A: We pride ourselves on the knowledge we have about each and every property. We personally inspect each property, test out the mattress, use the kitchen, listen for noise, explore the neighborhood, check out the water pressure, try out the home electronics, local restaurants and grocery stores so that we can give you an accurate idea of what to expect. We turn down many properties that don’t meet our standards. We recommend that when you shop for a vacation rental in Italy ask the person you are dealing with if they have personally seen the property you are interested in. Many rental companies are advertising "supermarkets" for large rental wholesalers, with descriptions and photos provided by the owners and managers who often omit information that may be very important to your selection. If the answer you get is that “my colleague” or “our Italy representative” has inspected the property, pay careful attention as this might mean they don't have first-hand experience with the properties they represent. If they are relying on someone else to inspect and evaluate the property for them, they may not have a very accurate idea of the quality of the property.

A: High season typically starts in March and goes through the end of October. Low season is November through mid-to-late March, except holiday weeks. Each year we look at the calendar and determine the seasons based on logical ending points (typically Saturdays) & the dates of the major winter holidays. With some exceptions as noted in the individual property descriptions, the dates are:

2010

High Season: March 1 to October 31 + Holiday Weeks: Christmas, New Year’s

Low Season: November 1 to March 1

A: Not all vacation rental companies define their seasons in the same way. Country properties sometimes have three, or even four, pricing seasons. In our experience, demand is high for all our properties during periods when the weather is optimal, Spring through Fall as well as the December holidays. In fine properties in some cities the pricing is the same year-round.

A: That is a hard question to answer. For our most popular properties the high season dates in March, April, May, June, early July, September, October tend to fill up six to nine months in advance. For most of our properties you can instantly see the availability online. If your travel dates are rigid (around school holidays for example), it’s best to book early so that you have the broadest selection and availability that meets your needs. Christmas and New Year’s weeks tend to fill up three to six months in advance at the most popular properties. Travelers using airline miles tend to book their accommodations nearly a year in advance.

A: We try to accommodate arrivals any day of the week. Most country properties have a strict Saturday-to-Saturday schedule which is the most efficient for the busy high season period. With almost all of our other properties we can accept arrivals any day as we know that travel during certain weekday periods is much easier to book then peak weekend travel periods. In some cases there may be a surcharge for a Sunday or holiday arrival, since there is a premium we must pay our cleaners and greeters to work on Sunday.

A: You will find this with the pricing information for each of our properties. In some cases, there is a one week minimum booking period. With other properties we can accept as few as four consecutive nights. If this information isn’t provided with the property pricing information please ask us. During high demand weeks we often require a one week stay. We typically do not accept shorter then a four-night stay. If you can see on the availability calendar that we have a two or three night gap between bookings that fits your dates, please ask if a short stay is possible. In that case there is usually a short-stay surcharge to cover our cleaning and administrative costs.

A: The weekly rate applies only to a continuous seven-night stay at the same property.

A: The price for shorter stays is higher because costs are higher. There are economies of scale with one week or longer bookings. Stays of 7 nights are a better value then 4, 5 or 6 night stays since our fixed expenses are proportionally lower. For short stays there are fewer days over which to spread out cleaning, linen service, greeter and administrative costs.

A: Oftentimes our guests find that even if they pay the four-night price but only stay three nights, particularly for families, it’s cheaper then the alternative of two or more hotels rooms where there is not the convenience of a living room, and the economies of a kitchen for meals at home and a washing machine. The extra night can be convenient for guaranteeing an early check in or late check out.

A: We do provide discounts for stays of a month of more. The discount varies by property and the season. Please request a quote.

A: Please see our Reservation page.

A: Please see the Terms page.

A: Our properties are reserved as much as a year in advance from our mostly non-European clientele. A cancellation, even months in advance, usually means that the property goes empty. Cancellations are rare but can be due to many reasons -- illness or a death in the family, a business or a personal crisis, weather or a natural disaster. Italy Perfect is not in a position to cover you for these unfortunate events, or to credit your payment towards a future stay or to certify the reasons. That is why we strongly recommend you purchase inexpensive travel insurance from the experts to cover yourself in case you need to cancel, as you would do to cover your other travel costs such as airfare.

A: Please see resource links at the bottom of this page.

A: We will provide you a 48 hour option from the time we email you the reservation form.

A: Children under the age of two (under 24 months) that sleep in a crib are not counted in the guest total. Any child that sleeps in a bed and all children over age two, even if they share their parent's bed, are included in the total guest count.

A: Unfortunately we aren't set up to notify clients when requests come in that might conflict with their desired dates. We hope there will still be availability for your dates once you have your travel dates in place.

A: For payments by credit card we typically do not require a security deposit with some exceptions. We will retain your credit card information on file until after you check out in order to charge any utility, phone expenses or damages. You will be emailed a full accounting. For payments by check or wire transfer there is an additional refundable security deposit required. This refundable security deposit will be refunded after check out, less extra charges, if any. Rate varies by property.

