Do we need to book accomodations ahead of time?

We always reserve the first day or two and the last night. The first day or two is because we don't want to look for a room after a long flight. And for the last night a location near the airport or near the transportation to the airport is critical especially if an early flight. The rest of the time depends. Never had a TI fail to find something but you may need to be a little flexible.

I never do because I use odd-ball transportation. If I were normal, I'd do like Frank. Otherwise never, it's too much of a bother and ties you to a schedule which, in my mind, is maddening. I have never had to sleep under a bridge.

Susan,

Especially at that time of year, I'd highly recommend pre-booking accommodations. While you may be able to find something in each city by using the "spontaneous approach", you could end up paying more than budgeted or you may have to accept something in a part of town that's "less than ideal".

In terms of "checking out places first", you can do that by using the listings in the Guidebooks, checking the respective websites, asking for recommendations here on the HelpLine and using TripAdvisor.

As this is your first time in Europe, I'd highly recommend pre-reading the Guidebook Europe Through The Back Door before you go.

Happy travels!

I'd definitely make reservations ahead of time in Amsterdam. I like to know where I'm going when I get to big cities. If you don't, you may be running around town dragging your luggage looking for where you'll be staying. Plus, you'll run the risk of either a)having to pay a lot because that's what's left, or b)having to stay someplace seedy because that's what's left.

Another option would be to stay in Haarlem. It's a smaller town, about a 15 minute train ride from the main station in Amsterdam. You could wing it there, they have a very helpful TI office.

If you're staying in smaller towns in Germany, you'll probably be fine getting a room when you get to town. You can either do this by going through the tourist information office, or get a guidebook or 2 and go to the places they recommend. Have fun!

In the summer, it's harder to go without reservations. You are competing against the largest crowds of the year. In August especially, you're also competing against touring Europeans.

A lot depends on how picky you are. Most Americans want "American" style lodging (larger rooms with ensuite shower/bath), bookable online and English spoken at the front desk.

If you can live without those, there will always be something available and more than likely less expensive than the place you would have booked.

Susan, if you are flexible, want to spend some time checking out places to stay when you arrive there, and finally if money is not too much an issue, i say go for it. I am traveling at the same time you are to the Mosel, Rhine and Bavaria, and some places emailed me back that they we're fully booked already, that was in February!
Choosing where we will stay is a lot of fun for me, i enjoy it, with the internet you can view it before getting there, i have not been disappointed yet. If you want to wing it, maybe it would be good to have a list of a few places you would want to stay and try calling a few days ahead. Good luck!

I have been impressed by how many small towns have Tourist Office websites that list the available accommodations. By using these before you leave you can do some of the checking out in advance and well as get addresses and phone numbers.

Thank you everyone.....sure got a lot of different responses.....Does anyone have a favorite place to stay in Amsterdam by the water (canalside) that is reasonable - double? We are not hostel people!

Also looking for a reasonable place to stay in Munich (can be a b&b or hotel - no hostels pls.)

Here are some places you can try in Munich:

Blauer Bock
Viktualienmarkt
Royal
Uhland
Seibel
Münchner Kindl

RS recommends some places in his guide that are on the canals. Stayed at one last Sept and it was nice (although didn't have a window view from our room of the canal). If it is your 1st time I would recommend reserving rooms, although I'm the kind of traveler that is more about the places I'm visiting than the amenities of the hotel; if its a clean place to shower and sleep I'm happy. If you go without reservations you may end up spending considerable time phoning around, and then hoofing it to check the places out.

If you want to really experience Amsterdam, try renting a houseboat. We did that a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was in the Jordaan, and the cost was less than for the hotels in the same vicinity. Ours was BK18. One of the most enjoyable parts was sitting on the deck sipping wine and being photographed by passengers on passing tourboats. But we stayed in March, when the weather was cool and there were plenty of options. I don't know what it would be like in summer or fall. You can find a lot of houseboat rentals listed at http://www.houseboats.nl/ .

My wife works for American Airlines, so we fly stand by to Europe on her employee privileges. We often don't know for sure where we are going to end up until the aircraft door is shut with us sitting on the plane! We almost never have reservations. We'll spend 20-30 minutes in an internet cafe e-mailing hotels for availability or we'll go door to door.

We've never been shut out for a night, but we have ended up paying more than we wanted a time or two. That being said we've wandered up to great places much more often than we've overpaid out of necessity.

In Germany, most towns have websites at www.[town name].de, and they have a listing of accommodations in town. You can peruse these listings at your leisure before you go, finding the place that matches your ideal of location, ambiance, cost. Remember, other people are doing this. They don't find the perfect place and say, "No, I won't take this place. I'll save it for someone who books at the last minute." They take it, and you're left with what they didn't want.

I ALWAYS (these days) book ahead. I don't want to spend any of my vacation time trying to find a place to stay - I want to focus on other things. Works well for us, but everyone is different.