ITALIAN VACATION RENTAL PROPERTIES
It is important to understand that the properties we offer are not official
tourist accommodations, such as hotels and resorts, but private houses owned by
individuals. Being such, they do not have standards or categories that are
internationally recognized. Indeed they reflect, in their architecture and
furnishings, the local traditions and the personal taste of the owner.
This is precisely the kind of vacation experience that we offer you: the chance
to partake in the culture of the area chosen, living for a few weeks in the same
surroundings as a native would. In order to live this experience in the
right spirit, it is important not only that you accept but also that you will be
able to appreciate the differences in the properties we propose in comparison
with those where you normally live.
For their part, our Italian associate agencies have carefully chosen properties
using a minimum and maximum quality range within which they believe that any
European and indeed a citizen of the world can find a memorable experience.
However, we cannot exclude the possibility that these differences can sometimes
result in minor inconveniences due to the special nature of the architecture and
traditions of the area.
BOOKING PROCEDURE
Following your selection of a property from our online catalog, we ask that you
register with us on our web site with some basic information that is used only
for the purposes of completing and servicing your requested booking. Our
privacy policy is shown online and is strictly followed.
Booking is accomplished by completing and faxing to us the first two pages of
the Booking Contract. The reservation becomes effective as soon as a down
payment of 50% of the total rental accommodation price is made and the signed
Booking Contract has been received by the Gira! reservation office. The
balance is due at least 60 days before the start of the rental period. There is
a one-time non-refundable $35 booking fee per booking.
As part of the booking procedure, you will be asked to identify a single contact
person who is responsible for all communication regarding the reservation. You
are asked to also name a secondary contact person (does not have to be part of
the travel group). Travel documents are provided either electronically or by
mail once final payment has been received and will be sent to the contact
person. Upon request, one additional travel packet may be mailed to another
member of your group for a charge of US$ 40.
For bookings made less than 60 days prior to the start of the rental period,
full payment is due at the time of booking.
It is your responsibility to provide us with your expected date of departure
from home as soon as you know it to ensure that you receive all the travel
documents on time.
For bookings less than $4000, we accept checks drawn on a US bank, bank wire,
Visa and MasterCard. For bookings of $4000 or greater, we accept checks
drawn on a US bank and bank wire.
When additional onsite services are arranged (such as cook, babysitter, driver,
etc.) a valid Visa or MasterCard number must be provided as guarantee. This
card will be used only for a guarantee or deposit on these services, or for
reimbursement to the owner in the event of cancellation or forfeiture of
pre-arranged services.
IMPLEMENTATION OF CURRENCY ADJUSTMENTS
Prices are in US dollars per week and are based on Euros. Prices are subject to
change at any time prior to full payment. Balance amounts on your contract may
increase if there is a substantial increase in the value of the Euro to the U.S.
dollar before full payment is due. If there is such a change, you will be
notified at the time your final payment is due and it will appear on your final
invoice. If you pay in full at the time of booking, no price adjustment will be
done.
This policy applies only if you are making a deposit at the time of your
booking and paying the final balance later. On the day of your booking, we note
the wire transfer rate as of that day for payment of Euros from the U.S. to
Europe. We note this once again on the day your final payment is due. If this
difference is greater than .05 (five cents) Dollars/Euro, your final balance due
will be adjusted proportionally.
FOR EXAMPLE:
At the time of your booking:
Your rental amount is: US$ 2000.00
Your deposit paid is: US$ 1000.00
Dollar/Euro exchange is: 1.25 Dollars / 1.00 Euro
On the date of your final payment:
Your balance due is: US$ 1000.00
Dollar/Euro exchange is: 1.32 Dollars / 1.00 Euro
Percent of change is: 5.6% (1.32 / 1.25)
Your adjusted final balance due is: US$ 1056.00
Please note that this example ignores the non-refundable booking fee, which is
charged at the time of booking.
RENTAL PERIODS
Most rentals run from Saturday to Saturday, with a minimum stay of one
week. Arrival is between 4:00pm and 7:00pm. In the event that this is not
possible, you are required to inform the owner or caretaker ahead of time.
There may be a fee associated with an arrival outside of the stated time period
and this is at the owner’s discretion. You are expected to vacate the premises
(after they have been inspected by the owner or owner’s representative and after
any supplementary charges have been settled) between 8:30am-10:00am on the
Saturday departure date. When departing before Saturday, it is mandatory that
you contact the owner or the owner’s representative to arrange for a departure
time and inspection.
LENGTH OF STAY
Under no
circumstances may you, or any member of your group, exceed the period agreed
upon nor may you exercise any right to remain on the premises at the end of the
rental period unless an agreement has been made between you and the owner of the
property.
LIABILITY
Individual property owners and
Gira!
cannot be held responsible for any unforeseen events, acts of God or war, riots
or civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial disputes, natural or nuclear
disasters, fire, adverse weather conditions, or the actions of any person
outside of Gira!. The responsibility of
Gira!
and its agents is limited. They act only as agents in regard to the services
described in these Booking Conditions.
In booking through Gira!, you agree
that Gira! shall not be liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or
irregularity resulting from acts or defaults of others, including our Italy
affiliates and their representatives or of the individual owners. Except as
specifically provided in this agreement, Gira! expressly disclaims any
representations or warranties in connection with this agreement, whether express
or implied, statutory or otherwise, including, without limitation, warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, without limiting the
foregoing, the rental properties hereunder are available in accordance with
these Booking Conditions and Gira! does not warrant that the services provided
hereunder shall result in any particular level of customer satisfaction.
BALANCE PAYMENT
You agree to pay
the balance to the Gira! reservation office at least 60 days prior to the
beginning of the stay. If the balance has not been paid by this date, the
booking will be considered canceled, the contract will be void and the property
will be available for rental again.
