I had an apartment owner in nothern Italy ask us to send 100 euros to secure booking for a three day stay. It this typcial?

Thanks.

yes

Absolutely. I had to do the very same thing for an apartment stay in Venice.
H

You can't expect to book an apartment through an owner without having to send a deposit-I've had to send a check for around 150 Euros, which they hold, until you get there, and can pay them in cash, usually.

It's normal!

The apartment I am staying at in Provence next month required a 250 euro security booking. Not unreasonable.

The owner of my apartment, and several others in Aix-en-Provence, is up with the times and I paid the deposit, and the remainder of my hotel cost, by using Paypal, as she accepted that. Easy way to go.

I'd say &euro;100 is a <b>very</b> reasonable deposit. Many places want as much as 50% up front and the balance 3 or 4 weeks before arrival.