Red3581

Hello fellow travelers! I'm a new member and thus far am rather enjoying fodors.
I have started the overwhelming task of planning our honeymoon which will be from September 5th to the 19th. We are trying to decide between Greece, coastal Italy, or coastal Spain. To give you an idea of us and what we're looking for: we are in our early/mid 30's, we're not looking for a city feel, we love remote locations, but want an authentic cultural experience- history, great food, great wine, etc. We like a little nightlife, but aren't into the club scene. The ideal vacation would be a mix of sight-seeing and culture, hiking, my fiance loves fishing and boating, and a healthy dose of relaxing on the beach. We prefer more remote beaches to touristy, crowded beaches. We would be flying out of NYC, we have enough points to fly to any of the three so cost as far as the flight is not an issue.
With that in mind here are a few possible itineraries. It would be so helpful to get insight from those who have traveled there.

Greece:
Athens, Aegina, Spetses, and Naxos (not necessarily in that order)
or
Athens, Naxos, and Santorini
or
Athens, Cephalonia, and Ithaki

Italy:
Fly into Milan, Cinque Terre, Fly out of Rome
or
Rome, Pompeii, and Amalfi Coast

Spain:
Andalusia (not sure where exactly maybe Marbella) and Canary Islands (not sure which)
or
Las Islas Cies and...somewhere?
or
Barcelona and Mallorca
or
Valencia and Mallorca

I think I need more guidance on Spain as I'm not getting a clear picture of what that vacation would be like. Any information or opinions on all three countries is very much appreciated!

Red3581

Also- just to let you know, we have had a few people suggest Sicily. The only reason it is not on the list is I have family there and didn't want to feel obligated to visit anyone while on our honeymoon

HappyTrvlr

I like your first Greece itinerary. Spetses is a short water taxi ride just east of Napflion which you should include too. Don't know about Aegina. Spetses is green a xontrast to tne Cycladic Islands such as Naxos or Santorini.

inspiredexplorer

My boyfriend and I did a slightly out of season trip to Rome & Amalfi Coast in 10 days: our trip was in May, so you would likely have warmer weather (and water!) than we experienced. It was a fantastic romantic vacation that was a great compromise between cultural stimulation, museums and sightseeing and pure scenic beauty and relaxation, and could see that being a lovely honeymoon. There was excellent food throughout (my boyfriend ate two cups of gelato per day). I don't know about the fishing particularly, and the beaches may not be off the traditional tourist trail, but out of peak season means you'll have some space to enjoy them. FWIW, we stayed in Positano and enjoyed the views from the beach of the town nestled in the cliffs, but the beach itself was rocky (and as a native NYer with easy Caribbean access and a multiple visitor to Hawaii, don't book the Amalfi Coast or most Med places for the beaches themselves.)

sandralist

Apart from the wine, I would say Greece from what you say you both want. But I would also urge you consider Sicily and Sardinia, although no place in Italy is going to give you much night life other than maybe a place to have a late night beer, but you can always sit in the piazza and enjoy the life there. For free.

WWK

I like your second Greek itinerary and your second Italian itinerary.

I'm not sure why you would pick Spetses and Aegina for a first visit. They are quite small, and most people I know would choose them for a day trip or an overnight at most.

Athens, Naxos, and Santorini are a nice combination for a first-time vistor. Though you could also consider Paros, which has lots of gorgeous beaches and some historic sites. I would recommend connecting straight through from Athens to one of the islands on arrival so that you don't backtrack and are in Athens the night before your departure for the U.S.

Depending on your interests, you could evenly split the islands which are on the same ferry line, fly or ferry back to Athens, then spend a few days there.

About Italy: The Amalfi Coast is one of the most romantic places on Earth ( then again so is Santorini!). It has stunning views, great food, beautiful walks/hikes, lovely hotels. But its beaches are not nearly as nice as the ones in Greece. In fact, most swimming/sunning is done in small coves, on stone piers, or off the sides of a boat.

As far as I know, there are no non stops from JFK to Naples, or we would have taken them. You have to fly to Rome first, then make your way down to Naples and the AC. If it's not too much on that first day, you could the fast train from Rome to Naples ( just over an hour). Check into a beautiful hotel along the waterfront ( we really liked The Excelsior), spend a day or two sightseeing in Naples and visiting Pompeii.

