home     catalog search     luxury villas     contact us     find yourself in italy

Frequently Asked Questions

What time should I arrive at my vacation rental and at what time must I leave?
Will there be someone to meet me when I arrive?
To whom do I pay the security deposit? What other "formalities" should I expect?
Should I be aware of any extra charges not included in the rental price?
Will there be provisions at the rental when I arrive?
What amenities can I expect to find?
What about insects? Are there any?
What are my responsibilities as a tenant?
What are the sizes of the beds in Italy?
What if I have to cancel? Will I lose my deposit?
Why is there such a broad range in rates for each rental?
What if my vacation rental is not what I expected?
Will I need to bring a telephone to Italy?
Will I need to rent a car?
Can I rent a car through Gira!?
How is driving in Italy different?
Is there Internet service in Italy?
How do I mail a letter or post card in Italy?
I know that they use the metric system in Italy. What are the equivalents?

With very few exceptions, all rentals are from Saturday to Saturday. The arrival times will vary from one region to another, and this information will be included on your rental voucher.  We ask that you respect the standard arrival times as our vacation properties are individually owned and do not have a 24 hour reception desk like hotels do. A specific arrival window is provided to ensure that the owner or keyholder will be there to greet you and check you in. In all cases, you will be asked to phone the owner or keyholder a couple of days in advance at the phone number provided on the travel voucher to reconfirm your arrival time. We also ask that you provide us with a cell number for Italy use if you will have one with you.

Departure is usually between 8:00am and 10:00am, and some properties have a 9:30am departure. Please let Gira! or the keyholder know if you will be leaving earlier than the scheduled Saturday departure. Otherwise, your security deposit may not be returned to you in a timely manner. Also, if at all possible, try to arrive during the daylight hours. It makes for a much more relaxing arrival.

top of page

Yes – either the owner or the owner’s representative will be present at your arrival to welcome you and to show you around. Before you arrive, it is helpful to make a mental list of things that you will need to know and that will ensure that you are comfortable in your home. Some questions might be:

• How does the stove/oven work?
• Where do I take the trash? In Italy, it is uncommon to have individual trash pickup. There are large public trash and recycling receptacles along the roads in all towns and villages.
• Where do I park my car?
• How does the gate operate? Most Italian country residences have a large security gate at the entrance to the property.
• Where are the linens? Bed, bath and kitchen linens are provided on a weekly basis (unless otherwise noted in the property description). Some properties will provide pool towels--be sure to ask.
• How can we wash our clothes? Property descriptions will indicate whether a vacation rental provides a washing machine. You can also ask the owner/keyholder where the closest "lavandaria" is. Self-service laundromats are not extremely common. However, small privately owned laundries provide a good value service.
• How do the stove and oven (if there is one) operate?
• How does the TV/Satellite TV work? The property description will indicate if there is a TV and if it is a satellite TV. The owner/keyholder can also show you how to operate it.
• How does the heating system work? If you are traveling during the cooler months (November through April), make sure you find out how the heat system works.
• If your vacation rental includes maid and/or cooking services on request, please let the owner/keyholder know your requirements.
• Where are the closest grocery store and shops and when are they open?
• Are there local festivals or special events we should know about?

Let's be honest. Not all of our owners or their representatives will speak English. However, they are in the vacation business to welcome guests and make them as comfortable as possible. In Italy, almost anything can be explained with gestures as well as words. These people can be a great resource to make your visit enjoyable. Bring your Italian dictionary to help with this process.

top of page

All rentals require a security deposit in Euros. The amount of the security deposit is noted in the booking contract that you signed when booking the property. This amount is paid to the owner (or his/her representative) when you arrive.  

Italian law requires the owner to "register" all guests. This involves "surrendering" your passport to the owner for a short time so that s/he can fill out a form with your name, country of origin and passport number. S/he will return your passport promptly.  We suggest that all guests make a copy of their passports. This will assist the owner in registering his guests and also is recommended in case of passport theft or loss.

top of page

Additional costs such as heat, electricity, extra beds, final cleaning, television, etc. are specified on the booking contract. The owner will keep track of these charges and will collect for them upon your departure. These charges are payable in Euros and are often deducted from the security deposit.

In the event that you leave your vacation house before the end of the week, make sure you let the owner/keyholder know, so that your security deposit can be returned to you minus the extra costs.

top of page

Most homes are minimally stocked (if at all!) with a few spices, cleaning basics and toilet paper.

We highly recommend that you stop before arriving at your rental to pick up some basic supplies and staples.  A short list should include toilet paper, dish detergent, salt & pepper, coffee, butter, milk, bread, bottled water, sugar, fruit, cheese and sausages.

We can also ask the owner if s/he can pick up a few groceries to get you through the weekend and reimbursement can be made in cash when you check in. Grocery store hours during the week are usually 8:30am – 1:30pm and 4pm – 8pm. More and more Italian grocery stores are staying open the entire day on Saturday (such as COOP). In the summer, some grocery stores are open on Sunday morning but close in the afternoon and evening. Helpful things to bring from home could be a washcloth (Italian do not use them), bar soap, salt and pepper, dishwasher detergent, and slippers, as the floors are almost always stone.

top of page

The description of the particular property you have selected defines the amenities your home will offer. Each has a kitchen or kitchenette equipped with a stove and refrigerator. There are dishes, glasses, cutlery and pots and pans provided for the number of people the unit allows. Extra offerings such as an oven, dishwasher, washing machine or microwave are noted in the description. Bed, bath and kitchen linens are provided, unless otherwise indicated on the booking contract.

