Directory A–Z - Italy - page 1863

Rental Accommodation
Finding rental accommodation in the major cities can be difficult and time-consuming; rental agencies (local
and foreign) can assist, for a fee. Rental rates are higher for short-term leases. A small apartment or a studio
anywhere near the centre of Rome will cost around €1000 per month and it is usually necessary to pay a de-
posit (generally one month in advance). Expect to spend similar amounts in cities such as Florence, Milan,
Naples and Venice.
Apartments and villas for rent are listed in local publications such as Rome's twice-weekly Porta Portese
( www.portaportese.it ) and the fortnightly Wanted in Rome ( www.wantedinrome.com ) . Another option is
to share an apartment; check out university noticeboards for student flats with vacant rooms. Tourist offices
in resort areas (coastal towns in summer, ski towns in winter) also maintain lists of apartments and villas for
rent.
If you're looking for an apartment, studio or room to rent for a short stay (such as a week or two) check
out the websites of agencies dealing in this kind of thing:
Guest in Italy ( www.guestinitaly.com ) An online agency focusing exclusively on Italy, with apartments
(mostly for two to four people) ranging from about €120 to €450 a night.
Homelidays ( www.homelidays.com ) More than 16,000 rental accommodations of every description
throughout Italy.
Holiday Lettings ( www.holidaylettings.co.uk ) Has more than 14,000 apartments and villas all over the
country.
Interhome ( www.interhome.co.uk ) Book houses and apartments for weekly blocks, starting at around
UK£600 for two or three people in central Rome.
Villas
Long the preserve of the Tuscan sun, the villa-rental scene in Italy has taken off in recent years, with agen-
cies offering villa accommodation up and down the country - often in splendid rural spots not far from en-
chanting medieval towns or Mediterranean beaches. There are dozens of operators.
Cuendet ( www.cuendet.com ) One of the old hands in this business; operates from Mestre, just outside
Venice.
Ilios Travel ( www.iliostravel.com ) UK-based company with villas and apartments in Venice, Tuscany, Um-
bria, Lazio, Le Marche, Abruzzo and Campania.
Invitation to Tuscany ( www.invitationtotuscany.com ) Wide range of properties, with a strong focus on
Tuscany.
Summer's Leases ( www.summerleases.com ) Properties in Tuscany and Umbria.
Long Travel ( www.long-travel.co.uk ) Specialises in Puglia, Sicily, Sardinia and other regions.
Think Sicily ( www.thinksicily.com ) Strictly Sicilian properties.
Cottages to Castles ( www.cottagestocastles.com ) UK-based operator specialising in villas.