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Frequently Asked Questions – F.A.Q.
The frequently asked questions are arranged into five sections for ease of locating and reading. If you cannot find your answer please feel free to contact us.
- GENERAL QUESTIONS: what is a holiday home and what services does it offer?
- THE AREA: how do I get there, how do I get around, what is there to do in the surrounding area?
- YOUR STAY: length and periods of stay
- TIMES: check-in and check-out
- BOOK: how-to and the advantages of direct booking
GENERAL QUESTIONS
1 - What is the difference between a holiday home and a B&B or a hotel?
The main difference is that you have the advantage of the exclusive use of an entire apartment or villa, together with its outdoor spaces, instead of just one room like you do in a B&B or hotel.
Such accommodation is, therefore, particularly advantageous for families or groups of friends and for long stays.
2 - What services are offered in a holiday home?
- The use of a fully equipped kitchen to prepare and eat your own meals in.
- Sheets, kitchen and bathroom towels.
- Cleaning of the apartments.
- Direct contact with the owner for information and assistance on site.
3 - Do you serve breakfast, do you have a restaurant?
Breakfast is not served and a restaurant service is not offered. We usually have agreements with restaurants in the area.
4 - What equipment will I find in the apartment kitchens?
Every kitchen is equipped with the essentials in terms of:
- Gas or electric (in the case of some apartments) hob, electric oven, fridge-freezer
- Kitchenware: cutlery, glasses, crockery, saucepans, frying-pans, tea and coffee cups
- Kitchen utensils: moka coffee maker, bottle-opener, tin-opener, kettle, toaster
- Salt, sugar, coffee, oil, bottled water and paper napkins in sufficient quantity for the first night's stay
- Washing-up liquid, sponges, tea towels, detergent
5 - Is there a reception, someone on site?
No, there is no reception like in a hotel.
It is, however, possible to contact us when needed and to have someone on site within a reasonable amount of time.
6 - Is a mid-week cleaning or change of towels/bed linen possible?
Yes, it is possible, by prior arrangement, to carry out a mid-week cleaning of the apartments in addition to the normal cleaning before and after departure.
It is also possible, by prior arrangement, to have a mid-weekly change of bath towels, sheets or tea towels. Prices are according to the frequency and quantity wanted.
7 -Which property is most advisable for the disabled/people of reduced mobility?
8 - Do you accept various types of pets in your apartments?
We are sorry but we are not equipped to accept our four-legged friends and guarantee them a pleasant stay in accordance with the needs of other guests (allergies, phobias etc.)
THE AREA
1 - Which airports and ports are the closest?
The closest
airports are
- "Vincenzo Florio" in Trapani –Birgi
- "Falcone Borsellino" in Palermo - Punta Raisi.
The closest ports, in order of distance from the apartments starting with the closest are: Trapani, Palermo and Termini Imerese.
For further information visit the page WHERE TO FIND US
2 - Is a car necessary to reach the apartments or visit the surrounding area?
Hiring a car or a motorbike is advisable both for easily reaching our holiday homes as well as visiting the different areas of local interest, such as the nature reserves and archaeological sites.
Public transport (buses) in some periods of the year and hours of the day is not very frequent.
The roads in the area are in good condition for Sicily and the motorway network in the province of Trapani runs smoothly and use is not subject to a toll.
3 - Will I find secure parking and petrol stations close to your holiday homes?
Yes, all the holidays home except "Santa Teresa", which is located in the historic centre of Erice, provide the use of a free private car park.
In Erice, it is possible to use the public car park 150m from the apartment. This car park is a pay and display from 15th June to 15th September only. For information on costs and season tickets contact us.All the holiday-home locations have petrol stations within the range of 1km.
4 - Are there restaurants and supermarkets in the area?
Yes, there are supermarkets, restaurants and bars close to all of our holiday homes (max distance 1km). Most supermarkets are closed from 13.30-16.30, after 20.00, and on Sunday afternoon. Many restaurants are closed at lunchtime except at the weekend.
5 - Are there emergency medical services, pharmacies or a hospital in the area?
Yes, close to each holiday home there are emergency medical services or pharmacies. The closest hospital is the S. Antonio Abbate hospital located in Erice Casa Santa about half an hour's drive from Erice Vetta, Valderice and Custonaci.
6 - Do the holiday homes have internet connection and mobile phone coverage?
Free Wi-Fi internet is available in "Brezza d'Estate"; the other holiday homes do not have internet connection.
Good mobile network coverage is present in all our properties.
7 - Which beaches are the closest (max 15 minute drive)?
The closest beaches are those of:
- Lido Forgia in Valderice (public sandy beach, possibility to hire sun-loungers, parasols and use of a shower at a special rate)
- Cornino in Custonaci (both public beach and lidos, sandy and rocky, possibility to hire sun-loungers, parasols and use of a shower at a special rate)
8 - Which beaches are the closest (max 30 minute drive)?
