Hugh

We've reserved a place in Rome to begin our honeymoon, but would then like to strike out in a car to wander through Umbria - Tuscany -Cinque Terre, and Como, dropping the car off in Venice where we have reservations for two nights before returning to Rome by train. In early May, what are our chances of finding one or two night stays without reservations? What kind of problems will we run into blundering into small hotels clueless of local customs and maybe halfway plastered on love and local wine? If we don't stay in larger towns will we have real problems parking the car? Aside from our obvious choices about what we want to see, is this a dumb idea?

topper

Would like to know the answer to this, except we'll be travelling in October? Whose had this experience in May, for Hugh, and October for me? Thanks in advance.<BR><BR>Hugh, Love your comment "plastered on love and local wine". You're going to LOVE Italy with that attitude!!!

cd

Hugh<BR>I don't know if I would recommend this, but we did it in May 10 yrs ago through out Europe. We took Frommers' book on every country we would be in (Foders have them also) and when we arrived where we wanted to stay, we used the book's recommendations for accomodations and always located a facility with the first or second phone call. I've often wondered if I would have enough nerve to do it again. In the summer months...no...but May? You might want to go to your local book store and browse thru those books and see how many listings they have for the places you will be traveling through before you purchase. Have a great time!

Gigi

Hugh, first of all, congratulations on the upcoming nuptials! <BR><BR>I was hesitant to post anything here as my experiences have been in the latter part of March. Four of the last five years have incorporated a car tour in our vacation. I have had very good luck in Portugal, Spain, France, and England, armed only with a Fodors and Frommers book. In countries (Like Italy) where they have tourist information offices, it's even easier. <BR>You can find out through searches or books which towns have the tourist offices (Depicted by a small letter i in italics). As soon as you have found an area that you want to stay in, head to this office, and for a very small fee, they will offer, find and book a room for you. <BR>We are using AutoEurope for our car rental and they have an offer for a free cellphone. All you pay for is the shipping and any calls you make. This may be a nice addition for you. <BR><BR>I think I have had almost a dozen driving tours. It offers a real feeling of freedom and spontaneity while traveling. I am going into Southern Italy with this same mindset. <BR><BR>I think you will be fine. As I said, my trips are always in March or April. <BR>May is likely to be busier. I still think you will be fine.<BR><BR>Have a happy, wonderful trip. My best to you and your bride!

Jeanette

Gigi, I'm headed for Italy in March/April. We're going from Rome to the Lake country. Can you tell me what I might expect with respect to weather during this part of the year? Any suggestions on clothing? Appreciate your input.

Rex

So very, very difficult to predict weather in springtime in so many parts of the world. You can try looking at www.worldclimate.com - - but my answer is the weather is likely to be similar to what you might find on a trip from Williamsburg, VA to the Adirondacks. You have to prepare for a little of everything.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

ttt

For Hugh

Karen Blixen

you should never have reservations about traveling to Italy.<BR><BR>it is a simply lovely country! <BR><BR>great food, good looking guys, gorgeous scenery!<BR><BR>Karen

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

HELLO HUGH, That time of year in the towns you would choose to visit you will probably find A place to stay, just not THE place to stay. And, you will waste an hour and get frustrated in your attempts to find a decent place.<BR>Spontaneity sounds romantic but you may be underestimating the number of people like yourself in those same places. Italy is very hot these days--I would have reservations if you want want to stay in the best places and enjoy your experience. Do yourself a favor and plan ahead for peace of mind.

Trixi

Hubby and I spent a week last June driving through Tuscany and Umbria without a single advance reservation. Except for a late arrival in Siena we found rooms in Assisi and Florence pretty easily and in our price range (under $150 US) <BR>We learned that it is very easy to get side tracked visiting all those gorgeous hill towns that dot the country side causing us to arrive late in the day to our destination. We then found most of the easy to locate hotels full. We did better when we arrived early in the day and found a room, then did more exploring. Also consider using a town for a base and do day trips from there.<BR>From one who likes every detail of a trip planned in advance this was a surprisingly comfortable way to travel. <BR>