How To a Villa – Tips for a successful Rental

While there are many excellent ways to slow down and experience Europe one of the best methods is renting an apartment, farmhouse, or villa. Find just the right spot and use it as a base to see the countryside at the same time experiencing the pleasure of really living in the country – even for just a short time.

How did you find the right spots? The same way you would at home: ask friends, look through guidebooks, and surf the web.

Before you look, identify what you hope to experience and where you want to go. Are you looking for an exciting and lively week in an urban location? Then Florence, Rome or Paris are better options than the countryside of Tuscany or Provence.


For example, If you are with teenage children you may be better in a town – such as Florence; you and I may dream of that lovely house in the countryside – where we can sit, enjoying the pool while sipping a glass of local wine, watching the sun set; but what about that 17 year old and his 14 year old sister? It is much easier if they can find a nice gelato ( ice cream) shop on a corner of the Piazza della Signoria in Florence and listen to the street musicians in front of the Uffizzi – think about it before you decide where to stay; Ask us – our experts can advise you.

Tips for Enjoying a Successful Rental

Here are some tips to make the best of your rental experience:

1. Avoid peak season for better prices. Rental prices follow the old rule of supply and demand. You’ll pay more to visit popular vacation regions when the Europeans take their holidays in July and August. General rule of thumb for pricing is about € 1100 per bedroom per week – so if there are two of you this would be an average price, if there are 6 – i.e. 3 couples – the price would be about € 3300 per week. These are averages so of course prices can be lower or higher. Peak season is from late June to late August. Mid May, September and October are great months to visit Italy – good weather, pricing better;

2. If you want amenities, be willing to pay for them. A private pool can add substantially to the cost of a rural rental, as can air-conditioning in an urban apartment. During one of Florence’s hottest June weeks, though, the pool and AC were worth every euro!

3. For two to six people, Borgo style apartments are an excellent lower-cost option to an entire villa or farmhouse. Often the owners have renovated an original rambling farmhouse or medieval estate into a series of well-constructed apartments with private kitchens, bathrooms, living areas, and individual outdoor terraces. They usually share a common pool and other amenities.

4. Most properties rent on a traditional Saturday-to-Saturday time period. You will probably be unable to rent for a different or shorter time, especially during peak seasons.

5. You will need private transportation, such as a rental car, to fully enjoy—or even reach—a rural rental property. Many properties are located in the countryside – up an unpaved (strada Bianca) road. Be prepared for gravel roads of varying quality, they are regularly maintained and usually fine. Ask your agent if you are concerned.

6. The rental property usually comes with an “instruction manual” containing information on how to operate the appliances and suggestions for local restaurants, shops, and sightseeing. Go with the property owner’s suggestions to discover local restaurants and activities you might never stumble upon otherwise.

7. Use the local mom-and-pop grocery stores, butcher shops, pastry shops, and bakeries. Get to know your local green grocer and he’ll treat you like a local—personally selecting the ripest fruit and freshest salad fixings. Part of the fun is collecting all the goodies; the other part is creating meals with them in your fully-equipped kitchen. You can also arrange for any or all meals to be cooked. A fun thing to do is arrange for a cook to come in and do a lesson in your home.

8. Explore your neighborhood. An early morning walk as the sun rises will probably find you in the company of the local farmer as he trims his grape vines, or the neighboring Italian grandmother who is lovingly tending her small garden. Go ahead—interact, even if you don’t speak the local language.

9.  Slow down and enjoy. Even take a day off—or, as Rick says, a vacation from your vacation. One of the joys of staying for at least a week in one location is you can develop a true dolce far niente ("sweetness of doing nothing") attitude. If the rain is pattering outside, grab a book from the in-house library and curl up on the sofa.

10. Remember renting a property offers the chance to partake in the culture of the area chosen, living for a few weeks in the same surroundings as a local inhabitant would.

These converted properties may not be official tourist structures such as hotels, residences etc but private houses. Being such, they do not have standards or categories that are internationally recognized, rather they reflect, in their architecture and furnishings, the local traditions and personal taste of the owner.

In order to live this experience in the right spirit, it is important not only that the client accepts but also that he will be able to appreciate the differences in the properties offered. .

Staying put in one spot gives you the chance to let the days unwind without a plan. .

Often the highlights of our journeys are the unexpected thrills – a medieval gathering in Cortona, with all the townspeople in full costume, a sunset as the monks of Sant’Antimo chant the vespers… and so much more.