I've having trouble getting responses from some of the hotels and B&Bs that I have contacted.

I made reservations in Florence and got two responses in one day. Once I sent my credit card info, I never received a confirmation. I have e-mailed every three days asking for a confirmation, but have not received one.

I have been trying to make reservations in Tuscany for three nights at a farm house and am having zero luck. My friend is on a tight budget so we are trying to stay somewhere for 80 Euros per accomodation (40 Euros each). I am not getting responses from them. Is it too early to book? Do they try to keep their rooms open for people who will reserve for an entire week? Why am I having so much trouble?

Lisa

try calling

There is that old fashioned gadget on your desk - a telephone.

Many European properties - especially small B&Bs and hotels - are not in the habit of answering e-mails immediately. In fact for a some of them - they don't even have a computer - they have a friend or webmaster who is multilingual answer e-mails.

They might as well be on holidays! Try calling them and, if you are lucky, there might be an answering machine telling you (in Italian, of course) that they're closed and maybe a phone number to call just joking! Try calling anyway!
Giulia

I thought about calling, but the rates are steep and if I can't understand them, I was afraid it would be a long call. I finally heard back from the BnB in Tuscany today and was able to make my reservation.

<i>&quot;I thought about calling, but the rates are steep</i>&quot;

You may need to phone someone in the future - so just and FYI: You never need to pay more than a few cents a minute. I pay less than 7¢ anywhere in Europe and many people pay even less. The 10-10 numbers are a godsend. In fact I now call overseas just as often as sending e-mails.

I use 10-10-987 but a different number(s) might be better for your area.

Often B&amp;Bs and hotels do not respond to e-mails, but they do respond to faxes.