Hotel availability from Rome to Sicily without reservations in mid May?
Mar 7th, 2016, 05:49 PM
#1
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Hotel availability from Rome to Sicily without reservations in mid May?
Will be driving from Rome to Sicily and spending a week traveling throughout Sicily for a week in mid May. I usually just "wing it" and feel confident I can find a place to stay each evening with little problem. This provides the greatest freedom for spontaneous travel. However, my traveling companion is less convinced and feels reservations are a must so we don't end up sleeping in the car. Therefore, I pose this question for help in settling the issue. Places we intend to visit include Sorrento on the Amalfi coast and Trapani and Taormina in Sicily. Also considering going to the island of Lipari or perhaps to Malta. Any input is appreciated.
Mar 7th, 2016, 06:03 PM
#2
I think you will be able to find places to stay. You might have to check more than one place, but you'll be ok. We drove that route and visited Sicily inMay last year. While we had some reservations, we made others on the go and changed reservations we had. Have a good trip.
Mar 7th, 2016, 11:10 PM
#3
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I would not count on reasonable accommodation in Taormina in mid-May without an advance reservation. IIRC, when I went -- mid-May 1007 -- I had difficulty finding affordable accommodation, even booking months in advance. Things could have changed....
Mar 8th, 2016, 12:40 AM
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I would highly recommend booking something on the Amalfi Coast. Not only do you run the risk of full hotels in your budget, you also run the risk of having nowhere to park the car to sleep in it.
The Amalfi Coast is *not* the place to wing it, especially if you have the encumbrance of a car.
On-site parking is usually only available at expensive hotels. Some B&B's offer parking as they are often the family home - but there is usually just one or two spots.
Sorrento is the same. May is the month the British package holiday tours start arriving so it gets very busy.
Why trouble yourself with the hassle of looking for a hotel at the end of a long day in this area? It's too risky.
The Amalfi Coast is *not* the place to wing it, especially if you have the encumbrance of a car.
On-site parking is usually only available at expensive hotels. Some B&B's offer parking as they are often the family home - but there is usually just one or two spots.
Sorrento is the same. May is the month the British package holiday tours start arriving so it gets very busy.
Why trouble yourself with the hassle of looking for a hotel at the end of a long day in this area? It's too risky.
Mar 8th, 2016, 01:06 AM
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I would look at the issue in light of the possibility that no matter what people on the internet say, if any place to stay booked last minute turns out to be a really wrong choice, your travel companion is going to be very unhappy with how this turned out. Is it worth it? I'd rather give up the minor fun of winging it than deal with an unhappy friend while traveling together.
If your friend is more relaxed than that, or has already told you that if you learn it's okay from others on the internet, then if you're familiar with using booking.com, it means you don't need to drive around at the end of a long day looking for hotels unless you want to. When I travel without reservations, I usually book the night before in my next target stop. I always stay at a hotel with internet, however, so it's not a hassle to do that. I also have a smartphone to go on the internet, and can book that way as well. I don't find using it a hassle.
If one or both of you have your heart set on staying right in Sorrento and right in Taormina (which I wouldn't recommend actually), then you'll have slim pickings on short notice in May. But if you are willing to stay in local agriturismi or b&bs, better luck there.
If your friend is more relaxed than that, or has already told you that if you learn it's okay from others on the internet, then if you're familiar with using booking.com, it means you don't need to drive around at the end of a long day looking for hotels unless you want to. When I travel without reservations, I usually book the night before in my next target stop. I always stay at a hotel with internet, however, so it's not a hassle to do that. I also have a smartphone to go on the internet, and can book that way as well. I don't find using it a hassle.
If one or both of you have your heart set on staying right in Sorrento and right in Taormina (which I wouldn't recommend actually), then you'll have slim pickings on short notice in May. But if you are willing to stay in local agriturismi or b&bs, better luck there.
Mar 8th, 2016, 01:08 AM
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(by "local agriturismi or b&bs", I am referring to places at the edge of town or in nearby satellite villages. Around Sorrento and Taormina, they can be very charming, and it is also a whole lot easier to park a car.)
