I am new here. Never been anywhere in Europe. Wife and will be going to Italy Sept 22- Oct 2. Flying into Rome but Tuscany and Liguria are the destinations. Definitely will rent car. We like to see country side, take pics, drink wine, eat good, pic-nic and basically explore the route less trodden.
I have explored many, many websites and poster boards. I am finding myself suffering from info overload.
Here's my question: Would it be stupid not to make any lodging reservations in advance?
We like funky little B&Bs and Inns and budget is not the main concern. I am putting together a 'note pad of possibilities ' I've gleaned from the net. So would it be crazy to do this trip comletely ad hoc?

Shucks mark, one of our favorite memories is that of a little B&B in Vermont at which we arrived withour reservations at nightfall.

We had to wait 30 min to see if the last reservation was going to be a no show. It was, and we had a great time.

I don't know if we would have quite as fond memories if we had had to sleep in the car that night.

Many people recommend reservations for the first and last nights.

We had to pick up our son after a summer internship at Los Alamos, so I piled the family into the car and decided we would see as many sites as possible, stopping overnight, without reservations, when we felt like it. It was a horrible trip; we spent all our time trying to find accomodations (who would believe that Las Vegas was fully booked!). On the other hand, having reservations ties you to a schedule, which means you have to know in advance, just how long you will want to look at the painted desert, for example. For less expansive places such as where you are going, I think the best plan would be to get reservations at central locations, and do day trips. Leave enough free time to stay longer if you find that perfect place.

In the hotel reserved vs spontaneous debate it really depends on how you'd feel about the downside. Late Sept-early October has become a popular time to travel. If you wouldn't mind having to take an extra hour or two out of your day to find a place to stay, or if you were to find that all the "good" places are full, and the only place left with a vacancy is 2nd or 3rd rate, how would you feel? If it's no biggy, go for it.

You might get funky, allright, without any reservations! If you end up in a dump, because other nicer spots are booked, will you be upset or shrug it off and laugh? I have to admit, I do my booking ahead of time. I like to have my ducks in a row, because I don't want to waste my precious vacation time searching for a place to sleep, but thats just me! My accomodations are important to me,and I like to know that I am getting "best in class" where ever I might be,or at least close. Usually, you are not the only person who has heard of the gems, and the folks who have planned ahead already have your room!

Thanks for the reality check folks.
You know, looking back on it, even the times we've traveled here in the states without lodging reservations, it was kind of a pain in the butt to hunt down a place to stay at the end of a traveling day and the ones we did wind up staying at were dive holes! (the exception would have to be the Casa de Piedra at the Briar Patch Inn in Sedona,
http://www.arizona-bed-breakfast.com/inns/28.html but that's a whole 'nuther story!)
It is so much easier looking at properties and reading reviews on the net as opposed to trying to find a nice place at the end of long day.
I am also realizing it may be best to 'work out of' 3-4 locations so we are not packing and unpacking everyday.
OK. My question's been answered. Thanks to all.