Many of our property have washing machines but not very many have dryers. These are not very common in Italy and are expensive to run. Folding racks for drying your clothes in the warm Italian sunshine are provided. Because the majority of our rentals date back at least one century, not all have air conditioning, as it is very expensive and difficult to retrofit historic buildings. The thick walls of the older homes provide excellent insulation to help retain heat in the winter and keep it out during the summer. Access to the grounds is customary to maintain the garden and swimming pool.

top of page

In the summer, yes, you will most likely find some. As at home, the number and kinds of insects will vary. Near lake areas, you can almost always expect some mosquitoes, although the houses tend to have more screens in these regions. Otherwise, most Italian homes do not have screens.  A mosquito net is easy to pack and can be found at outdoor recreational stores.

In the countryside, you will find little buggy critters that also live there (in addition to roosters, dogs, cats, pigeons and other types of visitors!).  Earplugs are always included on our packing list as the Italian countryside is often alive with farm animals, dogs and farming machinery (essential for the making of that delicious Italian wine).

Especially at night, open windows and bright lights will send a strong welcome message to the insects in the area. In the evening, try to keep the windows closed until it's "lights out" when windows can be opened. It is always a good idea to bring your favorite insect repellant. The Italians also have a handy device for repelling insects. It is called "Vape", and plugs into any electrical outlet. It slowly releases repellant into the air. This can be found at the Coop or any other popular grocery store. The cost is about $6.

top of page

We ask that you treat your home in Italy with the same respect as you would your own home. All properties have been cleaned prior to your arrival. Please leave the house in the condition that you found it. Even though there are sometimes final cleaning charges, it is always the responsibility of the tenant to wash up any remaining dishes and take away the trash upon your departure. There is no private trash pick up in Italy and you will easily find public dumpsters and receptacles along the roads. Recycling is mandatory in Italy and you will see different roadside receptacles for paper (carta), plastic and glass (plastica e vetro) and rifiuti (waste).

When you leave for the day, make sure that all windows are closed, as gusts of wind are not uncommon. This will also keep out uninvited “guests”. It's a good idea to also bring in drying towels and cushions, tablecloths, etc., as sudden afternoon rain showers can also occur. Don't forget that utilities are much higher in Italy than in other countries and that all lights and appliances should be turned off. Also, closing the windows when the air conditioning is on reduces consumption costs, which are usually the responsibility of the tenant.

Finally, and most importantly, Gira! does not wish to have dissatisfied clients. In the event of any problems during your stay, you must immediately inform the keyholder/owner. If the keyholder/owner is unable to solve the problem, you must immediately inform our in-country customer service representatives at the phone number or email address shown on your rental voucher. This will give them the opportunity to solve the problem during your stay. If a client abandons a rental property without allowing the necessary time for the problem to be solved, it is not possible to receive any reimbursement. Complaints which are not made during the rental period will not be accepted.


top of page

A matrimoniale (or double) bed in Italy is comparable to our queen bed in size. It is usually two twin mattresses in one frame.
A "double bedded" room has one matrimoniale or queen bed.
A French bed refers to our version of a double bed.
A "twin bedded" room is a room with two single beds.

top of page

You are likely to forfeit your deposit unless you cancel for a major reason covered by your trip cancellation insurance. We recommend that you obtain this insurance and, upon request, can provide you with a short list of reputable companies that offer this type of insurance.

top of page

There is a wide range of prices because the rental price per week is different depending on the season that you choose to come to Italy. July and August tend to be the high season with Spring and Fall offering lower rates.

top of page

It’s important to keep in mind that there are many similarities between the North American life-style and the Italian, and also many differences. Hopefully, it is these differences that have captured your curiosity and sense of adventure and have led you to Italy!

Gira! provides accurate property descriptions and photos, to the best of our ability. Clients choose their rentals based on these descriptions, pictures and any personal recommendations we can offer. We do our best to place you in a home that fits your vacation needs and desires. It is important to provide us with as much information as possible concerning your expectations, needs and desires so that we can help you make the right selection. It is important to inform us of any walking disabilities or health concerns, elderly guests and the ages of children in the group.

Please remember that Italian houses differ from their American equivalents. Many of the homes are more than a hundred years old, which is why they are so fascinating! They offer a base for experiencing the marvelous culture and traditions of Italy.

Our goal is for you to have a pleasant and comfortable holiday. While you are at your vacation home, there are many ways that you can deal with concerns that arise. First of all, if it is a small matter such as a light bulb or a stubborn key, the owner/keyholder is more than willing to help you. Second, and most importantly, take advantage of the caretaker or owner’s representative and the phone number noted in the travel packet. Please be sure to contact them immediately as soon as a problem becomes apparent.

