Our website is filled with lots of helpful information about renting and visiting Italy. We realize there is a lot to read, and we recommend that you do.

Here's a short list of what we think are the most important things to know before you book your villa.

1. Choose the right area. Italy consists of 20 regions, each one different from the other. Choose your rental villa by deciding what you want to see. Even though the scenery may be beautiful, you don't want to spend all of your time driving from one destination to another.
2. Book months in advance. Especially for large properties, six months to one year is normal booking requirement.
3. Cars are a necessity for villa rentals located in the countryside.
4. Most of the homes are self catering. If you need a staff on hand, let us know before you start looking.
5. Towels and Bed Linens are included in the price of the rental villa. You will have one set of towels per person; this normally consists of one bath towel, one face towel and one hand towel. Bed linens are normally changed every Saturday.
6. Heating & Air Conditioning. Heating and Air Conditioning are almost always an additional charge, based on consumption.
7. The cupboards will be bare. We recommend shopping for essentials before you arrive at the villa. You don't want to use a stranger's left over food, and the housekeepers remove anything left behind. On your way to the villa, stop for essentials such as salt and pepper, soap, paper towels and toilet paper. Most villa owners offer grocery shopping and delivery before you arrive at the villa for a modest charge.
8. Adjust your expectations. It's everyone's dream to stay in a perfect home in a perfect location. As beautiful and charming as these villas and apartments are, it is hard to meet perfection. One person's idea of perfect differs from the other. Create a list of the things that are important to you and list them in order of importance before choosing your villa rental.
9. Unpack, relax and enjoy. Once you arrive at the villa, settle in and relax. Above all, open your eyes to new experiences and your heart to another culture. If it's your first time in Italy, you will need a day or two to get into the rhythm of Italian life and to appreciate its slow and wonderful pace.
10. Go with the flow. Try not to pack too many things to do in one day, be open to spontaneity and exploration. Don't let glitches, big or small, ruin your fun. Adjust to the changes in plans that may crop up during your visit. You'll need to keep your sense of humor and try to laugh at the bumps in the road if you want to get the most from your vacation. Most likely you will find those bumps very funny when retelling it to your friends back home.