My only suggestion is to do an open jaw flight so you don't have to spend all that time driving back to Prague -

Rather than driving all the way back to Prague, do a multi-city ticket and depart from Venice or Milan. At the very least, simply fly from Venice or Milan back to Prague.

I would find Verona boring after a day, would spend the time in Venice, which is much more romantic, IMHO. What about one of the Italian lakes for a couple of days? Or, perhaps 3 in Venice, 3 on one of the lakes?

One other option would be Tuscany (Florence) rather than Verona.

Thanks for the amazing advice.. The thing with the flight though is out of our hands because we're on a budget so we'd rather spend the least amount of money on flight tickets (which are the cheapest from and to Prague).

@Sassafrass.. We were thinking about making day trips to Tuscany and Venice from Verona.. Would that be good?

>>>The thing with the flight though is out of our hands because we're on a budget so we'd rather spend the least amount of money on flight tickets (which are the cheapest from and to Prague).

And you checked all of the open jaw flights? How much will you be spending for the car rental that day + gas + the all day (at least 7 hour) drive back?

@Doppio Actually that's a very good point! I'll check the flights again, thank you!
Do you have any advice about the other stuff I asked for? We have to decide on those details very soon.

@SalmaSh, I'm not familiar with that area of Europe, however I am certain other posters who are will be chiming in to help.

I do, however agree that Venice is far more romantic and fun than Verona. Is there a special reason you chose Verona as opposed to Venice or Florence?

You may be able to get an overnight train to Venice from Prague (other posters here can confirm)- That way you don't waste all that time driving. Then spend a few days in Venice and fly home from there..

I mean I am not familiar with Prague and Salzburg. If you decide on Florence or Venice, I can help

If you decide on Venice:

From Salzburg to Venice by Train -

http://www.visit-salzburg.net/travel/salzburg-to-venice.htm


The Austrian National Railway (ÖBB) operates a direct link between Salzburg and Venice called "Allegro Don Giovanni". The serves the route twice a day, departing from Salzburg once early in the morning and once late at night. The journey of the train, which actually starts at Vienna and travels via Linz and a few other stops to Salzburg, takes anything between a bit more than 6 and an impressive 11 hours.

However, this is due to extended stops and painfully slow progress on the Italian side, so that a train that has departed from Salzburg just before midnight arrives in Venice at 8:30 am the next day. There is a good train link that departs from Salzburg in the morning and arrives in Venice in the early afternoon.

There are seats and beds available on this train. In addition, there are other links that are (even?) less convenient. One reader of this website has e-mailed us with the suggestion to take the train via Innsbruck and stop by at the city. Innsbruck is indeed worth a visit and the compact city centre can be explored within a few hours. The route from Salzburg to Innsbruck and then Venice is more scenic (as our reader has pointed out correctly), but longer and thus more expensive.

Speaking of the price: The direct train link between Salzburg and Venice always has a stock of tickets that sell very cheaply at 29 Euros one way. You need to book well in advance to get these tickets, though; otherwise, the journey can be significantly more expensive. If you are under 26 or plan to tour Europe for an extended period of time using trains, Interrail tickets will probably be by far the cheapest option. The train journey from Salzburg to Venice runs via Villach, Udine, Aquileia and a bunch of other Italian cities; it arrives first at Venice Mestre (the "mainland" Venice) and then at the actual lagoon at Venice St. Lucia.

Advice needed URGENTLY for a 12-14 days honeymoon
Posted by: SalmaSh on Feb 7, 13 at 12:58pm
My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon for next September,
We want it to include some nice sight seeing + some relaxation and romantic backdrops.. We're thinking about starting with 5 nights in Prague, 3 in Salzburg (we'll stop for a day trip in Cesky Krumlov on the way), and 4 in Verona, then a drive back to Prague for our flight.

Holy cow. URGENTLY? That is seven months out. Calm down. Also, please make only one post on the subject. You have us looking in both directions when you double post.