Mar 8th, 2016, 02:24 AM
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I have done a similar route, also "winged" it, as per the choice of the others on the trip. I usually am not one for surprises, but it turned out ok.
The only thing you must have is a phone with a data plan so that you can easily look up places of accommodation. Also, have some apps handy (air bnb, hostels, booking, etc) on your phone.
And, I wouldn't suggest you leave it up to the last minute to find a place the day you need it. In the sense that don't start looking at 8 pm for accommodations…minimally start looking earlier that day by a couple of hours so that you do have SOME wiggle room. General rule of thumb, for every night you need to find a place, you need around 2 hours to actually find it! If I were you I would also try, on the day you need to find new accommodation, to contact the Fodor's travel forum again, earlier that day, and see if anyone has any ideas on where to stay the day you are there…you never know, you may be able to find places with ease using this method.
Like I said, I have done a route similar (especially the Sicily part) so email me if you are in a bind and need to find a place to stay (I have kept a list of all the places I stayed, and some were really memorable).
And keep one thing in mind…while winging it is fun, you loose travel time doing it as well, the time it takes to find a place
Best of luck to you..
L
The only thing you must have is a phone with a data plan so that you can easily look up places of accommodation. Also, have some apps handy (air bnb, hostels, booking, etc) on your phone.
And, I wouldn't suggest you leave it up to the last minute to find a place the day you need it. In the sense that don't start looking at 8 pm for accommodations…minimally start looking earlier that day by a couple of hours so that you do have SOME wiggle room. General rule of thumb, for every night you need to find a place, you need around 2 hours to actually find it! If I were you I would also try, on the day you need to find new accommodation, to contact the Fodor's travel forum again, earlier that day, and see if anyone has any ideas on where to stay the day you are there…you never know, you may be able to find places with ease using this method.
Like I said, I have done a route similar (especially the Sicily part) so email me if you are in a bind and need to find a place to stay (I have kept a list of all the places I stayed, and some were really memorable).
And keep one thing in mind…while winging it is fun, you loose travel time doing it as well, the time it takes to find a place
Best of luck to you..
L
Mar 8th, 2016, 04:11 AM
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>>>"while winging it is fun, you loose travel time doing it as well, the time it takes to find a place"<<<
Depends on the individual. Even before the internet, my husband and I would "wing it" in Italy with a copy of the Michelin red guide and a cell phone. Whichever one of us wasn't driving would call hotels. It usually never took more than 2 calls to find someplace -- less than 20 minutes.
Since our habit now is to book the next night's hotel after dinner, we never "lose" anytime at all. After dinner, when I would be in my hotel room anyway, I book something on booking.com.
Depends on the individual. Even before the internet, my husband and I would "wing it" in Italy with a copy of the Michelin red guide and a cell phone. Whichever one of us wasn't driving would call hotels. It usually never took more than 2 calls to find someplace -- less than 20 minutes.
Since our habit now is to book the next night's hotel after dinner, we never "lose" anytime at all. After dinner, when I would be in my hotel room anyway, I book something on booking.com.
Mar 8th, 2016, 04:37 AM
#9
I have found that the nicer, less expensive places do tend to get booked up the quickest, so sometimes you are have mostly more expensive options or the most expensive room at a place available. Agree that you should look at least the day before and using booking.com, hotels.com, expedia etc are helpful. Trip Advisor is a consolidator and if you find a hotel you like on TA they will check the various orther booking engines and show the prices.
I have not stayed in Sorrento, but we have found last mintue accommodations in Positano several times and this was during the Spring or early Fall.
We stayed at a very nice agriturismo (http://www.tenutaedone.com/en/1-19-c...istory?s=0&c=1) about 30 minutes outside Taormina. Taorminia has large parking lots/garages that you can park in so it makes it easy to drive in and park.
I have not stayed in Sorrento, but we have found last mintue accommodations in Positano several times and this was during the Spring or early Fall.
