The inception dates back to 1997 with Roman Reference specialized in Rome Vacation Rental Apartments. Our headquarters are based in Rome. 
Since 2006 we merged all websites under the common parent site of Cities Reference for vacation rentals in several capital cities worldwide.
The whole operation is run by EGE group Srl incorporated in Rome, Italy.

Welcome to CitiesReference.com. 

We sell vacation rentals apartments online since 1997. Started with RomanReference.com, leader website for Rome vacation rentals, and we are now dealing with over 10 capital Cities throughout Europe and the USA.

We practise transparency. The prices you see online are final and all-inclusive of taxes and commissions. No hidden fees, there is an allowance for the utilities which is more meant to nudge the clients toward an Eco sustainable attitude than to overcharge them in anyway (only 4% of short rental clients are charged a difference on utilities upon check out). Sustainability being part of our mission statement.

Prices are dynamic and take into account seasons, last minute discount, rather than longer periods or fewer people in your party. On search results you'll be able to see exactly how much you're saving by choosing a longer period or a low season rental.

The apartments listed on our websites offer no breakfast or services other than accommodation. Agreements are swiftly defined electronically in the three steps booking process and the terms consist of just a few points in plain English, no leagalese.

85% of the owners/managers of the listed vacation rental apartments are met and 'verified' by our representatives after being listed into our websites. The apartments' description always mark whether and apartment has already been Verified™.

The search engine is user friendly with a choice of 15 different filters (from the number of bedrooms and budget, to the washing machine, rather than wireless internet and/or the terrace or balcony) and the ability to sort by recommendation, travelers' reviews, area, price, etc.

Website content is very detailed, with client's feedbacks and rating on each apartment and detailed information on its amenities and the whereabouts on the area. Most of our apartment listings, those indicated as Instant Booking, will offer you the possibility of immediate booking confirmation.

When we started our vacation rental business in 1997 Rome/Italy, our market was in urgent need of extreme makeover. As a reaction to an entrenched market full of fees and far off middlemen, we conceived a concept of Trust, No Hassle, No Frills.

Let's face it: the Vacation Rental Market has a Trust problem. Only 10% of penetration in the US travel market and 15% in Europe. Travelers using online vacation rentals today complain the leap in the dark of apartments listing websites, yet they don't want to pay huge fees on middlemen. We believe our model to be a little step towards a viable alternative, a Owner Direct with the benefit of Verification™. For one thing we visit each single apartment or at least meet in person the owner or the manager responsible for the vacation rentals. We need time to do it, so always double check on the description whether the apartment has already been Verified™.
Also, our website features detailed descriptions and we invite owners to post 10 or more pictures and a video of the apartment to make the whole booking process more straightforward.
Most importantly we post unbiased user generated feedbacks. Nothing can give you a better perspective than a genuine feedback from travelers who have actually stayed in the apartment.
We take credit cards both for the Down Payment and the Security Deposit and our Cancellation Policy is arguably the best in the vacation rental market.
Last but not least, we post All Inclusive Prices! More often then not in the vacation rental business the prices posted are a teaser or a fraction of the final price. Cleaning, check in/out fee, linens, crockery and kitchen utensils, taxes and all the main requirements to fully enjoy your vacation rental are included in our prices.

Many vacation rental managers' websites will make a bad use of your time and patience. Many won't show instant booking apartments and won't update calendars and prices. After a long baragaining you may likely still have to download, print, sign and fax a paper contract; won't be able to use your credit card to secure the booking; possibly have to check and sign a long and detailed inventory of each single item in the house on arrival and finally realize that the price wasn't all inclusive. Not if you book through us. No hassle is our mission statement.

Often times prices in the hospitality business are driven up by unnecessary frills. Are you sure you need that daily cleaning of the apartment? The pick up service at the airport? The tour service included? That flower arrangement to welcome you? Like it or not this services bear a cost that will reflect on the final balance. With us, if you really want them, you can ask them as an extra.

Our websites are open to all, with the aim of making them as comprehensive as possible we don't deny access to managers and/or competition. The final user of our websites can easily compare the prices and the location of the apartments using the search engine tools to make a savvy choice for herself. We deem more important the full choice of the traveler rather than fighting the competition.
Enjoy your rentals with Cities Reference! Use the navigation on the top of the page to choose your city and book now!