Hi, folks I've read the recommendations about places to visit with great interest, and I have a planned itinerary (Munich-Nuremburg-Regensburg-Passau-bike trip to Vienna) from early to mid-July, but I will be working near Dusseldorf from July 19 to August 2 (with a four-day weekend I plan to spend in Berlin, and a few other free days for day trips nearby (Cologne, definitely)), and then free to travel again until August 11, flying out of Frankfurt on the 12th. I'm trying to decide whether to make reservations in advance during the later time or to see how it goes and wing it. I'm traveling on my own, and I prefer to sleep in a room by myself but don't mind sharing a bathroom on occasion. I'll be using public transportation only or biking, and I can speak a little German. So, will it be possible for me to find places to stay on arrival, or with a phone call ahead on the day/day before, or should I try to make some defined plans? I've never traveled in Germany before, although I have traveled a lot. I think maybe I overplan sometimes, but it's also very comforting to know exactly where one is sleeping :-), but that can also lead to anonymous hotel rooms. Any suggestions from those of you who have traveled in Germany during this time? Thanks,
Lexey
Posted by
OP
Hays
104 posts
Thanks, Lee. I know you have a lot of experience in Germany--I've read your website and got a lot of useful info there about train travel too. I will just have to work out a plan and make some reservations.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
This is vacation season for europeans as well. We had problems one year with hotels fully booked because of wine festivals up and down the Mosel and Rhine
Posted by
OP
Hays
104 posts
Thanks, Brian--good to know. I suspected that this would be a difficult time to wing it with accommodations, since it is the major European vacation time, but knowing that there are wine festivals during this time also makes me realize I probably will have to nail down my plans and reserve.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
If you can plan for a specific date, I would definitely reserve in advance. As mentioned above, a great many places will already be booked at that time. I've never tried winging it in the summer. When I have winged it (March), I used the town tourist office when I arrived, and the place they directed me to was not where I would have stayed if I had had a choice - not bad, but not the most convenient or least expensive place in town. The place in town I stayed the next night was more to my liking and had been available the night before.