Wondering if it is a problem to travel (backpack) 2 adults and 2 teenagers with no hotel reservations in June? We would travel by scooter and rental car. We plan on starting in Greece, then Italy, Austria, Germany, France then Spain. All off the beaten path, the odd city but mostly the outskirts, small towns, mingle with the locals eat good food, go to the beach and stay in the odd castle. Any good castles to stay in? - something really old and castle like. Thanks Leslie
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19273 posts
There is a hotel, Burg Schoenburg, in Oberwesel, on the Rhein below Bacharach, that is in a reconstructed castle. It is very luxurious, but very pricey.
Just up the river, in Bacharach, Burg Stahleck has been rebuilt as a hostel, and is much more reasonable.
Schoenburg was burned by the French in 1689 and rebuilt as a hotel in 1914.
Posted by
Gangelt, Germany
101 posts
Sounds like you have a lot of planning to do. Shoenberg Castle, on the Rhine, is a nice place to stay in Germany.
http://www.hotel-schoenburg.com/
And, Chateau Manoir De Brion in the Normandy region of France is also nice.
http://www.chateaux-selection.com/uk/Hotel/Chateaux-Normandia/chateau-manoir-de-brion.aspx
One tip: You may want to research any riding restrictions with regard to your teenagers and operating the scooters.
Enjoy your vacation.
Posted by
Reston, VA, USA
810 posts
A few years ago, we enjoyed a night at the Schlosshotel Hirschhorn on the Neckar River, a beautiful area - and the hotel was cheaper than the Heidelberg Best Western! We had a large and pleasant room for 3, and ate on the terrace overlooking the river. http://www.schlosshotel-hirschhorn.de/site/index2.php?section=englisch&action=geschichte . The castle itself dates back to the Middle Ages, but fortunately the rooms are in the more modern part of the building. Also try googling "castle hotels" and see what you can find. I'm a big planner and would not like to travel with 4 people and no room reservations, but if you are early in June you may be ahead of the crowd. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8038 posts
Travelling without reservations in June should be no problem, but for me, no reservations does not mean no planning. I usually have a list of several hotels for each destination that I have looked up before hand, just so I know what the going rate is and what might be available. I do not let that stop me from finding a better bargain if I see something, and if I am running late or think I might have a problem, it is easy to call ahead the day before, or day of to check on availability.
I also suggest letting the hotel know about your family situation. That may open up the possibility of a larger room that suddenly can become a quad, though not advertised that way, or they may give you a break on two doubles, or have a friend around the corner with an apartment for the same price.
Posted by
Denver
799 posts
In France, we've stayed at two chateaux (on two different trips): Chateau du Pray (dates from 1224) and Chateau de Noizay (built in the 16th century), both outside Amboise.
In the Dordogne region, there's a B&B in a chateau, or at least there was several years ago, Chateau Puymartin (built in 1269).
Do some research on the scooter rental. Based on what I've seen of people driving scooters, and what I've read, I would never get around by scooter in Europe, and definitely wouldn't let my teenager do so.
Traveling without hotel reservations is somewhat a matter of preference; I don't like having to search out a place to stay. Especially if you plan to stay in small towns. At least take a list of possible hotels with you, so you have some ideas of places to stay.