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It all depends on the owners. If they’re happy to let us take bookings without checking first with them, the property will be “Click & Book” and you can fill in a booking form immediately. Otherwise, you’ll need to make a booking enquiry by clicking on the button at the top of the availability calendar and we’ll get back to you as soon as the owner gives the go ahead. It should only take a few hours.

Everything - except air conditioning or heating where stated on the house page and in a few cases final cleaning where the owner insists this is paid on site. Where there is a separate final cleaning charge, this will be clearly shown in bold below the price table.

Our prices include all taxes except the new (summer 2011) “tassa di soggiorno” introduced in Florence which is 1 euro per person per night.

Our prices include cleaning, both before arrival and after departure (unless stated), bed and bathroom linen and utilities. For full details: see our booking conditions

Pisa, Florence, Ancona, Bologna, Rome or Perugia. Meridiana offers flights to Florence from London-Gatwick.

For the last two years we have asked for client feedback about car hire and received no clear results. Evidently they’re all as good (or as bad!) as each other.

There are plenty of web sites offering price comparisons for car rentals from airports and main train stations. Book before you travel to get the best rates.

Rental weeks usually run from Saturday to Saturday. Sometimes we can make exceptions to this rule, especially in the low season, but it isn’t always possible. You are welcome to ask.

The deposit is 30% on booking, with the remaining 70% due 8 weeks prior to your holiday. When there’s less than 8 weeks before you take your holiday, 100% is payable on booking. Please read booking condition no 3 for a straightforward explanation.

Yes. It is always sensible to take out holiday insurance to cover loss of luggage, accident or an unexpected need to cancel at the last minute. Read our booking condition no 10 for a straightforward explanation.

No - though if the 7th person is a baby (sleeping in a cot) it may be okay. In any event we will need the owner’s consent. All our houses are equipped to cater for the needs of the stated number of people. It will almost certainly lead to frustration, irritation or disappointment if you exceed the number we’ve agreed with the owner without their agreement.

8 weeks prior to the start of your holiday, when the full rental has been paid, we’ll email you the directions.

No - we are a professional agency! Arrangements will have been made for the keyholder to meet you at the property. All the information you need is in your directions.

5.00 pm is the normal arrival time, though some apartments like Podere Il Sapito allow arrival as early as 3.00 pm.

10.00 am is the normal departure time. The gap between departures and arrivals is simply to give the cleaning ladies time to do their job properly. Early arrival makes life hell for the cleaner! And if you arrive unexpectedly early, naturally you won’t be pleased to find everything upside down! Sometimes we can organise an early arrival - provided you let us know well in advance.

Email the Italian office (the address is in your directions) as soon as possible to let us know - that way we can pass the information on to the keyholder. As you know from your own experience, there’s nothing more irritating than waiting and waiting for someone who blithely turns up hours later than expected!

If you are unexpectedly delayed on the day of your arrival, you’ll find our “arrivals line” phone number on your directions. If you give us a call, we’ll pass the info on to the person waiting for you. That way, they can get on with something else instead of hanging about pointlessly.

All our houses have basics like kettles, irons & ironing boards and bedroom fans. Check the summary tab to see if there’s also a TV, dishwasher, stereo etc: if the villa has them, they’ll be listed. Not in the summary means not in the property!

There is one cot in most properties accommodating more than 2 guests, though it’s worth checking to be doubly sure. But please bring bedding for your little one and a packet of your favourite detergent too. Italian washing powders are incredibly harsh and babies, unused to the chemicals, shouldn’t be exposed to the risk of allergic reactions. Better be safe than sorry! And after all, it’ll be hot, so you need only pack the lightest bedding.

If you are bringing a youngster that’s likely to have “accidents” by night, please bring a waterproof sheet to put on the bed - we don’t like to be punitive, but stained mattresses are nasty and must be replaced. A little thought will ensure you don’t risk a surcharge for a new, clean mattress!!

Sufficient bed and bath linen will be provided for your group.

Please bring your own pool towels with you as sun oils can stain, unless the summary tab says they’re provided.

Check out the summary tab and you’ll see if there’s a phone. Payment for calls should be direct to the owner or keyholder in euro (cash).

Resources are scarce in Italy, so the government ensures gas and electricity are expensive in an attempt to limit consumption. The cost of central heating should be paid to the owner or keyholder in euro (cash).

Most houses with an open fire have a supply of logs. Some owners ask for a small payment for the wood used.