In August 2009, I booked 2 double rooms at B&B Julia in Pompei, Italy, for arrival 24 April, departure 26 April. Before booking, I asked via email what the cancellation rules were. I was told by return email that if I cancelled 30 days in advance, my 30% advance deposit (72 euro) would be refunded.

On 21 August, my reservation for 2 double rooms at Villa Julia was confirmed by the B&B via email. I subsequently in good faith sent Villa Julia 72 euro via bank transfer as a 30% advance deposit. Unfortunately, I had to cancel this reservation and emailed Villa Julia on 7 March do so.

Villa Julia responded that reservations had to be cancelled 4 months in advance. I sent them copies of the emails we had exchanged previously, and reminded them that they had told me the no-penalty cancellation period was 30 days prior to arrival. Since then, I have not received a response from Villa Julia.

I would advise anyone thinking of reserving rooms at Villa Julia in Pompei not to do so, and certainly not to send it an advance deposit. It is not an honest establishment. I would never stay there.