Connoisseur Tuscany   Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions set out below are the basis in which Connoisseur Tuscany accepts bookings. Please read these terms and conditions carefully prior to signing our Booking contract.

1)You may book by fax or email.  On receipt of our Booking contract signed by you and after receipt of payments we will confirm your booking by email or standard mail. (Please note that the booking is understood as having been accepted once Connoisseur Tuscany sends you the confirmation of your booking.  Upon receipt of full payment you will receive a RENTAL VOUCHER.

2) Website information/descriptive information sheets
The greatest of care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of all the information contained in our website/descriptive information sheets relating to all services advertised. 
Connoisseur Tuscany has visited and inspected each property and the descriptions on our website have been prepared in good faith. Obviously as these are villas owned by individuals, each with their own personal taste,  we cannot be held responsible for any difference of opinion as to the condition or quality of the properties advertised.

3) Payment
The client when signing the Booking contract acknowledges to be a member of the party travelling to the rental property and pays a non refundable deposit of 30% of the total price for the rental property prior to the issue of the rental confirmation. The balance is due 8 weeks prior to the start of the rental date.  For any bookings made within 8 weeks of the start of the rental date the total amount is due at time of booking.  If the deposit, the full rental price or any proportion is not paid within the above time frame then Connoisseur Tuscany shall treat the contract as terminated and as a cancellation charge will retain all deposits paid by the client and/or be entitled to additional cancellation charges as per  item 7 below in the terms and conditions.

4) Vouchers and Documentation
Once full payment has been received by Connoisseur Tuscany in accordance with item 3 above, Connoisseur Tuscany will release Rental voucher, property address, routing instructions, contact names and telephone numbers for the rental property.

5) Transferability 
The client may irrevocably transfer this booking to another person. The request must be made to Connoisseur Tuscany in writing and is subject to an administrative charge of Euro 150 along with any other relevant charges. The transferee will be deemed to have assumed all terms and conditions of the Booking contract.

6) Travel Insurance/Personal insurance
Clients are advised to take out travel and cancellation insurance from an independent insurance company to protect from any financial loss.  We also recommend you have your own Personal Insurance policy that should provide for personal liability protection.

7) Client cancellation charges
Cancellations are subject to penalties and the amounts charged are based on the dates Connoisseur Tuscany receives written notice from the client requesting a cancellation of the Booking contract.  The cancellation charges due and payable by the client :
a) 56 or more days prior to the start of the rental period the amount of the non-refundable deposit.
b) 55 to 30 days prior to the start of the rental period the amount of 50% of the total rental price
c) 29 to 1 day prior to the start of the rental period the amount of 100% of the total rental price.
Any changes requested by the client to either the date of the rental period or a change to the property selected result in a complete cancellation as specified above.

8) Modification or Cancellation by  Connoisseur Tuscany  and/or the property owner
The contract can be modified or cancelled at any time and in any case where it is necessary to do so due to force majeure or any other occurrence outside the control of Connoisseur Tuscany who will assist the client in making a new booking.  The client is responsible for any increase in the rental cost due to the new booking.  If a new booking is not possible Connoisseur Tuscany will provide a full refund of the amount paid for the cancelled contract.

9) Party size
The number of the guests lodging at any one time cannot exceed the total party size as specified in the Booking contract.  Failure to comply will result in the additional guests being refused entry and/or the entire group will be subject to eviction at their own expense.

10) Animals
Guests cannot bring animals to the rental properties

11) Infant and child safety
Clients should provide their own portable cots with own bed linen. Any equipment found at the rental property may not conform to US/European safety standards and client uses it at their own risk.

12) Swimming pools
Swimming pools are normally open from 1/6 to 30/9 unless stated otherwise. Clients and their guests avail themselves of the pool and pool area at their own risk.  Children should be supervised at all times.  Lifeguards are not provided by either Connoisseur Tuscany nor the property owner.

