honeymoon... fantastic resorts needed!!!
May 20th, 2008, 06:14 PM
#43
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andrew8,
I'm actually returning to Greece next week ( husband has conference there!) and will be visiting the islands of Hydra, Paros, and Naxos, so I will try to report back when we return.
So far, our favorite islands besides Santorini are Rhodes and Crete, which are wonderful cultural and resort destinations.
As I posted earlier, we have also visited Mykonos, but I think I've left my partying years behind, and I didn't really enjoy shuffling through Madison Square Garden type crowds just to get to dinner in the summer months.
I'm actually returning to Greece next week ( husband has conference there!) and will be visiting the islands of Hydra, Paros, and Naxos, so I will try to report back when we return.
So far, our favorite islands besides Santorini are Rhodes and Crete, which are wonderful cultural and resort destinations.
As I posted earlier, we have also visited Mykonos, but I think I've left my partying years behind, and I didn't really enjoy shuffling through Madison Square Garden type crowds just to get to dinner in the summer months.
May 21st, 2008, 05:44 AM
#45
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Maybe we should go to Greece since it will be relaxing! Do you recommend staying overnight in Oia or Crete? Any hotel recommendations there?
I was wondering last night about the possibility of doing Eze Village (Chateau de la Chevre D'OR)along with Lake Como (ville d'este). Is this a possibility? What do you think about this?
So many options.. Thanks for the help!!!
I was wondering last night about the possibility of doing Eze Village (Chateau de la Chevre D'OR)along with Lake Como (ville d'este). Is this a possibility? What do you think about this?
So many options.. Thanks for the help!!!
May 21st, 2008, 08:21 AM
#46
Why not both?
In Oia we recently enjoyed a week at Karini. Our first choice was Katikies but it was fully booked. We really had a wonderful stay at Karini though. They took very good care of us. You can have a room with a private plunge pool there. It is an understated but beautiful hotel with a very romantic dining area at night.
Sorry I can't help with Crete...
I vote for Greece for a honeymoon. And you can certainly see lots of interesting things in Greece - do a search here on Fodors. Plus the fried feta cheese - yum! and all those other great Greek foods.
gruezi
In Oia we recently enjoyed a week at Karini. Our first choice was Katikies but it was fully booked. We really had a wonderful stay at Karini though. They took very good care of us. You can have a room with a private plunge pool there. It is an understated but beautiful hotel with a very romantic dining area at night.
Sorry I can't help with Crete...
I vote for Greece for a honeymoon. And you can certainly see lots of interesting things in Greece - do a search here on Fodors. Plus the fried feta cheese - yum! and all those other great Greek foods.
gruezi
May 21st, 2008, 12:15 PM
#48
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flowr,
I'd highly recommend staying in Oia. It's a quintessentially Greek village with white "cave" houses and blue shutters perched on the edge of the caldera. There's lots of really good restaurants in town ( along with the amazing ones down at Amoudi Bay), a wonderful bakery (!), and lots of boutiques selling everything from locally made jewelry to honey and wines. We just loved it there. It was probably one of the most spectacular places we've ever visited. Because it's your honeymoon, you might want to linger there, but you could probably see much of the island in a few days, then go on to a different destination. By the way, there's cheap bus service available on the island, so you wouldn't necessarily need a car.
If you need more ideas on where to stay other than the excellent ones you've already gotten from gruezi and others, pull up posts written by one of the resident Greek experts here- Brotherleelove2004.
From Santorini, Crete or Mykonos are each about two or so hours away by fast boat.
About your Villa d'Este to French Riveria question: Villa d'Este is about an hour plus to Milan aiport. From there, you could fly to Nice. From Nice, Eze is about a 20 minute cab ride, or a little longer on one of the public buses. The only problem w/ staying in Eze, is that you will be dependent on taxis/buses unless you're planning on renting a car. That's one reason why we usually stay in Nice when we're in the area, since we prefer being able to walk to the beach, restaurants, museums, and shopping.
Well, that's enough from me... for now! Good luck deciding. You have plenty of great choices!!
I'd highly recommend staying in Oia. It's a quintessentially Greek village with white "cave" houses and blue shutters perched on the edge of the caldera. There's lots of really good restaurants in town ( along with the amazing ones down at Amoudi Bay), a wonderful bakery (!), and lots of boutiques selling everything from locally made jewelry to honey and wines. We just loved it there. It was probably one of the most spectacular places we've ever visited. Because it's your honeymoon, you might want to linger there, but you could probably see much of the island in a few days, then go on to a different destination. By the way, there's cheap bus service available on the island, so you wouldn't necessarily need a car.
If you need more ideas on where to stay other than the excellent ones you've already gotten from gruezi and others, pull up posts written by one of the resident Greek experts here- Brotherleelove2004.
From Santorini, Crete or Mykonos are each about two or so hours away by fast boat.
