We are going to Italy in August (off season), visiting Rome, Florence and Venice.?

Question

Do we need to make hotel reservations in advance or is it easier to just go there with Rick Steve's book and find some good bargains??

Answer 1

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Answer 2

check with hotels outside of Venice near the airport. Mestre for instance. go to hotels.com

                               venere.com

Public transport is excellent. The cost of rooms outside Venice proper is considerably lower.

Answer 3

Definitely make reservations. I'm going ahead and am going to give your the names of the hotels I've been to (and that I'm willing to reccomand, just in case):

- Rome You can go to Scoobit.com, the hotel search engine at http://www.scoobit.com Switch the language to English, then fill the form with city name (Rome) you can leave the address field blank. Then click on "Search hotel".  I went to Hotel Le Petit, nice and clean place, loving it, but feel free to choose the hotel that best fits your needs.

- Florence Go to Scoobit.com agian switch the language to English, then fill the form with city name (Florence) you can leave the address field blank. Then click on "Search hotel".  I went to MSNHotel Bigallo.

- Venice Same as above. I went to MBest Western Hotel Olimpia Venezia.

Scoobit.com is a safe website I've used many times so far, and you can book on line. Have a great time.

Answer 4

Italy and all Europe is High Season in the summer for sure make reservations.

Answer 5

To reiterate what others have told you - August is not off season here. It is, however, the vacation period in Italy. Many Italian businesses will be closed including some hotels - for several years, the only two hotels in the town where I live both closed during three weeks of August. Now there are more options here. While most of the hotels are closed during a portion of the month, there's at least one open (not necessarily the same one through the whole period though). While you should be able to find rooms in most tourist destinations without reservations, the available rooms may be the most expensive and/or least convenient places. Don't expect to find bargains. If you're here in April/May or October, you won't have a lot of problem finding places to stay as you go, but I wouldn't recommend it in August.

Answer 6

Do a little of both.  First off make sure (a few weeks off) that most of your choices in the R.S. book still have availability. Going to larger cities, you generally have fewer last minute "cheap" choices - (ie - what if there is a convention in Rome or Florence?) Check out a private room at a Hostel - they're not bad. Many Europeans stay in them for short stays.

Venice will be expensive no matter what, so book a cheapy for at least one night and see if you can live with it.

Do not bother with a train pass, buy the tickets when you get there.  Don't rent a car - fuel costs more here than the states.

Keep in mind August is not really off season - 1st 1/2 of the month there are still Americans on the road, 2nd 1/2 is Europeans.  Asians seem to travel year round.  Look at September for realistic "off season" rates/occupancy.

Another great money saver? If breakfast isn't included in your room rate - buy bread & cheese at a grocery, if it is, don't be shy about snagging extra rolls, everyone does!  Lunch, grab a panini and eat outside.  Splurge on dinner.

PS - Rick Steve's book rocks!

Answer 7

your brain is OFF SEASON in august, not Italy for sure. Study more your st.... Rick whatever book and reconsider the trip.

Answer 8

Speaking for Rome only.........It's NOT the off season. You can't just go walking and taking cabs around town looking for bargains. It's a big place. ..........Pick a place near downtown or near the Vatican and do some walking. Hotels are not cheap but cabs are expensive too.

      I spent a month there. Walking and the Metro are the best bargain ways to go. Buses are too confusing when you first get there. The Metro is fairly simple and will get you to the most important places.

      The train in Rome (Termini Station) goes to Florence and from there to Venice. I'm guessing 3 hours to Florence and another 3 to Venice. I could be a little off there.

        Have a good time, bring a few extra bucks for unforseen

expenses.

Answer 9

I hope you speak italian because we went in August during the "holiday"...missed our connecting flight and had to take a 13 hr train ride....confusing and we were hungry, smelly and cautious who was around us!  Stores are mostly closed...I would say go in September!  My husband is fluent and Italian and we had a hard time!

Answer 10

noooooooooooooooooooooooooo u won't find a place!!! in august??? u must make a reservation right now or u won't go anywhere!! trust me, I live in venice