TuscanHouse General Information

"HELPFUL HINTS FOR A HAPPY HOLIDAY"

ARRIVAL AT YOUR VILLA

Plan to arrive as close to 4pm as possible and please read the arrival details that are included at the bottom of your driving directions. Upon entering, please take a look at all appliances and ask the Manager to show you how they work. You should have the Manager show you where the electric fuse box is located and how to reset the electricity. You should report anything broken or out-of-order in the first 24 hours and make sure you know the Manager's home phone number and cell-phone number. Upon arrival you should also make an appointment for your departure morning checkout.

Late arrivals must always be agreed to in advance. The arrival time period is from 4pm to 7pm. Managers cannot wait up for you late into the night. If your arrival is delayed, please make every effort to contact the people who are waiting for you. Thank You!

Villas are rented on ‘self-catering” basis, this means that you should buy soaps, washing powders, spices, sugar, salt, also toilet paper and paper towels, as these are not always supplied by the owner. Most villas have at least the basics, but if you are in doubt, arrive at the villa early enough to check in and have a look, then go back out to shop at the local grocery store, these are typically open Saturdays until 7:30 or 8pm, but closed on Sundays.

DEPARTURE FROM YOUR VILLA

Departure time is by 10am. Please make an appointment in advance to meet with the Manager for your checkout so you can return the keys and pay for any heating, firewood or telephone usage. Remember to have enough Euro cash on hand for these payments. Please talk with the Manager about any damage or breakage, even if it's just a plate or a glass, and settle these directly.

At most properties the cleaners arrive by 9am to start getting the villa ready for the next guests. There’s typically too little time to do this, so please make a part of the villa available for the cleaners to start early on your departure morning. 

If you have an early flight to catch, you may need to leave the villa very early on Saturday morning, or already on Friday evening. The Manager can usually arrange to meet with you on Friday to settle any charges, and you can decide together where to leave the keys.

You should leave the property in a good condition. The final cleaning that is included in your rental is for cleaning after normal use. If you leave a big mess behind, then we would need to charge you for extra cleaning. We greatly appreciate your consideration as some villas are actually homes of the owners’ and not just rental properties. Please don’t move any furniture around and please don’t take any interior furniture outdoors. 

SECURITY DEPOSIT 

The security deposit is fully refundable and you should receive a check in the mail at your home address about 2 weeks after your departure from the villa. 

The security deposit is for paying the Owner for any brakeage or damage to the property or the contents caused by you during your stay. We highly recommend that you discuss and pay directly to the Owner or Manager for any damages and they would be most understanding and appreciative of this. It takes a lot of effort and time for us to do this after your departure, especially if you didn't notify anyone of the damages. 

The security deposit is not for paying your telephone usage, heating or firewood, or any dinners, wine or olive oil that you may have bought from the Owner or Manager. If you depart without a checkout and we must settle these payments with the Manager on your behalf, then we will need to access a service charge of a minimum US$ 50.   

TRASH 

There's no trash collection from any property and if you are renting an independent apartment or villa without a housekeeper, then you need to remove your own rubbish. You can easily find the green plastic or metal trash containers along the roads near habitation and along the streets in towns and villages. These rectangular trash containers usually have a foot lever that you can step on and it pops up the lid. Please bag your trash and tie up the bag securely. Plastic shopping bags make for good trash bags.  

The special recycling containers are centrally located, typically at the main parking areas of towns and villages. The cone shaped containers (usually blue) accept glass, plastic and metal, you'll see the symbols on the container. Please rinse out cans, jars and bottles before recycling. The yellow containers accept paper and cardboard. 

Empty water bottles tend to make up most of the trash volume. Here's a good way to make it easier: take off the cap from the empty plastic bottle, then crush the bottle, or flatten it by stepping on it, then fold or roll the flat bottle from the bottom up to squeeze out the air, and finally put the cap back on tightly. This saves lots of space. 

MONEY 

Cash. In Italy you should always have some cash on hand because the open-air markets, some small shops, cafés and restaurants don't accept credit cards. You'll do best by bringing your ATM card (remember the PIN number); the teller machines (bancomat) are everywhere. Notify your bank in advance that you’ll be traveling in Italy and ask about service charges when using the bankcard overseas. The ATM machines here offer a choice of languages and pre-set amounts to draw. The maximum daily amount is Euro 250. Carry small bills and change with you for small purchases. 

Travelers' Cheques are still useful and safe, especially if you damage or loose your ATM card, or if the machines are out of service. Banks are typically open in the mornings only and can have long lines during the tourist season. The special money exchange shops in bigger cities offer quick service, but watch out for their rates and high charges. Remember to bring your passport when cashing travelers’ cheques. 

Credit cards are more widely used and accepted than before, especially Visa and MasterCard. You can use credit cards at the larger supermarkets, most stores, restaurants and gas stations. You can pay with credit card at the Autostrada tollgates, you'll see the signs (Carte) at the exit gates and they even take Diners and Amex! Drive to full-service tollgate if you don’t want to use the automated payment machines. 

PERSONAL SAFETY 

Italy is considered a safe country. Italians are courteous and helpful, especially in the countryside and small towns of Tuscany, and if you are ever in trouble, people would most likely go out of their way to help you. The only real concern is theft. In crowded cities, on the bus or train, at an open-air market, there could be pickpockets around and they can spot the tourists. Keep your money safe; don’t put a wallet in your back pocket and don’t have it exposed in an open bag.  