I can't imagine what you would do for 4 nights in Verona. Romeo and Juliette are long gone. But in my mind Venice is an expensive Disneyland. For romance maybe try Lake Como or another lake, even one in Switzerland well framed by huge snow covered peaks, e.g. Zug. Prague is beautiful. For other sightseeing and romance try Rome. They don't call it the Eternal City for nothing. Closer to Salzburg you'll find Graz and Ljublyana very interesting.

Get a good guidebook to answer most of your ancillary questions. All Fodorites have their favorites. My books to go are the Lonely Planet "Europe on a Shoestring" and the Michelin Green Guides.

@Doppio that was very informative and helpful! thanks a million

>>>Holy cow. URGENTLY? That is seven months out. Calm down

Was that really necessary? It's a honeymoon - so certainly for them it feels urgent. Especially if they are planning a wedding. I assume they want to get this taken care of ASAP as to concentrate on the upcoming nuptials.

SalmaSh is obviously new here, how about we just try and help as opposed to making condescending remarks?

>>@Doppio that was very informative and helpful! thanks a million

No problem! Keep coming back to this thread if you need any more help or advice. There are many posters here who will be happy to provide great information.

Also, congrats on the upcoming marriage

Holy cow. URGENTLY? That is seven months out. Calm down. Also, please make only one post on the subject. You have us looking in both directions when you double post.

@spaarne.. Yes it's urgent because we found some limited time offers that suit our small budget so we need to decide within a coupe of days, and yes I posted twice because my first post has been (and still is) ignored!

Thanks for your advice though, appreciated.

Verona is cute - but a day trip from Venice is fine for that. Venice has far more to see and do - and is way more romantic. If you want to visit the lakes that's OK too - but in the time you have I would stick with Prague, Salzburg and Venice, dropping the rental car when you get to V. then you can fly home from V - or back to prague - still better than just a rushed drive back.

@Doppio Thanks a lot for the nice words
Yes we are planning a wedding AND setting up a new home from scratch.. So we don't really want to end up having no time or money to plan our honeymoon.

[QUOTE ] Verona is cute - but a day trip from Venice is fine for that. Venice has far more to see and do - and is way more romantic. [/QUOTE ]

Some people told me that Venice too will only take one or two days, is that true?

[QUOTE] Verona is cute - but a day trip from Venice is fine for that. Venice has far more to see and do - and is way more romantic. [/QUOTE]

Some people told me that Venice too will only take one or two days, is that true?

(sorry I posted this twice cause for some reason I typed a space between the "E" and the "]" in "quote".. I'm not much of a forum person )

This came out wrong too, I'll just shut up then!

Venice and Florence are not good day trips from Venice.

I went to Verona once (day and night time), and enjoyed it very, very much, but that was enough. I've been to Venice 7 times, once for a week, and would go back any time I could. If you stay at night and go to the less touristy areas most of the time, it is absolutely beautiful. There are always the islands like Burano to visit from Venice, as well as the beautiful towns of Vicenza and Padova. It is personal though. Some people just don't warm to Venice.

Venice is not a good day trip from Florence. Several places in Tuscany (Lucca, Siena, etc.) are great day trips from Florence. You could also rent a car and roam around.

Rome is also a great city.

Do look into the extra cost to return to Prague. You may spend as much to get back there as the extra cost of multi-city tickets, plus use up a day of travel that could be spent sight seeing. Even, think about this. You spend an extra day and money traveling back to Prague, plus one nt in a hotel just to catch a flight back from Prague. Cut out the travel day and hotel nt, save all that money, add it to flight costs, and fly from home from Italy.

Thanks a lot Sassafrass.. We're starting to consider the multi-city tickets thing,

And we're thinking about limiting our stay in Verona for just 2 days and then heading to either Venice or Rome for 3 days or so.. I want to visit as much cities as possible but he's afraid this will be too exhausting for a honeymoon, what do you think?

I think he is correct on this one.

Don't "shut up." You are doing just fine.

Do you have a good guide book for Italy? Really look at Venice, & Vicenza and Florence & Siena.

How many total days for Italy?

Most people enjoy Verona, but it just doesn't, IMHO, hold a candle to Venice, Florence or Rome. Verona is not where I would use any of the short time you have.

However, whatever you choose will be fun and you will have a great trip.

