Planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe to attend a famous festival or sporting event? Tour operators are warning travelers that they should plan well in advance. Even travelers who are planning to visit during peak travel times are warned to make bookings at least six months ahead of their scheduled departures.
"We've seen a big increase in agent requests for private guides, but there are a limited number of these available in even large destinations," explained Paul Barry, Avanti's executive chairman. "Booking early means your clients can get one of those high-quality guides, who often provide insight and information that make the experience particularly memorable."
Avanti Destinations is encouraging travelers to book well in advance for popular festivals and other cultural celebrations, as well as sporting events nine to 12 months in advance since they are quickly selling out.
Events include Munich's Oktoberfest (September 21-October 6, 2019), Oberammergau's Passion Play 2020 (dates in May-October 2020), Scotland's Military Tattoo (August 2-24, 2019), Normandy's D-Day 75th anniversary (June 6, 2019), Cannes Film Festival (May 14-25, 2019), Monaco Grand Prix (May 23-26, 2019) and Women's World Cup soccer matches in eight different cities throughout France (June 7-July 7, 2019).
Travelers should book at least one year in advance if they are planning to head to Central and South America to experience Easter Island's Tapati festival celebrating Rapa Nui culture (early February); Peru's Inti Raymi celebration (June 24) of the Incan sun god and winter solstice in Cuzco; or Panama's celebration of the Cristo Negro (Black Christ) in the colonial town of Portobelo the second week of October, ending October 21 with a carnivalesque parade.
Thailand's Floating Lantern Festival in Bangkok and Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai also require advanced planning, especially for those who want to stay in riverside and boutique hotels.
Cherry Blossom season in Tokyo and Kyoto are also popular times for visitors to these cities and accommodations can fill up quickly.
While advance planning is the wisest way to secure travel to these events, for those planning more last-minute travel there is still hope. Travel agents can book clients in alternative accommodations or find similar experiences that are more off-the-beaten-path.
Japan is an excellent example. While Tokyo and Kyoto are the most popular places to see cherry blossoms, the blooms start in January in Okinawa and extend all the way to May in Hokkaido.
Those looking for alternatives to Oktoberfest can travel to other beer festivals taking place around Germany, especially in Bavaria. Visitors will find fewer crowds at festivals in Berlin, Stuttgart, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Hamburg than at Munich's famous fest.
Here are some of Avanti's most popular destinations and the best alternatives if they are booked:
Irish castles and B&Bs: These are popular with American travelers, but these castles book far in advance in the summer months for weddings-try booking weekdays which are less in demand by groups. Dublin also has a booking window of approximately four to six months in advance.
Iceland: This small Nordic country has gained big popularity. However, accommodations in Reykjavik and the south are limited and usually fill up far in advance. For an alternative, look to Akureyri, the country's second-largest city in the north, which has spectacular scenery as well as plenty of culture.
Norway: Oslo, Bergen and the Norway in a Nutshell route are booked up early during peak summer months, but destinations such as Trondheim, Tromso and the Lofoten Islands further north share the same-even better, in the opinion of some-landscape and rich cultural heritage without the bigger tourist crowds, Avanti notes.
Italy: The Cinque Terre fills up early but travel agents can look to Viareggio, Santa Margarita or Portofino as alternatives.
The Amalfi Coast is also a favorite but, if it's booked, clients can stay in Naples and do day trips along the coast or try alternative regions such as Puglia or Sicily or Basilicata.
Croatia: The popular Dalmatian Coast is selling out faster and faster, so book clients wanting to experience it at least six months in advance.
Greece: Rooms with views of the caldera on Santorini disappear fast. Avanti offers hotels in smaller villages or on the opposite side of the island. Less touristed but no less wonderful are the island of Paros and seaside towns of the Peloponnese coast, such as Nafplion.
Switzerland's Scenic Trains: Booking these trains during peak season must be done early, including on Avanti's FIT packages: Deluxe Switzerland, Swiss Panorama and Glacier & Bernina Express. To receive a complimentary upgrade on the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland package for travel this year, bookings must be made in February.
Patagonia/Torres del Paine: There is a limited number of hotels in the National Park so travelers visiting during peak season, mid-November through February, can also consider staying in Puerto Natales.
Costa Rica: Peak times during spring break, Easter or Christmas can be sold out, especially in the Monteverde Cloud Forest and Arenal area. Agents can recommend other locations in Costa Rica, such as Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast with its wildlife-filled canals, or Dominical for less crowded beaches than Guanacaste, or the cloud forest of the Central Valley.
There's also the neighboring country of Panama, with many of the same natural environments, wildlife, and adventure activities but far fewer tourists.
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