80k wrote:
Hello,

A friend and I plan on traveling europe for a month between May and
June (arriving the weekend of May 22nd...). We plan to start in
Paris, and then work our way to Munich, and some of the major cities
in Italy (venice, florence, rome). We'll be leaving late June.

We were planning on finding accommodations when we get there, to allow
more flexibility. We looked into reserving the first couple of nights
in Paris, and the first hotel we tried is already booked up for that
weekend! (late May). It being only early April now... we're starting
to wonder if it's necessary to book way in advance these days?

Does anyone have any experience and advice? Searching through the
archives, it seems like most people do not have a problem traveling
without reservations, even during the summer. I'm just wondering
whether we should be concerned, and if hotels are filling up more
quickly nowadays. I guess the fact that the hotel we wanted is
already booked up this far in advance was a bit disheartening.

Another thought I had was... perhaps it's easier to book last minute
because people cancel their reservations?

Thanks!

80k,

Where did you get your hotel name? If it was from any of the popular
budget guidebooks then thousands of others were also trying to get a
room at the same place. There are about 1,500 hotels in and around Paris
so keep looking. Do a google for Paris hotels.

Late May is not a busy travel season in Europe so I would stay flexible,
except reserve for your first couple of nights as you plan. On the
weekend after your arrival however, 30 May happens to be Pentecost (Whit
Sunday) and the day after is a holiday in France, Germany, Holland, and
other countries. May 31 is also Memorial Day in the USA. It might be a
good idea to find a room by mid afternoon that weekend.

John Bermont
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* * * Mastering Independent Budget Travel * * *
http://www.enjoy-europe.com/
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