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OUR SERVICES:
Rentals
Our rentals are offered on a weekly basis from Saturday to Saturday.
Arrival time is normally scheduled between 4 pm and 7 pm. Please advise
the key holder if you expect to arrive late. Departure time is normally
scheduled by 10 am.
Welcoming of guests
A person responsible for taking care of the house will welcome you,
show you how things work and give you details of anything you need to
know immediately.
Our assistance in Italy
Sometimes caretakers or owners speak only basic English, or do not speak
it at all. In this case, should you need the assistance of an English
speaker, simply telephone our help line. You will find the telephone
number in the information book in the house. The service is guaranteed
throughout your stay.
Information book
This is a guide containing information about the house. It also gives
the addresses and telephone numbers of local restaurants and general
information for anyone staying in Italy. In order to make your stay
as enjoyable as possible we offer additional cleaning and cooking service
on request. These can be booked through your agency or directly through
us up to two weeks before your arrival. These services are available
in almost all the houses featured in our catalogue. Check with your
agency that the service you require is actually available at the property
you have booked, together with the cost.
Cooking service
This service is generally provided by excellent local cooks, skilled
in preparing traditional and regional Italian dishes.
On request, however, it is possible to supply a professional chef. If
you prefer, you can request dinner to be prepared on the day of your
arrival. The menu will be left up to the cook, but will be based on
local and traditional Italian cuisine. Let your agency or us know if
there are any particular ingredients you wish to be excluded.
Maid service
The final cleaning is included in the rental cost.
However, if you wish to increase the number of hours the maid comes
in, let us know up to twenty days before your arrival.
Babysitter
Let us know if you need the service of a babysitter during your stay.
Please check that this service is available at the property you have
booked and notify us at least twenty days before your arrival.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
PASSPORTS, VISAS & DRIVING LICENCES
U.K. citizens: a full 10 years British valid passport valid for the
duration of your stay is required . An international driving licence
is not required by E.C. Nationals. Non E.C. nationals should contact
the Italian Consulate for advice. U.S. citizens: A valid passport is
required. An international driving licence is required. A visa is not
required. Citizens of other countries should check with the Italian
Consulate.
CREDIT CARDS
It is advisable to carry as few credit cards as possible in case of
theft. Large towns and cities will gladly accept credit cards, but in
rural areas cash is preferable.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COST OF RENTING A VILLA?
Normal use of hot/cold water, electricity up to 300 KWH, a weekly change
of bed linen and towels/tea-towels (swimming towels are provided only
in some of our properties).
PAYABLE ON SITE
Use of telephone (usually metered), central heating, electricity over
300 KWH a week (which is generally more than enough), air-conditioning,
tennis, horse-riding, mountain-bike hire, extra maid/cooking service,
firewood, unless otherwise stated in the description of the property.
Where a washing machine is installed in the villa, use is free of charge.
MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY
Only those people whose names are on the booking form may occupy the
villa. Infants (children under 2 years) in cots are not included in
this calculation. Caravans and tents are not permitted on the property
under any circumstances. Should the Key-holder/the Owner/ the H.I. Representative
discover any additional occupants, clients will be asked to vacate the
villa and no refund of the rental charge will be given.
SPECIAL REQUESTS
Any special requests regarding the accommodation must be sent to Umbria
Real Estate, in writing, at the time of booking. An extra charge will
be made according to the nature of the request.
WATER & ELECTRICITY
Water shortages sometimes occur owing to long, dry periods and we ask
you to be as sparing as possible. Although the tap water is drinkable
we advise visitors to drink bottled water. Some properties are equipped
with limiting devices which may cut off the electricity supply if too
many appliances are used at the same time. Should this happen, please
contact the key-holder/caretaker for advice. N.B. The voltage for electrical
appliances in Italy is 220 volts.
ROAD QUALITY
Most roads leading to our properties are dirt roads, i.e. not asphalted.
Spring storms can quickly reduce the quality of a road. Although the
owners/caretakers will repair them as quickly as possible, we cannot
take responsibility for any damage which may occur to vehicles.
SWIMMING POOLS
Swimming pools are not open all year round. If your rental is before
15th May or after 30th September, please do check with us whether the
pool is open. Where we have indicated "pool in construction",
please check completion dates and pool size with us.
COOKS UPON REQUEST
Some villas also offer a cooking service, which can be requested through
us at the time of booking. Local cooks usually cook simple, traditional
food, which they can either prepare at the villa or bring from home.
They will cook lunch or dinner, or both, at the appropriate hourly/daily
charge, payable on site. Please note that few maids/cooks can stay to
wash up and serve meals.
HEATING
Heating may be required in villas rented before May and towards the
middle of October. A supplement is payable on site for any central heating
used, and must be paid before departure. Occasionally, separate gas
meters can be read, but usually the owner provides a weekly estimate
based on average consumption. Since costs vary and can be very high,
they should be clarified at the time of booking. Shopping List - To
pay o 30 for the shopping service to Maid/Cook or Keyholder.
INSECTS & DISTURBANCES
Since most of our properties are situated in rural settings and are
surrounded by cultivated fields, farm-machinery will be used from time
to time. In addition, local dogs and roosters will often wake up as
soon as the sun rises in the morning. Insects are attracted to light
at night-time. We advise visitors to bring appropriate ointments for
mosquito bites etc.
AIRPORTS
Umbra has only one airport "S. Egidio - Perugia" which at
the moment does not receive many international flights. You can however
easily drive down from Milan to Umbria, it's about a four hours and
a half drive or get an internal flight to Perugia. You can also to fly
into Rome and reach southern Umbria in just over one hour drive. It
is also possible fly into Tuscany airports and drive down to Umbria
quite easily: from Pisa Airport you can reach northern Umbria in about
two hours and a half, from Florence Airport in a hour. Another possibility
is flying into Ancona Airport with some charter flights and reach Perugia
in about two hours.
MOTORWAYS
Italy has a large number of Motorways. From the main airports and cities
you can reach your destination very easily. All the cities are linked
either by Motorways or by a "Superstrada", dual carriage ways.
RAILWAYS
Italy has a large railway network and it can be used to your advantage
as the majority of the stations are in the centre of the cities. The
service is quite good and well priced.
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