dgunbug

We are considering traveling to Rome, the amalfi coast and Sicily for approx 3 weeks in October. We hesitate to make advanced reservations as the trip may have to be scrapped last minute due to an ill relative. Will we have trouble finding last minute reservations? We do not want to spend money on 5 star hotels, but want comfortable and well located accommodations.

DebitNM

Buy trip insurance.

jamikins

I would book places that allow you to cancel last minute...

WWK

I agree with both the posts above. I would not leave the reservations until the last minute at that time of year.

michele_d

I would not wait until I was there to find lodging unless budget is no concern.

Buy trip insurance that lets you cancel for any reason. That is what we get. It's great peace of mind.

http://www.travelguard.com/cancel-for-any-reason/

kja

You can compare insurance plans at insuremytrip.com or widemouth.com -- select the one with a cancel-for-any-reason option that beret suits your needs. Best wishes to your relative.

neckervd

Book ahead at places popular with tourists from Northern Europe and overseas (like Amalfi Coast, Tropea, Taormina, Sciaccamare), as well as in big towns like Rome, Naples, Catania or Palermo.
But it's way too early for that. 2 weeks in advance would be sufficient.
Most hotels in the South will be half empty anyway and may even grant big discounts (www.booking.com had a lot of half price promotions for Southern Italy in last automn)