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Frequently Asked Questions |
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What time should I
arrive at my vacation rental and at what time must I leave? 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? What time should I arrive at my vacation rental and at what time must I leave? With very few
exceptions, all rentals are from Saturday to Saturday. Arrival is
between 5:00pm and 8:00pm (Tuscany and Umbria) and 4:30pm to 7:00pm for
the Lakes. Departure is between 8:00am and 10:00am. We ask that you
respect these times, as often the owner or keyholder does not live on
the property and is only there during these times to meet guests. It is
important to call the phone numbers in the travel packet if you are
going to be significantly delayed. Please let Gira! or the
keyholder know if you will be leaving early before 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. Will there be someone to meet me when I arrive? 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:
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. To whom do I pay the security deposit? What other "formalities" should I expect? 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. Should I be aware of any extra charges not included in the rental price? 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. Will there be provisions at the rental when I arrive? 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. Although more and more Italian
grocery stores are staying open the entire day on Saturday (such as
COOP), many do close no later than 5:00pm on Saturday. Almost all
grocery stores are closed on Sunday. One exception is the COOP store in
Greve. It is open on Sunday mornings during the summer. Helpful things
to bring from home could be a washcloth (Italian do not use them), bar
soap, salt and pepper, dishwasher detergent, slippers as the floors are
almost always stone or tile and a candle. The cylinder type is best
because you will not need a candle stick holder this way. There are many
occasions in Italy to dine by candlelight!! What amenities can I expect to find? 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. Linens are usually provided but sometimes the beds are left for the guest to make up. Some have washing machines but none have dryers, which are quite uncommon in Italy. Folding racks for drying your clothes in the warm Italian sunshine are often provided. Because the majority of our rentals date back at least one century, few 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. Telephone costs are
quite high in Italy. Some properties do have telephones. Usage is
metered in units and paid to the owner in Euros at departure. The
grounds of all rentals are maintained and often a groundskeeper will be
present during the week. What about insects? Are there any? 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!). 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. What are my responsibilities as a tenant? 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. 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. Finally, don't forget that
utilities are much higher in Italy than in other countries and that all
lights and appliances should be turned off. What are the sizes of the beds in Italy? A matrimoniale (or
double) bed in Italy is comparable to our queen bed in size. It is
usually two twin mattresses in one frame. What if I have to cancel? Will I lose my deposit? 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. The cancellation policy for our Umbria Specialties catalog is explained in the Umbria Specialties Booking Conditions. These may be found on our web site by selecting Umbria Specialties and then using the link provided. The cancellation policy
for our Tuscany and Beyond catalog is explained in the Umbria
Specialties Booking Conditions. These may be found on our web site by
selecting Tuscany and Beyond and then using the link provided. Why is there such a broad range in rates for each rental? 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. What if my vacation rental is not what I expected? 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 descriptions of all properties. 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. 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 happy 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 our in-country customer service
representatives when these numbers and hours are noted in the travel packet.
Their English-speaking staff is at your disposal to help you find a
quick answer or solution to your problem. Please be sure to contact them
immediately as soon as a problem becomes apparent. How do I use the telephone in Italy? Telephoning in Italy is easy and you will probably want to use a telephone, not only to advise your rental owner of your arrival time, but also to make reservations at a restaurant, call home, or even call the local tourist office for information. The Italians make use of a handy phone card called a "scheda" or "carta telefonica" to make local and long distance calls. These cards are purchased in Euro increments and are available at post offices, tobacco shops, newsstands and machines near phone booths. To activate the card, you simply tear off the perforated corner. To make a call, pick up the receiver, insert your card in the slot in the phone, dial your number, make your call, then retrieve your card. The price of the call is automatically deducted from your card as you use it. Direct dialing may seem a bit complicated but it isn’t once you figure out all the city and country codes! All cities in Italy have a city code and the country code for Italy is 39. Local calls within the same city – dial the city code (which starts with a zero) first before dialing the phone number. Long distance within Italy – dial the city code (which starts with a
zero), then dial the local phone number. Almost certainly yes! 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. Can I rent a car through Gira!? Although Gira!
does not handle car rentals directly, we do have an affiliation with
AutoEurope, and have provided a link that can be accessed on our web
site. How is driving in Italy
different? When entering the Autostrada, do not enter the line for TELECARTE. These are for motorists with passes. You will just take a ticket 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 for the sign/symbol of the man taking coins. This means that there is an attendant at the booth and can make change for you. Credit cards are accepted. 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 "superstradas" are often times more direct than the autostrada and offer views of the surrounding countryside that cannot be appreciate from the interstate. Look for them on a good roadmap (available at local Italian bookstores). They are often marked S.S. We recommend the TOURING CLUB ITALIANO green map for the different regions of Italy. They are nicely detailed for navigating the countryside. On the whole, the Italian drivers are aggressive and fast, but competent. Italian law forbids the use of cellphones while driving. 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. The official speed limit on Italian freeways is 130 kilometers per hour. This is approximately 80 miles per hour. Many people, especially Italians and Germans, ignore this! The police is not often noticeable but they do make use of photo surveillance. So be careful! You never know who may be watching. And never, 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/driving/index.htm Is there Internet service in Italy? The Italians love the Internet and
email just as we all do. While the prospect of bringing a laptop,
finding a compatible modem, phone hook-up and internet service provider
can still be challenging, the possibility of finding internet shops and
cafes throughout Italy is not at all. Look for INTERNET TRAIN,
THENETGATE and INTERNET POINT, all shops that offer computer terminals
for a nominal hourly fee. It is also helpful to ask at the Tourist
Bureau. They can direct you to places where internet friendly PC’s are
tucked away at the back of offices and shops. These, too, will be
charged at an hourly rate or a fraction thereof. How do I mail a letter or post card in Italy? Mail service from Italy is improving
but sometimes seems painfully slow. 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). I know that they use
the metric system in Italy. What are the equivalents?
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| Gira!, Inc. || 1003 South Madison Street || Denver, Colorado 80209 USA || phone 800-362-3818 || 303-733-6030 || fax 303-733-2060 |
| privacy policy || FAQs || email us: info@italyrentals.com |