A: We accept payment by VISA or MasterCard.

A: We price our properties in Euros and accept payment in U.S. dollars, too. The exchange rate is based on the daily retail exchange rate, not the wholesale interbank widely quoted on the internet and in the finance pages of the newspaper. We can also accept payment in Euros by Euro check or wire transfer.

A: We use the retail exchange rate provided by our bank at the time payment is made. You can check the exchange rate here. Often our guests have been tracking the interbank rate, widely quoted on the internet and in the news; it is the wholesale rate which is the rate at which financial institutions buy and sell millions of Euros to each other. So, the exchange rate that our bank offers is sometimes a bit of a shock. Just like the price of wholesale oil, gold or pork bellies is lower than the retail products. Please call your bank to get their exchange rate and transaction costs of wiring "all charges to sender" a small Euro transaction.  Normally the cost to you is about the same.

In any case we welcome payments in Euros whether it is a matter of your holding Euros, or you can get a better rate or, especially, if your native currency is other than USDollars.

A: We do not recalculate your price with currency fluctuations: if the euro loses value between the time you paid and your stay we don't refund you the difference. Conversely if the euro gains value we don't recalculate and ask you to pay more rent to offset this. We pay our expenses in Euros as payments are received; we don't speculate in currencies nor do we profit from currency exchange.

A: Each property description indicates if utilities are, or are not, included. Italy is completely reliant on other countries for its energy, as it has none of its own sources. As a result, the cost of electricity and gas is the highest in Europe. The exorbitant cost makes Italians very energy conscious and the system of charging for the utilities separately protects property owners from incurring huge utility bills from guests who are not mindful of the expense. The standard process is for the greeter to take a meter reading upon guest arrival and departure and this is charged to your credit card or deducted from your security deposit. For properties where we provide a weekly utility allowance, this is meant to help defray, not eliminate, your utility cost.

A: We are happy to arrange a property viewing as long as no guests are in residence, out of respect for their privacy. There is a $150 non-refundable viewing fee which is credited towards your rent when you make a reservation.

A: This is slowly changing but many have neither. As remodeling occurs some properties are being retrofitted with screens but it is still relatively uncommon. In the guest confirmation documentation we provide practical advice on mosquito abatement since this an annoying aspect of warm weather in Italy. Air conditioning is becoming more common but due to the high cost of energy Italians use A/C sparingly and only during the hottest months, July and August. When clients plan their trips for April, May and June, bear in mind that the weather is pretty balmy and few if any Italians will use their air conditioning during these months. Chances are you won’t need it either as the thickness of the walls of the ancient buildings, high ceilings, tile floors, and wooden shutters to keep out the midday sun helps to keep homes remarkably cool naturally.

A: In most properties you can control the thermostat. Please ask if you need more information. However, Italian law regulates heat usage in order to control national energy consumption. The heat cannot be turned on, by law, before November 1 or after March 31, unless an emergency law is passed to address a cold snap. Also, some buildings turn down the heat in the middle of the night, so beds are furnished with fluffy comforters. The same law prohibits setting the thermostat over 21°C or 70°F. When we are chilly at home we are accustomed to turning up the thermostat. Italians put on a sweater and slippers. We recommend you come prepared with extra layers and slippers in the event of a cold snap during spring and fall, and to help control your expenses in winter if utilities are charged separately. If a property has A/C it will typically be individual units in the main rooms of the house, not in the kitchen, hallways or bathrooms. This is so that you only use what you need, when you need it, in order to control energy costs.

A: Each guest has their own usage patterns and habits so its hard to give a precise quote but we can usually give you a perspective based on previous guests who have stayed at the property during the same season.

A: You’ll get to learn a lot about your Italian neighbors by observing the laundry on their lines. First you’ll notice that this is a morning routine: wash clothes early in the day so you can get them out to dry before heading out for the day. Many Italians often employee a cleaning lady who spends much of her time doing “laundry management”: washing, drying and ironing. Given the high cost of energy, dryers are expensive to run and Italians believe they damage clothes, so they are just not commonly used. The cost for dryers themselves is high as well. When you do find dryers, they can be finicky. Properties with washing machines usually have a collapsible drying rack. Heated towel racks in the bathroom are a convenient way to speed up the drying process in winter when the central heat is on since the towel racks are usually tied into the heating system.

A: If you are coming from Tuscany and your flight is in the morning out of Rome, we recommend staying in a hotel near the Rome airport since it can be risky to get to Rome in time for a morning flight. With your confirmation we can recommend some hotels near the airport.