13) Behaviour
Guests are required to act responsibly and with respect towards other guests and to members of staff at the property at all times. Connoisseur Tuscany reserves the discretionary right, acting in good faith, to require any individual to vacate the property for disruptive behaviour without any refund being due.

14) Included in the Booking contract price
Unless otherwise stated in the property description by Connoisseur Tuscany, the normal use of water, gas for cooking, electricity and one set of bed linens and one set of towels per person per week are provided.

15) Not included in the Booking contract price
Consumables of any kind such as food, cleaning supplies, toilet paper etc are not included in the Booking contract price.  Travel arrangements, insurance and transportation are also not included in the contract price.

16) Payable locally at extra cost
Unless otherwise stated in the property description by Connoisseur Tuscany, telephone usage (where available),cleaning services, heat, firewood, extra linens and Air conditioning (where available) are payable locally in cash only (Euros). 

17) Additional services
For those properties that offer additional services such as additional maid service, chef, the request to have their services must be made in writing to Connoisseur Tuscany when booking.  These services are not included in the Booking contract price and can be subject to last minute change. Payment is due locally on delivery as required by the caretaker of the property.  Cancellation of services must be made a minimum of 15 days prior to the start of rental period otherwise full payment for the cancelled service will be required by the caretaker prior to clients gaining access to the rental property.

18) Security deposit in Euro cash
A security deposit in Euro as specified in the rental voucher is payable locally upon arrival at the rental property. The client is responsible for ensuring that the property is left, upon departure, in the same condition of cleanliness and repair as on arrival and that all garbage has been removed, no dirty dishes in sink etc. Any loss or damage to the property, its fixtures or fittings will be deducted by the caretaker from the security deposit. Furthermore the client is responsible for any damages exceeding the amount of the security deposit. Locally payable items and/or additional services may be deducted from the security deposit. Prior to departure it is the client’s responsibility to obtain the accounts for the services provided and to collect the unused part.

19) Arrival/Departure times
Clients must arrive at the rental property between 16.00 to 19.00 on the date specified in the rental voucher. Arrivals outside these times will result in a service fee of Euro 100 being applied and/or denied admittance. In such cases, clients will need to seek alternate lodging at their own expense until a new appointment can be set with the caretaker. 
Properties must be vacated by 10am on the date shown in the rental voucher. For departures prior to 9am an appointment must be set with the caretaker and is subject to a service fee of Euro 100.
The owner and its staff reserve the right to gain access to the property and grounds for maintenance purposes, garden upkeep and pool cleaning.

20) Complaints
In the event that you are dissatisfied with any aspect of your accommodation you must report immediately the cause to the caretaker and to Connoisseur Tuscany who will endeavour to put things right. The client agrees to allow Connoisseur Tuscany sufficient time to resolve the situation. In the event that Connoisseur Tuscany deems that it can neither rectify the problem nor find a suitable replacement property then the client shall accept a refund not in excess of the unused portion of the rental amount. Vacating a property without the authorisation from Connoisseur Tuscany and/or failure to accept the good faith remedies offered by Connoisseur Tuscany will void any claim thereafter.  Disturbance or noise caused by third parties outside the rental property are beyond the control and liability of Connoisseur Tuscany.  Complaints raised after the rental period cannot be taken into consideration.

21) Liability
Connoisseur Tuscany and its employees  shall not be liable for any accident which may occur relating to this contract and/or the rental property which is the subject of this contract or for any injury, damage or loss whatsoever or however caused, unless of course said injury, damage or loss is caused by negligence by Connoisseur Tuscany and its employees..

22) Jurisdiction
This contract is governed by Italian Law and exclusive jurisdiction in conferred on the Italian Courts of Law in Florence.   Your booking with Connoisseur Tuscany implies that all clauses of this contract have been understood and have been accepted without reserve and without exception. The client making the booking and all members of his party agree to accept and abide by the terms and conditions of this contract.