Pro tips for finding a little space on vacation

Good tips Mike.
You are forgiven for Minsk.

I would like to thank all those travellers who are not planners, who follow the masses, who don't book until the last minute, who go in high season, who sleep late, who go to all-inclusives, who pack too much and don't bring carry-on, who eat at tourist restaurants...you make it much more convenient for me.

Haha Allan, you nailed it. Well said.

Allan is the straw that stirs the drinks around here.

Susan, thank you.

Only book Business Class Pods and begin your trip unnerved from having to deal with all the irritations that come with high-density, economy class seating.

As Ella Fitzgerald sang, "I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles." It certain does that "in the summer" when I am there, much harder to bear with Paris at 85F than it is in Sacramento or Fresno when out about. Even though it's high season, my hotel at Gare du Nord always has room but to be sure , I always reserve first from here through booking.com or calling them up directly.

Travel in cold winters.
I've been to Iceland, Denmark and Paris in wintertime, and all were wonderful!
Of course, you have to be a person who likes the cold and frost.

Begin to cough loudly and repeatedly. You will be given space.......... :)

Mike, love these tips! Being an early bird has its advantages!

Carol, that made me laugh!! Yes, indeed!

Minsk was actually on my radar until about 6 months ago.
Other off the beaten path locations: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/back-doors-to-the-back-doors-of-europe

Some tips here better than in my original post. The cynical ones are the most entertaining. Or are they?

I'm never going to live down Minsk. It's like 5th grade when I was "dating" a girl name Verona, who was previously with a Little Lord Fauntleroy rich kid. She left him at our elementary school graduation dance for me. The next morning he called me "bird dog" for stealing his girl, and bird dog stuck until I left for college in Morgantown, home of the Mountaineers.

How would you like to see your former self walking down a grade school hallway with kids snidely calling you bird dog?

edit: I had an edible about an hour ago.

edit: I had an edible about an hour ago.

I just spit out my coffee!

Allan might be the straw, but you are the extra sugar Big Mike!! :))

Rent a bicycle. Regardless of how crowded with tourists a place is, you glide along on a different plane of existence.

Hank, like an astral plane? Another dimension?

SJ--Yes! We too love to go places in the winter, including Iceland! We did Scotland, London, Paris and Normandy in the winter once when our kids were young and it was one of our best trips.

Hank--I agree, I love renting a bike and venturing out. We did that in Munich a few years ago and rode much further than we anticipated and it was a great day. We are hoping to do that in Munich again in December if possible,

Big Mike, yes another astral plain, like Shirley McLaine.

And also another dimension like the Beastie Boys, another dimension, another dimension, another dimension, another dimension ....

Rode bikes today Amboise Chenonceau Amboise 50k loop. Saw a lot of pastoral and village life most don't see. I'm still puzzled by the wall of coin op vending with various floral arrangements in a small village. Who need a corsage in short order out in the sticks? Hmmm.

Even in town though on a busy afternoon you are a different category on a bike, gliding around at a different pace and flow. Bit hard to explain ....

"I'm still puzzled by the wall of coin op vending with various floral arrangements"

Is there a large cemetery in the area?

Hank, a great ride. I'm envious.

I don't get the corsages either. Maybe it's cultural thing and girls expect that from boys who show interest? Pretty cool thing, imo.

Periscope you are right, little village but regional cemetery up the hill from it. I rode right past it but didn't make the link. Thanks 🙏