We stayed at a very nice agriturismo (http://www.tenutaedone.com/en/1-19-c...istory?s=0&c=1) about 30 minutes outside Taormina. Taorminia has large parking lots/garages that you can park in so it makes it easy to drive in and park.
Mar 8th, 2016, 04:40 AM
#10
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Part of this depends on how flexible both of you are in your requirements and budget
You must understand that people wanting nice accommodation at any reasonable budget have booked a couple of months in advance. So you will be let with a choice of what's left.
If you have a flexible budget it will be a lot easier. As it will if you are flexible with your amenities (private bath, AC, stairs versus elevator). Is your fried willing to be as flexible as your are?
You can tell how easy this will be by doing one town as a sample. About a month in advance go online and look at the options available. If there's nothing you want in your budget you will know you are in trouble. And how will your companion feel about that?
Since our travel time is limited I am not willing to take whatever is available - nor am I willing to waste valuable vacation time looking for a place to stay. But then for me this would not be "fun" but rather a major stressor ruining the vacation.
You must understand that people wanting nice accommodation at any reasonable budget have booked a couple of months in advance. So you will be let with a choice of what's left.
If you have a flexible budget it will be a lot easier. As it will if you are flexible with your amenities (private bath, AC, stairs versus elevator). Is your fried willing to be as flexible as your are?
You can tell how easy this will be by doing one town as a sample. About a month in advance go online and look at the options available. If there's nothing you want in your budget you will know you are in trouble. And how will your companion feel about that?
Since our travel time is limited I am not willing to take whatever is available - nor am I willing to waste valuable vacation time looking for a place to stay. But then for me this would not be "fun" but rather a major stressor ruining the vacation.
Mar 8th, 2016, 08:36 AM
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What nytraveler is implying is really not true. I sincerely doubt she has ever "winged" from Rome to Sicily, so she has no personal experience of this kind of travel in Italy. She seems to stay in one grand hotel in Sorrento. Period.
I have never been forced to go beyond my budget "winging it" in Italy. Not only is there an overload of inexpensive, charming accommodation in Italy, so it almost impossible for some places to book up, a great many people make hotel reservations they cancel last minute. (Note jubilada's post.)
Going on booking.com and seeing that hotels are "sold out" one month before you travel will tell you NOTHING about real availabilty at the hotel for your dates of travel. Many hotels hold back rooms from booking.com. Booking.com cancellation policies are 24 hours notice -- and loads of people book multiple hotels (I guess out the same anxieties that govern nytraveler).
The really important sentence in nytraveler's post is the last one: She never travels that way. She never wings it. She's afraid of doing it.
Those of us who have done suggest you work it out amicably with your travel partner. Hope one of you is flexible!
I have never been forced to go beyond my budget "winging it" in Italy. Not only is there an overload of inexpensive, charming accommodation in Italy, so it almost impossible for some places to book up, a great many people make hotel reservations they cancel last minute. (Note jubilada's post.)
Going on booking.com and seeing that hotels are "sold out" one month before you travel will tell you NOTHING about real availabilty at the hotel for your dates of travel. Many hotels hold back rooms from booking.com. Booking.com cancellation policies are 24 hours notice -- and loads of people book multiple hotels (I guess out the same anxieties that govern nytraveler).
The really important sentence in nytraveler's post is the last one: She never travels that way. She never wings it. She's afraid of doing it.
Those of us who have done suggest you work it out amicably with your travel partner. Hope one of you is flexible!
Mar 8th, 2016, 08:43 AM
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(Maybe I should add that when I say I never go over my budget booking last minute that I am a cheapskate, and I never book a hotel in May in Italy without air-con, wi-fi and sufficiently large beds, nor do I ever book a hotel that got bad reviews about cleanliness or noise issues.)
Mar 8th, 2016, 08:47 AM
#14
we "winged it" in northern Italy [between Venice where we booked, and Pisa where we didn't] and had no problem getting in at all, even in Florence. But that was 30 years ago when you could park on the road outside your hotel in Florence and not worry about the car at all.
