I just stumbled across a website called Trav.com. They had some incredibly good prices on rooms in different cities in Europe. Are they a reliable organization? Can any body help me with this? Thanks

I don't know how reliable they are... but I looked their prices for a few cities. The prices they quote are PER PERSON. So, even when the prices come back around $40-$50, a room for 2 would end up being $80-100.

I wouldn't use them because they charge a booking fee. Also, they don't say what currency they are quoting. I am guessing USD because there's a dollar sign, but it's not an American company, so that is weird.

I looked at a couple hotels I know in Paris and their rates were higher than the hotel's own rates. Quite a bit in one case.

i was looking at venice prices. they were much lower than anything i was able to find. also, the booking fee is only $2, (according to their website), and they tell you that up front. i realize that their prices are per person. i have been looking for reasonably priced rooms in venice for days and these were still much lower than anything i have been able to find. also, they tell you what currency they are using when you begin the search. actually, you can choose the currency you want. i still would like to know if they are legit!! anyone know of someone who has used the service??

petepat, looks legit to me even though I haven't used them. I just booked the "palazzetto" apartment for the "all saints day" weekend. The owner, Grazia Colletti, says that they do advertise with trav.com, so looks okay. That said, the price for the apartment seems to be less via rentinvenice.com , though I suppose it depends on the number of people travelling.

There is a website <www.ratestogo.com> that has last minute deals to many European sites. Has anyone ever booked thru them?

echo - I've used rates to go last few trips to Europe, been happy with their service, prices & hotels offered. I've even used them when I knew about my trip months beforehand, just picked out a few hotels I liked & hoped they were on offer when it was time to book (they always were).

" i was looking at venice prices. they were much lower than anything i was able to find"

That should raisea red flag right there. Places like Venice have so many tourists that they don't need to make special deals with one booker. I would be very, very suspicious.

"PER PERSON. So, even when the prices come back around $40-$50, a room for 2 would end up being $80-100."

Sounds like people who are out to deceive you. I would be very, very, very, very suspicious.

When someone mentions websites here, I always take a look - that is how we all find out about new websites. I took a look at this one, and I don't see a 'deal' anywhere. The cheaper 'Venice' hotels are not located in Venice, but in Mestre. The ones located in Venice proper start at $195 for two people, per night, for a tw-star hotel.

I have used Expedia and Venere, with fairly good results Good luck!

Forgot to mention their cancellation policy:

<i>&quot;Information on cancelling or changing your booking will be contained the confirmation email you receive after your booking has been made. Please note that you must agree with the property's specific cancellation policy as part of the booking process.&quot;</i>

So, you cannot see the cancellation policy on the hotel until <i>after</i> you have started the booking process. I like to compare cancellation policies between hotels as part of my booking criteria.

I looked some more, and there were cheaper hotels (than $195) in Venice proper for other dates, but I would check with the hotels first, not only to check their cancellation policies, but to see if they have a lower price.