and door before you go out, no matter how short the trip.
STAPLES are not supplied in self-catering accommodations. You are responsible for purchasing all of your groceries and supplies. Sometimes a few items may be provided (including an initial supply of toilet paper) and some owners will give you gifts of wine or olive oil, but since it is not required, please do not assume that basics should be provided.
COFFEE & TEA are generally not provided and you will need to shop for whatever you require. There will generally be a coffee maker in your apartment or villa; most often, you will find either a coffee filter or an espresso maker. Kettles are not common since Europeans use a small pan to boil water.
TAP WATER from the kitchens cold water tap is generally safe to drink but you may prefer the taste of bottled water, which you can buy at the grocery store.
TOWELS usually come as something of a surprise. In Italy towels tend to be thinner, and generally one bath towel and one hand towel per person is provided. Unless otherwise stated, fresh linens and towels are provided weekly but sometimes beds are left for the guest to make up.
POOL & BEACH TOWELS are not usually provided, because Europeans travel with their own. Please take your own towels for use at swimming pools or beaches or buy an inexpensive beach towel (generally in plentiful supply from the local markets). CLEANING there is no need to scrub the floor when you leave, but dishes should be clean and put away, rubbish should be disposed of, and your apartment or villa should be in a tidy state. Some owners levy a final cleaning charge, payable locally in Euro, where this applies it will be indicated in the price list under ‘extras’.
AIR CONDITIONING is quite rare in Italy. If your apartment description does not state that there is air conditioning, then there is none. Even without air conditioning, most older buildings have thick walls and are naturally cool. If the weather is hot, keep your apartment cool by following this time-honoured tradition: carefully shut all windows and doors during the day, closing the shutters and drawing the curtains to keep the sun out. Open up in the cool of evening and close everything up again the next morning.
FLY SCREENS are also rare and are usually found only in areas where mosquitoes or flies are plentiful.
UTILITIES are expensive in Europe and one way Italians keep expenses down is by doing without air conditioning and tumble-dryers, and by using less heat and light than we do. Some of our villas and apartments have washing machines, but none have tumble-dryers. Some estates have a fee based communal washing machine provided.
BREAKAGE & DAMAGE should be reported and paid for before leaving your villa or apartment. In most cases, a security deposit is required to be paid to the owner in cash upon arrival. It will be returned to you, less any utility or damage fees.
GARDENS vary and are generally left in a more ‘natural’ state than British ones. Outdoor furniture is provided at all properties with gardens.
SWIMMING POOLS are generally open from mid May to end of September although some owners may vary this. If use of a swimming pool is important to you, and you are travelling out of the peak season, please ask us to confirm the availability of the pool for your chosen dates. Swimming pools are not heated.
ROADS can be unpaved, and driveways to villas can be winding, hilly, or rutted. If this is a concern for you, be sure to tell us when selecting your villa.
DRIVING in a foreign country is easier than most people think, but there are a few issues to consider when choosing a rental car. Guests who rent vans often regret their choice; European cities are not van-friendly with their ancient, narrow streets. Usually, it’s better (and less expensive) for two couples travelling together to rent two smaller cars instead of one larger one; it also gives you flexibility to pursue different interests and activities at times. Traffic regulations are almost the same as in the UK except, of course, that you drive on the right. A British driving licence is valid in Italy but, with the exception of pink UK licences, must be accompanied by a translation, obtainable from the AA, RAC or ACI frontier offices. If you propose to drive from the UK to Italy you must also take your vehicle registration document and proof of car insurance cover. A green card, obtainable through your insurance company, is advisable. Without one your cover may be reduced to ‘Third Party’ only. Some policies now extend your UK cover to certain European countries - please check with your insurance company.
HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY is much less prevalent in European countries than in the UK. If you have a handicap of any kind, please tell us so we can help you make the best choices for your holiday. If you have severe allergies, be sure to let us know before selecting a villa. Keep in mind that museums are often not wheelchair friendly, centres of cities may be closed to cars, and trains are just about impossible. If you travel with a wheelchair, you are better to travel with a small, portable, folding chair.
