Termsof stay.

The agreement

These terms apply between Villa Velatura, Strada della Velatura, 53026 Pienza (SI), Italy (“we”), and the person who signs the booking form (the “lead guest”), on behalf of everyone in the party. The booking is confirmed when we have received the signed booking form and the deposit, and we have sent you our written confirmation.

Villa Velatura is let whole, for holiday use, to one party at a time.

Prices

Prices are per night for the whole villa, in euro, and include VAT and everything listed on the rates page. The tourist tax of the Comune di Pienza is not included; it is charged per person per night at the rate the town sets for the year of your stay and added to your final bill.

Extras you book before or during the stay are charged at the prices shown when you book them and settled at the end of the stay.

Deposit and balance

A deposit of 30% of the price of the stay is due when you sign the booking form. The balance is due 60 days before the day of arrival. If you book within 60 days of arrival, the full price is due at booking.

You can pay by bank transfer or by card. If the balance is not received on time, we will remind you, and if it is still not paid seven days after the reminder we may treat the booking as cancelled by you.

Security deposit

Seven days before arrival we hold a security deposit of €3,000 on a credit card, or you can pay it by bank transfer. We release it in full within seven days of your departure, less the cost of any damage or loss beyond normal wear and any unpaid extras. If we keep any part of it, we send you the reasons, with photographs and receipts.

If you cancel

Cancellations must reach us in writing, by email. The cancellation charges are:

• more than 90 days before arrival: €500, and we refund everything else you have paid;
• from 90 to 60 days before arrival: the deposit;
• less than 60 days before arrival, or if you do not arrive: the full price of the stay.

If we are able to let the same dates to someone else, we refund what we receive for them, up to the amount you paid, less €500. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation.

Because the stay is for specific dates, the right of withdrawal for distance contracts does not apply (Article 59(1)(n) of the Italian Consumer Code, Legislative Decree 206/2005).

Changing your dates

More than 90 days before arrival, you can move your booking once, free of charge, to other free dates within twelve months, paying any difference in price. Later changes are treated as a cancellation and a new booking.

If we have to cancel

If we have to cancel or cannot provide the house because of events outside our control, such as a natural disaster, a fire or an order of the authorities, we will offer you other dates or refund everything you have paid. Our responsibility is limited to that refund, unless the law provides otherwise.

Arrival and departure

The house is yours from 16:00 on the day of arrival until 10:00 on the day of departure. Earlier arrivals and later departures depend on the bookings either side and are confirmed a few days before.

On arrival, every guest, including children, must show a valid identity document, which we register with the State Police as Italian law requires. We cannot hand over the keys until this is done.

Who can stay

The house sleeps up to twelve guests, plus two children under three in cots. Only the people named on the booking form may sleep in the house. Friends may join you for meals and the day, with notice; gatherings of more than twelve extra guests, music systems, caterers or suppliers need our written agreement in advance and may be subject to the conditions on the celebrations page.

Dogs are welcome only by arrangement, outside July and August.

House rules

• No smoking inside any of the buildings.
• No amplified music outdoors after 23:30, out of respect for our neighbours.
• The pool has no lifeguard and no fence: children must be supervised by an adult at all times near the water, and nobody should swim after drinking alcohol.
• Please do not move the furniture between rooms or take glass to the pool.
• Candles and the fireplaces must never be left unattended.

Damage and liability

Please tell Chiara straight away about anything broken or not working, so we can fix it. The lead guest is responsible for damage caused by the party beyond normal wear.

We are not responsible for loss of or damage to valuables that are not kept in the safes in the suites, or for the services of third parties you book directly, except as the law requires. Nothing in these terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or any other liability that cannot be limited by law.

Complaints

If something is not right, tell us during your stay so we can put it right while you are here. If you are still unhappy, write to hello@velatura.it within 14 days of your departure and we will reply within 30 days.

Law and courts

These terms are governed by Italian law. If you are a consumer, nothing in them affects the rights you have under the Italian Consumer Code or the law of the country where you live, and you may bring a claim before the court where you are resident. Otherwise, the Court of Siena has jurisdiction.