The other easy target is your parked rental car. Do not leave any personal belongings visible inside the car; it’s best to put all your stuff in the trunk.  

Before leaving home, make photocopies of your passport, all travel documents, credit cards and ATM card, and keep these in your suitcase and separate from your money.  

At your rental property it’s advised to close windows, shutters, and doors at all times when you are away from the villa, mainly because quick storms can blow up from nowhere and do considerable damage with winds and heavy rain. 

SHOPPING 

Supermarket trolley-carts require a 1 or 2-Euro coin to release them from the “garage”. Return the shopping cart and insert the key from the previous cart to get your coin back.

Supermarkets are closed on Sundays and sometimes Monday mornings. It’s a good idea to note the opening hours of the grocery store or supermarket closest to your villa. Fruit and Vegetables are required to be weighted and priced before getting to the check-out counter. Each item carries a number (Taso) and the scales in addition to the number have a picture of the product. Place the item on the scales, punch the number and out pops a coded price sticker. Just slap it on the bag. Remember to put on the plastic glove when handling any fruit or vegetables. You’ll see the glove and bag dispensers and the scales around. The deli counters have a number system for service, pick up your ticket from the dispenser. Plastic carrying bags are charged for at the supermarket check-out. If the bags are behind the counter, ask for una busta = one bag, due buste, grazie = two bags …thanks   

Warning: don’t buy cheap counterfeit “name-branded” sunglasses, watches or handbags, from street-sellers. If the police see you doing this, fines can be in the thousands of Euros. Similar fashion items (but without the forged Gucci or Prada label) can be bought legally for little money at many stores and the weekly outdoor markets from licensed vendors. 

DRIVING 

International driver's permit is now required for foreigners driving in Italy. EU passport holders who have a valid license from their own European country do not need this. If you are an American, Canadian, or Australian citizen, you will need to have this permit to rent and drive a car in Italy. Ask your car rental company for their specific requirements. In the USA you can get the international driver's permit from the triple A  (www.aaa.com) who currently issue them for a $15 fee and you’ll need to send them 2 passport photos.  

Autostrada driving.

When entering the Autostrada drive to the gates marked biglietto and take the ticket from the machine (don’t drive to the gates marked only telepass!). When leaving the Autostrada you’ll need to give this ticket to the attendant at the manned tollbooth where you can pay with cash or credit card. You can also use a credit card at the automated booths (the lanes are clearly marked for cards Carte), insert the ticket into the machine first, then your credit card. The card will be returned to you after the charge and the arm raised to let you continue.  Autostrada driving is fun if you follow the simple rule: stay to the right if not passing. On the left lane flashing headlights mean “I’m warning you, I’m going a lot faster than you and would like you to get out of my way right now” That’s saying it nicely !  

Road safety

The highest official speed limit is 130kms on the left side lane at most sections of the A1 Autostrada; typical speed limit is 90kms on the “Superstrada” 4-lane roads, and 70kms on the 2-lane Provincial Roads. Urban area maximum speed is 50kms. Please observe all road signs and speed limits. Headlights and seat belts must be on at all times as required by law.

We know that most Fiat drivers are really Ferrari drivers trapped inside a Fiat, obeying the one road rule that “you must be in front of the car in front of you at all times”!  Therefore one of the worst hazards on the roads in Italy is tailgating or ‘exhaust sniffing’, and can best be achieved whilst also smoking a cigarette and talking on the phone. DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED by these drivers, take your foot slowly off the gas (this will send then into an arm-waving fit) and keep to the right and they will then pass you as quickly as possible.

Gas stations

The service stations on the Autostrada are usually open 24 hours, which is NOT the case elsewhere. Local stations usually follow the local shopping hours and close for lunch and on Sundays. Some have 24-hour self-service pumps where you put notes into a slot machine and choose your pump number. Fill it up in Italian is ‘Pieno’ and ‘Benzina’ is regular gas and Diesel is either just Diesel or ‘Gasoilo’. Attendants staff the gas stations so you don’t need to leave your car if you pay with cash and they can also check the oil, etc. The staffed full-service (servizio) pumps are usually closest to the station house. And if you are lucky, they may even wash your windshield (small tip is then appreciated). Self-service pumps have the sign ‘Fai da te’ = do it yourself. Credit card payments are usually made inside the station house.   

Carabinieri

The State Police set up roadblocks occasionally to look for stolen vehicles, so they might wave you over (with what looks like a gigantic lolly-pop!) and they would want to see your car papers. Pull over, stay in your car, roll down your window, give them a big smile and only speak English! They usually wave you to go on once they realize you don’t speak any Italian.    

Alimentari is the grocery store.

Macelleria is the butcher shop.

Farmacia is the pharmacy and displaying a Green Cross.

Forno is the bakery.

Pasticceria is the cake shop.

Enoteca is the wine bar, where you can taste and buy local wines.

Bar is both the coffee shop and the bar for alcoholic drinks, they usually sell cigarettes too.

Osteria is a wine bar with food.

Trattoria is an informal restaurant

Ristorante can be more upscale than Trattoria or Osteria

Pizzeria is, well, that you already know ......

BUON VIAGGIO !