GENERAL INFORMATION
(For properties contracted by Villas d'Italia through Tuscan Enterprises / Viaggi Il Cocomero.)
HOW TO BOOK
After browsing through the catlaog of properties, we suggest you choose two or three properties and phone or email us to ask if they are available. You can also provide us with alternative holiday dates. We will work with you to confirm availability of your chosen residence(s) for the dates you require. We will then place an option on the property for you with Tuscan Enterprises/Viaggi il Cocomero. [NOTE: Tuscan Enterprises will only hold an option for a period of three days without further action or contact from us.] Once we confirm the option with you, you need to complete the BOOKING FORM, (you can print one by clicking on the link), and fax it to us at (509)529-7501. We use this signed contract to "lock" your option with Tuscan Enterprises and make certain the property is held for you. You must then mail us the original completed Booking Form along with your payment. (Generally, this is your 50% deposit plus the Booking Fee.) If you are making payment by credit card, please ensure that the required information is complete and clearly legible on the form. Upon receipt of your payment we will complete the booking process and send you a formal confirmation with the details of your final payment. As per the Booking Conditions, you are required to pay a 50% deposit at the time of booking and the remainder no later than 60 days prior to the start of your holiday.
Please be sure that the BOOKING FORM has been accurately completed and signed. This document constitutes a binding agreement, before signing it be sure to read the BOOKING CONDITIONS carefully. It will not be accepted without a proper signature. Because of the paperwork involved, you will be charged an additional US$50 for any modifications in your booking once it has been confirmed. Modifications will only be accepted up to 60 days prior to arrival. After we have processed your final payment, about 20 days prior to the start of your rental period you will receive both your Itinerary with detailed directions to the property, and your Voucher which is your access pass to the house and must be shown to the keyholder upon arrival.
DESCRIPTIONS
All houses are carefully selected and described as accurately as possible. We prefer to provide as much information as possible rather than not enough. In order to please the many nationalities with which we work, our descriptions utilize terms that are accepted and used by most tour operators. If something is not clear, please ask us for further information. Bathrooms are described as complete when they contain a WC, washbasin, bidet and either a bathtub or a shower. Anything which is not described is generally not available.
BEDS AND LINEN
All bedroom and bathroom linen is provided weekly. Although the swimming pool areas are furnished with chairs and tables, owners get upset when they see guests using blankets from the beds to lay on in the sun. In a few cases pool towels can be arranged for at a small additional cost, however, at most houses beach towels are not provided, so if your vacation plans include a lot of time basking in the sun by the pool please plan ahead and bring your own towel. Thank you! In some houses beds can be provided as doubles or divided into singles. This must be requested in writing on the BOOKING FORM to allow owners and keyholders time to effect the changes. Beds will not be modified after your arrival.
FURNISHINGS
The houses are all completely furníshed and equipped. Toliet paper, soaps, and other consumables are not provided. Kitchens have gas, electric or mixed gas/electric ranges, refrigerators, and usually ovens. You are not allowed to move furniture around in the houses, nor to remove furniture from inside and place it outside.
HEATING
The type of heating available is described for each house. According to the house measuring (metering) system, it is either payable on consumption or at a fixed weekly rate. Ask the keyholder on arrival whish system is applied. Heating will be paid always directly to the keyholder along with consumption of fireplace wood. Italian law states that a house must not be heated for more than 12 hours per day and only from mid October to mid April. Please be careful in using house heating because it can present you with an unpleasantly expensive surprise at the end of your holiday - Italy produces wonderful wines and olive oils but no combustible fuels, which are all imported and, therefore, very expensive. When heating is used, total gas or diesel consumption will be charged in all houses.
SWIMMING POOLS
All pools are guaranteed open from the 1st of June to the 30th of September. The owners or the caretakers have access to the pools for maintenance. Beach towels are not provided. (See "BEDS AND LINEN" above.)
MAID SERVICE / COOKS
Several houses have access to local maids. They usually charge € 12 per hour. Please talk with us about it and be sure to make a note on your BOOKING FORM if you are planning to have a maid. We will pass the information on to the owner or keyholder and you may arrange the specifics of how many hours and days upon arrival. In many houses, maid service is provided automatically and, in these cases, the houses cannot be rented without the maids. Several houses also have their own cooks available, and if you want use their services please note this on your BOOKING FORM also.
GARDENS
In order to maintain the gardens in good condition, the owners or the caretakers have access to them.
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
Pets are allowed in some houses under your complete responsibility for any damages, bites or scratches proffered. You may be asked for an additional deposit to cover any damages your pet may cause during your stay.
WATER
All houses have potable water. Please try to use it sparingly during the summer months because Tuscany sometimes runs dry. You are not allowed to wash automobiles or to fill children's playpools unless authorized by the owners.
ELECTRICITY
Some of the houses have a limited electrical capacity of 1.5 Kilowatts. This means that you must be careful in using more than one appliance at a time because if overloaded the limiter will shut the electric system off. This can be aggravating when you have to look for the electric control panel in the dark. Electricity in Italy is all 220 volts, 50 cycles.
TELEPHONES
Many houses have telephones for guest use. You may be asked for an additional telephone deposit. Most houses have telephone meters and you will be charged at a fixed rate per unit. Some houses are not provided with meters. In this case you will be asked to leave a deposit that will be returned to you following a reading by the telephone company of units used. Italy has an excellent cellular phone network, so if you own a cellular phone you should have no problems using it. Italy uses primarily impulse dialing rather than digital (tone), so make sure you modify your portable computer software if you plan to access your email and the internet from Italy.
BABY COTS
Cots are provided free of charge in those houses where the description states that a cot is available. Some houses do not provide baby cots. Please note that only the cots are provided. You must bring your own cot linen. If you need a baby cot, please mark it down on your BOOKING FORM so that we may notify the owner.
REGISTRATION / DAMAGES DEPOSIT / FINAL CLEANING
On arrival, please give the keyholder your passports or I.D. Cards. Italian law requires registration of guests within 24 hours of arrival. On arrival you will be requested to pay a damages deposit of € 260. Most keyholders will also accept foreign currency. Personal checks and credit cards will not be accepted. At the end of your holiday, your damages deposit will be returned to you less the cost of any damages that occurred. Clients will find the houses clean and tidy on arrival and are asked to leave them in the same condition on departure. Although final cleaning is included in the price this does not extend to leaving houses in a mess nor to leaving sinks full of dirty dishes. Should this be the case, you will be charged for the extra cleaning expenses. You will also be charged € 5 per bag of garbage left at the house that must be removed and disposed of by the keyholder.
