For rent: Tuscany villa; passing up hotels when you're on vacation lets you live like the locals

Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, March, 1998 by Lynne Woods

With more upscale properties the rental fee usually includes maid service and even, in some cases, a cook, gardener and other staff. In other instances you may have to pay extra for cleaning services. Catering is an expensive convenience--one caterer in Tuscany charges $50 per person per meal, says Cohen.

On the other hand, the house-rental company she represents in England greets arriving renters with a complimentary hamper stocked with a bottle of wine, juice, sweets, coffee, tea, and other assorted goodies. ne's standard