Italy Travel - About Us !

1) RENTAL
Bookings are made on behalf of the owner of the property at the prices stated in the CUENDET catalogue - CUENDET & Cie Spa – Strove/Monteriggioni (Siena). These prices are based on market conditions applicable at the time CUENDET catalogue goes to press.

2) WHERE AND HOW TO BOOK
The holiday-maker makes his/her booking through the authorised TRAVEL AGENCY whose name and address are printed on the back of the catalogue.

3) PAYMENTS - RENTAL VOUCHER
As soon as the holiday-maker receives the written confirmation of his/her booking, he/she must pay a deposit equal to 25% of the rental price IN ADDITION TO Euro 25,00/AU$ 45.-/US$ 30.- PER ACCOMMODATION FOR THE BOOKING COSTS.
The remaining balance must be paid at least 42 days before the start of the rental period Upon receiving the full balance the holiday-maker will be sent his/her rental voucher. For bookings made less than 42 days prior to the start of the rental period, the holiday-maker must immediately pay the total amount of the rental price.

4) MINIMUM RENTAL PERIOD - PRICES
The minimum rental period is generally one week, from Saturday to Saturday (if not otherwise indicated in the description of the property). In some specific cases, CUENDET reserves the right to accept only bookings for a minimum period of two weeks in July and August.
An owner can sometimes request the payment of additional cleaning if he/she accepts a booking of one week (if not normally authorised). CUENDET reserves the right to charge the holiday-maker this cost upon notice at the time of booking. The rental prices are per each accommodation and per week and are sub-divided according to the rental seasons as shown in the catalogue. CUENDET reserves the right to modify the prices of the houses, in the event of considerable fluctuation with the exchange rates (valid for those countries not using EURO).

5) INSURANCE
The following text is an extract of the insurance policies no. 207.716752.40, 207.716751.42 and 207.716753.38, taken out by CUENDET and Cie Spa with La Fondiaria Assicurazioni S.p.A., with offices in Florence, Via L. Il Magnifico 1:

1. POLICY NO. 207.716752.40 – CIVIL LIABILITY INSURANCE
In its role as Travel Agency acting as organiser and intermediary for travel and sojourns with offices in Monteriggioni – Strada di Strove, 17, description of the risk: the insurance covers the civil liability of the insured in its role: for damage caused to the person and for damage caused to objects and animals. Maximum coverage: for each accident: 1,549,370.00 Euro; for each person: 1,549,370.00 Euro and for damage to objects and animals: 1,549,370.00 Euro. Territorial Extension: Notwithstanding Art. 7 of the General Conditions of Insurance, the insurance is valid for the whole world.

2. POLICY NO. 207.716751.42 – DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE RENTAL HOUSE
For damage caused accidentally by our clients to the house, including the relative structural systems, installed equipment and gardens, the insurance will reimburse the owners for these damages (franchise: 516 Euro is to be paid by the holiday-maker). Maximum coverage: for each accident: 516,457.00 Euro; for each person: 154,937.00 Euro: for damage to objects and animals: 51,646.00 Euro and for damage caused to the furniture and furnishings: 5,165.00 Euro.

3. POLICY NO. 207.716753.38 – INJURY CAUSED TO THE HOLIDAY-MAKER
For damage not attributable to the negligence of the owner, relative to the buildings, including the relative structural systems and gardens or also the general contents of the property, caused to the client, the insurance will pay up to a maximum of: for each accident: 1,549,370.00 Euro; for each person: 516,457.00 Euro and for damage to objects and animals: 154,937.00 Euro (also if belonging to several persons).

6) ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Unless otherwise indicated in the description of the property, arrival/departure must take place on Saturday at the following hours:
arrival between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., for the latter the exact time of arrival must be STRICTLY advised to CUENDET at the time of booking or subsequently thereof, so that the owner or his/her representative can meet the holiday-maker on the spot (in the event that the exact time of arrival is not previously advised the following arrival time will be advised to the owner: 6.30 p.m.); the owner or his/her representative will wait for the holiday-maker for no longer than one hour from the advised arrival time.
Departure between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Each change to the arrival date and arrival time must be advised to CUENDET and be approved by CUENDET at least 3 days in advance. In the case of unavoidable delay on the day of arrival, the holiday-maker must call CUENDET Customer Service Dept. between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. - Tel. 0577 576310 (from Easter until October).
In the event that the owner or his/her representative are not available and it is not possible to advise the owner or his/her representative of a late arrival, in the event that the late arrival was not previously advised of or in the event that the owner cannot accept a late arrival, the holidaymaker alone is responsible for the cost of the overnight stay in a hotel. The owner or his/her representative who is then obliged to make an unplanned displacement to the property is entitled to claim from the holiday-maker the reimbursement of his/her expenses.

