Honeymoon Decision?
 

A. Amalfi Coast (Positano, Pagliuca, Sorrento, etc.)
B. South of France (Provence, Nice, Cannes, Cote de Azur, Monaco)
C. Mediterranean Islands (Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily)
D. Greece (Pelopponese, Santorini) (Yes I know Santorini will be crowded)

I am in the early stages of planning a honeymoon for next summer/fall (2015). I have been to some Greek Islands before and Capri and other parts of mainland Italy/Greece/France. My fiance and I both really enjoy and value delicious dining experiences so we can't go wrong with most of these places. But for the honeymoon we didn't want a place where we feel like there are too many activities (Hawaii among others), we wanted a place to completely relax, preferably within walking distance to a beach and eat good food in a scenic, somewhat secluded, warm location. Does one of these places stick out more than another to check the boxes that I have? My budget for stay is preferably no more than $500 per night (And it would be awesome to stay under $400 but I realize it is my honeymoon). Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks

Josh

Josh, congrat. For this break you are looking for a beach and a bit of seclusion in August or September. You know August is the main holiday period for Europeans and September the beach gets a bit cold in some places. So I think you need to really focus in a bit more as to the month.

Also not all these places have sandy beaches. Basically I would cross the south of france out, there are golden beaches in France but I'd go to the West coast for those (miles and miles with not many people there).

Amalfi in August is my idea of hell
Greece offers you more especially if you need the holiday going into September

Islands, might well be a good idea in September but August no.
Don't exclude Majorca in September or even Cyprus (i've been on empty beaches there)

Thanks for the feedback! I appreciate it. I realize August is a typical vacation time and with that comes crowds. Would the temps in early to mid September drop significantly? I know in California in September it is quite nice.

I also realize that not all of these places are "beach destinations" per se, but in terms of the French Riviera, would I not be able to try to secure a beach club type hotel and still enjoy the Provence/Nice (or even Marseille) culture and food? I will keep in mind the West Coast for France for beaches with less crowds. What about Portugal? I have some Portuguese heritage (Mother's maiden name Madeira), would a coastal Portuguese destination be worth looking into?

Amalfi in August, I am assuming it is too crowded? Or what is the sentiment? I have been to Capri in May and it was quite pleasant. And when you say "Greece offers you more especially if you need the holiday going into September", can you elaborate?

I will definitely look into Majorca and Cyprus as well. I am assuming the Islands are mostly crowded in August in general correct?

Thanks again so much for the generous feedback!

August can be very pleasant all along the Med. Portugal and Western France are on the Atlantic and cool off a bit faster but also very nice. I think both the Algarve and the Alentajo (the quieter bit north of the Algave) will be warm. If it were me I'd go there.

Greece stays warm (as indeed does Turkey) a bit longer and there are many little coves all over the place as well as large resorts. So you need to focus on each for better advice.

Yes August, everywhere is crowded south of about Lyon ( generalisation but...)

Not sure about "beach club type" holidays. Sound aweful.

Generally in terms of climate figures you will find wiki is pretty good by town

The hotels in Nice are definitely city hotels, and the "beach" is rocks down a pretty steep slope. Sounds to me you're looking for something you might find more in Costa Rica, Tahiti, Bora Bora etc.

If you are looking for sandy beaches in Sept maybe look at Naxos, Sicily or Puglia in Italy...

My preference would be early Sept as the kids will be back at school and things will a bit quieter after the August holidays.

The best beaches are in the Caribbean or South Pacific - they're far superior to European beaches and it's not a close call.

If you're going for a fly and flop, don't go to Europe.

Thanks for all the feedback. I will take it into consideration. I have never done the French Riviera, my frame of reference is very "To Catch A Thief". Depending on when my fiancé and I set a date, it seems like early-mid Sept would be the best time given the window of travel that I described. I have been to Mykonos, Rhodes, Patmos in Greece all 1 days stops on a cruise and I have been to Sorrento and Capri but it was all in May. I don't know if the water/weather in those areas would be to cold to enjoy.

I am not interested in the Caribbean. I have narrowed it down to Hawaii or Mediterranean. My primary interest isn't to be on the beach 24/7 but it would be nice to be nearby if that makes sense? I understand the more popular areas will be more difficult to have that honeymoon seclusion so that will be tricky. I just feel like this part of the world would be lovely for a honeymoon.

