GoldenGrl1028

Thank you all for your input....We will think about it and see what we really feel we want out of the hotel experience/Venice experience.

GoldenGrl1028

These are other hotels we have come up with so far. Would love input and suggestions......

Lucerne: Montana Art Deco Hotel

Wengen: Romantik Hotel Schonegg

Lake Como: Grand Hotel Tremezzo

GoldenGrl1028

Hello again....I wanted to run something by you all just to get some opinions.....

We will be going to Lucerne, Wengen, and Lake Como................Now, we figured we could go to Venice after because we have never been, and it is a city everyone should see if possible.

My question is: After Lake Como, should we go to Milan and fly to Naples and head to Positano by a private car? Will we be missing out on the seaside area? I stayed in Ravello and fell in love with it, but have never been to Positano and want to stay at Le Sirenuse Hotel.

Or should we stick to the original plan this time because getting to Positano is not as easy as getting to Venice when we are in northern Italy already?

welltraveledbrit

Are you going on your honeymoon immediately after your wedding?

The reason I'm asking is that I was completely exhausted after our wedding. All the friends and family, the emotion, the events, it was all fabulous stuff but by the end of it I needed some time. In this regard I completely get what you're saying about relaxing in Venice, I think this is also why very high end hotels in Positano work for a honeymoon, because even if you do nothing you're still taking advantage of the beautiful place, position view etc.

For me June would be preferable to July for the itineraries you're discussing.

GoldenGrl1028

Thank you Welltraveled...........Our plan is to NOT leave right after the wedding because we figured we would be exhausted and wanted to give ourselves time to say goodbye to family, pack without rushing, etc........so we are planning on leaving 4 or 5 days after the wedding allowing some time to recoup. We know we will be involved in lots of activity in Switzerland, so that is why I was considering Venice and or Positano along with Lake Como to use this part of the honeymoon to relax and take in the views.

Just not sure if we should skip Venice and enjoy the sea view in Positano? Or stay North and visit Venice and relax there along with a bit of strolling around.

bilboburgler

My thoughts
Venice; just seen the Marriot is on a little island (was it the plague one or the prison one??) anyway, looks very nice. Not a bad idea after a long honeymoon, if you "go ashore" can I suggest limit yourselves to the early morning (really early) and evenings. That reduces the other tourist pressures, lets you have say the last hour in some museums and are frankly the magic hours in town. Also leaves the rest of the time to lounge.

I'd stay north. I like the south of Italy but they south and the north are very different places and though you may come back again, many times, focusing on the north is a good idea. The south, the people are probably even more friendly but the countryside and towns are very different.

PalenQ

Yes seems the Marriot on its island is dreamy!

GoldenGrl1028

Thank you Bilbo and Palen. It probably does seem like a better idea to stay north so we dont have to worry about flying, taking trains, and driving to get to Positano...even though I would love to go.....but the hotel in Venice (the new JW Marriott) located on Isola delle Rose looks very relaxing and will provide shuttles. I think sightseeing in the early morning and especially in the evening is the best idea. We would prefer to avoid the crowds by the end of the trip.

I think this is why I have been debating between Venice and Positano. By this time in our honeymoon, we will want to just relax by the pool, visit a spa, and have no plans.

welltraveledbrit

Very sensible not to leave straight from the wedding!

Ok, I get the debate and while Venice isn't a classic "resort" destination it sounds like it could work given the hotel you're talking about. I understand however, why it's hard to give up Positano because the hotels there are more in the report mold and very honeymoon too.

The Amafi isn't like anywhere else. But the difficulty you have adding Positano or the Amalfi is that you raise the specter of yet more to do...for example would you stop in Rome, would you go to Pompeii?

How wedded are you to Lake Como? It sound like this is also a relaxation spot. You could go from Wengen to Venice by train (I think there maybe an overnight option) and then fly to Naples if you just can't give up the Amalfi.

GoldenGrl1028

WellTravel: We would probably have to fly out of Rome if we go to Positano. I have been to Rome so I wouldnt feel I needed to sightsee there. If we spent the night before our flight there, I would have dinner and visit the Trevi Fountain at night time one more time because I loved it.

Lake Como looks beautiful.....and I would love to see it whether its this trip or another time. We will be spending some time in Lucerne. And not that I am comparing the two, but they are both lake communities. It may be nice to add in a little seaside relaxation. Very confused!

GoldenGrl1028

Hi All! I am back and I believe my fiance and I have decided on Switzerland and Italy for our honeymoon. We want a balance of adventure and relaxation. We think choosing these two countries will give us just that. We have decided on the following cities/towns as well as hotels. Would love some feedback.

Fly into Zurich and head to Lucerne. Looking to sightsee a bit, stroll the streets, and lake cruise
Lucerne 3 nights
Hotel: Art Deco Montana

Then we want to head to Ennetbürgen on the Burgenstock for 3 or 4 nights to enjoy the view, visit the spa, relax, and have some down time.
Hotel: Villa Honegg

Next we would like to head to Wengen for 4 or 5 nights. Looking to hike, enjoy the mountains, zip line in Grindelwald and possibly visit the towns in the area
Hotel: Hotel Schonegg

In Switzerland we are giving ourselves 11 or 12 nights. Just need to figure out exactly how many nights in these 3 places will be best?

After Switzerland we have decided we want to go to the Amalfi Coast. Thinking of going for 8 nights.

After plenty of research we kept looking at pictures and reading about the Amalfi. I have been to Ravello and Capri and LOVED every second of it and swore I would be back to share the beautiful area with someone I love. My fiance has never been. Being that it is our honeymoon, we want the romance, the strolling around the streets, drinking wine together, eating delicious foods and after the wedding and a busy school year (we are both teachers) we decided to try and not make the honeymoon too busy. I know there are soooo many wonderful places to see in Europe, but for a honeymoon I think this will truly give us the relaxation, the beauty, the adventure, and romance we are searching for.

As far as the Amalfi goes, I would love to stay in Ravello (for some relaxing) and Positano. How many nights would be ideal? I would consider 4 nights in each town and then head to Rome for a night or two for our flight home.
What would be the best route to get to Amalfi from Switzerland? I would also consider hiring a driver to take us to the Amalfi coast from Rome or Naples like I did with my first trip.

Would love some feedback on our thoughts and ideas. Thanks so much!