I have an inclination to travel spontaniously, rather than plan a firm itinerary with advance reservations. The question is, What is the best way to find accomadations when arriving in a city or small town?

We always travel with no reservations ( except some exceptions).However there are several factors to have in mind, the time of the year,the first city after you arrive in Europe. We tend to reserve the first city, and avoid traveling in high season. The way I do it is I have a list of places I know or think I like and sometimes call from the highway to check availability a few hours before arriving into town.. Sometimes small hotels will hold a room with no credit card till lets say four oclock. <BR>Sometime I arrive check the hotel I think I might like, check the room available, if I like it we stay if not look for second choice. I do not like to overdo the looking because you waist a lot of time.I agree with you that there is nothing like being able to change your itenirary or make it shorter or longer according with the local weather or your personal feeling. <BR>I suppose a lot of common sense goes with this way of traveling. If by chance a city is full we drive to an alternative city. <BR>Another important thing when calling a hotel for reservations, tell them you are flexible, you might be asking for 4 nites and the might tell you no, because they only have 2 or 3, I take less of my initial plans and then I "ll see. <BR>Many times I have taken tips from travelers comi g from the direction we are heading at. It has happened <BR>to us talking to a French lady at <BR>Carcasonne she was heading South we w ere heading North so she recommended a charming hotel in <BR>Codes. WE had no plans to go there <BR>but I got the phone oif the hotel ( by reading in a detailed Guide Michelen in a local bookshop) , we stared driving N and called from the road, she told us we shall have the last room, so they hold it for us on our word. It was perfect, the hotel was in and old building from the XIII century....and had a great restaurant, you have to know to whom to ask. At least they must seem to share your taste.OK good luck... <BR>

Phil, <BR>I agree with Graziella regarding making reservations for at least the first night upon arrival in Europe to ensure a place to stay. (I have, on occasion, reserved a room for the night before arrival as well to ensure I had a place to recover from jet lag immediately upon arrival. In many large cities, rooms are not available until mid afternoon. Reserving the night previous to arrival assures a room's availability as early as 9 AM on the day of arrival.) Beyond that initial night, I depend upon research made during trip planning coupled with local tourist offices. In the small towns of Holland,Germany and Switzerland particularly, local tourist offices can easily arrange accommoda- tions, invariably in a B&B or private home - a distinct opportunity to meet and intermingle with local people. In larger cities, train stations invariably have a tourist office with room finding services at little or no charge.

<BR>We too often travel spontaneously, and even if driving will stop at the train station's Tourist Office. The offices in town have been a big help too. Be prepared for long lines sometimes. My husband will also tip the clerk if he/she has been extra helpful.

I think the choice also depends on your time - if you only have a day or 2 in the city, you don't want to spend alot of your time there looking for a place. If we're travelling for a long weekend, we don't want to waste any of our precious hours determining where we'll stay. Last Feb. we were in Brugges, Belgium for a couple of days - it was an unusually beautiful weekend, also Valentines Day, and we spent hours trying to find a room! <BR>

Thanks to all for your comments, all your advice is well taken. The last time I went to Paris I did not make reservations in advance, thinking it would be no problem once we got there. WRONG!!! <BR>It happened to be the weekend of the celebration of the hundreth anniversary of the Effiel Tower. The hotel I had expected would be available, of course, wasn't, but we were very lucky meeting some young Americans, who directed us to a hotel in the Marais district. It actually turned out very well, the hotel, Hotel de la Bretonnerie, was perfect, and we're going back the next time we are in Paris. <BR>I did, however, learn from this experience. In the future, I intend to have reservations for our arrival, as well as our departure.