Thank you so much, you're so sweet & helpful

what about the weather in September and the average pocket money on a trip to Prague, Salzburg & Venice?

Hello again SalmaSh

What is your over all budget? Also, how much do you want to spend per night on accommodations? I know all the money talk sounds personal, but we need to know so we can help you plan, and get the most value for what you spend. Plus, it's your honeymoon so we want to make some super romantic suggestions.

Hi Doppio

We already chose accommodation in Prague and Salzburg, We're still deciding on Italy but I guess we have $150-200 to spend on accommodation per night.

Regarding the pocket money, I guess it will be much more flexible cause we don't want to feel "on a budget" during the honeymoon itself

We want to taste the real local cuisine (not the tacky touristic stuff) so we're willing to go the extra mile for a hidden gem and we don't mind splurging on some romantic dinners.

We were told that Kampa Park in Prague is a must-try, and I'd really love to try some tasty local pasta & pizza in Italy.
I also need some cafe or deli suggestions in all the cities for affordable lunches.

Verona can be a good place to say if you pan to visit a few other places as day trips, such as Lake Garda, Vicenza, Mantova. I'm not sure why the OP chose it, but I can understand the allure. That said, I have stayed in Verona on three different trips. I have stayed in Venice on at least 12 different trips (I've lost count).

pLan to visit . . .

I was initially planning on Verona because of the amazing Medieval architecture (I majored in interior design & architecture so I'm a bit of a sucker for buildings!).
But since everyone's saying that it's not that good, I guess I'll go with your advice then!

If you are a fan of architecture, than Verona could be a good jumping off point to visit Vicenza which has lots of buildings by Palladio. Knowing your interest in architecture may help people offer better suggestions--though I bet you'd enjoy the architecture f Venice as well. It is very helpful for us to understand your interests to best guide you.

Venice can easily occupy you for a week or more - it's not just good for a day or two. I have been 5 times - all for more than 2 days - and there are many things I haven;t seen yet. Very interesting is seeing the outlying island - Murano, Burano and Torcello - esp the last - which is where the Venetians went to hide whan the barbarians invaded over the Alps. There is a church from the Fifth century which has incredible mosaics and is done in the style of the eastern empire. Seeing just those outlying islands will take the best part of 2 days.

OP: "(I majored in interior design & architecture so I'm a bit of a sucker for buildings!)."

That is great to know. Now, I feel even more confident that you should go to Venice the whole time and day trip to Vicenza - very quick train ride from Venice.

The architecture in Venice is beyond beautiful. San Marco is ethereal. When I walk into Piazza San Marco, I try not to look until I walk to the end opposite the Basilica, then turn. It is the nearest thing to God and heaven on earth that I can think of, difficult to believe that humans could have built it.

When you walk out of Santa Lucia station and face the Grand Canal for the first time, I think you will feel that giving up Verona was worth it.

You might also enjoy all the colorful houses in Burano.

Most people don't get to Vicenza, but those interested in architecture love it. It is such a gem. Do not miss Teatro Olympico! It is a Palladio masterpiece. Do check the times of things.

So many great buildings to see: of course the Duomo in Florence and the Pantheon in Rome, but for your trip, IMHO, - Venice.

Thanks a lot ellenem, nytraveler & Sassafrass for the priceless advice!
Venice it is!

Some people told me that Venice too will only take one or two days, is that true?>>

SalmaSH - i was going to join in in favour of Venice, but you've already been persuaded which is great. so much to see and do, which is why so many people here keep going back.

do you want to post your overall itinerary so that we can make suggestions for further tweeking?

BTW, congrats on your wedding!

Thank you annhig! That was so sweet of you!

The itinerary is basically as follows:
5 nights Prague (including a day trip to Cesky Krumlov)
3 nights Salzburg (including a day trip to Hallstatt or Salzkammergut)
4 or 5 nights Venice (still haven't decided on what to include as day trips)

We'll rent a car for traveling between cities and then fly back home from Venice.

That's our itinerary so far.