I've been looking at hotels in Sicily for September and though there is still a lot of choice, some of the nicest ones are booked up already. If there are only 2 of you, you probably would find places, but they might not be the nicest ones in the best position.
only you know if you and perhaps your travelling companion are going to be ok with that.
I've been looking at hotels in Sicily for September and though there is still a lot of choice, some of the nicest ones are booked up already. If there are only 2 of you, you probably would find places, but they might not be the nicest ones in the best position.
only you know if you and perhaps your travelling companion are going to be ok with that.
Mar 8th, 2016, 09:01 AM
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Sandralist - I am not "afraid" of winging it. One of the parts of a trip we enjoy is staying in nice hotels (which we get through DH's corporate travel office at very nice discounts). I would never "wing it" under any circumstances.
However, my closest friend is one who does like "winging it" and while she has some great stories of nice places she also has a bunch of stories of having to spend the night on a bench in a train station, or having to stay in a hostel above a live sex club and of breaking up with one boyfriend since he could no longer stand the angst of searching for a decent place to stay at 8 pm when their train arrived late. He ended up in a very expensive place since that was all that was immediately available but she refused and ended up in a hostel surrounded by students smoking weed.
My suggestion is that the OP should consider the needs/desires of his/her traveling companion and that by checking for options it might help reassure that companion - or alternatively indicate that the town may be fully booked for some reason (local event or whatever).
And please do not attribute to me you own weird thinking and fantasies about my travel history. I have been to europe well over 100 times - and sorry but my opinions are just as valid as your -no matter where you live - since the neither the OP nor his/her companion is YOU.
However, my closest friend is one who does like "winging it" and while she has some great stories of nice places she also has a bunch of stories of having to spend the night on a bench in a train station, or having to stay in a hostel above a live sex club and of breaking up with one boyfriend since he could no longer stand the angst of searching for a decent place to stay at 8 pm when their train arrived late. He ended up in a very expensive place since that was all that was immediately available but she refused and ended up in a hostel surrounded by students smoking weed.
My suggestion is that the OP should consider the needs/desires of his/her traveling companion and that by checking for options it might help reassure that companion - or alternatively indicate that the town may be fully booked for some reason (local event or whatever).
And please do not attribute to me you own weird thinking and fantasies about my travel history. I have been to europe well over 100 times - and sorry but my opinions are just as valid as your -no matter where you live - since the neither the OP nor his/her companion is YOU.
Mar 8th, 2016, 09:29 AM
#16
I have zero experience in this region, but would focus (as a few others have already) on your travel companion's comfort level.
Is it more important to you to "wing it" or them to feel OK about the plans.
Is it more important to you to "wing it" or them to feel OK about the plans.
Mar 8th, 2016, 09:42 AM
#17
<b>"Booking.com cancellation policies are 24 hours notice"</b> -- this is not an accurate statement. Each hotel sets its own cancellation policies and many have time frames, sometimes 24 hours, other times days or weeks out to get a refund.
We just did a similar trip from Naples to Sicily, 3 weeks in Sicily and then a return to Rome last May and really did not have trouble finding places at the last minute, meaning a day or so out. With the exception of Taormina, Sicily was not crowded. We have done other trips in other locales and had more trouble. One trip in Crete we found it was difficult to wing it & we spent an inordinate amount of time trying to find places to stay.
We just did a similar trip from Naples to Sicily, 3 weeks in Sicily and then a return to Rome last May and really did not have trouble finding places at the last minute, meaning a day or so out. With the exception of Taormina, Sicily was not crowded. We have done other trips in other locales and had more trouble. One trip in Crete we found it was difficult to wing it & we spent an inordinate amount of time trying to find places to stay.
Mar 8th, 2016, 09:43 AM
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"My suggestion is that the OP should consider the needs/desires of his/her traveling companion and that by checking for options it might help reassure that companion"
Well said. Travelling together can make or break a relationship.
Compromise can be a good thing.
As above, some people like to wing it, some people like to have their rooms planned ahead of time.
If you 'know' you are going to Sorrento and Taormina, I don't really understand how that is spontaneous travel.
I'm not sure what the advantage is of winging it if you know where you want to stay.
