European Home Rentals

So you want to immerse yourself in a local setting and culture and live as the locals do, staying in one spot, unpacking once, putting the suitcase away and then enjoying yourself. In effect a home away from home.

The key to finding the right place is to start early. Most homeowners start their rental season for the following year in late September or early October when the current rental year is winding down. The most popular weeks are the first to go. If you are looking for the July long week-end you should typically start looking in October so you are able to get your first choice.

Choose your destination.
France and Italy are still the most popular villa destinations; though the Dordogne and Normandy tend to be less crowded and expensive then the Riviera or Provence. In Italy, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast remain popular whereas Umbria and the Veneto regions offer great alternatives for less cost.

Decide what you want
It is a quaint cottage or a grand estate? An independent property or a semi detached? A villa near a town or city? Or something out in the rolling hills of the countryside? How many bedrooms? Bathrooms? Pool? Maid and cook service? What is your budget? An average villa should not be more then US$100 per person, per night, much cheaper then a hotel.
But be realistic. As with everything, you get what you pay for. A villa right on a village edge with a view, a pool, with all ensuite bathrooms will cost more then a comparable villa in the countryside, or one with a shared pool. So you need to know what is most important to you. Most villas will not have air-conditioning and the staff might not speak English, or the water pressure might not be as it is at home but you will have a villa that will enable you to soak up the atmosphere and live like the natives.

Use a Broker.
Ask for recommendations. You can use the countries tourist board you wish to visit that is located in your own country. They will have a list on hand of reputable firms, which specialize in villa renting. The broker will know the details of the villa, if linens, electricity and heat are included in the price and they will provide you with a contract, which will spell out all the rights that you will have. They will also provide you with maps, direction and the name and number of a local contact. If the hot-water heater breaks down you will want Cornelius’s number who lives down the road and can be there immediately verses the owner Ted who lives in LA. As well if there are problems upon arrival, don’t wait until you have returned home to address them. Call the local representative immediately. They are there to help you and can address the problem quickly, even if that means moving you to another villa. There is little that can be done after you return home.

Vacances Provencales, European Home Rentals, has been specializing in finding the right property rental for its clients since 1986. As specialists in renting weekly short-term vacation rentals apartments, houses, cottages and villas in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, England, Ireland, Scotland and Greece they are able to offer detailed information about the different villas in their preview as well as advise of the local culture, sites and activities.

Click here to begin your unique experience of living the Dolce Vita in Italian, the Joie de Vivre in French, the Sweet Life in English,  or however you say it, in Western Europe with www.europeanhomerentals.com