Even my 22 year old nephew, who never notices anything, thought Venice would be the ideal honeymoon spot! So much to do there and yet lovely if you choose to do nothing! All that travel can be exhausting too, even for the young and then it takes the edge of discovery off. You might also check the low fare airlines from Prague to Italy as in many cases for us they were cheaper than the train. Sure they are bare bones, but the flights would be short from there.
Venice need not be expensive, we have always rented apartments even for short stays from VRBO or similar web sites and had great places, great rates and met nice locals to boot. We took the public transport from Venice to Murano and Burano, just a short ride away and on the water with more canals, lovely water views and interesting shopping.

Venice is SO easy to just wander in, we spent a day in the museums, and I am not even a museum person but the Palace of the Doges is particularly fascinating. The art museums and music there were interesting too. Sometimes, to save the travel budget, we just sat outside the theater or church where the performance was and had some wine and relaxed as we listened. Lovely. The market there offered us a chance to mingle with locals, buy fresh food and fix our own lunch or dinner, again an adventure. One of the Pensiones sits next to the lagoon and has an outdoor cafe that we could have spent hours at.

@norrcj Thank you for the great tips! Very useful!

Actually the fact that Venice is too obvious for a honeymoon is what kept me away from it.. Personally I thought I'd prefer something more laid back and with less crowds.

And unfortunately we can't even consider the apartment option because we need the facilities & services of a hotel.. I'd love to save on accommodation but I can't go that far, we need to be a bit more pampered on our honeymoon!

SalmaSh,
Venice can be crowded, especially during the day. Two thirds of the visitors to Venice come just for the day and do not sleep in venice. This is a big reason many here encourage people to actually stay IN Venice, so you will experience the place when the day trippers leave. Plus, the majority of these visitors are heading to two or three major sights. As soon as you leave that beaten path, you can lose the crowds and wander arm in arm through quiet walkways.

"San Marco is ethereal. When I walk into Piazza San Marco, I try not to look until I walk to the end opposite the Basilica, then turn. It is the nearest thing to God and heaven on earth that I can think of, difficult to believe that humans could have built it."

How beautifully put! Venice is absolutely a gem. If you love architecture, you might just swoon when you walk into San Marco at night. It is all lit up and there is music playing from the cafes. Couples dance in the square - really you can't miss it.

I also went on a gondola ride and while some might say it is a bit cheesy - I say it is dreamy.

As a footnote...I cried...it is that beautiful.

Congrats - have a lovely wedding and a spectacular honeymoon.

@ellenem "As soon as you leave that beaten path, you can lose the crowds and wander arm in arm through quiet walkways."

@kelsey22 "If you love architecture, you might just swoon when you walk into San Marco at night. It is all lit up and there is music playing from the cafes. Couples dance in the square - really you can't miss it. "

that was really sweet! Actually this is the kind of review I'm looking for, one like yours and the part you quoted from Sassafras.. I really need to capture the spirit of the place cause everything I see or read about Venice feel extremely tourist-y to me and that's not what I'm looking for.. I want this one to feel so special and different from any other trip I've ever made.

I know it's a bit cheesy but I think romance over-load is somehow justified on a honeymoon!

@kelsey22 and thank you so much for the lovely wishes

I have a great book for you to read - all about romance and Venice....will have to dig it up. I will post it tomorrow. and thank you for your kind words....

I will post something about the architecture of Carlo Scarpa in Venice soon. Just have to find my notes.

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/venice-a-sort-of-trip-report.cfm is something I Wrote about Venice and architecture. Do a search for Scarpa on the page - a Venetioan architect inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Or


http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/venice-a-sort-of-trip-report.cfm. Our first long visit.

Thanks a lot Kelsey & Peter

On a side note, after we started considering Venice we found that we're going to blow our budget if we insist on including multiple countries..
So we're actually starting to consider changing the whole itinerary and just visit Rome & Venice, maybe include a day trip to Florence.. What do you think?

Well, I love Prague and Salzburg, but I have to admit that an Italian honeymoon certainly sounds lovely. There is something to be said for remaining in one country... aside from saving money, it allows you to get a little better connection to the culture. Whether you add Florence to the Rome-Venice plan will mostly depend on logistics of time and money. Either way, you will have a lovely honeymoon in Italy.

msteacher.. Thank you so much
and yea I guess it will be a lot less exhausting too..