A: Our regular arrival time is in the early evening, usually between 5 and 7 pm by appointment. The only way to guarantee an early check-in is to reserve the apartment for the night before. By reserving the night before it will be ready for check in as early as 9 am. If the property is not booked the night before your arrival please check with us a few days before you arrive to see if an early check in is possible. If so, we are happy to accommodate this since we know how tiring international travel can be. For families with children or seniors who might need a rest after a long flight, we strongly recommend booking the night before so that you can settle in right away if you arrive in the morning. You will gain most of a day by being able to arrive, unpack, shower and then get out for lunch and enjoy the afternoon in your destination.

A: If a greeter is available to let you in midday to drop your luggage we will try to arrange this. If a greeter is not available before 5 pm, we recommend you check your bags at the train station’s luggage check facility until your check in appointment. Your confirmation will usually indicate if early luggage drop off is possible at a given property.

A: For greetings between 8 and 10 pm there is a €75 late greeting fee. There are no check in’s after 10 pm so please plan your travel carefully. Keep in mind the additional amount of time required for obtaining baggage, clearing customs and transportation into the city which can easily add up to two or more hours to your arrival time. The confirmation contains instructions on what to do in the event of travel delays or flight cancellations.

A: No there are not. We recommend connecting through Rome, Milan, Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam or London. Our favorite connections are through Frankfurt and Munich. Our least favorite connection is through Paris since you need at least a two hour connection time to make your connecting flight to Italy. If you manage to make a tighter connection, chances are high that your luggage will not.

A: If your travel plans are flexible, we will advise you what time to be at the property for check in. That way you can tailor your travel plans to arrive in time for your check in appointment. Unlike a hotel, there is no one on duty throughout the day to admit you to the property if you show up without an appointment and request to be admitted. This will save you time waiting around until the greeter can finish other business and head over to the property to admit you.

A: One of our local English-speaking Italy Perfect colleagues will personally greet you at the property, familiarize you with the home, provide you with they keys and answer any questions you might have since coordinating a smooth arrival is one of the most important aspects of a comfortable stay for our guests. We don’t mail the keys to you or leave them at a nearby restaurant or shop for you to pick up. The greeter will arrange to meet you the morning of your departure to obtain the keys. Special arrangements can be made in the case of a very early morning departure. During your stay the greeter is available by phone to address any property-related questions or issues.

A: In all cases the final cleaning, which takes place after you check out, is included. Many other rental agencies do not include this cost in their price to you and require you pay in cash on departure. Mid-stay cleanings for stays of longer then a week are included with some, but not all, properties. In a few cases, daily maid service is provided as indicated in the property description. Please ask and we can advise you if a cleaning or linen change is included. If it is not we can advise you of the supplemental cost.

A: One set of sheets per bed, one set of towels per guest, the final cleaning and tax is included. Utilities and maid service are included as stated in the property description. If you would like additional maid service or linens please ask if this is available so that we can advise you of the fee and make arrangements in advance of your stay.

A: We prefer to represent non-smoking and no-pets properties for the comfort of our guests but we can't guarantee that our properties are allergen free. There are a wide array of factors out of our control that can be allergen or asthma triggers: laundry soap, fragrances, cooking smells, nearby pets, mildew in ancient buildings, or a neighbor who smokes for which we cannot be responsible. In a few cases, we do represent properties that will allow a small pet, subject to an extra security deposit. Please ask about the policy if it’s not stated on the property description. In the case of smoking, it’s still very popular in Italy! So even if the apartment or villa itself is designated non-smoking it’s possible that you’ll find yourself at a cafe, in a building lobby or on the street with many smokers near you.

A: All the properties come with one hairdryer. If you need additional hairdryers please advise us at least two weeks in advance of your stay and we can arrange this for a fee. We don’t provide curling irons, hot rollers for hygiene reasons.

A: There is usually toilet paper to last a day, a bar of soap, salt & pepper and that’s about it. Since Italy vacation rentals presume a fair degree of independence you’ll need to plan a shopping excursion fairly quickly to purchase essentials such as paper products, dish and laundry soap, condiments.

A: This is becoming increasingly available at most city properties. See the property descriptions for more information and if a fee applies. In country villas it’s still pretty rare, but we can advise you of the nearest internet check point. If you have a Blackberry-type device or iPhone with international phone service, if your phone will work abroad chances are you’ll also have email access on this device.

A: The website property description indicates what personal electronics are available. For marketing purposes DVD players are programmed for certain geographic zones. A North American zone DVD player will not play a DVD from Europe and vice versa. A multi-standard or dual zone DVD player has been “dezoned” to play DVD’s from throughout the world. An Italian DVD player will play DVD’s purchased or rented in Europe but will not play DVD’s from North America. If a property listing says "multi-standard DVD player" it will usually work with any DVD. If it just says "DVD Player" it is an Italian DVD player and will work with European zone DVDs.