7) UPON ARRIVAL
On arrival the holiday-maker must present his rental voucher as well as his passport or identity card to the owner or his/her representative to enable them to proceed with their registration in accordance with legal requirements.

8) SECURITY DEPOSIT
When the keys are handed over to the holiday-maker, the security deposit, as stipulated in the CUENDET price list or in the description of the property must be paid, in cash and in EURO to the owner or his/her representative. Such amount will be refunded at the end of the holiday less any deduction made for damage caused to the property or for any additional costs that were not included in the rental price. THE OWNER OR HIS/HER REPRESENTATIVE CAN REFUSE ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY IF THE SECURITY DEPOSIT IS NOT HANDED OVER.
If a security deposit is not indicated in the price list or in the description of the property, no security deposit will be requested. The holiday-maker is nonetheless responsible for any losses or damages caused to the property or its contents during the holiday. In the event of any damages CUENDET reserves the right to charge the holiday-maker the relative amount. Should the holiday-maker decide to leave the property prematurely the owner or his/her representative is authorised to refund the deposit to the holiday-maker by post (less any deductions for damages or any additional expenses) and only after having checked the inventory and the property in question. CUENDET declines all responsibility in the event of a dispute between the holiday-maker and the owner regarding the deposit.

9) NUMBER OF PERSONS/SUBSTITUTIONS - PETS
Only those persons whose name appears on the Booking Form and whose presence has been registered with the authorities may use the property. The number of persons (adults and children) must not exceed the number of sleeping places indicated in the catalogue. Any other exceptions are stated in the property description or in the price list. The substitution of persons during the rental period is forbidden unless previously agreed upon with CUENDET.
Pets will be admitted in those properties where the respective symbols shown. Only one small or medium-sized pet is admitted in the properties with the symbols, upon request to Cuendet and approval of the owner. Any costs relative to pets is specified in the description of the property. It is compulsory that the holiday-maker supervise his/her pet(s) within the communal areas inside the property.

10) CLEANING
The properties will be handed over clean and tidy and in good working order. The holiday-maker is obliged to hand over to the owner or his/her representative the amount due, in EURO (if shown in the price list or the description of the property) for the cleaning of the property. This amount does not however include the cleaning of the kitchen corner/the kitchen/the kitchenette and the removal of rubbish which are the holiday-maker’s responsibility. If this has not been done, the owner or his/her representative is obliged to charge an additional expense in addition to the amount due.
If no cleaning cost is foreseen, the holiday-maker must leave the property clean and tidy. If the property is not handed back in the above-mentioned condition, the holiday-maker must pay the owner or his/her representative on the spot the amount necessary for cleaning the property. If this should not occur, CUENDET reserves the right to request the above-mentioned amount within 14 days from the date in which the owner’s request is received.

11) HEATING
Given the situation regarding energy supply and the laws currently in force, the use of heating (when it can be switched on and off, temperature, etc.) is controlled by regulations which vary from region to region. As an indication, heating appliances may be switched on between November and April. Consequently, the heating, even when the cost is included in the letting price, can be used during the same period. The cost of heating, if based upon usage, must be paid directly on the spot to the owner or his/her representative before departing. If this should not occur, CUENDET will charge the holiday-maker in addition to the above-mentioned cost 11 Euro / 15 SFR / 5 UKL / 15 US$ for administrative costs.

12) EXTERNAL MAINTENANCE
The owner or his/her representative reserve the right to have free access to the property for essential maintenance purposes (garden, swimming-pool etc...).

