Farmhouse Reservation Tuscany

Your Tuscany Farmhouse Rental Checklist

A quick farmhouse reservation Tuscany checklist to help ensure that your Tuscany Farmhouse Holidays in beautiful and wild Maremma go smoothly and don't leave you with any unexpected surprises!

Most of the answers to the following questions etc may readily be found on each Maremma farmhouse/agriturismo website, but if not you may wish to ask via email before confirming a booking in order to be sure.

(Photograph with kind permission of Enzo Tiberi.)

The Maremma Guide Farmhouse Reservation Checklist

In alphabetical order...

Air Conditioning
If you like your creature comforts, best check this one first in the description of the farmhouse accommodation as the majority don't have air conditioning.

Arrival and Departure Times
Some set this as 12 noon on the arrival and 10 am on day of departure, for others the earliest is a 3pm arrival.

However, if you know that you will be arriving very early or very late after a long haul flight with tired children etc, I suggest that you have a word with the owners in advance and see if they can accommodate a different time. Some agriturismo owners offer up front on their website to help if you give them plenty of notice.

Babybed
If available, usually provided free of charge.

Bed linen and Towels
These are normally included in the price and changed weekly.

Bicycles
Many agriturismi provide bicycles free of charge to their visitors. Great for those slow travel days and family explorations.

Cancellation Charges
Find out in advance what the agriturismo policy is just in case and take out holiday insurance!

Deposit
The initial deposit you will need to make is usually 30% of the rental price, payable in advance by credit card, bank transfer etc.

In some cases, the farmhouse owner will also ask you upon your arrival for a further returnable deposit to cover any breakages etc.

Extra beds and sofa beds
Expect to pay a fee for these. The amount will normally depend on whether the additional beds are for children or adults.

Final Cleaning Fees
In some rental prices this is included, in others not. In the latter case the fee can be around Euros 60,00.

If you bring your pet with you (cat or dog) there may be an extra charge for final cleaning.

Inclusive Price
You can expect your usage of gas, electricity & water for cooking and showers etc to be included in your Tuscany farmhouse rental price.

But I suggest that you check carefully whether the rental includes central heating and air-conditioning. Many charge separately on a metered basis. If that is the case, you may wish to find out from their website the cost per square metre unit so as to avoid any unpleasant surprises when you are ready to leave. Especially if your stay will be during the winter months as it can get very cold in Maremma and the price of gas in Italy is very expensive.

There may also be a charge for the use of the washing machine if one is provided.

Initial Food Hamper
If you choose a vegetable or fruit farm for your farm holiday, you may well find a hamper of locally-grown foods on the kitchen table when you arrive. There again, if it is a vineyard, a bottle of Maremma wine!

Minimum Stay Periods
Be aware that most farmhouse accommodation will only accept whole week bookings during the height of the summer season July and August months.

Pets
Some allow pets, some don't, and some charge extra if they do.

Private/Communal Access
If having independent access to your accommodation is important to you - it is to my Mum when she is away on holiday - you may want to check whether the initial entrance door to your farmhouse apartment is private or communal. This isn't a problem with purpose-built apartments alongside the main farmhouse, and most new farmhouse conversions have independent entrances, but it is often the small things that make or break a wonderful holiday and I know what bothers my Mum...

Swimming Pool
If having access to a swimming pool is important, this is usually the quickest thing to check out on a farmhouse website as it is usually right at the top of the listed amenities. Alternatively, click on this Tuscany farmhouse with swimming pool link to browse just those farmhouses in Maremma that do have a pool.

TV
Some have satellite TV, but rarely a DVD player.

Washing Machine
Although an oven, hob, fridge/freezer are standard appliances for all self-catering agriturismo accommodation, most apartments do not have a washing machine, although access to one may be available in the main farmhouse. If you have a large family and are planning a long stay, you may wish to check this one out in advance and ask about the additional costs.

Wishing you a farmhouse reservation Tuscany without any glitches and a great holiday - buon vacanza!