Hi hop,

>So Ira, are you staying at the Bonaparte?...<

Of course. :)

> I just want to be closer to the river and I like the little jazz bar at night.<

Which jazz bar, please?

((I))

I book as soon as I have the itinerary lined up and find where I want to stay. I am hesitant to prepay for the stay in the event that my travel plans could change, but otherwise I like the comfort of knowing that everything is lined up.

Tracy

Many family-operated hotels in smaller villages/towns have closures during the winter months. So, to avoid being disappointed, I usually try to have my hotels booked in the fall for summer travel.

Thank you Jean. By the way, in my searches you have often directed people to articles you've written for bonjourparis.com. I've tried to read them but the links have expired.

Ira, a little jazz combo plays in Cafe Laurent (I believe that's what it's called) in the corner of D'Aubusson. This was where I had my first glass of Sancerre--and oddly the only glass of it I've yet to like.

I checked rates at Relais Christine (knowing it was very nearby). Good grief, it's even higher. Saint Beuve looks very nice for our return at the end of the trip--night before the airport. However, I'm no longer young enough to walk all those extra miles to things I want to see--to spend my first 3 nights there.

I wish I could book 6 months in advance, but I seldom know where I'll want to be that far ahead. Right now, we're debating where to go this August . . .