The closest beaches are those of:
- San Vito Lo Capo (both public beach and lidos, services e.g pedalo/ sun lounger hire available, very crowded in July and August)
- Baia S. Margherita, Calazza e Macari (public beach, no services available, sandy and pebble beaches)
- Guidaloca and the Zingaro Nature Reserve (public beach, no services available, pebble beaches)
- San Giuliano beach in Erice C.S. –Trapani (sandy beach, both public and with lidos, different services available e.g. pedalo hire)
9 - What are the area's summer temperatures like?
In general, the climate of coastal areas has less extremes of temperature (Max 30°C in July and August) than some areas of inland Sicily or large urban areas due to their constant exposure to marine winds and sea breezes.
In hillside areas like Valderice (270m above sea level) or the summit of Erice (750m above sea level) the refreshing effects of natural ventilation are increased due to the altitude and natural vegetation present.
TIMES: Check-in and Check-out
1 - What are the check-in and check-out times?
For all our properties:
Check-in is from 14.00 onwards
Check-out is by 10.00am
2 - Is it possible to have access to the apartment before the specified check-in time?
If you give prior notice within sufficient time, we will take your needs into consideration and depending on the time available to carry out cleaning duties between one guest and the next, we will try and accommodate you.
3 - Our flight or boat arrives late; will I find someone on site after 20.00?
Yes, if you give prior notice within sufficient time someone will be there to greet you, even after midnight, to show you the apartment, hand over the keys and give you all the necessary information.
4 -Is it possible for you to provide breakfast for the morning when arriving very late?
Yes, with prior notice given within sufficient time we can get you items for your breakfast e.g. milk, bread, jam and marmalade subject to being able to find what you want in the local area (unfortunately, therefore, we cannot provide food for vegans or those suffering from food intolerances, and we do not have access to kosher or halal butchers). The cost of the items will be charged to you as per the receipt price.
5 -Is it possible to check out after 10.00am due to reasons related to flight/boat times?
In low season it is possible, subject to prior notice within sufficient time, to leave the apartment after 10.00am if conditions for doing so allow. There is no additional charge for this.
During high season (particularly in July and August) it might not be possible due to arrivals and departures on the same day and the need to complete cleaning of the apartment.
It is however possible in some of our properties to leave your bags in a secure area after checking-out.
YOUR STAY: length and periods of stay
1 - Are there fixed arrival and departure days or a minimum stay requirement?
No, there are no fixed days for arrival and departure in any of our properties.
Yes, there are minimum stay requirements, for further information please visit the individual TARIFF pages for each property.
2 - Do you rent out the properties for long periods and also during winter period?
Yes, the apartments of "Brezza d'Estate" – the residence are disposed for this kind of requirement. For further information please visit the section long term rentals
LONG STAYBOOK: how-to and the advantages of direct booking
1 - We have seen your homes on other sites, can we book directly at a better price?
Yes, it is possible to use the form provided on every page of the OFFICIAL WEBSITE ( www.vacanzeagroericino.it ) or the telephone numbers available on the contact page both for asking for additional information as well as for booking
2 - CONTACT US DIRECTLY and you will have the ADVANTAGE of:
- Having access to the exclusive offers only available on the official website
- Reserving using different methods of payment
- Assistance and information according to your specific needs
3 - What do I need to do to book with you?
- Contact us using the form, or by email or telephone and we will reserve the dates for you
- The booking will be completed by paying a booking deposit (30% of the total price) within a maximum of 72hours of booking, choosing from one of the available methods of payment (bank transfer, PayPal, credit card)
The booking deposit is a reciprocal guarantee of the booking; generally it is not refundable in the case of: late cancellation, no-show, or a late change to the stay period.
The terms and conditions of cancellation for the refund of the booking deposit are different for each property; you are advised to check carefully the terms and conditions displayed on the Tariff page for the property chosen.
- You will then receive a booking confirmation email with details of the booking
- The balance is to be paid on arrival at the same time as receiving the apartment keys
4 - What forms of payment do you accept on site?
Cash payments in Euros (for payments of less than €1000 as per current law) debit or credit cards (visa, maestro or mastercard), PayPal.
5 - Is it necessary to pay a security deposit?
Yes, for some properties it is necessary to pay a security deposit as a guarantee against possible damage at the start of your stay and which is returned to you on departure save for the cost of eventual damage caused.
You are advised to check carefully the terms and conditions stated on the tariff page of the property you have chosen.
6 - Is it necessary to pay tourist taxes?
Tourist tax is a tax levied by some Communes on people staying on a temporary basis within their Communes. Currently it is applied by the Communes of Erice ("Santa Teresa" holidayhomes) and Custonaci ("Alle falde di Cofano"holiday homes). The tariffs displayed already include the amount required to be paid to the Commune.
Vacanze Agroericino s.r.l. 