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 30% 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 90 days before the
start of the rental period.
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 90 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.
RENTAL
PERIODS
Most rentals run from Saturday to Saturday, with a minimum stay
of one week. Arrival is usually between 5:00pm and 8:00pm. 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 usually 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) by 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 90 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 90 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 the cancellation of a booking, even if it is substituted by
another one, the following penalties must be paid:
- 30% of the total
rental price if the cancellation is made at least 75 days before the start of
the rental period
- 50% of the total rental price if the cancellation is made
between 74 and 30 days before the start of the rental period
- 100% of the
total rental price if the cancellation is between 29 days before arrival and the
arrival date
The booking fee is not refundable.
Upon request and
approval of the owner, you may transfer the booking (same accommodation and
booking period) to another party for a fee of US$ 70.
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.
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.
SECURITY DEPOSIT
The security deposit is paid in Euros cash to the owner
upon arrival. The sum is indicated on the booking contract. The security deposit
will be returned to you, subject to the premises being left in good order upon
departure. When the deposit has been retained, deductions for
damage/refurbishment/renewal will be made as appropriate. If such costs or
damage exceed the deposit, you will be informed by the owner and agree to pay
the owner in Euros cash. The owner can refuse client 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 you
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 the your belongings.
DAMAGES
You are responsible for all damages caused by you, your family or
your guests.
SUPPLEMENTARY COSTS
If the booking contract states that
there are charges not included in the rental price such as electricity, final
cleaning, gas, heating, firewood, or linens, you must pay the owner or owner’s
representative all such charges upon departure. These sums may be deducted from
the security deposit and you will be required to pay any sum exceeding the
deposit.
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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