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 35 Euros 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.

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.

MINIMUM RENTAL PERIOD – PRICES

The minimum rental period is generally one week, from Saturday to Saturday (if not otherwise indicated in the description of the property).  In some specific cases, the owner reserves the right to accept only bookings for a minimum period of two weeks during July and August.  An owner can sometimes request the payment of additional cleaning if he/she accepts a booking of one week (if not normally authorized).  Our Italian associate agency reserves the right to charge you this cost upon notice at the time of booking.  The rental prices are per each accommodation and per week and are sub-divided according to the rental seasons as shown in the online catalog.  We reserve the right to modify the prices of the properties in the event of considerable fluctuation with the exchange rates (valid for those countries not using EURO).

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

Unless otherwise indicated in the description of the property, the arrival/departure must take place on Saturday at the following hours:
Arrival between 5pm and 8pm.  Departure: between 8am and 10am.
Any change to the arrival date and arrival time must be approved at least 3 days in advance.  In case of unavoidable delay on the day of arrival, you must call our Italian associate agency’s Customer Service Dept. between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. (from Easter until October).

In the event that the owner or his/her representative is not available and it is not possible to advise the owner or his representative of a late arrival, in the event that the late arrival was not previously advised of or in the event that the owner cannot accept a late arrival, you alone are responsible for the cost of the overnight stay in a hotel. The owner or his/her representative who is then required to make an unplanned trip to the property is entitled to claim the reimbursement of his/her expenses from you.

UPON ARRIVAL

On arrival you must present your rental voucher as well as your passport or identity card to the owner or his/her representative to enable them to proceed with your registration in accordance with legal requirements.  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.

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.

SECURITY DEPOSIT

When the keys are handed over to you, the security deposit, as stipulated in the description of the property must be paid, in cash and in EUROS to the owner or his/her representative.  Such amount will be refunded at the end of the holiday less any deduction made for damage caused to the property or for any additional costs that were not included in the rental price. THE OWNER OR HIS/HER REPRESENTATIVE CAN REFUSE ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY IF THE SECURITY DEPOSIT IS NOT HANDED OVER. If a security deposit is not indicated in the description of the property, no security deposit will be requested.  You are nonetheless responsible for any losses or damages caused to the property or its contents during your stay.  In the event of any damages our Italian associate agency reserves the right to charge you the relative amount.   Should you decide to leave the property prematurely the owner or his/her representative is authorized to refund the deposit to you by mail (less any deductions for damages or any additional expenses) and only after having checked the inventory and the property in question.  Gira! and our Italian associate agency decline all responsibility in the event of a dispute between you and the owner regarding the security deposit.

NUMBER OF PERSONS/SUBSTITUTIONS/PETS

Only those persons whose name appears on the Booking Contract and whose presence has been registered with the authorities may use the property. The number of persons (adults and children) must not exceed the number of sleeping places indicated in the catalog except in the case of infants (up to 2 years old) provided that you bring a travel cot and its relevant bed linen.  Any other exceptions are stated in the property description.  The substitution of persons during the rental period is forbidden unless previously approved.  Pets will be admitted in those properties where the description indicates that pets are allowed.  You are required to advise us at the time of booking if you are bringing any pets, stating the number and size as well.  Any costs relative to pets are specified in the description of the property.  It is mandatory for you to supervise your pet(s) within the communal areas of the accommodation. 

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.  The owner is allowed on the property for maintenance and gardening purposes.

HEATING

Given the situation regarding energy supply and the laws currently in force in Italy, the use of heating (when it is allowed to be switched on and off, temperature, etc.) is controlled by regulations, which vary from region to region. As an indication, heating appliances may be switched on between November and April.  Consequently, the heating, even when the cost is included in the rental price, can only be used during specific time periods.

ALTERATIONS - CANCELLATION CHARGES

For any alteration to the booking, or if you intend to transfer your booking to other person, on condition that the accommodation and the period do not change, you agree to pay US$ 70.  Our Italian associate agency reserves the right to charge you any additional cost relative to the booking.

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 60 days before the start of the rental period
§          50% of the total rental price if the cancellation is made between 59 and 30 days before the start of the rental period
§          90% of the total rental price if the cancellation is made between 29 days and 1 day before the start of the rental period
§          for cancellations on the date of arrival and no shows without prior notice, 100% of the total rental price, in addition to any other extra charges

The booking fee is non-refundable.

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.  If this is not done, the owner or the caretaker may deduct up to 30 Euros from the security deposit for additional cleaning costs. 

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.

LIABILITY

Our Italian associate agency has visited and checked each property. The descriptions appearing in the online catalog are accurate and have been prepared in good faith.  We decline all responsibility for any modifications made by the owner without our knowledge.  In the event of any problems, you are required to do your best to resolve or minimize them.  In most cases, your speaking directly with the owner or his/her representative can easily remedy the situation.

If you are unable to do this, you must immediately get in touch with our Italian associate agency by telephone on the Saturday evening of your arrival (open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. - from Easter until October) and by no later than the following Monday evening (office hours from 8.45 am to 1.00 pm and from 1.45 pm to 5.30 pm), confirming your complaints in writing within 24 hours by fax or by e-mail.

You are required to give our Italian associate agency the time necessary to resolve the problem.  Should there be no written complaint supplied as above specified and without an explicit authorization by our Italian affiliate agency, clients who leave their accommodation prematurely forfeit their rights to a refund of the rental price, unless there is a legal right for them to have cancelled.  Complaints received at the end of the stay will not be taken into consideration and no refunds will be given.

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 consequences 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.

If, for any reason beyond its control including force majeure, we must cancel your booking, our Italian associate agency, in agreement with you, will offer you another property of equivalent standard, provided that they are able to provide this solution.

If the price of the alternative property is less, the difference will be reimbursed to you.  In the event that an agreement cannot be reached, both parties can retract from the contract.  We will reimburse you for the cost received for the rental period and any other reimbursements are excluded.

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.

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.

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.

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.