I think that Rome and Venice sounds good. I’d suggest that when you arrive in Rome, take a train straight away to Venice. Venice is good for getting over jet lag, and the train takes about four hours. Or if you have not yet booked your flights, do an "open jaw" ticket, fly into Venice, train to Rome and fly out.

You noted that you are interested in architecture and interior design, and I discovered the work of Carlo Scarpa in Venice. We were staying in an apartment that had been re-modelled by a student of Scarpa, and Scarpa’s hand was evident. His work reflects Frank Lloyd Wright and also has Japanese influences. Strong horizontal lines, and an amazing way of using stone and metal finishes. If you go into the Academe gallery in Venice, you’ll see a couple of rooms that he did.

I found myself doing this Scarpa treasure hunt in Venice, walking all over the place to see his work. It was a lot of fun.

I agree - Stick with Italy!

You can fly into Rome, stay a week, then train up to Venice fpr your second week and fly home from there.

OR, you can fly into Rome for a 3 nights, then take a train up to a Tuscan town, say Montepulciano (my favorite) and spend a week in a Tuscan Villa - rent a car there, and ramble around the Tuscan countryside seeing several towns, soaking up the culture, meeting locals... (so romantic) - - then cap off the trip with 4 nights in Venice.. That's just me though, I like a bit of city *and* countryside..

I agree with Jinky! Rome > Tuscan countryside > Venice. What a perfect honeymoon.

Peter_S_Aus said>>>>I’d suggest that when you arrive in Rome, take a train straight away to Venice

How does this even make sense? I think they want to spend some time in Rome, not fly into Rome and then immediately train up to Venice.

Did I miss something?

Doppio, I was thinking that they would be flying into Rome, and departing from Rome, and would be visiting both Rome and Venice. If that’s the case, they would need to spend their last night in Rome.

So my suggestion would be to fly into Rome, take the train to Venice, spend some days in Venice, train back to Rome, spend some days in Rome, and fly out. Or fly into Venice, spend some time in Venice, train to Rome, spend some time in Rome, and fly back to the USA.

Why not just fly into Rome and out of Venice as opposed to Rome and then Venice and then Rome again?

I still say Rome > Tuscan countryside > Venice.

Thanks everyone you're absolutely helpful

Actually the cheapest flight options we could find is flying into Rome, then flying from Rome to Venice, and then flying back to Rome for our flight home.. Flying home from Venice is way more expensive than flying back to Rome + flying home from Rome combined

Yikes! I stand corrected.

Where are you flying from? How about a train from Rome to Venice, or is it cheaper to fly?

Rome to Venice by train is 80 euro, and takes 3 hrs 40 minutes.

First time we went to Venice, we flew into Rome, then Alitalia flight to Venice. We would not do that again, as the Rome / VCE flight was expensive, and changing from International to Domestic in Rome was a pain in the neck. If we had to travel via Rome, then we'd take the train, which deposits you right on the Grand Canal in Venice.

Worth a thought.

We're flying from Cairo, Egypt.. There are numerous cheap direct flights to Rome from Cairo daily, but Venice is so much more expensive.
We did consider the train but found domestic flights for only 100 euros and it only takes 1 hour, so we thought that would be much more comfortable than the train.

But, if we decide to add the Tuscan countryside (which is something I'm dying to do!) I guess we'll have to take trains between cities.

>>>>>>But, if we decide to add the Tuscan countryside

Do it! You will not regret it. Plus it will give the two of you a chance to slow down and enjoy the Italian culture away from throngs of tourists. Tuscany is easy to drive around too. Get a cute little Fiat! Zoom zoom!

Haha.. I think we will!
Any advice about where to rent cheaper cars? travelsupermarket.com and similar websites seem to only offer the expensive makes.. I'd rather get something more charming to fit in the Tuscan mood

Check Kemwell.com

sorry, that would be: http://www.kemwel.com

we always use http://www.auto-europe.co.uk for our car rentals.

