On our recent trip to Italy, we were robbed while staying at an upscale villa. While I consider myself a seasoned traveler, there were things we could have done differently, and I want to share our story, as well as tips for how to choose a villa, in hopes that others avoid our mistakes.
The robbery took place on the third day of our stay, while we were out sightseeing. We didn’t think it was necessary to remind the maid, who showed up just prior to our outing, to secure all the doors and windows before she left. Even if we had, she (understandably) didn’t speak English, so our efforts probably would have been all for naught.
Upon returning from our carefree day, wandering the streets of Pisa, we were met with chaos. The house had been ransacked and our valuables stolen. The house was a disaster.
As the story unfolded, we learned that the maid had left a window open and thieves had easily scaled a drainage pipe and used it to enter the house. Upon exiting, they forced the downstairs door open, damaging the lock.
The most poignant moment was when our three little girls, aged 4 to 6, asked – fighting back tears – if their favorite animals and blankets had been taken. The girls were rightfully terrified and quickly – despite reassurance – announced that they never wanted to enter the house again.
The most disappointing element of our experience was the response of our rental agent and owner of the villa, but this was a good lesson too in buyer – or in our case – renters beware. Our booking agent, Elizabeth Morris, was initially sympathetic, assuming correctly that we would want to leave the now house. She tried to find us another property and told us she was sure the owner would understand our wanting to leave as well as our request for a refund, given the house was no longer secure.
Later, her attitude changed, and despite the fault of maid failing to secure the house, the damaged downstairs lock, and the chaotic condition of the villa, both she and the owner said they bore no responsibility for our leaving early. There would be no reimbursement for the “voluntary” departure and unused nights. Legally, they were probably correct; ethically, I’m not sure.
So here are my tips for what to consider when looking to rent a villa in Italy:
- Ask if the caretaker or owner lives on the premises. This guarantees that someone is always on the property and may dissuade thieves from entering. Look carefully at the photos of the villa. Are there bars on the windows? Ask questions!
- Rent only those villas offering a guest safe, and use it whenever leaving the villa. We noted the absence of a safe upon arrival but hadn’t thought to ask about it beforehand.
- Inquire about recent thefts in the area of your villa. As we worked with the police and our caretaker, it became obvious that break-ins were commonplace – at least in the area outside we stayed outside Lucca. The caretaker, Anna, told us she had been through this procedure “several times” with guests, and the police confirmed that thievery is not unusual among the area’s rental homes.
- Inquire about the training of those who service the house. While we always closed and locked our windows before leaving the house, the maid, on this occasion, did not. She left a window not only unlocked but wide open. The thief took advantage of this oversight and used it to gain access to the house.
- If you book through www.traveltuscany.net, as we did, or stay at Farmhouse Calvina, know that, there will likely be no compensation in the event of a ransacked house and damaged lock, rendering the house unsafe. (We did receive an offer from the owner for a free dinner).
Finally, why not consider the hotel options? Tuscany offers some incredible – safe – places to stay; here are two just outside Siena that we tried after we fled our villa:
Castello di Tornano: A former castle with over 1,000 years of history, this hotel offers spacious, lovely rooms with antique décor but modern amenities. It has a restaurant where you may dine al fresco or picnic tables overlooking Chianti for casual dining. Our girls loved climbing to the top of the tower and pretending they were Rapunzel. There are also bungalows if you are looking for more privacy.
Il Borgo di Vescine: This hotel offers all old world charm and a fabulous view. The wonderful restaurant is particularly worth noting, offering a different menu every day of traditional Tuscan cuisine. We ate some of our best meals in Italy here.