Four of us are going to rent a car next year in September (2003)and travel through the Tuscany area. Do we need reservations at the various hotels in our route or do you think that, at that time of the year, we can get something without too much trouble (assuming we start to look early in the day).<BR>We have done that in other countries (Portugal, Brazil)and it has worked, now Italy, who knows? We do not need five star hotels. Your comments would be appreciated.<BR>

Not a good idea---Sep is VERY popular in Tuscany--perhaps the most popular. I would try to book 6 months in advance for the best value places. What is your price range? Good luck !

It's a very bad idea, because it is really very very crowded in september. Last year, we spent almost 14 hours looking for a place to stay !!! Scary if the night starts to set... we ended in a very very expensive 5 star hotel by lack of choice...

One popular, reasonably priced hotel in Siena was booking for Oct. when we were there in May. My guess would be that w/o reservations you would find SOME PLACE to stay but might be in extreme ends of price/comfort range; you may not need 5 star, but be forced into it. Why chance it, esp. with 4 people?

Hi,<BR><BR>We did this in July of last year and we had no problem. The hotel management did say that the chianti region is busiest in the fall do to picking of the grapes and making the wine.