Would you go to Europe without hotel reservations?
May 17th, 2006, 09:28 AM
#22
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Another reason for not booking when on the road...I like to meander when I have a car, sometimes staying longer at places that I enjoy, occasionally getting lost. If I had a hotel booking at a town down the road that night, my priorities would have to shift from free-form touring, to being at a certain place at a certain time, which kind of changes the enjoyment of the trip. Yes, occasionally need to look around to find a place, but I like the idea of when I'm done for the day, that's where I'm staying.
May 17th, 2006, 09:32 AM
#23
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Summer is high season. Therefore, NO.
However, Spring and Fall could be fun without reservations. But yes, a reservation for the first and last night is important.
Also, if you rent a car, you would most likely be in smaller towns, so I would not make a reservation, but London or Paris during the summer, Make a reservation.
However, Spring and Fall could be fun without reservations. But yes, a reservation for the first and last night is important.
Also, if you rent a car, you would most likely be in smaller towns, so I would not make a reservation, but London or Paris during the summer, Make a reservation.
May 17th, 2006, 10:05 AM
#25
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Mimi...good choice...we drove in an around the Poitu-Charentes region but didn't stay near long enough. Be sure to visit the Larochecourbon Castle near Saintes...restored by Pierre Loti, lovely gardens. We have a soft spot for Loti...he was a French writer who endeared himself to the Turks, living in Istanbul for letter part of his life...one of my favorite places is the Pierre Loti Cafe (named in his honor), high above the Golden Horn where at 5 pm every day, the call to prayer from all the city's mosques can be heard (slightly out of synch..) while sipping a drink on the terrace of the little cafe. I've directed many people there since we discovered it in '95...sheer delightful place to spend an hour or two away from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul.
Stu T.
Stu T.
May 17th, 2006, 10:20 AM
#26
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<< I haven't wasted excessive amounts of time finding a place to stay. >>
Plenty of folks would consider even five minutes spent in locating your lodging... to be a wasted amount of time; excessive? in the eyes of the beholder.
But a predominant opinion is that you <i>deprived</i> yourself of <i>hours</i> of mentall extending the trip before you even departed... exploring lists, looking at their pictures, studying the pros and cons of their locations, hunting for a special promotional rate, and finally making a decision.
A pity to fail to do this, if traveling solo or as a couple.
Almost criminal - - as in the case of another thread today which was the spark for this one - - when three or four rooms are involved, and intra-family tensions are potentially on the line.
See my "thank you", posted here...
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34738551
Best wishes,
Rex
Plenty of folks would consider even five minutes spent in locating your lodging... to be a wasted amount of time; excessive? in the eyes of the beholder.
But a predominant opinion is that you <i>deprived</i> yourself of <i>hours</i> of mentall extending the trip before you even departed... exploring lists, looking at their pictures, studying the pros and cons of their locations, hunting for a special promotional rate, and finally making a decision.
A pity to fail to do this, if traveling solo or as a couple.
Almost criminal - - as in the case of another thread today which was the spark for this one - - when three or four rooms are involved, and intra-family tensions are potentially on the line.
See my "thank you", posted here...
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34738551
Best wishes,
Rex
May 17th, 2006, 10:42 AM
#29
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My goodness, that's very presumptuous of you Rex. Who said I don't spend hours researching a trip? And I always have a notebook full of interesting places I'd like to stay (even when no trip is in the offing).
For me, as a solo traveler, the ability to be absolutely flexible in my wanderings, and to allow myself to happen onto places and things I would not have found in my earlier research is well worth the occasional "sorry, no rooms available" I may encounter. For that matter, I can only think of one time when I got the "sorry no" and the proprieter of that Florence hotel took my hand and walked me to a nearby place where she "negotiated" a great rate for me.
