Have a France trip planned for May and wonder if, in these shaky financial times, is it necessary to make reservations now for May, in the Loire Valley.

I am thinking that if you are planning for a vacation, no harm checking things out early.

There are times when you can get early bird prices on hotels, airfare, etc.

I am going on a trip to Europe in early Jan 2009 and have started searching around and asking for rates. Thus, I have been booking things along the way.

As for your question whether you should plan for a trip in these shaky financial times, it is up to youu whether you want to take advantage of cheap travel or to have $$$ in your bank!!!

Hi ib,

How will it hurt if you make reservations in advance?

Well - you don't have to make them today. But - if you don't get them in advance you're just making more work for yourself while you're there - and taking the chance of missing a good price on the hotel you really want.

I probably did not phrase my question correctly....we will go on this trip as it is paid for....airline, 8 day boat trip. It is the time to be spent after the boat where we will be in the Loire. Acquiring accommodations, we usually do early. My thought was that travel may drop off tremendously, due to the financial debacle and possibly rates would drop. Am I way off base? I know that early reservations can be good for many reasons. Just wondering what the different views are.

I think you are way off base to assume waiting you are going to get a lot lower rate than now in a hotel in the Loire Valley in May. I don't think you need to make reservations now, however, I never reserve hotels that far ahead of time, even in major tourist/resort areas which that is. I'd do it after the turn of the year.