Then arrange for a private driver ( about E120-130) for the trip to either Positano or Amalfi. Once you decide on the destinations, post again for hotel recs.

Something to keep in mind: After several trips to both Italy and Greece, we've found that Greece is significantly cheaper for almost everything, including luxury hotels. Which one do I prefer? Italy for food (!!), Greece for almost everything else.

HappyTrvlr

Meridiana flies JFK to Naples.

Red3581

Thanks everyone! WWK- I had chosen Aegina and Spetses because they had some cool ruins on them and seemed easy to get to from Athens. I wasn't sure if I could do them in just a day trip. I've noticed from reading lots of forums on the Greek Islands that a big mistake people make, especially from the US, is trying to pack in too many islands and ending up spending most of their time in transit.
Good to know we could do them as a day!

Red3581

Another question: I've found I'm drawn to photos I've seen of Milos. Any thoughts on that island? Is it too much to try to do Athens, Santorini, Naxos, and Milos?

luvtotravel

I don't think of night life in Italy unless you are in a large city. Greece seems to have abundant night life. Santorini is quite romantic, but overrun with tourists from cruise ships. You could get out in the mornings and evenings and relax mid-day. The Amalfi Coast is spectacular; not much night life and the beaches are nothing to speak of. Capri, easy to get to from Naples, Sorrento (I took a short hydrofoil from Capri to Amalfi). Northern Italy has much to offer when you talk about the Cinque Terre and surrounding areas. Again, no wonderful beaches, food is good (not as good as Tuscany, IMO), plenty of hiking.

Outside of the typical tourist things to see in Athens, it's a city I avoid whenever possible. In 2010 I was in England, flew from Gatwick non-stop to Santorini where I stayed for five nights, hydrofoiled to Mykonos where I stayed for five nights, and then flew non-stop back to London Gatwick. In fact, the only reason I added Greece onto that trip was that I was able to avoid Athens.

I was in Spain in September 2014. I enjoyed it, but it wouldn't be my choice of honeymoon when Greece or Italy are possible.

I have plenty of photos from Santorini and Italy to look at if you would be interested in seeing them. www.travelswithdiane.homestead.com

WWK

Athens has changed a lot in the last few years. The historic sites and museums are not to be missed, but there's now a vibrant food scene, too, with many new restaurants popping up all over the city. You need at least two or three days for Athens. Don't avoid it.

travelerjan

YOur best advice was on trip advisor ... fly to Milos, ferry to Santorini (briefly), connect to NAxos for a longer stay, fly back to Athens last 2 days. Naxos would fulfill your love of hiking, of uncrowded sandy beaches, authentic food & wine (Naxos is one of the MAJOR agricultural isles, and also has a Sept wine festival ... tons of history (ruins! statues! Mycenean Graveyard! Venetian castle! and wait! there's more..). And don't let people scare u off Athens, it's wonderful in the Fall... you'll walk everywhere, a surprise around every corner.

WWK

You said that you're using points for this trip. Have you confirmed flight/seat availability for your dates? That may determine where you're going on your honeymoon.

mamcalice

We are visiting Greece for 2 weeks in May using your second itinerary. We've been most of the other places you are considering (except the Canarys and Mallorca) and loved them all. Most of all, we loved Sicily but I agree that visiting relatiives on your honeymoon isn't the most romantic.

I guess of all your ideas. Rome and the Amalfi Coast would be nice for a honeymoon. I'd add Capri. If not for the time of your trip, I'd suggest Andalucia including Granada, Cordoba, Sevilla and the coast. However, Andalucia is still quite hot in early September.

suec1

I have been to many of the places you mention (except for the Spanish Islands) - my most recent trip was Istanbul, Naxos and Athens at the end. I've daytripped to Santorini and it is wonderful - hoping to return but if that is your choice, probably stay in another local than Fira or Oia because of the cruise ship crowds. Athens, Santorini, Naxos is a logical, easy do. While on Naxos you can do a day sail over to Mykonos and Delos (big-time ruins). We loved Naxos!

We also love the Amalfi coast and Capri - you could easily move around to two different locations for a little variety.

I do agree with the earlier poster about availability of miles may end up determining your destination - any of them will be a wonderful honeymoon!

Red3581

Thank you everyone, the insight has been very helpful!