I personally hate spending time looking for a room when I could be enjoying a glass of wine and admiring the view free of the stress of room hunting. But that is my opinion, and my personality, because I think vacations should be stress free.
But each person has their own travel style...
Some people feel that a hotel is just a place to sleep. I choose our accommodations based on things like location, sea view, nearby restaurants, and the atmosphere of the hotel because those things are important to me. I'm not saying that you won't find those kinds of accommodations, but you are taking a chance. If you are both fine with that, then why not?
Well said. Travelling together can make or break a relationship.
Compromise can be a good thing.
As above, some people like to wing it, some people like to have their rooms planned ahead of time.
If you 'know' you are going to Sorrento and Taormina, I don't really understand how that is spontaneous travel.
I'm not sure what the advantage is of winging it if you know where you want to stay.
I personally hate spending time looking for a room when I could be enjoying a glass of wine and admiring the view free of the stress of room hunting. But that is my opinion, and my personality, because I think vacations should be stress free.
But each person has their own travel style...
Some people feel that a hotel is just a place to sleep. I choose our accommodations based on things like location, sea view, nearby restaurants, and the atmosphere of the hotel because those things are important to me. I'm not saying that you won't find those kinds of accommodations, but you are taking a chance. If you are both fine with that, then why not?
Mar 8th, 2016, 11:43 AM
#19
Original Poster
I am really impressed and grateful for the effort and consideration given by so many to my question. Under the circumstances, I feel compelled to offer a response to the collective posters as some strong opinions were offered.
I have rented a car and traveled without hotel reservations (except for the evening before flying back home)in France and Italy on 7 different occasions. However, most those times were in the off season with no problems although I do admit there were a couple of times where the accommodations were less than hoped. On the other hand, I have more often found places which were much better than hoped and probably would never have been discovered by me unless by chance.
This particular trip was intended to meet my sisters bucket list to visit the home town of our great-grandfather who hailed from Trapani in Sicily, and to see Rome. The tourist board does not seem to consider Trapani as the nucleus of Sicilian travel so we have no idea how long we will stay, therefore making advanced reservations problematic. This idea has morphed into a Pompeii/Herculaneum, Amalfi coast, Paestum and Sicilian road trip. I was trying to get a feel for the amount of tourism at this time of year.
What I have learned through the information offered here, reservations in Sorrento should and will be made soon. Staying in Agritourismo's seems to be the option I prefer for both ease of parking a car and enjoying the more rustic countryside. We can stay in hotels in Rome and make reservations there now as those dates are pretty well set in stone to end the trip.
BTW, from a previous post I made, it has been determined we will drop the car off in Catania and fly, instead of driving, back to Rome. The drop off fee within Italy seems reasonable according to Auto Europe. Thanks again to all and feel free to add further info to this thread.
I have rented a car and traveled without hotel reservations (except for the evening before flying back home)in France and Italy on 7 different occasions. However, most those times were in the off season with no problems although I do admit there were a couple of times where the accommodations were less than hoped. On the other hand, I have more often found places which were much better than hoped and probably would never have been discovered by me unless by chance.
This particular trip was intended to meet my sisters bucket list to visit the home town of our great-grandfather who hailed from Trapani in Sicily, and to see Rome. The tourist board does not seem to consider Trapani as the nucleus of Sicilian travel so we have no idea how long we will stay, therefore making advanced reservations problematic. This idea has morphed into a Pompeii/Herculaneum, Amalfi coast, Paestum and Sicilian road trip. I was trying to get a feel for the amount of tourism at this time of year.
What I have learned through the information offered here, reservations in Sorrento should and will be made soon. Staying in Agritourismo's seems to be the option I prefer for both ease of parking a car and enjoying the more rustic countryside. We can stay in hotels in Rome and make reservations there now as those dates are pretty well set in stone to end the trip.
BTW, from a previous post I made, it has been determined we will drop the car off in Catania and fly, instead of driving, back to Rome. The drop off fee within Italy seems reasonable according to Auto Europe. Thanks again to all and feel free to add further info to this thread.
