Bali Or Italy/Greece
Jun 1st, 2016, 04:16 PM
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Bali Or Italy/Greece
Hi! My fiancé and I are having a tough time deciding where to go for our honeymoon in October. We have talked about Bali, a Cruise (10 days in Europe from Athens) or just going straight to Italy spending 5 days and then going to Greece spending 5 days. Our time frame is leaving the US on 10/09-10/10 and returning back to the states on 10/21. Does anyone have any suggestions for these places? All opinions and suggestions are welcomed as we would like to book ASAP. Our biggest concern is weather for that time of year. Please help!!!!!
Jun 1st, 2016, 04:55 PM
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All 3 are wonderful, of course.
Bali - would you be going for the beaches? Or more interested in the interior towns like Ubud? I'm not all that familiar with the beaches but Ubud is amazing, cheap massages, funky and fun culture, jungles everywhere, critters, art classes, wonderful fruit. The people there are amazing, so very kind. Bali is my daughters choice for her honeymoon.
Greece...Oia, Santorini, it's surreal. We loved it, loved the food, the views, the beauty, the sun...just sitting out on the veranda of your cave house is magical. Sailing around on the Mediterranean at sunset. It's probably left me with some of my most vivid and cherished memories.
Italy...I've been twice, but then I love wine. If its your first trip to Europe, it's a great start. My son just went there on his honeymoon. Venice and Rome are fun cities but he preferred Tuscany. It's more of a countryside type vacation, casual, simple, great food, lots of history, old buildings.
These are just my musings on each place. It really depends on what you want to do and see. And the weather...idk, I've only gone in May/June.
Bali - would you be going for the beaches? Or more interested in the interior towns like Ubud? I'm not all that familiar with the beaches but Ubud is amazing, cheap massages, funky and fun culture, jungles everywhere, critters, art classes, wonderful fruit. The people there are amazing, so very kind. Bali is my daughters choice for her honeymoon.
Greece...Oia, Santorini, it's surreal. We loved it, loved the food, the views, the beauty, the sun...just sitting out on the veranda of your cave house is magical. Sailing around on the Mediterranean at sunset. It's probably left me with some of my most vivid and cherished memories.
Italy...I've been twice, but then I love wine. If its your first trip to Europe, it's a great start. My son just went there on his honeymoon. Venice and Rome are fun cities but he preferred Tuscany. It's more of a countryside type vacation, casual, simple, great food, lots of history, old buildings.
These are just my musings on each place. It really depends on what you want to do and see. And the weather...idk, I've only gone in May/June.
Jun 1st, 2016, 06:00 PM
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Thank you so much! You've given me such great information! I'm leaning towards Bali the most, I would love to visit the elephant safari and I'm interested I. The culture and beaches. I want to relax a little. Does your daughter know where she's going and where she is staying?
Jun 1st, 2016, 09:52 PM
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Bali and Italy are my most favourite places in the world. Tough choice, hmmm.
I'd say Bali will be more relaxing from a honeymoon point of view. Not so much moving around from one city to another, cheap car with driver rental to take you around wherever you want to go, cheaper (as against Italian or Greek options on a like-to-like basis) romantic villas with pools and gardens and local chefs who can come and cook for you in the villa if you dont feel like stepping out, cheap but good spa services, etc.
Both Bali and Italy have excellent food, natural beauty, nice and relaxed people, connection with nature, history and art. But the nuances of all of these are very very different in both destinations. You gotta read up to see what appeals to you.
If you're going from US to Bali, you could combine one more destination in South East Asia as you're going all the way. Although I spent close to 10 days in my last Bali trip, and I could spend many more days there, I think you could benefit from clubbing one more destination. It depends on flight availability. I think most flights from US might not be direct to Bali and might go via Bangkok or Singapore. In this case, take a stopover for couple of days and then use one of the many super cheap budget airlines (or Singapore airlines if you want to be plush) and make way to Bali.
Lastly, if you think you want to go to Bali because of tropical imagery, please note Bali is not known for its beaches because they're at best mediocre. Many much better beaches in South East Asia than Bali.
I'd say Bali will be more relaxing from a honeymoon point of view. Not so much moving around from one city to another, cheap car with driver rental to take you around wherever you want to go, cheaper (as against Italian or Greek options on a like-to-like basis) romantic villas with pools and gardens and local chefs who can come and cook for you in the villa if you dont feel like stepping out, cheap but good spa services, etc.
Both Bali and Italy have excellent food, natural beauty, nice and relaxed people, connection with nature, history and art. But the nuances of all of these are very very different in both destinations. You gotta read up to see what appeals to you.
