Terms and Conditions
All bookings are made with In Italy Online's parent company, Words in Pictures Inc., acting as agents for the apartment and villa owners in Italy.
- Booking: A non-refundable deposit must be paid at the time of booking. No contract with us will exist until we have received your payment and Booking Confirmation, specifying the period of your stay, and we have subsequently confirmed your booking. Should you later cancel, cancellation charges will become payable as stated in point 6 below. We reserve the right to refuse any booking at our discretion. It is understood that this contract automatically expires at the end of the period stated on the Booking Confirmation. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will send you an information packet containing the exact address and phone number of the property, a map showing you how to get there, and information about places to visit, restaurants and recreational facilities in the area.
- Payment of the Balance: The balance due, as reflected on our Invoice, must be paid at least fifty-six days before your stay begins. Unless you authorize us to automatically charge a second payment, it is not the responsibility of Words in Pictures Inc. to make sure you pay the remaining balance on time. If we have not received the balance by the due date, we shall be entitled to cancel the booking without prejudice to our claim for cancellation charges and to retain the deposit. For bookings made within fifty-six days of your arrival at the property, you will be required to pay the full cost of your stay at the time of booking. Upon receipt of your balance, we will send you a Voucher for your booking.
- Alterations and Cancellations by You: If you change your dates, this becomes a new booking. Your deposit is subject to the cancellation conditions stated in point 6 below.
- Alterations and Cancellations by Us: Though it is unlikely we will have to make any changes to confirmed arrangements, it does occasionally happen and we will advise you at the earliest possible date. If, for any reason beyond our control, we are unable to provide you with accommodations at the property you have booked, we reserve the right to transfer you to a similar property. However, if this is not possible or you do not wish to be transferred, we will cancel the booking and refund the amount paid to us in full. We will not be liable for any further obligations or claims by you.
- Number of Persons/Replacements: The number of people must not exceed the number of sleeping places indicated in the Booking Confirmation, except in the case of infants (under two years) for whom you bring a traveling cot and linen, or arrange for this to be available at the property. Pets are not permitted unless explicitly agreed to in writing. Should the property owner/manager find any violations to this clause, it is totally up to her/his discretion to ask you to vacate the accommodations.
- Cancellation by You: If you cancel all or any part of your booking, or if the booking is canceled by us due to non-payment, then we shall be entitled to keep the following percentage of the cost of your stay:
| More than fifty-six days before departure | 100% of Your Deposit |
| Within fifty-six days of departure | 100% of The Cost of Your Stay |
Cancellation must be received by us in writing. We regret that penalty payments cannot be transferred to other
periods or other accommodations. Words in Pictures Inc. and its representatives shall not be responsible for
any expense or liability resulting from labor disputes, war, acts of terrorism, government restraints, weather
conditions, sickness, pilferage or any other cause beyond their control. We strongly encourage you to buy travel insurance at the time of booking to compensate you in the event you must cancel and forfeit funds. You may purchase such insurance from your own broker, from your travel agent, or through Travel Insured International.
- Arrival and Departure Times: Unless otherwise arranged, stays are booked on a weekly basis, from Saturday to Saturday. You must arrive and leave according to times specified on the Accommodation's web page and the Voucher. If you arrive after those times for any reason, a late fee of 50 Euro will be automatically deducted from your security deposit. So that you don't waste any time, you must let us know your arrival information (flight number, time of arrival at the airport or departure time from your previous location, means of transportation to the meeting point, etc.) at least 3 days prior to arrival. If you fail to do this, we cannot guarantee that you will not have to wait a long time at the meeting point. It is not possible to arrive at the property after 10 pm for any reason, and neither In Italy Online nor the owners of the property accept any responsibility for damages, costs or other consequences whatsoever arising out of late arrivals. Please plan to have a photocopy of each person in your party's passport information page. If you do not have it you will have to surrender the passport(s) to the owner and pay a fee of 10 Euro/person.
- Security Deposit: Upon arrival at the property, you will be expected to pay a Security Deposit
to cover breakage or other damages, as stipulated on the Accommodation's web page and the Voucher. Judgment
regarding the condition of the property is left to the sole discretion of the property owner/manager. The
exact amount of the Security Deposit is stipulated on the Accommodation's web page and the Voucher, and will
be paid in travelers checks or Euros cash, unless otherwise expressly stipulated. The total amount, minus
any expenses as laid out in this contract, will be returned to you at the time of your departure from the
property.
- Utilities and Other Extras: All Extras are specified on the Accommodation's web page and the Voucher and are either payable in advance to Words in Pictures Inc. or due in local currency cash or Travelers Checks on departure or during your stay. Those due in advance will be itemized on your Booking Confirmation. Any long distance calls made from the property must be charged to your telephone calling card. If pertinent charges apply, gas, electricity, heating and/or telephone meters will be read on arrival and departure and the exact charges will be due in local currency cash upon departure. The property owner/manager will deduct any unpaid utility and telephone charges from your Security Deposit upon departure.
- Presentation of the Voucher: Upon arrival at the property, you must present the Voucher to the owner/manager or greeter. Failure to present the Voucher will result in an automatic penalty charge of 100 Euros.
- Complaints: All properties are checked regularly by Words in Pictures Inc. and its local representatives to ensure that they meet the required standards and that they are accurately reflected in descriptions and promotional material. Whilst the company will do all that is reasonably possible to ensure that properties comply with descriptions or to rectify any problems that arise as a result of changes to properties, it cannot accept responsibility for last-minute changes or variations outside of its control. Complaints should be directed within 24 hours of the cause of the complaints arising to the area representative or to Words in Pictures Inc. directly, and we will either resolve the problems or find comparable alternative lodgings for you. Complaints giving rise to claims for compensation must be received in writing within 24 hours of the cause of the complaints. All claims arising outside of this period are invalid. In addition, should you leave the property for whatever reason without notifying Words in Pictures Inc. in writing beforehand, any claims for compensation are rendered null and void.
It is important that you understand and acknowledge that many of the villas have historical value, and are furnished with antiques and period furniture which are different to today's modern furnishings and appliances. In addition, many of the properties have inherent dangers such as swimming pools, dry stone walls, ungated access to roads, staircases, unfenced drops, etc. These properties offer the opportunity to live for a short time in a different world where tradition and history form a part of the local life and culture. Neither Words in Pictures Inc. nor our local representatives nor the owners can accept any liability for accidents occurring howsoever, as you must be responsible for taking any necessary safety precautions. Equally, no claims of any sort will be entertained in the event of incidents occurring whilst you or your guests are under the influence of alcohol or any non-therapeutic drugs.
- Cleaning: Your accommodations will be clean throughout before your arrival and must be left reasonably clean by you at the end of your stay. Additional cleaning charges may be assessed against the Security Deposit if the accommodations are not left in reasonable condition in the opinion of the property owner/manager.
- Behavior: The person signing the Booking Confirmation is responsible for the correct and decent behavior of his/her party. Should the person and his/her party behave in such a manner that is not acceptable by civilized standards, the property owner/manager has the right to ask the person and his/her party to vacate the premises.
- Liability: You and your party hold Words in Pictures Inc. and the property owner/manager harmless from and against any and all liability arising out of or in any way connected with your use and occupancy of the property, including injuries, damages or losses from fire, theft or criminal activity. Words in Pictures Inc. and the property owner/manager are never liable for consequential damages.
The venue of any dispute between the parties that may arise out of this agreement or otherwise shall be the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, California.