A: If the property description indicates satellite [SAT] TV, it will receive some English language news channels. Depending on the subscription, it may or may not include CNN, BBC, MSNBC, SkyNews. This does not mean you necessarily will get English language entertainment such as ESPN, Disney, Cartoon Network, VH1 or MTV since these are premium channels not included with basic satellite service.

A: The guest confirmation includes a wealth of tourism information for such services. At the bottom of this web page (and every page) on this website are links to know, good providers of services including train, hotel and tour services providers. Some are affiliate links so we get a minuscule commission if you use their service by clicking through, but we never present vendors for revenue (we'd starve!) but only to give you good information. We believe through experience and recommendations that you can trust these vendors. If you need help in finding and choosing services such as these, please understand that it is time-consuming and detailed work for which experience really helps, so we suggest you pay a travel agent or concierge service for their time. One such good service is run by Kathy McCabe of Dream of Italy.

A: Most restaurants have staff that speak enough English to take your reservation over the phone. If you need help with restaurant reservations we can refer you to a concierge service.

A: Since we personally inspect each property we can advise you on which properties are best suited for guests with issues of mobility or ample proportions. This includes information on interior steps, elevator size, beds, as well as access to transportation in the general area.

A: European beds are different dimensions then what you might be accustomed to. King size beds rarely exist, replaced instead by the more versatile “dual king” which are two twins that can be pushed together to make a large bed. Queen and double (full) beds are also known as “matrimonial” style beds and are shorter than American equivalents. Italian Queen sized beds are three inches wider than US Queens and may, sometimes, be described as a King. Twin or single beds are slightly narrower then U.S. twins. Few Italian beds have box springs. Most have a solid or wire mesh platform with a thick mattress on top.

	USA	Australia	UK	Italy
Twin / Single	39 × 75 in 0.99 × 1.90 m	36 × 75 in 0.92 × 1.90 m		35 × 79 in 0.9 × 2 m
Double / Full	54 × 75 in 1.38 × 1.90 m			55 × 79 in 1.4 × 2 m
Queen (UK King)	60 × 80 in 1.53 × 2.03 m		60 × 78 in 1.53 × 1.98 m	63 × 79 in 1.6 × 2 m
King (UK Super King)	76 × 80 in 1.93 × 2.03 m	72 × 80 in 1.84 × 2.03 m	72 × 78 in 1.84 × 1.98 m	71 × 79 in 1.8 × 2 m

A: All of our greeters speak English. Some speak it fluently; others have enough of an capability that with some patience on both sides you’ll be able to communicate!

A: In most cases, renting a property in Italy presumes a fair degree of independence on your part. This is the time to be adventuresome since you will not have a concierge to make arrangements for you. In the case of luxury (5 star) properties extra services can usually be arranged (except for private drivers), but for the other properties we don’t have staff on hand to make restaurant reservations, organize tours or museum reservations, do laundry, grocery shop or cooking. The guest confirmation provides the name of local concierge resources, tour guides and driving services if you would like to arrange extra services.

A: We try to be as forthcoming as possible in the property descriptions about any noise issues. That said, staying in the center of any ancient city presumes there will be some noise from motor scooters, cars, delivery trucks, buses, pedestrians. We can express our own experience, but each person has their own threshold when it comes to noise. Even at country properties in bucolic settings a rooster’s crow or tractor plowing fields can make for an early wake up call. If an apartment’s bedrooms face an inner courtyard or light well, it usually means those rooms will be quieter for sleeping, although a deaf neighbor with the TV blaring on a hot summer night midnight can certainly prove otherwise! Bedroom windows that overlook the street mean you will hear the ever-present motor scooter buzzing by, or you might hear the sound of happy diners returning from a night at the local trattoria or the garbage truck making its rounds in the wee hours of the morning. We are happy to advise you on what to expect at each property when it comes to noise. Please also remember that you may not sleep as well when you are jet lagged and in a strange bed and prepare for that.

A: Your confirmation provides the name of a local English-speaking contact for you to contact in the event of a problem or a needed repair.

A: Yes, a car is essential when staying in the Tuscan countryside. Even if there is a small village within walking distance, public transportation in the countryside can be infrequent. Without a car you will be somewhat stranded at your country property, spending much of your day walking to remote bus stops and at at the mercy of potentially infrequent busses. You will not be able to easily get to grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, let alone the cultural highlights. If you are fearful of driving we recommend you stay instead in Florence where the city sites are walkable and you can easily catch busses or train to the other Tuscan towns and cities.

A: We work with and welcome bookings from travel agents. Regretfully, our margins in this competitive business do not permit us to pay commissions or fees to agents. Travel agents are valuable, experienced resources to travelers and should be compensated for their efforts by their clients. Agents are welcome to add their service fee on top of the rent which will be added to the amount billed to the guest and will be itemized in the client's receipt as the “Service Fee” which will be sent by us to the agent when the rent is paid in full.