My husband and I are going to arrive in Milan and we now have reservations in Castelrotto for our first 3 nights in Italy. However, we are now renting a car in Trento the day of our arrival and I am considering cancelling our reservations in Castelrotto and just winging it for our first three nights before traveling to Venice. Would this be a bad idea this time of year in this area? Or should I have reservations for each night in advance? It looks like the Western Dolomites are spectacular as well as the Val Gardena, etc. Any thoughts on this?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32398 posts
Noma, In my experience, mid-September is often a VERY BUSY time for tourism in Italy, and it often takes some work to book Hotels at that time of year unless I start booking in the spring. You may be able to get reservations "on the fly" but that will likely depend on the location and specific circumstances at the time (ie: if there are tour groups in town, hotel rooms will be scarce). I always like to pre-book accommodations, as I don't like to waste valuable travel time looking for a place to sleep when I arrive in a new location. While it limits flexibility to some extent, I prefer to spend my time touring. I've also found that those without reservations may have to pay more or use "less-than-desirable" accommodations (ie: those located in an inconvenient or "seedy" area or those that are perhaps not the best quality). In the same situation, I'd stay with the reservations in Castelrotto. It's a beautiful location and I'm sure you'll enjoy your time in that area. Cheers!
Posted by
NYC area
3014 posts
Hi Noma, I'd reserve ahead of time. If you have Castelrotto booked and want to keep it fine. If you're thinking of changeing, look around now (websites, etc.) and reserve that in advance. I wouldn't want to take an overnight flight, arrive in Milan, then take a train to Trento, get a rental car, drive a couple of hours and then start looking around for a place to stay. Could be very frustrating, will be quite time consuming (stopping, checking out a place, deciding, then maybe looking again at more) and it will become tiring all while you could be relaxing and soaking in the scenery. If you're interested, we can recommend the Garni Ariston in St. Christina, Val Gardena (stayed in 10/03) and the Ciasa Montanara in La Villa, Alta Badia (stayed in 10/06 and 9/09). http://www.garniariston.com http://www.montanara.it We have photo's of both at: http://www.worldisround.com/articles/351565/index.html http://www.worldisround.com/articles/355539/index.html http://www.worldisround.com/articles/324504/index.html If you really want to "wing it", make a list of places that look good to you NOW, at home. Check the availablity before leaving home, then take the adresses and directions to them with you, just in case you don't find anything to your liking (or just get tired of looking). Paul
Posted by
OP
Somerville, AL
14 posts
Thanks so much for setting me straight Ken and Paul. I'll keep my reservations or make some other ones before we leave. Thanks again for all your help on my previous posts!
Posted by
NYC area
3014 posts
Hi Noma,
Glad to be of some help. Hope your time in the Dolomites lives up to all expectations. I can't see how it can't. It's such a scenic area. Paul