When renting a vacation home in Italy, please remember that this venerable culture is very old! Although owners are diligent in upgrading their properties when possible, water and drain pipes may be old, as well.
Therefore, water pressure can fluctuate according to the time of day, your location, the season and the quantity of water available. Water conservation in Italy, as in other parts of Europe, is normal practice particularly in the countryside and in particularly dry areas like the south. Water heaters tend to be smaller than those found in the U.S., and electricity is certainly much more expensive! This means that you may not have as much hot water as you are used to. We recommend trying to adjust your daily schedule to accommodate the system.
It’s not uncommon to experience clogged or “lazy” drains. Don’t be alarmed. Try adjusting your water usage. If the problem persists, get in touch with the property representative. Electricity is expensive in Europe, and you’ll notice relatively low wattage light bulbs in all of the homes. Poor though the illumination may seem, the bulbs are in fact 220-volts.
In addition, be aware that it may be impossible to run two major appliances at the same time (ex. dishwasher, hair dryer). This may trip a circuit breaker and shut off all electricity.
Understanding these issues will prevent many surprises and make your vacation much more enjoyable.
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