In the travel world, the term “villa” encompasses all kinds of housing: apartments, townhouses, farmhouses, castles, and cottages.

Italy, in particular, is a hot spot for villa rentals, where you can live like a local among the vineyards and olive trees. Because they provide more space and privacy than a hotel, they are well suited for large groups and families.

As villas are self-catering, they also give you the unique opportunity to get a truly local experience that you won’t get from a hotel or tour guide. Daily visits to the village bakery or open-air market encourage you to interact with the town’s residents, and it’s not unlikely you’ll make new friends – your neighbors.

Villas range from $38 to $250 per person per night, though prices may vary depending upon size and locale. And if you are looking for a house that has a pool and sleeps more than six, it’s a good idea to reserve nine months to a year in advance to secure the dates and property you want.

Keep in mind, rentals lack hotel services. There’s usually no staff to clean your room or make your bed daily and no front desk, concierge, or room service. In fact, the more “charmingly rustic” your villa is, the more likely it is to have ancient plumbing and a crumbling foundation.

For those of you who aren’t do-it-yourself types, some villas provide daily maid service, a gardener, and a butler – but you’ll pay for it. These properties can easily run $7,000 to $15,000 per week. For a family of four, that’s not a value; but if you’re a group of 14, that breaks down to $153 per person per night. As hotels usually begin at $100 per night, that’s still a bargain. And you can rent a villa for one, two, three weeks or more.

Since villas are often located outside the city center, you might need a car, which can run and additional $300 to $600 a week.

Villas are generally fully furnished and include a full kitchen with appliances, towels and bed linens, water, and electricity. But food, cleaning detergents, and heat and air-conditioning – if the villa does have air-conditioning – are not included. Heat and air-conditioning costs can be quite high.

While it may seem cheaper to go directly through the homeowner, agencies usually have representatives in Italy who can advocate on your behalf. That can include minor repairs or even moving you to another property if you’re not satisfied with your original choice. That’s something that the owner can’t help you with. Spending $50 to $60 on a broker’s fee may help you save on costs and protect you in a foreign company.

Additional fees involved in renting your villa normally include a security deposit to cover damage and charges for utilities not included in the basic rental cost. Both of these are generally paid up front when you are in Italy. The security deposit is given back when you return the key or within a month of your return. Trip insurance is highly recommended and may be available through your agency. This usually runs about 6 to 7 percent of the total rental charge, and you’ll be covered for cancellation due to injury, illness, and other unforeseen events.

It’s very important to do your homework before you go. Read the rental agreement carefully to make sure you understand what’s provided as well as all conditions, costs, and penalties.

When should you go? Summer is more expensive because this when Europeans take their vacations and people look to villas with pools to escape the heat. Renting in April, May, and October is cheaper (rents can often be a third of summer rates), and you’ll get the added benefits of mild weather and thinner crowds. Winter offers the lowest prices, but many properties are closed, and those that aren’t require you to pay for heat.

If you’re looking for more than just a terrace where you can sip your Chianti, call the Parker Villas, based in Lynn, Massachusetts, for a free consultation. The company has more than 380 villas throughout Italy available for weekly rental. And they also offer a program called Actividayz – half-day trips (three to four hours long) that run $60 to $100 per person from June to October. These activities include: cultural adventures, wine tours, cooking and art classes, and more. Parker Villas can also arrange maid service at about $20 or a cook for about $40. Through Parker Villas, you can rent a farmhouse in Abruzzo that sleeps four people for $1,000 per week in winter or $1,200 a week in the high season (summer).

To get a feel for staying in a villa, check out our Travel Slideshow from Auvergne, France.

Photo: © Robert Landau All Rights Reserved.

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