For me, as a solo traveler, the ability to be absolutely flexible in my wanderings, and to allow myself to happen onto places and things I would not have found in my earlier research is well worth the occasional "sorry, no rooms available" I may encounter. For that matter, I can only think of one time when I got the "sorry no" and the proprieter of that Florence hotel took my hand and walked me to a nearby place where she "negotiated" a great rate for me.
May 17th, 2006, 11:15 AM
#32
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Rex is known to get pretty excited about these threads re no reservations.
I have traveled in Europe w/o reservations and had a wonderful time but I, too, am repeating myself.
I didn't waste any time, just had a good tour book, phoned ahead during lunchto where I had decided to stay that night and got lovely rooms every time.
I realize that a person can enjoy his trip with or without reservations, I don't take it personally.
I have traveled in Europe w/o reservations and had a wonderful time but I, too, am repeating myself.
I didn't waste any time, just had a good tour book, phoned ahead during lunchto where I had decided to stay that night and got lovely rooms every time.
I realize that a person can enjoy his trip with or without reservations, I don't take it personally.
May 17th, 2006, 11:20 AM
#33
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I've been on many trips to Europe without reservations - but now I'm afraid places may book up (I'm heading there mid-June). However, reservations do not allow you to be spontaneous. Maybe you come across a little town that you love & want to spend an extra day, but you are bound by your reservation, so you have to go or else forfeit up to 100% of the cost..
May 17th, 2006, 11:22 AM
#34
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In cities, where I'll be staying at least several days, don't lpeak the local language well, and won't have a car, I wouldn't think of going without reservations.
But for a driving tour of western Ireland, where there are so many B&Bs, I've had a wonderful time being more spontaneous. If one place isn't great, there's not much lost because we are moving on in the morning.
But for a driving tour of western Ireland, where there are so many B&Bs, I've had a wonderful time being more spontaneous. If one place isn't great, there's not much lost because we are moving on in the morning.
May 17th, 2006, 11:29 AM
#35
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Depends on where I'm going, who I'm with and the time of year. We usually travel with the kids, so we must have reservations. If there are more than 2 of you, then it will be hard to find accomodations to suit all. If it was just my husband and me, in the off-season, we would be adventuresome and go without reservations.
May 17th, 2006, 11:36 AM
#36
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Kind of another topic, but do you all notice a trend recently more and more toward cancellation fees? I wonder how much this is in reaction to people who make multiple reservations and wait til the last minute to cancel the ones they decide they don't want. It's got to be a major pain for the hotel/inn proprietors.
May 17th, 2006, 11:40 AM
#37
It is, we had a discussing here a few years ago. I couldn't understand the posters who said they booked two or three places and can't decide which one and ask us for an opinion.. Well if i can't get a reservation there it's because of people like that.but that room remains empty after the cancellation. Restaurants are starting to do it and I don't blame them.
May 17th, 2006, 11:45 AM
#38
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Husband and I drove through Germany and Austria a few years ago with no reservations other than the first night. We had researched hotels and had places in mind for many of the towns in which we'd be traveling. We just didn't know where we would end up getting to some days so we would call inns from our cell phone as we drove. Very simple- took no time out of our trip. If we thought we'd get to Munich, we'd call the places we had picked out in Munich until one had a room. It rarely took more than two calls. We were traveling in late Oct.
May 17th, 2006, 12:07 PM
#39
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Do you think it matters on the time of the year? For instance, if you're in Italy or France in the summer, do a lot of places book up quickly?? Or can you still find a good place without reservations?
May 17th, 2006, 12:16 PM
#40
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Certain lodging that many people consider a good value, like some convents in major Italian cities, book up quickly and far in advance.
I think you'll almost always be able to find a good place without reservations if you have a very high budget and you have a car. If you are trying for places that are good-quality, with specific amenities, and very cheap, and you don't have a car, it's more challenging.
I think you'll almost always be able to find a good place without reservations if you have a very high budget and you have a car. If you are trying for places that are good-quality, with specific amenities, and very cheap, and you don't have a car, it's more challenging.
