Traveling to Europe late May thru late June

The months of MAY and June are among the best months to travel across
Europe. Quite frankly, I would not book any hotel at all. Italy or Paris
might be a little difficult during the Whitsun holiday weekend (end-May), so
you better avoid the touristy places during this period. And a personal
advice: Yes, go to Florence, Paris,Rome and Munich for a night each or so.
But most likely you will enjoy smaller towns such as Perugia, Augsburg.
Würzburg (I love Germany), Bolzano, La Spezia. Annecy and even very small
towns (especially in Switzerland or Ausria) just as much or more so, but at
lower cost.

Cheers,

Richard

"80k" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
m...
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!

RRH wrote:

The months of MAY and June are among the best months to travel across
Europe. Quite frankly, I would not book any hotel at all. Italy or Paris
might be a little difficult during the Whitsun holiday weekend (end-May), so
you better avoid the touristy places during this period. And a personal
advice: Yes, go to Florence, Paris,Rome and Munich for a night each or so.
But most likely you will enjoy smaller towns such as Perugia, Augsburg.
Würzburg (I love Germany), Bolzano, La Spezia. Annecy and even very small
towns (especially in Switzerland or Ausria) just as much or more so, but at
lower cost.



I love small towns too -- but the advice to go to places like Florence,
Paris or rome for 'a night each' is a good way to guarantee that someone
will dislike these spots. These cities are more hassle than enjoyment
in a rushed visit -- I wouldn't recommend Rome or Paris for fewer than 5
nights if one really wants to experience what they have to offer [4
nights at the absolute minimum -- and of course a week or more is better]

RRH wrote:
The months of MAY and June are among the best months to travel across
Europe. Quite frankly, I would not book any hotel at all. Italy or Paris
might be a little difficult during the Whitsun holiday weekend (end-May), so
you better avoid the touristy places during this period. And a personal
advice: Yes, go to Florence, Paris,Rome and Munich for a night each or so.
But most likely you will enjoy smaller towns such as Perugia, Augsburg.
Würzburg (I love Germany), Bolzano, La Spezia. Annecy and even very small
towns (especially in Switzerland or Ausria) just as much or more so, but at
lower cost.

Cheers,

Richard

Thank you very much for the advice. We will try to make sure we have a
hotel room for the end of May. We plan on still being in Paris (or
around there by then).

We will look into visiting the smaller towns you mentioned. As Jenn
suggested, we are planning to spend several days in Paris (over a week),
Rome (about 4 to 5 days), and Munich (4 days or so), and hope to fit as
much time as we can into Venice and Florence. Visiting the smaller
towns may make it harder for us to fit in all the major cities we
mentioned. I am going to look into all the towns you mentioned, as I am
sure it is worth taking the time to leave the major cities. Thanks again!

"RRH" wrote in message
...
The months of MAY and June are among the best months to travel across
Europe. Quite frankly, I would not book any hotel at all. Italy or Paris
might be a little difficult during the Whitsun holiday weekend (end-May),
so
you better avoid the touristy places during this period. And a personal
advice: Yes, go to Florence, Paris,Rome and Munich for a night each or so.
But most likely you will enjoy smaller towns such as Perugia, Augsburg.
Würzburg (I love Germany), Bolzano,
La Spezia
??????

Lived there for 9 months. Can recall absolutely nothing of interest
there whatsoever (lots of nice things along the cost though)

tim


. Annecy and even very small
towns (especially in Switzerland or Ausria) just as much or more so, but
at
lower cost.

Cheers,

Richard

"80k" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
m...
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!

In more than forty years of traveling, several months a year, in Europe, I
have only booked in advance once -- in Venice ( high season with two small
children). In May I would not bother. Booking agents on the highways and at
railway and bus stations always find a room for you. In small towns I look
for a sign that says simply "Hotel." I ask to see the room. Never stayed in
a bad place yet.
rjf

"80k" wrote in message
m...
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!