If you're going from US to Bali, you could combine one more destination in South East Asia as you're going all the way. Although I spent close to 10 days in my last Bali trip, and I could spend many more days there, I think you could benefit from clubbing one more destination. It depends on flight availability. I think most flights from US might not be direct to Bali and might go via Bangkok or Singapore. In this case, take a stopover for couple of days and then use one of the many super cheap budget airlines (or Singapore airlines if you want to be plush) and make way to Bali.
Lastly, if you think you want to go to Bali because of tropical imagery, please note Bali is not known for its beaches because they're at best mediocre. Many much better beaches in South East Asia than Bali.
Jun 2nd, 2016, 01:09 AM
#5
We stayed in Nusa Dua when were in Bali. Some really good hotels right on the beach and close to places like Kuta and Ubud for a trip out, or night out especially in Kuta. Some of the scenery was spectacular.
Jun 2nd, 2016, 01:57 AM
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Bali is ruined.
I have been going there for 30 years and sadly, what you see now is not a 'Morning of the Earth' paradise but a paradise for developers who are bulldozing rice paddies and traditional life and building resorts for rich westerners so they can get a massage, cocktails and volcanic rock therapy.
Bali has an unimaginable problem with garbage as every.single.tourist drinks bottled water, recycling doesn't happen so all this plastic waste ends up on the island in mountains of waste.
Nusa Dua was a shrubby peninsula where a 5 rupiah motor bike ride would take you through the bush to the reef where surfers would scale a rope ladder and drop down through a hole in the cliff to surf the breaks. There was nothing there except a shack selling Bintang and Coke and a hamburger. Now there are hideous 'resorts' clinging to what was once a quiet outpost, discharging their raw sewage into what was once a surfer's paradise.
Go to the Greek Islands. At least the ruin happened when Thira (Santorini's) volcano blew its top 3000 years ago.
I have been going there for 30 years and sadly, what you see now is not a 'Morning of the Earth' paradise but a paradise for developers who are bulldozing rice paddies and traditional life and building resorts for rich westerners so they can get a massage, cocktails and volcanic rock therapy.
Bali has an unimaginable problem with garbage as every.single.tourist drinks bottled water, recycling doesn't happen so all this plastic waste ends up on the island in mountains of waste.
Nusa Dua was a shrubby peninsula where a 5 rupiah motor bike ride would take you through the bush to the reef where surfers would scale a rope ladder and drop down through a hole in the cliff to surf the breaks. There was nothing there except a shack selling Bintang and Coke and a hamburger. Now there are hideous 'resorts' clinging to what was once a quiet outpost, discharging their raw sewage into what was once a surfer's paradise.
Go to the Greek Islands. At least the ruin happened when Thira (Santorini's) volcano blew its top 3000 years ago.
Jun 2nd, 2016, 02:02 AM
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Sorry previous post should have referred to Uluwatu as the ruined shrubby peninsular (not Nusa Dua).
However, Nusa Dua is now eyeball to eyeball with Sofitel, Sheridan and multiple 'brand name' resorts. Kuta is drunk Australians. Ubud was once a quiet blissful paradise in the mountains but it has been overrun with resorts again.
If you want the Balinese peace and quiet, check out Sanur or Candi Dasa - particularly Sanur as it is on the other side of the island from the Kuta mayhem and Ubud commercialism.
However, Nusa Dua is now eyeball to eyeball with Sofitel, Sheridan and multiple 'brand name' resorts. Kuta is drunk Australians. Ubud was once a quiet blissful paradise in the mountains but it has been overrun with resorts again.
If you want the Balinese peace and quiet, check out Sanur or Candi Dasa - particularly Sanur as it is on the other side of the island from the Kuta mayhem and Ubud commercialism.
Jun 2nd, 2016, 02:45 AM
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In my opinion, if you choose to go to Bali, my recommendation would be in Seminyak,Ubud is more secluded and quieter, as well as Nusa Dua, it depends what you are looking for, and its really not about the beaches,maybe sitting on a beanbag on the beach sipping a cocktail while watching the beautiful sunset, i dont think much of them, there's so much more to Bali but if you decide to go, a day trip to Nusa Lembongan, is really nice. If you want to do the Elephant Safari, do some research, Elephant's are not treated very well, that goes for any tours that involve animals. I love Bali and have been quite a few times, ive never been anywhere in Europe but i dont think there is a comparison.
I have many recommendations on restaurant's, things to do, places to stay if you need them. ��
I have many recommendations on restaurant's, things to do, places to stay if you need them. ��
Jun 2nd, 2016, 03:02 AM
#9
One thing I would consider is the time it takes to travel to your destination and whether you are comfortable with the readjustment you may have. For a 10 day honeymoon, what is the travel time to Bali vs the travel time to Italy as well as the time differential? In the time you have, I would choose Italy -- great options for a honeymoon and not as difficult a transition as traveling to Bali. While I believe Bali would be wonderful for a longer trip, you would have a little bit more time for the actual trip and not deal with as significant jet lag if you choose Italy.
