Amalfi Coast or Greek Island for Honeymoon
 

I'm torn between choosing to go to the Greek Islands or the Amalfi Coast for my honeymoon. I've been to Northern Italy (Cinque Terre, Rome, Pisa, Florence) and absolutely loved it. I would like to try something different but am afraid I won't be as happy with Greece as I was with Italy. I'm looking for more of a relaxing trip than a sightseeing trip. I would also like to spend some time in the sun/pool/beach. Help please!

We were in Positano for 3 nights on our first trip to Europe in 2007 to celebrate our 25th anniversary. It was the highlight of our 3 week trip which included Paris, Rome and many small towns in Tuscany. We had never seen such beautiful scenery.............until we stayed in Santorini for 4 nights last September. The views are simply breathtaking and I would be hard put to think of a more spectacular place for a honeymoon. If you want beautiful beaches (which the Almafi coast doesn't really have, at least not in Positano, which was a pebbly beach), combine Santorni with some time in Naxos. The beaches of Plaka were all smooth sand andcrystal clear water and the main town of Chora had lots of small twisty streets filled with restaurants, bars, and shops.

Greece stole our hearts and we will be back in the fall.

Congratulations and have a great honeymoon wherever you decide to go.

Jo

"Greece stole our hearts and we will be back in the fall."

I couldn't agree more. It happened to us when we made our first visit to the Greek Islands last year. So much so we are going back this year. We were planning Amalfi Coast but just couldn't resist returning to Greece.

Santorini is truly the most beautiful, scenic place we've ever seen. I agree with ParisJo about the Plaka beach in Naxos. It was a surprise for me as I wasn't expecting such nice sand and blue-green water. And, Mykonos, while busy had such a picturesque village. Photo opportunities were around every corner.

I think either would be a wonderful choice. Congratulations!

I live in Italy, on the Italian Riviera, and am often puzzled why people go to the Amalfi Coast when they could go to Greece instead. Pasta and wine is better in Italy, but the light and scenery and water in Greece is sublime.

But it is hard to take responsibility for somebody else's honeymoon. Whatever you decide, don't look back.

I am the opposite. I have been to a few of the Greek Islands and might return. I've been to the Amalfi Coast four times and would return in a heartbeat. However, I like all the things to see on the AC and in Naples and you aren't looking to go places. OTOH, like you, I absolutely love Italy, and didn't fall in love with Greece overall as I have Italy. I personally don't think the scenery is as pretty as the AC. Either way, though, you will have a wonderful time, and as Zeppole said, "don't look back."

Oh, others are right in one thing for sure, though. Beaches are better in the Greek Islands than on the AC. On the AC, you would want a hotel with a nice pool.

Many of the beaches on the Amalfi coast are not really places yuo want to be - rocks or pebbles instead of sand, in the middle of towns/boats/docks - versus a nice broad sand beach by a resort hotel.

If you want an upscale experience there are a couple of really nice hotels on AC or Capri with private sand beaches - that you might consider.

I think you would have more choices at differnt price ranges in Greece - but then you wouldn't be in Italy.

A tough call, but think I'd go for the Greek isles, Santorini in particular. You hear so much about how touristy it is but IMO Santorini is one of the loveliest places I've ever seen. Find yourselves a quiet little hotel with a caldera view in Oia, you can maybe spend a couple of days on Naxos or Paxos, I can guarantee you won't be disappointed. The AC is lovely too, with stupendous views, but there are no good beaches. All the best and congratulations!

Geetika means Paros, not 'Paxos'. I agree, though — Santorini for the scenery, and Naxos or Paros for the beaches, pretty villages, and less touristy ambiance. If you choose Paros you can spend a day on Antiparos, or take one of its round-island boat trips. :-)

How much did you care in le Cinque Terre that there were pebbles underfoot at the sea and that there weren't resort hotels? Obviously sand means the world to some people, but only you know if it means all that much to you.

It also depends on the kind of trip you want. If you want to stay in one place and enjoy the beach, then pick a Greek island. You can move on after a few days to another island. Whereas, on the Amalfi coast, you could stay in one spot and do daytrips, to places like Ravello, Capri, Pompeii/Herculaneum, Paestum. On the AC you'd probably spend less time on the beach lazing around.

Mimar,

In another thread -- I'm not sure which one, another poster (I think it was Dayle) talked about how if she ever went back to the Amalfi she would just find a place with a pool and a terrace and stay there, because when she went to the Amalfi in summer, the buses and boats were so crowded, with long queues to get on them, and there were so many traffic jams and departure delays, day tripping was miserable.

The OP said in the first post the point of the honeymoon was more relaxing than sightseeing, and even under the best of circumstances, trying to get back and forth to Pompei or Paestrum from the Amalfi coast is a drag.

Sorry for my typo - Paestum

Thanks so much for all the input! I think I've decided on doing the Greek Isles.

'I'm looking for more of a relaxing trip than a sightseeing trip. I would also like to spend some time in the sun/pool/beach. Help please!'

Hi

If you are looking for a quite greek island, I suggest you the place I am living.
Meganisi island. Its at Ionian Sea opposite of Lefkada island. It has 3 picturesque villages and many beautiful beaches. You will combine relaxing and beautiful holidays.

Friendly
from Greece - Meganisi