We will be arriving in Milan April 19. Our goal is to start out in CT, then just drive the countryside. We do have an itinerary, however, we don't want to be restricted by reservations. If we decide we like an area, we want the option to stay there for a few days instead of moving on to the next area. Will we be ok without reservations in April?
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
I would have your reserv if you are staying in Milan and CT at least and on weekends too. If price is no object then going w/o reserv is easy.
Posted by
Roswell
11 posts
We are going the week before. I found the CT locations to be rather booked. Also, if you are staying in Milan the first night, be aware that their is trade show intown and hotels (esp. for one night) seem to be hard to find.
Posted by
Hendersonvlle, NC
486 posts
A suggestion or two:
Make reservations for your first night. The last thing you want is to arrive in Europe, tired and plane-deranged only to have to search for a hotel.
Pick out the hotels in cities you intend to visit and check their availability. If it is limited now, consider reservations. Check again shortly before leaving if you didn't make reservations ahead.
Everything look good for no reservations? Make a list of the preferred hotels in your visit area along with their phone numbers. Makes it easier to call ahead without fumbling through guidebooks. Use local phone card from public phones or have a cell phone with Italian number to call ahead when you have decided to move on. Saves waiting until you get to town.
No availability at the place? Ask the person at the hotel you called for recommendations. Also ask if all the places are likely to be full so you don't waste your time calling six of them before you realize you are getting nowhere.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I tend to travel the way you describe, unhindered by strict schedules and reservations. I do what John suggests. I get a reservation for my first night, one less thing to worry about upon arrival.
After that just call ahead in the AM and find a place for your next stop. You may not get your first pick, but you'll always find something. Sometimes better and cheaper than hoped for.
In CT (Vernazza) we didn't even call ahead. After arriving we looked at a too small place we were offered at the station, then went to our first choice hotel. We expected them to find something. That's exactly what happened. They yelled up the street for a family room. After a few ladies talked, they walked us about 50 meters (everything in Italy is "50 meters") to a nice apartment at a great price.
I'm convinced that people overpay when they reserve a room because owners are looking at empty rooms if they don't rent to me. I never travel in high season and it has always worked well.