Raymund G.
The most generous of gestures... Summer in Italy is simply a superb company, and here is why...
I had plans to stay at an amazing 20-person Villa on the Amalfi Coast, booked in December ’19 through Summer in Italy, for my Fiancée’s immediate family, and mine, who would have been attending our Wedding in Ravello in late Summer. The help and assistance I received in advance of the booking from Luca and his Team, was instantaneous and exceptional, and nothing was ever too much of a problem for anyone. Over the early months of this year, however, it became clear that our stay at the Villa was going to be an impossibility this year. Like so many people whose travel plans have been disrupted due to Covid-19, disappointment prevailed. I certainly was not expecting any pleasant surprises as I worked through the process of cancellation with Summer in Italy. In an extraordinary act of kindness, seldom seen in this day and age, while I was fully expecting to lose (justifiably) my initial deposit, Luca who runs and manages Summer in Italy, unprompted and unsolicited, suggested that he would turn a blind eye to the terms and conditions which I signed up to, and rather than lose the initial deposit, said he would provide me a voucher, to the value of the deposit amount, which would be valid for 3 years. I was, and still am, shocked and aghast at this unexpected level of consideration and kindness. In an age where, in my opinion, this world is overrun with selfishness and greed, particularly corporate greed, it is enlightening to find a small gem of a company, whose ethics and ethos are more aligned to the well-being and interests of their clients, than themselves. This ethos emanates from the top at Summer in Italy, but you can experience it at every level in the company. All you need do is phone them and you will see this for yourself – unparallel Italian charm, hospitality, and genuine care. In this instance, however, this remarkable gesture goes above and beyond. To explain, contractually Summer in Italy would be totally within their rights to retain my deposit, and not return a single cent. Not only has Luca decided not to do this, he also has, somehow, managed to convince the owner of the Villa concerned to be equally generous, and overlook contractual terms. And it seems he has managed to agree this with all of the owners of all of the Villas, which are promoted on the Summer in Italy Website. This would have been no small feat to get all to agree, but somehow, this have been achieved. Which is why I cannot understand any of the ‘single-star’, negative feedback comments, which I have read below. People making such complaints have no argument. They signed an agreement. Even if they had taken out travel insurance, the insurance companies would not have covered the costs of their initial deposits, because of Covid. So why expect a small company to fulfil the responsibility these very same ‘complainants’ assumed, when they signed the agreement, when even insurance companies won’t...? I am simply baffled by these comments...! The offer of the voucher by Summer in Italy is, consequently, a monumental gesture of support, nothing short of virtuous, and something only to be lauded, in my opinion. Especially on a platform like Trust Pilot, where I see that some people try to take unjustified advantage. I have never used Summer in Italy before, or contacted them prior to my initial request in December ’19, regarding my summer booking, but anytime I return to Italy from now on, I will absolutely use them without hesitation. If everyone in this world acted and behaved as honourably as Luca and his entire Team have in the circumstances, the world would be a far, far better place. Even though I have not been to Italy this year due to Covid, the experience I have had overall with Summer in Italy has been amazing, culminating in what I can only describe as an amazing act of unadulterated altruism, and I am delighted to know that such “good” people exist in this day and age. If your intention is to plan a rental holiday in Italy, I can say - hand on heart - that there is only one choice in my opinion, and that is, Luca and Summer in Italy, all of whom are entirely honourable and dependable people. A presto, Italia... 😊


