Honeymoon in Europe Nov-Dec2015
Jul 6th, 2015, 11:23 AM
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Honeymoon in Europe Nov-Dec2015
Hi fellow travellers..
I came accross Fodor while researching for our maiden trip abroad and what better place to start that EUROPE! It also happens to be our honeymoon
Quickly getting down to specifics -
Duration : Nov 26 - Dec 6 2015
Primary Interests : Nightlife, Scenic Beauty, Fairs and Festivals
Secondary Interests : Art, History, Architecture.
Idea 1 -
Italy 3 days, France 2 days, Belgium 2 days and Netherlands 2 days.
Idea 2 -
Benelux only
Please suggest -
1. Suitable Itinerary
2. Travel times and mode of transport
3. Budget we should plan for
4. Recommended BnB's or Tiny Hotels along the way
5. Any fairs or festivals or events we could plan around
Any help from you seasoned travelers and locals will be MUCH MUCH MUCH Appreciated!!
Thank you
I came accross Fodor while researching for our maiden trip abroad and what better place to start that EUROPE! It also happens to be our honeymoon
Quickly getting down to specifics -
Duration : Nov 26 - Dec 6 2015
Primary Interests : Nightlife, Scenic Beauty, Fairs and Festivals
Secondary Interests : Art, History, Architecture.
Idea 1 -
Italy 3 days, France 2 days, Belgium 2 days and Netherlands 2 days.
Idea 2 -
Benelux only
Please suggest -
1. Suitable Itinerary
2. Travel times and mode of transport
3. Budget we should plan for
4. Recommended BnB's or Tiny Hotels along the way
5. Any fairs or festivals or events we could plan around
Any help from you seasoned travelers and locals will be MUCH MUCH MUCH Appreciated!!
Thank you
Jul 6th, 2015, 12:03 PM
#3
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Weather in some parts of Italy can be rather pleasant in that time frame, and there are always fairs and festivals. Intead of Benelux only, how about Italy only? Rome + the hill towns of the countryside.
Jul 6th, 2015, 12:42 PM
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Your first itinerary listing whole countries and giving them two days does not work at all. It would take a third of your vacation time and a good bit of money just getting from place to place. Only about half your time would be for seeing and experiencing anything.
Sandralist's advice to focus on perhaps one country that has a lot to offer is excellent.
Scenic beauty depends on how you view things. All these countries have great natural beauty, but weather will how affect they appear. Some places will be brown. Mountain areas should have snow and be lovely. Some sea and lake areas that are summer resorts will be closed down.
Only an example of what you will probably encounter.
Rome will likely be cool and damp. Average high of low to mid-fifties, low in mid- thirties. It is about like Washington DC in December, but more rain in Rome. About a third of the time, sunshine, the other two thirds, cloudy and rainy, maybe even a bit dreary. Do you mind tramping around with jackets, raincoat and umbrella. Days are also short. OTOH, museums, coffee shops, etc. are fun no matter the weather.
Very personal. I hate being out in weather like that at home, and want long, long days with sunshine and flowers when I go to Italy. Many people do not mind though, and if that is you, you will have a great time. Some people go in winter to see museums without all the lines, to go to the Christmas markets and some of the festivals. I also have gone in Jan/Feb just to go to fantastic festivals.
Germany has fabulous Christmas markets. Research a few and find the ones you like.
Lyon, France has a major Christmas lighting during the first week of December.
All cities will be pretty.
Itinerary ideas
3/4 days in Germany, then Paris by train
Visit some Christmas markets and see a couple of castles and romantic villages followed by Paris for the rest of the time.
Amsterdam and a couple of other charming towns and Bruges for 5 days. Train to Paris for the rest of the time.
Paris for 4 days.
Fly to Rome. Rome plus day trips for rest of time
Rome, go directly to Florence. Visit some hill towns.
Rest of time in Italy.
You did not mention skiing so I did not consider places for that.
Sandralist's advice to focus on perhaps one country that has a lot to offer is excellent.
Scenic beauty depends on how you view things. All these countries have great natural beauty, but weather will how affect they appear. Some places will be brown. Mountain areas should have snow and be lovely. Some sea and lake areas that are summer resorts will be closed down.
Only an example of what you will probably encounter.
Rome will likely be cool and damp. Average high of low to mid-fifties, low in mid- thirties. It is about like Washington DC in December, but more rain in Rome. About a third of the time, sunshine, the other two thirds, cloudy and rainy, maybe even a bit dreary. Do you mind tramping around with jackets, raincoat and umbrella. Days are also short. OTOH, museums, coffee shops, etc. are fun no matter the weather.
Very personal. I hate being out in weather like that at home, and want long, long days with sunshine and flowers when I go to Italy. Many people do not mind though, and if that is you, you will have a great time. Some people go in winter to see museums without all the lines, to go to the Christmas markets and some of the festivals. I also have gone in Jan/Feb just to go to fantastic festivals.
