Need Advice on Italian apartment rental websites

, for three months - a month in each city.

If you mean that literally you will go over your 90 day Schengen zone limit. Every day, even a part of a day, counts toward the limit

First, are you familiar with the Schengen rules? You have a total of 90 days to spend in all the Schengen countries combined. If you're only going to Italy, you're close, but it's still 90 days, not 3 months and both your arrival day and departure day count in the 90. Most people plan for a shorter time in case there are problems that might delay their departure.

I know nothing about the organizations you list, but I'd also be a little concerned about them. I gave up on both Airbnb and Vrbo many years ago due to problems with the rental owners of both.

That leaves Booking.com where you can also find apartments, vacation homes, etc. Last time I was in Italy I found my apartment rentals for both Rome and Venice through them, but they were not for near as long as you want to rent. Looking this late for summer, you may have difficulty finding just one decent lodging for each town at a price you want to pay for as long as you want to stay. That may require working around the bookings they already have and renting more than one lodging in the towns you list.

Set the currency to euros instead of dollars for a better feel for the costs. Personally I prefer starting to think of my travel budget in the local currency as early as possible. That way I don't find myself constantly comparing prices to dollars.

Since you're a frugal traveler, I assume you'll be taking public transportation rather than renting a car. If so, that will save lots of € and the all too annoying hassles of driving in Italy.

Good luck with your planning.

I have used Italianway successfully for a shorter-term rental. It was 4 months, not one month, but the service was excellent, with prompt attention to any calls or questions, weekly change of linens and towels, and weekly cleaning. They don't have apartments everywhere, but they are reliable where they operate.

Hi Keir,
we travel as much as we can and always on a budget.
I usually search on Airbnb and Booking.com for accommodations which look promising, usually setting the search price above what I actually intend/hope to pay.
Then I shortlist any which are suitable with excellent reviews (and not just 1 or 2). That means at least 4.6/7 on Airbnb (because guests there are more reluctant to leave poor reviews) and above 9 for independent apartments, and 8/8.5 for larger establishments like hotels or residences on Booking.com.
Next I see if they are on subito.it or Google maps - by searching for the same 'name' used in the titles on Airbnb/Booking.
Once I've found them on Subito, google maps or elsewhere I contact them directly to see if they will do me a cheaper price. If they do, I say I'm interested and ask how to reserve. Often they will ask for a photo of a document, nothing or a deposit.
If the first two, I book. If the last, it depends on the amount, I'd probably reread all the reviews and then decide. I would not be prepared to send a large amount of money as a deposit. Usually they don't ask for anything, sometimes the deposit is negotiable. Cash on arrival is usually expected.
I have done this several times but we are Italian and always travel low season and not for a month. I would not send a large amount. Somebody for Spain contacted in this way has just asked me for 50%. I will decline because for 10% more on booking.com I get free cancellation and peace of mind.
Other thoughts:
- It could be a problem to find an apartment for a whole month, many hosts rent for just a few nights which could interrupt the whole month.
- Parma in July and August may be very hot and unpleasant, make sure you've got air-conditioning.
- I agree about VRBO, but Airbnb and Booking.com prices aren't geared to Americans. They are the websites most Italians use, especially Booking.com.
- I'm not an algorithm expert but when you look at Booking.com keep going back and forth from Booking.com to airbnb and then to Google etc. Prices seem to drop a little the next day, or the free cancellation I wanted but wasn't there, appears....or you get an email about a 10% refund to use on your next holiday etc
- Booking.com with Genius programme prices is diffcult to better - sometimes even if you ring directly the host will quote you more or the same.
Anywhere absolutely splendid at a very cheap price would make me suspicious!

We rented a nice apartment in Puglia from this Italian website:

https://www.bed-and-breakfast.it/it/

I originally found the place on booking.com, then googled the name of the apartment to find their own website. When I used the “prenota” button on the website, it too me to the Bed-and-breakfast.it site for booking. You can switch it to English if you like.