Where to go next?

Ian Wickham wrote:

You might struggle with DIY anywhere TO's are in control, flights are easy to book it is accommodation which is the problem, there are still some good old boys who have not sold out yet but you will have to search for them.
On the other hand as TonyH was saying that the TO's were pulling out of some resorts so accommodation may be more readily available :lol: :lol:

Totally disagree ,,I have had no trouble sorting out accommodation privately all over the continent...its only us Brits that don't do it and rely on tour operators

daved wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

You might struggle with DIY anywhere TO's are in control, flights are easy to book it is accommodation which is the problem, there are still some good old boys who have not sold out yet but you will have to search for them.
On the other hand as TonyH was saying that the TO's were pulling out of some resorts so accommodation may be more readily available :lol: :lol:

Totally disagree ,,I have had no trouble sorting out accommodation privately all over the continent...its only us Brits that don't do it and rely on tour operators

What part do you disagree with ?

"You might struggle with DIY anywhere TO's are in control,"

daved wrote:"You might struggle with DIY anywhere TO's are in control,"

The point I was making is popular resorts for example St Anton are controlled by the various TO's, although it is not a resort that I have had experience of it is heavily promoted by the TO's so accommodation
is brought up heavily in the resort, making it harder not impossible for the independent traveller to book quality accommodation. There is always accommodation available my point still is that you have to search a little bit harder to find it. 8)

Ian Wickham wrote:

daved wrote:"You might struggle with DIY anywhere TO's are in control,"

The point I was making is popular resorts for example St Anton are controlled by the various TO's, although it is not a resort that I have had experience of it is heavily promoted by the TO's so accommodation
is brought up heavily in the resort, making it harder not impossible for the independent traveller to book quality accommodation. There is always accommodation available my point still is that you have to search a little bit harder to find it. 8)

That is absolutely right Ian.

Ian Wickham wrote:

daved wrote:"You might struggle with DIY anywhere TO's are in control,"

The point I was making is popular resorts for example St Anton are controlled by the various TO's, although it is not a resort that I have had experience of it is heavily promoted by the TO's so accommodation
is brought up heavily in the resort, making it harder not impossible for the independent traveller to book quality accommodation. There is always accommodation available my point still is that you have to search a little bit harder to find it. 8)

It's not very hard, most of Europe don't use tour operators, they just pick the phone up and book. I suspect the problems people from the UK experience are more to do with language than anything else.

ise wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

daved wrote:"You might struggle with DIY anywhere TO's are in control,"

The point I was making is popular resorts for example St Anton are controlled by the various TO's, although it is not a resort that I have had experience of it is heavily promoted by the TO's so accommodation
is brought up heavily in the resort, making it harder not impossible for the independent traveller to book quality accommodation. There is always accommodation available my point still is that you have to search a little bit harder to find it. 8)

It's not very hard, most of Europe don't use tour operators, they just pick the phone up and book. I suspect the problems people from the UK experience are more to do with language than anything else.

I guess that is partially right ise, although there are translation sites which allow email communication.

Having tried to arrange a DIY skiing holiday in the past the problem seems to come when booking the larger hotels which, as Ian says, tend to be booked up by the TOs.

Many smaller hotels and guest houses can be found on the Internet but you are taking a gamble unless they come with a personal recommendation. Trip Advisor (www.tripadvisor.co.uk) is good for getting an honest opinion on a hotel.