Germany has fabulous Christmas markets. Research a few and find the ones you like.
Lyon, France has a major Christmas lighting during the first week of December.
All cities will be pretty.
Itinerary ideas
3/4 days in Germany, then Paris by train
Visit some Christmas markets and see a couple of castles and romantic villages followed by Paris for the rest of the time.
Amsterdam and a couple of other charming towns and Bruges for 5 days. Train to Paris for the rest of the time.
Paris for 4 days.
Fly to Rome. Rome plus day trips for rest of time
Rome, go directly to Florence. Visit some hill towns.
Rest of time in Italy.
You did not mention skiing so I did not consider places for that.
Jul 6th, 2015, 01:57 PM
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amsterdam could be your Nirvana - gorgeous city, eclectic nightlife and most folks speak English! But it seems you have too many places in option 1 - you need to figure in travel time between those places. Anyway for lots of good info on trains - if going to cities trains are the best as cars are more and more useless and even a liability in cities like Paris, Italian ones and Amsterdam and public transport is so so great - check these sites for getting a fix on the European rail system: www.seat61.com - great info on discounted tickets you can book online; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.
and yes I would do Benelux and perhaps Paris or Paris and Italy - currently your trip is too wide-ranging for a relaxing meaningful look at all those places.
and yes I would do Benelux and perhaps Paris or Paris and Italy - currently your trip is too wide-ranging for a relaxing meaningful look at all those places.
Jul 6th, 2015, 02:46 PM
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For that amount of time, I'd choose two cities, likely Amsterdam and Paris.
As for your first question: "for our maiden trip abroad and what better place to start that EUROPE!" Let me suggest that SE Asia would be a better idea for a honeymoon in November/Dec - gorgeous beaches, lively nightlife, and you can get a suite in a 5 star hotel for the price of a closet in Paris or Amsterdam. Oh yes, and incredible shopping.
As for your first question: "for our maiden trip abroad and what better place to start that EUROPE!" Let me suggest that SE Asia would be a better idea for a honeymoon in November/Dec - gorgeous beaches, lively nightlife, and you can get a suite in a 5 star hotel for the price of a closet in Paris or Amsterdam. Oh yes, and incredible shopping.
Jul 6th, 2015, 03:15 PM
#8
Benelux in late nov/Dec would not be my first choice for a honeymoon (though Amsterdam would be OK). The weather could be OK but it could also be very wintry.
Nov 26 - Dec 6 (if that is your entire trip) only gives you 8.5 days free. Nov 26 and half of Nov 27 is spent traveling to Europe and Dec 6 is spent flying home. then you'll lose another half a day when you move from city to city. So at VERY most pick 2 cities. A city-centric trip could be lovely -- just don't expect a lot of 'strolling weather'.
London/Paris, or Paris/Amsterdam, or Paris/Rome, or Rome/Florence something like one of those city pairs.
Nov 26 - Dec 6 (if that is your entire trip) only gives you 8.5 days free. Nov 26 and half of Nov 27 is spent traveling to Europe and Dec 6 is spent flying home. then you'll lose another half a day when you move from city to city. So at VERY most pick 2 cities. A city-centric trip could be lovely -- just don't expect a lot of 'strolling weather'.
London/Paris, or Paris/Amsterdam, or Paris/Rome, or Rome/Florence something like one of those city pairs.
Jul 6th, 2015, 04:06 PM
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You are going on the verge of winter and unless you head to very southern europe (southern spain, sicily?) you will likely have weather that is chilly, with rain and possibly sleet, lots of grey days and very short daylight hours. The "scenery" will be mostly leafless trees, brown grass and no flowers/gardens worth looking at. You may well some days that are sunny and crisp - or perhaps not.
Agree that in the very limited time you have you should limit yourself to 2 places. I would do 2 cities at that time of year - but if you want countryside/scenery you will either need to look for possible winter scenery or someplace more southern. Although how you can pair scenery with nightlife I'm not really sure - since it's generally not found in small villages.
Agree that in the very limited time you have you should limit yourself to 2 places. I would do 2 cities at that time of year - but if you want countryside/scenery you will either need to look for possible winter scenery or someplace more southern. Although how you can pair scenery with nightlife I'm not really sure - since it's generally not found in small villages.
Jul 7th, 2015, 12:18 AM
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Tuscany over New Years 2013/2014
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/pug_gi...7639164500734/
Rome over New Years 2011/2012
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/pug_gi...7637218569466/
Paris over New Years 2009/2010 and assorted photos mostly end of November over the years
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/pug_gi...7636716043473/
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/pug_gi...7639164500734/
Rome over New Years 2011/2012
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/pug_gi...7637218569466/
Paris over New Years 2009/2010 and assorted photos mostly end of November over the years
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/pug_gi...7636716043473/
Jul 7th, 2015, 01:07 AM
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Hi Moi
First, congrats for your wedding.