Please remember that complaints which are not made during the rental period will not be accepted.

top of page

We recommend traveling with a cell phone. It is important for emergencies, for contacting the your vacation home owner to touch base about your arrival time and for making museum and restaurant reservations. Many American cell phone providers can set you up with a cell phone or BlackBerry that is compatible with the European cell phone technology.

Calls to Italy – Use the country code of 39 when calling Italy.

Calls to destinations outside of Italy – dial 00 + the country code + the destination phone number

For example, the country code for the US and Canada is 1; for the UK is 44; for Australia is 61.

top of page

Almost certainly yes!

Italian public transportation is excellent. The train and bus systems are extensive in Italy and a perfect way to get from one large city to another (Rome, Florence, Venice, etc.). The Eurostar bullet train is fast, clean, efficient and on time. Here are two websites that give detailed train schedules in Italy:

www.trenitalia.com and www.raileurope.com

So if your trip is only to the larger cities, you will not need a car. However, many of Italy’s villages are separated by hills and valleys and bus service may run only once in the morning and afternoon. Several of the spectacular country homes, towers, and farmhouses are in "perched" locations, high on a hill, connected to the closest village (3-5 kilometers) by fairly winding roads. For ultimate flexibility and convenience in the countryside, it is necessary to rent a car.

top of page

Although Gira! does not handle car rentals directly, we do have more than one associate through whom we work and we would be pleased to get a quote for you.

top of page

How is driving in Italy different?

Driving in Italy offers some challenges. It need not be a frightening experience. It just takes a U.S. driver’s license, international driver’s license (easily attained at AAA), a car and a great deal more attention and concentration than we are used to when driving in the U.S! For example, talking on a cell phone while driving is illegal in Italy. In fact, Italy has waged a successful campaign against speed and careless driving. Deaths are down by almost 50% and you will want to respect the posted speed limits. Surveillance cameras are used extensively.

Italy’s freeway (autostrada) system is as good as the interstate systems in other countries but given that it is a toll road, it can be expensive. When entering the Autostrada, do not enter the line for TELECARTE. These are for motorists with passes. You will just take a ticket (biglietti) on entering the highway that indicates your “point of entry”. You will pay (in Euros or credit card) when you exit, according to the distance you have driven. When exiting, look either for the sign/symbol of the man taking coins where an attendant at the booth will take your cash or “VIAcard” where you can use Visa/Mastercard and American express. Here, you will first put in your toll ticket (biglietto) and then your credit card (tessera). The credit card will be returned, the toll amount debited to your card and the tollgate will open. It is quick and easy. When traveling on the Autostrada, make sure that your headlights are switched on at all times. This is a heartedly enforced regulation.

While the autostrada tends to be safer, less nerve-wracking than smaller roads and less expensive as far as gas and time are concerned, the toll free divided “superstradas” are often times more direct than the autostrada and offer views of the surrounding countryside that cannot be appreciated from the interstate. Look for them on a good roadmap (available at local Italian bookstores). They are often marked S.S. We recommend a good detailed map that you can find online or at your local bookstore.

On the whole, the Italian drivers are aggressive and fast, but competent. Driving in Italy takes a great deal of concentration and it is necessary to be alert at all times. It is very important to have a navigator who reads the maps and signs and advises the driver.

It is a very good idea to become familiar with the international road signs, many of which are not used in the US. Here is a good website for the signs:

http://www.travlang.com/signs/regulate.html

Speed limits are strictly enforced in Italy with a “point” system. In our opinion, Italians have slowed down and continue to pass slower moving cars only in the left lane. Never travel in the left lane, unless you intend to pass. The left lane is used strictly for passing and, once you do pass, pull back over into the right lane at once . If you don’t, you will immediately have another car on your tail, blinking its headlights at you. There is no courteous distance acceptable between cars in Italy! Also, for more on driving in Italy, consult the Slow Traveler website:

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/planning/bob_transportation.htm

top of page

The Internet is a lively and growing part of Italian society. When possible, many of our owners are putting in fast Internet connections and WiFi. Countryside locations and dense stone walls are some of the challenges that come up, so this service can vary from property to property.

We have also seen free WiFi spots in some communities offered as a public service. All of the large towns will have one or more Internet Point, where you can sit and use a computer for an hourly rate.

top of page

Mail service from Italy has greatly improved. However, postcards get last priority and you can expect to beat them home if you are staying in Italy two weeks or less. It is always a good idea to place them in an envelope and send them letter rate. Look for the post office “La Posta” in the center of town and make sure that you send your mail “posta aerea” (airmail).

top of page

I know that they use the metric system in Italy. What are the equivalents?

One meter equals 3.3 feet, just a bit longer than one yard, or 39.4 inches.
One kilometer equals 6/10 of one mile.
One hundred kilometers/hour equals 60 miles per hour.
One liter equals just a bit more than one quart.
One kilogram equals 2.2 pounds.
One hectare equals 2.5 acres.
One Fahrenheit degree equals 5/9 of one Centigrade degree. To convert Celsius into Fahrenheit, multiply Centigrade degrees by 9, divide by 5, and add 32.

top of page