My fiance and I are going to the Greek islands for a week after Italy and we want to know if it's better to make hotel reservations at all the sialnds we want to go, or should we just play it by ear? What's the best way to experience the islands in June?

When I'm in Europe, I count my time as very precious. Nothing annoys me more than having to hunt for a hotel. <BR><BR>For me personally, it is much more relaxing to have a hotel booked for every evening. I'm 'spontaneous' with what I want to do during the day. Especially since attractions, museums, etc. can be closed for reasons beyond my control, i.e. strikes, renovation.<BR><BR>Of course, this is personal preference. Maybe finding a hotel is an adventure for some.

David, I don't thnk that finding a hotel is the adventure, it's rather the idea of not being committed to a particular number of nights in a spot. This might matter if you're traveling around a lot and aren't sure how long you'll want to stay in any one place. If you have a hotel reservation waiting in X, you cannot spend an extra day or two in Y, you must leave. It's a trade-off: security versus freedom. <BR>I can't answer the poster's question, though, because I don't know the hotel situation in the Greek Islands in June.

2 years ago I flew from Rome to Athens. I found a travel agent in the Plaka and aranged a trip to Mykonos and Santorini thru them. Ferry, nice hotels and transfers cost us about $400 ea for a week. We thought it was a way better deal than we could have gotten here plus we had the chance to talk to some other travellers who had used them. I would book a room in advance in Athens and then see what kind of travel deals you can get from the locals.

Yes, we too quickly got travel arrangements to an island and hotel there through an agent after arriving in Athens, but it was October, so off-season.

We were there at the end of May so I don't know if that is considered peak or still shoulder.

Dina had a very good point, it is very much a trade off of freedom vs. security.<BR><BR>I will say that the one time I was in Europe for 2 weeks without hotels booked, Spring 1999, I spent about 30% more on hotels than the two weeks the following Spring. I had an awful tendency to just take a hotel at almost any cost rather than shopping around.<BR><BR>Perhaps this could be helped by doing a little research beforehand and knowing 3 or 4 hotels that might work in the cities you know you will be in.

Gosh, I think perhaps a lot of it is personal style, coupled with the time of year you'll be going.<BR><BR>I am a spontaneous, play it by ear kind of gal. I don't like to make reservations at all, tho after arriving in Delhi in the middle of the night, I figured in the future, it wouldn't be a bad idea to at least have a place for the night of arrival! <BR><BR>As Dina mentioned, you may think you'll want to stay in a particular place only one night, then find out you really would like to stay & explore more. You never know who'll you meet or how you enjoy the area til you get there.<BR><BR>I haven't been to islands of Greece in years, yet I do recall, lots of lovely rooms for rent that wern't in any guidebooks and were found through either info from other travellers or the locals.<BR><BR>June may be a bit more crowded, yet I remember the gems not being available in advance anyway.<BR><BR>Don't stress. Do what's comfortable for you. Have a great trip. The Greek Islands are wonderful and I can't wait to go back.

For most things I'm all for be sponteneous, but I like knowing that there is bed somewhere waiting for me when I get off the plane, boat or whatever. Perhaps you could make reservations only at places that have a liberal cancellation policies...