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 60 days before the start of the rental period.  There is a one-time non-refundable Euros 40 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 (or equivalent Euros), 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.

RENTAL PERIODS

Most rentals run from Saturday to Saturday, with a minimum stay of one week.  Arrival is 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 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 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

Clients are strongly encouraged to purchase travel protection insurance.  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 45 days before the start of the rental period
§          50% of the total rental price if the cancellation is made between 44 and 30 days before the start of the rental period
§          70% of the total rental price if the cancellation is made between 29 and 15 days before the start of the rental period
§          90% of the total rental price if the cancellation is made between 14 and 7 days before the start of the rental period
§          for cancellations 6 or fewer days before the start of the rental period or in the event of a no-show, 100% of the total rental price, in addition to any other extra charges

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. 

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.  Even in the case where the client must pay the final cleaning costs on the premises, the client is obliged to remove the rubbish and to leave the property in a decent state, otherwise there may be further cost deductions above and beyond those already owed.  The owner is allowed on the property for maintenance and gardening purposes.

SECURITY DEPOSIT

Should there be damages to the accommodation, 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 AND SERVICES

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.  The dates for the use of sports facilities are indicated in the description of each property, in the case of particularly bad weather conditions these may be varied for reasons that are not our responsibility.

In the case of extra services not included in the rental price (e.g. cook, cleaning services, etc.) Gira! does its best to provide accurate information at the time of booking.  Gira! cannot be held responsible for any subsequent variations in the price or delivery of services which may take place after the confirmation.

HEATING

In general heating may be used from November to April as covered by current Italian legislation.

DAMAGES

You are responsible for all damages caused by you, your family or your guests.

CLAIMS/DISPUTES 

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.

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.