Second, Benelux in end of december has atrocious weather.
We can even have snow... that will last about 1,5 days then melt into some sluggish nightmare and the leftover will freeze the next night to give a nice ice cover...
Mostly you'll have rain and wind and cold. And short daylight. I've missed the last 20 christmas vacations because I'm so fed up of our weather that I get away.
Nightlife - can't help about it in BNL, but yes, Amsterdam probably fits the bill. But don't ask a Belgian to recommend anything in the Netherlands
So I'd recommend Barcelona or French Riviera - at least temps are good... Or Sicily - Taormina must be full of nightlife, scenery is great and greek temples abound.
First, congrats for your wedding.
Second, Benelux in end of december has atrocious weather.
We can even have snow... that will last about 1,5 days then melt into some sluggish nightmare and the leftover will freeze the next night to give a nice ice cover...
Mostly you'll have rain and wind and cold. And short daylight. I've missed the last 20 christmas vacations because I'm so fed up of our weather that I get away.
Nightlife - can't help about it in BNL, but yes, Amsterdam probably fits the bill. But don't ask a Belgian to recommend anything in the Netherlands
So I'd recommend Barcelona or French Riviera - at least temps are good... Or Sicily - Taormina must be full of nightlife, scenery is great and greek temples abound.
Jul 8th, 2015, 08:53 PM
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Hello gorgeous people!!
First of all thank you so very much for your interest and suggestions.
Secondly I am very sorry for not replying sooner. In my defence, I did not get any email notifications from Fodor (unlike other forums)when you people replied.
Answering your quesitons and comments -
1. The honeymoon is still ON!!
2. I am from India and have lived my entire life in sunshine and Europe here means Snoww! (though i am not going for snow right now) We are not considering South East Asia because we have already visited parts of it and can cover the rest any time. Like Kathie said - its cheap and incredible. But too close to home for now.
3. Is it going to be terribly rainy and unbearable at the time?
Now the updates and changes in plan -
We have set out eyes on BENELUX.I think my heart wanted Amsterdam then and wants it now <3
Like you guys suggested, I will stick to only 2-3 cities in the given time frame which means - Based out of Amsterdam + Brugges + Brussels and Day trips or lesser time in other smaller cities like Ghent, Antwerp, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Maastricht, The Hague and Luxemborg.
I know this is still a rough draft and needs a proper Itinerary to make the best use of time..so yes..work in progress.
Nov seems an okay time for this region in terms of less tourists, more opera/theater etc performances, the start of Christmas markets and general coziness.
BUT this is what google says. What do people who love there actually say?!
Any comments/suggestions on the above please?
Also very tempted to fly in / fly out of Paris and spend a few hours there. Lots of people have said its overrated and not worth it but its PARIS and I am 6 hours awayy...should I let it go?!
First of all thank you so very much for your interest and suggestions.
Secondly I am very sorry for not replying sooner. In my defence, I did not get any email notifications from Fodor (unlike other forums)when you people replied.
Answering your quesitons and comments -
1. The honeymoon is still ON!!
2. I am from India and have lived my entire life in sunshine and Europe here means Snoww! (though i am not going for snow right now) We are not considering South East Asia because we have already visited parts of it and can cover the rest any time. Like Kathie said - its cheap and incredible. But too close to home for now.
3. Is it going to be terribly rainy and unbearable at the time?
Now the updates and changes in plan -
We have set out eyes on BENELUX.I think my heart wanted Amsterdam then and wants it now <3
Like you guys suggested, I will stick to only 2-3 cities in the given time frame which means - Based out of Amsterdam + Brugges + Brussels and Day trips or lesser time in other smaller cities like Ghent, Antwerp, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Maastricht, The Hague and Luxemborg.
I know this is still a rough draft and needs a proper Itinerary to make the best use of time..so yes..work in progress.
Nov seems an okay time for this region in terms of less tourists, more opera/theater etc performances, the start of Christmas markets and general coziness.
BUT this is what google says. What do people who love there actually say?!
Any comments/suggestions on the above please?
Also very tempted to fly in / fly out of Paris and spend a few hours there. Lots of people have said its overrated and not worth it but its PARIS and I am 6 hours awayy...should I let it go?!
Jul 9th, 2015, 08:57 AM
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The weather will be chilly (may seem cold to you) and often grey and/or rainy. Not every day and not all day - but you definitely need practical clothes for this weather - a warm jacket, long-sleeved shirts and sweater and warmer pants plus waterproofed shoes or booties. Definitely have a sturdy folding umbrella and some sort of waterproof - either a tissue weight jacket on top of other things or a warm jacket that is water resistant.