Thanks a lot Doppio & jamikins

Check this itinerary and tell me what you think:

- 5 days/4 nights in Rome
- train from Rome to Florence were we'll pick up our rented car
- 1 week in the Tuscan countryside (private duplex in Chianti, so excited!!)
- train from Florence to Venice
- 4 days/3 nights in Venice
- Flying home from Venice (We finally found affordable flights!)

Sounds good or still needs some tweaking?

Sounds great. One caveat: driving in central Florence is a bit iffy. There are many ZTLs, locals-only driving zones. If you do transgress, the expensive ticket will catch up with you many months later, along with a charge on your credit card from the car rental company for the expense of outing you.

Consider switching in Florence to a train into Chianti, to Arezzo or maybe elsewhere closer to your rental. That way you avoid problems in Florence.

>>>>Consider switching in Florence to a train into Chianti, to Arezzo or maybe elsewhere closer to your rental. That way you avoid problems in Florence.

I agree!

You will love this trip, and I am so happy you have decided to spend time in Chianti - how lovely! Where are you staying? So excited for you, this will be a lovely trip

Glad you were able to find affordable flights too.

SalmSh - love your new itinerary. I'm sure you'll have a great time and appreciate the slower pace.

Thanks for the tip guys!

We're probably going to stay in a duplex we found on yourtuscanvilla.com .. the place once was a hayloft built in the 19th century and it's surrounded by vineyards and olive groves and has a pool and everything.. the apartment is so cozy and very affordable as well

>>>We're probably going to stay in a duplex we found on yourtuscanvilla.com

Have you gotten reviews of this place yet?? It may be perfect, but you might want to check around about it.. just in case!

Yea we're currently looking for feedback about the place and so far it's been so recommended.. Our second option is finding a good B&B, but I personally prefer the renting option for the countryside.

thank u annhig

SalmaSh, you can start a new thread here: "Help me find a Tuscan Villa". Many Fodorites have rented villas and will be more than happy to give you a personal recommendation.

Either way, cheers!

Just read this whole thread and having visited most of the places mentioned your itinerary has definitely evolved for the better. You are going to have a great honeymoon!

One thing to beware of cost-wise are the tolls roads. They can eat up a budget in a hurry! And if using a taxi in Rome, ONLY use those licensed by the government! Just a tidbit in-case you haven't been there before.

@Doppio.. That's a good thought! I think I'll do this!

@Toucan, thanks a lot! For Rome we're going to buy travel passes and we intend to just use public transport to get from one place to another, save the taxis for when we're too exhausted.. In Venice too we're buying the passes on veniceconnected.com..

But we actually do need driving advice for our time in Tuscany.

Driving through Tuscany is fairly easy because there is good signage with me navigating as my friend drove. We purchased a road atlas like this http://www.amazon.com/Italy-Road-Atlas-Atlante-Stradale/dp/B004MM8ULS which worked well because we drove far and wide. You may find one limited to Tuscany will work best for you. I noticed many types of map books at almost every large petrol station at which we stopped.

And, the toll roads are mostly limited to the larger divided highways.

Yea we're definitely buying some road maps before we go.. Anything else we need to look out for?

And if anyone has authentic local restaurant recommendations in Rome, all around Tuscany, and Venice that would be awesome!

SalmaSh on Feb 11, 13 at 10:59pm
Yea we're definitely buying some road maps before we go.. Anything else we need to look out for?
There are a number of things. For an illustrated introduction to driving in Europe, with some specifics on Italy, see http://tinyurl.com/3bc2ax.

Tartufo (dark truffle) at Tre Scalini on Piazza Navona Rome.
http://www.trescalini.it/en/

Gelato at Gelateria de Piazza in San Gimignano Tuscany.
http://www.gelateriadipiazza.com/english/master-gelato-maker.html

Both are excellent!

Keardeen, a long way upthread, the OP decided to stick to Italy only.

This is why it's good to actually *read* the whole thread before you respond at length..

Thanks everybody.. You all really helped in making what will hopefully be the best trip of our lives

Anyone who has any suggestions for the rentals, please drop by this post:
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/recommendations-needed-for-rentals-in-the-tuscan-countryside.cfm
Thank you!