LATE BOOKING
In the event
that the booking occurs less than 60 days in advance of the beginning of the
rental period, the total payment is required at the time of reservation.
CANCELLATION
All cancellations must be sent by letter, fax or email to the Gira!
reservation office and, if you have a cancellation policy, to your insurance
company. For any cancellation on the part of the client, the sums withheld by
the Gira! reservation office are as follows: 10% of the total amount from
the day of reservation to 150th day before arrival, 50% from 149th
to 60th day before arrival and 100% from the 59th day to
the day of the arrival. The booking fee is non-refundable.
INSURANCE
The Gira!
reservation office does not offer travel protection insurance. You are strongly
advised to have insurance to cover potential cancellation or delay. Upon
request, Gira! will provide you with a short list of reliable insurance
providers.
RESPONSIBILITY OF CLIENT
It is
the responsibility of the client to communicate to Gira! your expectations,
requirements, and any special needs. We must be informed BEFORE your villa
selection of any health conditions in your group such as allergies, heart
conditions, walking problems, etc.
You are expected to treat your vacation home with the same respect as you would
your own home. Doors and windows must be closed and locked each time you leave,
even if for just a short time. It is your responsibility to find out at
check-in time how appliances and equipment (e.g. washing machine, dishwasher,
breaker box, etc.) work as well as other pertinent details of the house.
Kitchen clean up and trash removal is the duty of the client.
If this is not done, the
owner or the caretaker may deduct up to 30 Euros from the security deposit for
additional cleaning costs.
INTERRUPTION OF THE HOLIDAY STAY
In the event of
interruption on the part of the client, no refund will be made.
NUMBER OF GUESTS ALLOWED
The rental
contract is established for a specific number of persons. Only the number and
names of persons on the rental contract may occupy the reserved accommodation.
Any substitution of persons during the stay is forbidden without the previous
consent of Gira!
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Gira!
will not accept any liability or grant refunds for any improper, expired or
invalid documents (passport, visa, medical certificate, vaccination) which might
be motive for cancellation or modification of your trip or holiday stay.
FORMALITIES UPON ARRIVAL
Upon arrival,
you must show your passport to the owner or the owner’s representative. You
will also be required to pay the security deposit in Euros cash to the owner,
the sum of which is indicated on the contract. In some circumstances, the final
cleaning fee is also collected at arrival time.
HOUSE CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
The final
cleaning is either included in the rental price or charged as a supplemental
cost, as indicated on the first page of the Booking Contract. This amount does
not however include the cleaning of the kitchen area and the removal of trash,
which are your responsibility. If this has not been done, the owner or his/her
representative may charge an additional fee. The owner is allowed on the
property for maintenance and gardening purposes.
SECURITY DEPOSIT
There are two
options available for the payment of your security deposit. If you wish, you
may pay the full amount in Euros cash to the keyholder upon arrival. You may
also choose to pay 30% in Euros cash to the keyholder upon arrival and 70% by
check or bank transfer in equivalent US dollars to Gira! at the time of your
final payment. The sum is indicated on the booking contract. The owner’s
portion will be returned to you at departure, subject to the premises being left
in good order. The Gira! portion will be returned to you, subject to the
premises being left in good order, two weeks following your departure from the
villa. Should there be damages to the villa, deductions from the security
deposit will be held for repair/refurbishment/renewal as determined by the
owner. If such costs or damage exceed the deposit, you will be informed by the
keyholder and agree to pay the additional amount to the keyholder in Euros cash.
The keyholder can refuse occupancy of the rental property if the security
deposit is not paid. Gira! is not responsible in the event of complaints and
disagreements about the security deposit between the guest and the owner.
AMENITIES
The use of
amenities, such as swimming pool, moorings, boats and bicycles is entirely at
your own risk. Gira! is not liable for injury to a user or visitor and loss or
damage to your belongings.
DAMAGES
You are
responsible for all damages caused by you, your family or your guests.
SUPPLEMENTARY COSTS
If the owner
requires a final cleaning fee, this is noted on the booking contract and is
collected in Euros cash by the keyholder at arrival. In accommodations where
air conditioning or heat will be used (depending on the season), an advanced
deposit in Euros cash is required, and is also collected in Euros cash at
arrival. This is also noted on the booking contract. Any unused portion of
this advance deposit will be returned to you at departure unless the usage
exceeds the deposit.
If the amount of air conditioning or heat consumption exceeds the deposit, you
will be required to pay any sum exceeding the deposit. If the booking contract
specifies that other utilities (besides air conditioning or heat) such as gas or
electricity be paid according to consumption, these are metered and paid
accordingly in Euros cash at check out.
Any
fees for special services (extra maid service, laundry service, cooking service)
must be paid in Euros cash when the service is rendered.
CLAIMS/DISPUTES
Gira! declines
all responsibility for any modifications to available services or to the
property made by the owners without our knowledge. All discrepancies relating
to the general specifications or the inventory of the premises must be
communicated to the owner/caretaker immediately and s/he be allowed the
necessary time to fix the problem. If the matter cannot be corrected, you must
contact Gira! by telephone and then in writing within 2 days. No reimbursement
will be made for a late arrival or early departure. Whenever possible you are
urged to settle minor grievances (burnt-out light bulbs, faulty appliances,
etc.) with the owners before filing a formal complaint. Often the owner is not
aware of these minor problems. No consideration will be given to complaints
that are received following the end of your rental period.
JURISDICTION
In the event of
legal claims or disputes, this contract shall be governed by the laws of the
United States and the State of Colorado. Any legal action brought against Gira!
shall be brought in Denver, Colorado.
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