How much in advance should I make reservations?
 

Hi, <BR> <BR>For a trip to Italy next July that will include the Lake area, Cinque Terra and possibly Venice or Paris, when should I start making reservations? Do airlines take reservations that far in advance, and if so will they guarantee prices for July? I know some posts have stated that some hotels in Venice, for example, are booked already for next summer. I usually don't plan this far ahead, what would you advise? <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Denise

The airlines take reservations approximately eleven months in advance. You’ll have to pay for your flights once they are reserved so the fare will be guaranteed. If the fare goes down, most airlines refund the difference with a travel voucher for the future. You will have to keep an eye on the fare, as the airlines will not let you know if the fare decreases. <BR> <BR>I have all my hotel reservations for May 2002. One of the hotels I was interested in for Positano was already full for half the nights I needed. <BR>

You may want to start watching the dates for special fares, but you don't usually get a break reserving this far in advance. I'd suggest you could pick a target fare (e.g. under $500) and if you see it, grab it. You could check once a week up until February, then you might want to step up your checking -- or consider raising your target price by $100 if you get really nervous. Good Luck

I'm going to rome, florence and venice sept. 20th and made all my arrangements exactly 2 months in advance. I used a company that has packages that include airfare. I had chosen three 4 star hotels in each city that I wanted, 1st 2nd and 3rd choice, and had no prob finding availability for one of my choices in each city, in fact in Florence I got the Plaza Lucchesi which was my first choice. For a little over $2,200, I got air (into Rome and out of VEnice), 4 nights rome, 3 florence, 4 venice, transfers, daily breakfast and Eurostar tix. <BR> <BR>Depends on how picky you will be over hotels. For me, if it looked good, got good reviews on Fodors and was centrally located, I was fine w. it. The non-smoking room option at the Lucchesi was a much welcomed bonus I discovered after booking. I found though that organized tours book up very fast, but luckily I opted for the independent route.

There is a big difference between booking in September and booking in July. You will want to book hotels as far in advance for July in Italy. <BR> <BR>As for air, availability is not nearly as tight.

book now and go with your brother he can't speak Italian