Hotel reservations in Italy-how far in advance?
 

We're headed to Italy the first week in October and will be needing a few rooms in Stresa and Parma; one night each. I don't have any sense on how fast hotels fill up. We found one hotel with rooms available in Stresa, should we go ahead and reserve?<BR><BR>How far in advance do we need to make these?<BR><BR>Any advice is appreciated! (and I could use a recommendation on a hotel in Parma also)<BR>

Yes, it would be an excellent idea to proceed with your hotel reservations now --- not too early to do so. Additionally, you may want to re-confirm your reservations in September, a couple weeks or so prior to your departure.<BR>

We were in Italy for the last 2 weeks of May last year. We booked hotels for the first week and not for the second week. We had no trouble finding accomodation and ended up finding more memorable and better value places the second week in San Gimigniano (spelling), Cortona, and Spolletto. These were not in major upscale hotels which we avoid, but private rooms with private baths, clean and with many special features like timbered ceilings. One off a beautiful garden in a convent complex was to die for! It depends what you're interested in.

Last May in Siena our hotel (popular, reasonably priced, well located, etc.) was booking for Oct. ??

Leaving for Italy this Saturday (5/11). Booked most of the rooms about a month ago....some wonderful internet sites for bookings via email. We will be in Como, Stressa, and the Dolomite region ending up in Turin. It did take some time to find the right ones for a decent price. Good luck.

Joanne,<BR><BR>Where are you staying in Stresa? We're looking into the Hotel Italie et Suisse. I've read positive things about it on this site. And the price is right.<BR><BR>Thanks

If you know your schedule ahead of time and plan to stick with it, you might as well book now. There's nothing worse than having to spend your precious trip time looking for a hotel.