13) ALTERATIONS - CANCELLATION CHARGES
For any alteration to the booking, or if the holiday-maker intends to transfer his/her booking to other persons, on condition that the accommodation and the period do not change, the holidaymaker has to pay the following amount: Euro 50,00/UKL 30.-/ US$ 70.-/AU$ 80.-.
CUENDET reserves the right to charge the holiday-maker any additional cost relative to the booking.
Cancellation of a booking, even if it is substituted by another one, the following penalties must be paid:
15% of the total rental price if the cancellation is made at least 75 days before the start of the rental period,
25% of the total rental price if the cancellation is made between 74 and 43 days before the start of the rental period,
50% of the total rental price if the cancellation is made between 42 and 30 days before the start of the rental period,
90% of the total rental priceif the cancellation is made between 29 and 1 day before the start of the rental period,
100% of the total rental price if the cancellation is made the day of arrival or in the case of no show /
IN ADDITION TO THE BOOKING COSTS AND ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL CHARGES.

14) RESPONSIBILITY
CUENDET has visited and checked each property. The descriptions appearing in our catalogue are accurate and have been prepared in good faith. CUENDET, however, declines all responsibility for any modifications made by the owners without its knowledge, unless it is impossible to totally or partially fulfil the contract and that the holiday-maker will not accept the partial fulfilment of the contract. In the event of any problems, the holiday-maker undertakes to do his best to resolve or minimise them in order to avoid any prejudices that could result.
If the holiday-maker is unable to do this, he must immediately get in touch with CUENDET by telephone on the Saturday evening of his arrival (open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. - from Easter until October - Tel. 0577 576310) or by no later than the following Monday evening (office hours from 8.45 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 1.45 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.), confirming his complaints in writing within 24 hours by fax (0577 301149) or by e-mail (customerservice@cuendet.com). The holiday-maker is obliged to give CUENDET the time necessary to resolve the problem. Should there be no written complaint supplied as above specified and without an explicit authorisation by CUENDET, the holiday-makers who leave their accommodation prematurely forfeit their rights for a refund of the rental price, unless there is a legal right for them to have cancelled. Complaints received at the end of the stay will not be taken into consideration and no refunds will be given.
If, for any reason beyond its control including force majeure, CUENDET has to cancel the booking made by the holiday-maker, CUENDET, in agreement with the holiday-maker, will offer the holiday- maker another property of equivalent standard, provided that CUENDET is able to provide this solution. If the price of the alternative property is less, the difference will be reimbursed to the holiday-maker by CUENDET.
In the event that an agreement cannot be reached, both parties can retract from the contract. CUENDET will reimburse the holiday-maker for the cost received for the rental period and any other reimbursements are excluded.
Important information for all holiday-makers:
As you are aware, the properties that CUENDET offer are not official tourist structures, such as hotels, residences, etc. but private houses. Being such, they do not have standards or categories that are internationally recognised, indeed they reflect, in their architecture and furnishings, the local traditions and the personal taste of the owner.
This is precisely the kind of holiday that CUENDET offers: the chance to partake in the culture of the area chosen, living for a few weeks in the same surroundings as an inhabitant would. In order to live this experience in the right spirit, it is important not only that the holiday-maker accepts but also that he will be able to appreciate the differences in the properties CUENDET is proposing in comparison with those where he normally lives. For its part, CUENDET has carefully chosen such properties using a minimum and maximum quality range within which it believes that any European and indeed a citizen of the world can find total satisfaction. CUENDET cannot however exclude the possibility that these differences can sometimes result in minor inconveniences - due to the special nature of its architecture and of traditions in the area - but which cannot be accepted as complaints.

15) LAW AND JURISDICTION
In the event of controversies arising from the booking and the rental, the Florence Law Court only can deal with the matter and Italian law only applies. Signing the booking form and making the booking implies that CUENDET's General Letting Conditions have been understood and have thereby been accepted without reserve and without exception. If any of the conditions of this contract have become invalid or were invalid or if in this contract there should be a gap, the other conditions cannot be contested.

CUENDET & Cie Spa - Tour Operator Authorised by the Province of Siena - Authorisation no. 0048 - prot. 01125, L.R.T 51/1986 (L.R.T. = Tuscan Regional Law)

ADDITIONAL CHARGES:

Final cleaning per person : EURO 25
Final cleaning minimum : EURO 100
Refundable Security Deposit (if no damage) : EURO 200
Heating : Upon Consumption