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Q. I'm
confused by the different types of accommodation on offer - how
do I go about finding what I'm looking for?
A. The knowital site features a great many different
types of accommodation, from the top to toe of Italy, and some
of them probably need a bit of clarification. We talk elsewhere
of how to use the
site, so on this page we'll briefly explain the options available,
and how you go about picking your perfect holiday property in
Italy. |
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Again,
we must stress that we're not an agency, and that this site works
as a portal/shop-window for Italy (see the ' start
here' page to learn about us).
From the index of this site you may choose the
area you are interested in and start from there. Or, you may use
our accommodation finder -
ideal if you know the type of accommodation you want and the area
you want it in. But what if you know only that you want to come
to Italy, need to sleep 'X' number of people and have a budget
of 'Y'? |
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Below
you'll find a list of the various categories used to describe
accommodation on the site - some of them need no explanation,
some may not mean a great deal to visitors. We'll also explain
the 'key' symbols we use in our listings. Hopefully this should
all make things a lot clearer - you might also want to have a
look at this
page, where we've written a page of notes regarding renting
property/holiday villas in Italy.
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Usually
a standalone villa or farmhouse, it is also common to find a large
old building that has been restored and converted into apartments.
These will often have independent entrances and garden areas for
each apartment. As the term is a bit of a loose definition we
always endeavour to double check with owners to be sure that the
description is not disingenuous. |
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A
very popular and increasingly common holiday option is to stay
on an agritourism establishment. In theory these are
rural farms that have received grants to restore/convert sections
of their property, and offer them as vacation rentals.
Likely as not, however, you'll be staying on a wine/olive estate
and will be far removed from anything remotely agricultural! Such
properties - often of a very high standard - offer some of the
most enchanting locations in Italy, particularly in Tuscany, Umbria
and central Italy, and frequently have swimming pools and restaurants
to boot.
We also list large numbers of rural apartments that take many
forms indeed - sections of a large villa, a part of a family home,
country cottages on larger estates, independent apartments attached
to hotels, and so, and so on. |
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A
hotel is a hotel. It has stars, one to five, and that's it. Aha,
but we're in Italy, and you'll find many a 'residence' or 'relais'
that offers what has to be described as 'hotel-style accommodation'.
So, we list them in the hotel sections. They offer short-stay
accommodation, rooms with services, they often have restaurants
and pools - what else are we going to call them?
For straightforward traditional online booking for hotels in
Italy, visit ahotelinitaly.com |
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Ah,
'Bed and Breakfast' - another simple concept, yes? You'll probably
be expecting to stay in a family home with a few rooms given over
to short-stay accommodation with a welcoming personal touch. And,
more often than not, you will be.
But not always. Sure, you'll get a room and a bed, and you'll
be staying relatively cheaply and pleasantly. But, it's the breakfast
part that many here haven't quite got to grips with it.
Sometimes there plain and simple isn't one - you're effectively
staying in a guesthouse that has a bar nearby, so they've called
themselves a B & B. Stands to reason. Nothing underhand, no
deception, just an Italian interpretation of a phrase that is
becoming inceasingly popular. Relax, follow the smell of coffee,
and you'll be just fine. |
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Right
then - it's now back to the main index page to
select which area(s) of Italy you're interested in, and from there
on to the corresponding accommodation listings. Otherwise there's
the accommodation finder,
which allows you to specify area, group size, type of accommodation
and so on, or, if you feel like diving straight in then clicking
here will take you to
a 'quicklink' page intended as a fast route into the hotels, villa
and farmhouse rentals and other vacation accommodation found across
our site.
Oh yes - the 'keys' we use on the listings pages are explained
here.
Finally, below you'll find some links leading to complete
listings of the various types of accommodation on offer.
These cover the whole of Italy and often run into dozens and dozens
of pages - you're far better off using the options outlined above.
Happy hunting! |
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