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Gira! Inc.
BOOKING CONDITIONS 2006
LAKES AND SEAS OF ITALY
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 50% 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 $30
booking fee per booking.
As part of the booking procedure, you will be asked to identify a single
contact person who is responsible for all communication regarding the
reservation. You are asked to also name a secondary contact person
(does not have to be part of the travel group). Travel documents are
provided either electronically or by mail once final payment has been
received and will be sent to the contact person. Upon request, one
additional travel packet may be mailed to another member of your group
for a charge of US$ 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, we accept
checks drawn on a US bank, bank wire, Visa and MasterCard. For bookings
of $4000 or greater, we accept checks drawn on a US bank and bank wire.
When additional onsite services are arranged (such as cook, babysitter,
driver, etc.) a valid Visa or MasterCard number must be provided as
guarantee. This card will be used only for a guarantee or deposit on
these services, or for reimbursement to the owner in the event of
cancellation or forfeiture of pre-arranged services.
IMPLEMENTATION OF CURRENCY ADJUSTMENTS
Prices are in US dollars per week and are based on Euros. Prices are
subject to change at any time prior to full payment. Balance amounts on
your contract may increase if there is a substantial increase in the
value of the Euro to the U.S. dollar before full payment is due. If
there is such a change, you will be notified at the time your final
payment is due and it will appear on your final invoice. If you pay in
full at the time of booking, no price adjustment will be done.
This policy applies only if you are making a deposit at the time of
your booking and paying the final balance later. On the day of your
booking, we note the wire transfer rate as of that day for payment of
Euros from the U.S. to Europe. We note this once again on the day your
final payment is due. If this difference is greater than .05 (five
cents) Dollars/Euro, your final balance due will be adjusted
proportionally. For example:
At the
time of your booking:
Your rental amount is: US$ 2000.00
Your deposit paid is: US$ 1000.00
Dollar/Euro exchange is: 1.25 Dollars / 1.00 Euro
On the date of your final payment:
Your balance due is:
US$ 1000.00
Dollar/Euro exchange is: 1.32 Dollars / 1.00 Euro
Percent of change is: 5.6% (1.32 / 1.25)
Your adjusted final balance due is: US$ 1056.00
Please note that this example ignores the non-refundable booking fee,
which is charged at the time of booking.
RENTAL PERIODS
Most rentals run from Saturday to Saturday, with a minimum stay of
one week. Arrival is between 4:00pm and 7:00pm. 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) between 8:30am-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
All cancellations must be sent by letter, fax or email to the
Gira! reservation office and, if you have a cancellation policy, to
your insurance company. For any cancellation on the part of the client,
the sums withheld by the Gira! reservation office are as follows:
10% of the total amount from the day of reservation to 150th
day before arrival, 50% from 149th to 60th day
before arrival and 100% from the 59th day to the day of the
arrival. 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.
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.
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. The owner is allowed on the property for
maintenance and gardening purposes.
SECURITY DEPOSIT
The
security deposit is paid in Euros cash to the owner upon arrival. The
sum is indicated on the booking contract. The security deposit will be
returned to you, subject to the premises being left in good order upon
departure. When the deposit has been retained, deductions for
damage/refurbishment/renewal will be made as appropriate. If such costs
or damage exceed the deposit, you will be informed by the owner and
agree to pay the owner in Euros cash. The owner can refuse client
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 you and the owner.
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 your belongings.
DAMAGES
You are
responsible for all damages caused by you, your family or your guests.
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.
CLAIMS/DISPUTES
Gira!
declines all responsibility for any modifications to available services
or to the property made by the owners without our knowledge. All
discrepancies relating to the general specifications or the inventory of
the premises must be communicated to the owner/caretaker immediately and
s/he be allowed the necessary time to fix the problem. If the matter
cannot be corrected, you must contact Gira! by telephone and then in
writing within 2 days. No reimbursement will be made for a late arrival
or early departure. Whenever possible you are urged to settle minor
grievances (burnt-out light bulbs, faulty appliances, etc.) with the
owners before filing a formal complaint. Often the owner is not aware
of these minor problems. No consideration will be given to complaints
that are received following the end of your rental period.
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.
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