About your Villa d'Este to French Riveria question: Villa d'Este is about an hour plus to Milan aiport. From there, you could fly to Nice. From Nice, Eze is about a 20 minute cab ride, or a little longer on one of the public buses. The only problem w/ staying in Eze, is that you will be dependent on taxis/buses unless you're planning on renting a car. That's one reason why we usually stay in Nice when we're in the area, since we prefer being able to walk to the beach, restaurants, museums, and shopping.
Well, that's enough from me... for now! Good luck deciding. You have plenty of great choices!!
May 21st, 2008, 12:33 PM
#50
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hm... 4+ hours seems like a lot. i thought the Chevre D'OR looked like a great place, but is it worth the trip? i spent time in Nice and didn't love it, so i don't want to do that. if the trip is 4+ hours, i'd prob not do that option... i am still considering lake como and rome. they are pretty close, right?
May 21st, 2008, 04:31 PM
#51
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flowr,
Actually, no, Lake Como and Rome are not close. It would take about an hour to get from the lake to the train station in Milan. From there, service between Milan and Rome typically takes 4-7 hours, depending on the type of train you're on. However, I've heard about a new faster service between the two cities. I don't know the details. Maybe somebody else here does? Also, you could consider flying. Flight time between Milan and Rome is about an hour.
Actually, no, Lake Como and Rome are not close. It would take about an hour to get from the lake to the train station in Milan. From there, service between Milan and Rome typically takes 4-7 hours, depending on the type of train you're on. However, I've heard about a new faster service between the two cities. I don't know the details. Maybe somebody else here does? Also, you could consider flying. Flight time between Milan and Rome is about an hour.
May 30th, 2008, 10:07 AM
#54
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Okay, so the 2 places i love in Lake Como area are Hotel Villa Aminta and Villa d'Este. Any advice on which is a better honeymoon choice?? Also, we want to do a week in this area and then another week in an additional place. Any suggestions?? Right now i am thinking about southern Spain, the french riviera (maybe Eze village), or Tuscany. I am open to ideas and/or suggestions!!!
http://www.villa-aminta.it/inglese/home.html
http://www.villadeste.it/cgi/index.asp
http://www.villa-aminta.it/inglese/home.html
http://www.villadeste.it/cgi/index.asp
May 30th, 2008, 10:55 AM
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I think that the Hotel Raphael in Rome near the Piazza Navona is THE honeymoon hotel especially with the fabulous rooftop restaurant and views. Its not as stuffy as the Hassler or as expensive although it is a few coins.The location,amenities and atmosphere is definitely romantic-unfortunately, I have only had drinks and dinner there...........
May 31st, 2008, 10:38 AM
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I think julievikmanis has it right -
coming from the UK we usually think of Europe as being the poor mans option - bit like you yanks regard the Carribean.
However, it doesn't get much better than Il Pelicano - a 1960s legend re-born.
Could also try
http://www.italytraveller.com/en/c/hotel-la-coluccia
if you really think that you can keep up with the glitter goys and girls.
Be careful with Sardinia - it is possible to pay out 750 euros plus per night and get utter dross. It has stunning coasts, is perfect for a quite honeymoon but some hotels presume everyone is a billionaire with no taste.
For service and location could also try the Elounda Resorts on Crete.
coming from the UK we usually think of Europe as being the poor mans option - bit like you yanks regard the Carribean.
However, it doesn't get much better than Il Pelicano - a 1960s legend re-born.
Could also try
http://www.italytraveller.com/en/c/hotel-la-coluccia
if you really think that you can keep up with the glitter goys and girls.
Be careful with Sardinia - it is possible to pay out 750 euros plus per night and get utter dross. It has stunning coasts, is perfect for a quite honeymoon but some hotels presume everyone is a billionaire with no taste.
For service and location could also try the Elounda Resorts on Crete.
Jun 2nd, 2008, 06:45 AM
#58
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Il Pelicano looks really terrific! Is is stupid to do a few days there and a few days in Como? Is Il Pelicano easy to get to? And, is there stuff to do? We would like to rent a car and go to 3 places.. each place for 4 nights, and each place a little different.
Maybe we can rent a car and do Como, Il Pelicano, and maybe the south of france.. is this do-able?
the hotel in rome looks great, but i don't want the trip to be all about sightseeing, etc since i've been there a couple times and my fiance has not. I'd prefer to do sightseeing trips another time!
Maybe we can rent a car and do Como, Il Pelicano, and maybe the south of france.. is this do-able?
the hotel in rome looks great, but i don't want the trip to be all about sightseeing, etc since i've been there a couple times and my fiance has not. I'd prefer to do sightseeing trips another time!
Jun 16th, 2008, 11:10 AM
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It looks like our wedding will be april 11th of next year. Is it too chilly for the greek islands?
Any ideas of another spot that is just as beautiful and a little warmer? (preferably in Europe)
Any ideas of another spot that is just as beautiful and a little warmer? (preferably in Europe)
