Italy Cracks Down on Self Check-In for Short-Term Rental Guests

I've traveled around the world and to 15 countries in Europe, but I've yet to come across a place as special as Estonia.

Italy is home to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, but beyond the well-trodden paths lies a treasure trove of lesser-known gems. From ancient mosaics to medieval towns and tranquil thermal springs, these hidden UNESCO-listed destinations offer a glimpse into Italy’s rich history, art and culture. 

Planning to drive between France and Italy in 2025? You can now take the Mont-Blanc Tunnel, which links the two countries beneath the Alps, as it has been reopened after months of renovation work.

Italy is peppered with villages from hilltop hamlets crowned by medieval castles to coastal resorts with fishing-boat-filled bays.

On a recent trip to Rome, I left the major tourist city behind to spend an afternoon in Solomeo, a small village in the Province of Perugia.

It’s finally happening: the end of resort fees as we know them.  In a landmark announcement on Tuesday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will now prohibit “junk fees,” an overarching term for hidden and misrepresented prices in the hotel, and short-term rental, and live-event ticketing, industries. For travelers, that includes all hotel booking websites and vacation rental platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo.  The rule will require companies to disclose total prices upfront. Search results on an online travel agency, for instance, must include the maximum total of all mandatory fees or charges people will have to pay. With this move, consumers searching for hotels or vacation rentals should no longer be surprised by “resort,” “city,” or “service” fees inflating the advertised price.  By requiring up-front disclosure of total price including fees, the FTC says comparison shopping will be easier, “resulting in savings for consumers and leveling the competitive playing field.”  “People deserve to know up-front what they’re being asked to pay—without worrying that they’ll later be saddled with mysterious fees that they haven’t budgeted for and can’t avoid,” FTC Chair Lina M. Khan said in a statement. “The FTC’s rule will put an end to junk fees around live event tickets, hotels, and vacation rentals, saving Americans billions of dollars and millions of hours in wasted time. The “junk fee” FTC investigation was first launched in 2022 with two rounds of public input and over 70,000 comments. This feedback was then taken into consideration before the final ruling announced today. Expect this to take effect in 120 days. However, it’s not yet clear exactly how the FTC will enforce these mandates. 

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Sure, you probably have a travel buddy you love exploring the world with, but sometimes, you just have to go it alone. And when you're ready for those trips where you not only want to explore on your own but really be all alone, Book Retreats has a suggestion. 

I didn't grow up in a family that traveled. The first time I vacationed outside the US was on my honeymoon, and just a few years after getting married, our first child was born, significantly slowing down our travels. It's only been since my kids got older that I've been traveling to spots I've always wanted to visit, like Italy and Mexico's Baja California peninsula .

One of the many benefits of opting for an Airbnb over a hotel is remote check-ins. The lockbox check-in has become common practice at most rental properties due to its convenience for the guest and host. It means you don’t need to fix an arrival time or make small talk after a long journey. In some cases, you never meet your host, leaving you in peace to relax on vacation. Last month, however, the landscape of short-term rentals changed in Italy due to backlash against the market by local residents and new regulations put in place by the government to verify guests’ identities. You must now meet your hosts on arrival to receive a key in person and fill out information to share with the government for bookings on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.