Jun 2nd, 2016, 03:22 AM
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http://www.greenerbali.com/singaraja.html
My geography is so off today - I meant Singaraja not Sanur. Singaraja has lots of history and is close to the natural beauty of Lovina.
My geography is so off today - I meant Singaraja not Sanur. Singaraja has lots of history and is close to the natural beauty of Lovina.
Jun 2nd, 2016, 10:11 AM
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Bali is wonderful but October is the beginning of the monsoon season. Being there then, along with it being so close to the equator, which means a very hot and humid climate, I don't think you'd have a very good time outdoors.
Jun 2nd, 2016, 11:12 AM
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Let's take a step back.
This is a new OP.
Bali, Italy, Greece but also Mexico.
Don't waste everyone's time.
Once you have a clear idea as to which CONTINENT you wish to spend your honeymoon then, perhaps, contributors can give you a valid response.
This is a new OP.
Bali, Italy, Greece but also Mexico.
Don't waste everyone's time.
Once you have a clear idea as to which CONTINENT you wish to spend your honeymoon then, perhaps, contributors can give you a valid response.
Jun 2nd, 2016, 12:24 PM
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Nochblad, thanks for your response however, I can ask about whichever continent, I prefer as this is an open forum. If you think it's a waste of time please don't respond as that was more of a waste of time.
Jun 11th, 2016, 08:36 AM
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Geeze people, let the girl ask whatever she wants!
I just came back from Ubud and I didn't feel it was over commercialized. Oh sure, there are restaurants, spas, some hotels...but I wouldn't want to go there if there wasn't. I wouldn't want to stay in a hut in the jungle for my honeymoon. I don't need it to feel like it did 25 years ago for me to enjoy it. We stayed at an amazing home rental out away from town, maybe 20 minutes ride, but we still found the town charming and well...just different from any other place we visited. We took a Batik painting class on the patio of a local man, such a cool experience and now I have fun pillows as a reminder of our trip. We tried new foods, walked thru monkey forest, visited beautiful temples, rice fields, and drank coffee that came from beans that came out of an animals butt. Yes, tourist things, but then I am a tourist and there is no shame in my game. If I wanted to be jungle boy on a deserted island, I'd go to a deserted island.
We stayed here: http://www.ministryofvillas.com/villas/pelangi-estate/ it was AMAZING. The staff is wonderful and the home was to die for. It's a bit pricey, but there were six of us who shared it. If my daughter decides to go to Bali on her honeymoon, I will probably spring for at least a night or two at the wonderful place for her.
We did add two places since we were all the way over there. We stayed on Koh Phi Phi island in Thailand, and then took an inexpensive flight over to Bali. It was also a great experience. However, all that being said, DO consider the weather anywhere you decide to go.
I just came back from Ubud and I didn't feel it was over commercialized. Oh sure, there are restaurants, spas, some hotels...but I wouldn't want to go there if there wasn't. I wouldn't want to stay in a hut in the jungle for my honeymoon. I don't need it to feel like it did 25 years ago for me to enjoy it. We stayed at an amazing home rental out away from town, maybe 20 minutes ride, but we still found the town charming and well...just different from any other place we visited. We took a Batik painting class on the patio of a local man, such a cool experience and now I have fun pillows as a reminder of our trip. We tried new foods, walked thru monkey forest, visited beautiful temples, rice fields, and drank coffee that came from beans that came out of an animals butt. Yes, tourist things, but then I am a tourist and there is no shame in my game. If I wanted to be jungle boy on a deserted island, I'd go to a deserted island.
We stayed here: http://www.ministryofvillas.com/villas/pelangi-estate/ it was AMAZING. The staff is wonderful and the home was to die for. It's a bit pricey, but there were six of us who shared it. If my daughter decides to go to Bali on her honeymoon, I will probably spring for at least a night or two at the wonderful place for her.
We did add two places since we were all the way over there. We stayed on Koh Phi Phi island in Thailand, and then took an inexpensive flight over to Bali. It was also a great experience. However, all that being said, DO consider the weather anywhere you decide to go.
Jun 11th, 2016, 09:16 AM
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I also don't nuderstand why one cannot hesitate between Bali and Greece. Beats me.
Since I have never been to Bali I cnanot offer advice, but Italy and Greece are full of historic ruins so if that it something that appeals to OP, it may be a criterium for choice !
(BTW We spent our honymoon and never regretted it, it was so ... out of ordinary for us, whilst US or for you Europe did look like things we understood and could navigate).
Since I have never been to Bali I cnanot offer advice, but Italy and Greece are full of historic ruins so if that it something that appeals to OP, it may be a criterium for choice !
(BTW We spent our honymoon and never regretted it, it was so ... out of ordinary for us, whilst US or for you Europe did look like things we understood and could navigate).
