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 25% 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.
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:
-
15% of the total rental
price if the cancellation is made at least 75 days before the start of the
rental period
-
25% of the total rental price if the cancellation is made
between 74 and 43 days before the start of the rental period
-
50% of the total rental price if the cancellation is made between 42 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.
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