We're planning our 2 week honeymoon for the end of Aug to the beginning of Sep 2003. I'm torn between Spain or Italy. We both speak some Spanish, so I'm thinking we would get more out of staying in Spain. In Spain, I was thinking of Madrid - Toledo - Seville - Arcos de la frontera - Ronda. In Italy, I was thinking Venice - Florence - Assisi. Does anyone have input on this?

My husband and I spent our 3 week honeymoom in Italy, with a few days in Paris in (1995). Two years ago we spent 2 weeks in Spain,(my husband lived in Madrid many years ago). Although Toledo, Seville and Ronda our beautiful, (did not care for Madrid), In my opinion, Italy is by far the better choice.<BR>We spent a week on Capri, fabulous.<BR>Tuscany Region, the best!<BR>Rome amazing!<BR>Venice, heaven...<BR>Let's put it like this, I am planning a trip back to Italy, but have no interest in going back to Spain, except to Barcelona.<BR>Choose Italy.

Both itineraries are likely to encounter some serious hot weather.<BR><BR>There are higher elevations in both countries; I would seek them out.<BR><BR>But whatever youe decision, congratulations on your new life in marriage.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Either Italy or Spain would be wonderful. Really, any place you choose to start your married life will be fantastic. We met our friends from Italy in Spain last summer and I was surprised how her Italian was understood. So perhaps your Spanish would be helpful in Italy.

up to the top<BR>

Italy, hands down. Wander off the tourist track (Venice - Florence - Rome). They are WONDERFUL but so many other places are overlooked.

If I had it to do again, I would honeymoon in Italy. I can't imagine any place more romantic. If you haven't been to Italy, you will love Venice and Tuscany with perhaps some time on the coast.

The key word in your post is August--that should determine your choice of destinations. I would forget Spain, unless you do the higher altitudes in Castille--Segovia, Salamanca et al.<BR>Frankly, I would do the Berner Oberland, the Lakes of Italy, and Venice. Now that is the perfect August honeymoon.

As much as I love Spain, I wouldn't honeymoon there in Aug. unless it were in the north, in San Sebastian (at the Maria Cristina, but book NOW), adding on St. Jean de Luz and Biarritz on the French side of the Basque Country or maybe in Catalunya at Aiguablava (Parador) or Llafranc (El Far de Sant Sebastia) on the Costa Brava or in the Ampurdan (Mas Torrent or Arcs de Monells), adding on Collioure and the Pyrenees on the French side in Roussillon. <BR>Far too hot in southern Spain and also in the center, Castilla, which gets the extremes of weather in winter and summer and can be beastly hot in August.<BR>&quot;9 meses de invierno, tres de infierno&quot;.<BR><BR>I'd do what Bob says: the Lakes and the Berner Oberland. Venice will be packed to the gills and also hot, hot, hot, but still the ultimate romantic destination even with the Disney World crowds. Northern Italy, yes, that's it.

Italy Italy Italy!! I honeymooned there. I've been to Spain since but it's just not as romantic. I think your Italian itinerary is good, I'm not a Florence fan but I realize I'd be a minority with that opinion. Assisi is a nice medium place (feels smaller than it is) and Venice is just incredible. As far as the heat, I traveled to Greece in August and lived to tell the tale. I'm sure you'll be fine in Italy.