Hi, I will have to start by saying that I searched the old posts by following the directions on the RS website and could not find an answer, so I did do some research. :-) So! My husband and I are planning a month long pan-Italy trip next year (September 2012) and I was wondering if hotel reservations can be made easily (if you speak a little Italian) while traveling. We did a road trip across the USA a couple years ago and when we were on our way to the next city we either called a couple places on the way, went to a place with wifi and made a reservation online, or sometimes just showed up and hit a hotel when we got into town if their rate sign (do they have signs with rates on them in Italy?) looked okay to us. I don't want to plan out the trip to the point where there is no flexibility if we want to leave early from a city, skip one, or stay longer. Any information would be great. So: 1) can you make reservations on the fly? 2) are rates easily found? 3) can you just show up in a large/medium/small city and expect to find a reasonably priced room?
3) are there ways of finding "mom and pop" hotels and inns that may give you more personal touch? Thanks and everyone have a great 4th! (If you're from the US i guess, he he)
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23296 posts
1. Yes, especially if a little off season 2. Yes, every hotel I have seen on the internet posts rates. 3. Yes, you run into a holiday or a special event.
4. Check with the local TI
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7570 posts
We have done this many times, the key is to have a good list of several options in each locale, understand the area, and know where the hotels tend to group in a town. We use several guides, plus the internet to get a list. Lets Go, Lonely Planet, Frommers, and of course RS are places to start. Tripadvisor, venere, and other sites work for the internet. We used a combination of just showing up in smaller to medium towns, to sometimes calling ahead a day or two. I would consider reserving a few rooms if dates are set, like a first or last night, and some places, Venice certainly, can be best reserved ahead. But even Venice could be done by getting a room in Padua and taking the train in.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, United States
174 posts
We did it on a trip south of Rome (Amalfi Drive, Pompeii, Paestum, around Sicily, up eastern shore to level with Rome and back across. Only problem was that it was the week or so before Easter and everybody in Italy came to Sicily for Easter so we had to leave a day earlier than expected because the whole island was full. Not really a problem. Also found that desk clerks if asked very politely would call ahead to another hotel to reserve a room for us. Don't know if they expected a tip, but they got only profuse thanks. We used Karen Brown's book a lot. This was before wifi and cell phones (but not that long ago!), which should ease things a lot. I'd go for it. Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
You can always find a place to stay. Book a room for the night you arrive and last night of your trip as these will be known in advance. As long as you are flexible with where you stay and don't have any specific requirement (ie refrigerator for medicine) I think you'll be fine. It would be helpful if you have Internet connection during your trip. You could scope out your next town the evening before. A lot will depend on what cities/towns you visit. Venice is always crowded and rates are higher here than most cities. I suggest booking a few places that you know you want to see and then leave your schedule open. The Rick Steves book is a great place to start planning your trip but I don't know how easy it will be to book a room at one of his recommended hotels on short notice. Being in Rick's book makes these places very popular. There are places like www.laterooms.com with last minute specials but I would contact the places direct to see direct booking is cheaper.
Posted by
La Crescenta, California, USA
361 posts
This IS the only way we do it. Have fun, it is an adventure.
Posted by
OP
Richmond, Virginia, United States
11 posts
Thanks! These are really great ideas. I am doing most of the planning on this trip and when I went to Germany with the folks. The tip about asking the front desk person is brilliant! I would have never thought about that. I guess I'd want a couple room requirements written down in italian so we can tell them. Una camera doppel, ha ha thats pretty much it. We are low maintanence, in our mid 20s, and can sleep on anything. Thanks again!!!!! Ciao.