Villas rental overlooked by building site

[MiddleAgedandConfused]

Just been on holiday - rented a villa in Italy through a well known website (VRBO) - lovely pictures of a lake view. Got there and the villa was completely overlooked by a building site - absolutely no privacy - if we walked out of our villa or sat outside we would have been a few feet away from builders on scaffolding. Plus the noise and dirt, etc. We left - told the agent it was unacceptable, took piccies and found a hotel for the week.
Back in the UK we are trying to get our money back. We paid the website (US owned, but payment made on Visa to German company) but they are telling us the issue is with the owner and we need to get a refund from her, even though we paid them. Owner has not answered a single email or call.
Any advice?

[Tooooooohot]

We had a problem with a property rented via VRBO and all we could go in the end is leave a scathing review online.

[SwedishEdith]

Nightmare. What does it show if you look at it on Google Earth? Probably an old shot so new building work wouldn't show? But I've found many holiday homes are not quite as they're described when seen from above. Good luck.

[MiddleAgedandConfused]

It's just so dishonest -pictures on the website show a beautiful view but the reality was a building site. It is fraud. But VRBO won't help at all.