We spent a week in Positano the 2nd week of Sept in 2007 and it was lovely! It is nice to be by the water if you don't have high expectations for sandy beaches.

The Amalfi Coast in early September is definitely still beach weather.

IMO Positano is a perfect honeymoon destination. Lots of hidden coves and smaller beaches, in addition to the Fornillo and Spiaggia Grande. Great restaurants, some activities if you want them, and lots of options for relaxing and taking in the beauty of the coast.

But I rent an apartment for a week in Positano every year, so I am obviously partial to the AC!

jamikins - That sounds exactly what I am looking for! Just curious how crowded? Are there more families or couples in that area versus other areas that you noticed? Any lodging/hotel recommendations in that area?

I don't quite understand why Hawaii is out because there is too much to do. There are more isolated parts of Hawaii and if you don't want to do anything, nobody can force you (there or anywhere). But there are some hotels in Nice or the French Riviera that have some private beach area and will provide chairs, etc, if that's what you want. I know there are some in Cannes or Monte Carlo, for example, or Le Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel, the Belles Rives in Juan-les-Pins, La Villa Mauresque in St Raphael, etc. There are plenty of them.

http://hotelsfrench-riviera.com/fre/...ue-bord-de-mer

Christina - Thanks very much! Hawaii would be great but since I have never been there before I feel like I would need to do all kinds of activities to make my time worthwhile. Whereas in the Mediterranean I feel like I wouldn't have that sort of pressure since I have been there before. I will look at those places that you mentioned, thanks.

>>>"But for the honeymoon we didn't want a place where we feel like there are too many activities (Hawaii among others), we wanted a place to completely relax, preferably within walking distance to a beach and eat good food in a scenic, somewhat secluded, warm location. Does one of these places stick out more than another to check the boxes that I have?


Sardegna

You might find it ideal and not all of it is crowded. Read up on it but also use the message board forum on Tripadvisor for guidance.

Food and wine there can be absolutely spectacular. You can find specific things to see and do when you feel like it that are quite interesting but very few people can identify a list of "must sees" there.

I would probably stick to Sardegna alone unless you have more than 2 weeks. With more than 2 weeks you might consider picking another spot. Sardegna is well connected by air and ferry to a lot of nice spots and your choice as to how much activity you would want.

All the places you mentioned sound great---I might cross off the French Riviera due to expenses.

I can certainly vouch for Maui----there is a lot to do but you can also just lay by the pool with a lava flow and do pretty much nothing. It is gorgeous and have been there 5 times---nothing not to like. We have done Maui trips where we did a lot and some where we laid by the pool all day, every day. Maui was our Honeymoon---Positano is our 10 year anniversary destination. We are planning to relax but want to see the sites at our own pace. We will go in May but September was our second choice.

I read travel forums a lot--always planning the next trip--and have repeatedly read that Sardinia's beaches are the only ones in Europe that compare to the Caribbean.
I hope you can make it September instead of August--the weather should be fine.
I am always drawn to the sea on vacation but have only rarely sat on a beach in Europe (b/c in May when I travel the sea is too cold). The finest sand beaches I have seen in Italy are in Cilento park, south of the Amalfi coast--but I don't think there are a plethora of luxury hotels there.
If I am correct you are flying from the west coast, then I would put more money into getting the best possible flights and spend less on a hotel--you can certainly get honeymoon quality for half what you propose. Congrats and good luck!

I would skip Hawaii as September will still be hurricane season. There have been predictions of more hurricane activity in the next couple of years. I wouldn't want to risk it for my honeymoon.

If you decide on Positano, would you be looking for a hotel or an apartment to rent? And how long would you be staying?

Thanks for all the recent responses! I will definitely look up Sardegna/Sardinia!

yorkshire - I actually will be coming from the East Coast (US), and I will look up Cilento Park! Thanks

ekc - If we decided on Positano, we would probably prefer a hotel, but if there was an apartment with the right fit and the right price I would consider. Length of stay would be as long as possible! But realistically probably no less than a week no more than two, probably around 10 days though. Any ideas?

I just rad the newest edition of Travel and Leisure last night--it has a feature on southern Sardinia you may wish to check out: http://www.travelandleisure.com/trav...ts-of-sardinia
It profiles towns and hotels.