Honeymoon Help!
Sep 8th, 2005, 11:08 AM
#1
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Honeymoon Help!
Hi! My fiance and I are getting married in June 2006. I have always wanted to travel to Italy (Venice, Rome, Naples) and Greece (Athens) and this seems like the perfect romantic opportunity. However, I am very unfamiliar with the area. Does anyone have a suggested itinerary for a two week trip? Perhaps a land package and then a cruise? Or stay on land and use ferries? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Sep 8th, 2005, 11:30 AM
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If you were my wn daughter, I might recommend scratching Greece from th list (though maybe if I had been there in the last 30 years, I might feel differently) - - unless you really have "money to blow".
Not that Greece is expensive - - it's just that it does cost money and time to get there. And 12 days in Italy alone might be a better <i>first</i> experience in Europe then 9 in Italy and 4 in Greece (and 1 lost to travel) - - and it might be 20% cheaper. No matter what you currently think your honeymoon budget - - I say scale it back 25% and out that amount in the bank, preparing for your NEXT trip to Europe, hopefully in 200x, not in 201x or 202x or 203x!
Besides, if you plan on 75% of your current budget, and you decide for some splurges (or deal with unanticipated costs, with less panic) - - ad come in at 85%, then you still end up better off in the end. All newlyweds can use a little extra financial cusion that first year (decade? more?)
I am less expert than some on Naples and the surrounding Campania - - and that could easily be worth a week in its own right. I hope others will help with that.
Ten days for Rome and Venice would allow a third destination - - and I an fond of recommendingForence as a good starting point, though I would not force it down your throat if you have hearts set elsewhere. It's the best match for arrival city in Florence, in my opinion, though others see it differently (for one thing no no-stop transatlantic service into FLR nor PSA, requiring connection in Paris, or elsewhere). Even London is a good firs two nights in Europe, IMO, though London can be expensive, and maybe you just don't want that.
Having been through the first of three daughters getting married, I might suggest Tuesday as the departure day, rather than Sunday (or Saturday if it;s a Friday night wedding) - - and NOT return on a Sunday if you have things you hve to do (job, moving, whatever) the following Monday. This is also part of my reason for suesting that you shorten.
Whatever your decisions, congrtulations on your new life in marriage... and...
Best wishes,
Rex Bickers
Floyds Knobs, Indiana
Not that Greece is expensive - - it's just that it does cost money and time to get there. And 12 days in Italy alone might be a better <i>first</i> experience in Europe then 9 in Italy and 4 in Greece (and 1 lost to travel) - - and it might be 20% cheaper. No matter what you currently think your honeymoon budget - - I say scale it back 25% and out that amount in the bank, preparing for your NEXT trip to Europe, hopefully in 200x, not in 201x or 202x or 203x!
Besides, if you plan on 75% of your current budget, and you decide for some splurges (or deal with unanticipated costs, with less panic) - - ad come in at 85%, then you still end up better off in the end. All newlyweds can use a little extra financial cusion that first year (decade? more?)
I am less expert than some on Naples and the surrounding Campania - - and that could easily be worth a week in its own right. I hope others will help with that.
Ten days for Rome and Venice would allow a third destination - - and I an fond of recommendingForence as a good starting point, though I would not force it down your throat if you have hearts set elsewhere. It's the best match for arrival city in Florence, in my opinion, though others see it differently (for one thing no no-stop transatlantic service into FLR nor PSA, requiring connection in Paris, or elsewhere). Even London is a good firs two nights in Europe, IMO, though London can be expensive, and maybe you just don't want that.
Having been through the first of three daughters getting married, I might suggest Tuesday as the departure day, rather than Sunday (or Saturday if it;s a Friday night wedding) - - and NOT return on a Sunday if you have things you hve to do (job, moving, whatever) the following Monday. This is also part of my reason for suesting that you shorten.
Whatever your decisions, congrtulations on your new life in marriage... and...
Best wishes,
Rex Bickers
Floyds Knobs, Indiana
Sep 8th, 2005, 11:38 AM
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You need to tell us whether a cruise is something you really want to do, as it's not for everyone..same with package tours. Some people like to "go it alone" while others want it planned for them. Which kind of person are you? Have you done much research into the cities or general areas you thinking about? Reading guidebooks, and the like, will help you form wish lists or even scratch something off the list completely. Knowing your budget also helps and whether you want to have a car or will be taking the train.
Sep 8th, 2005, 01:55 PM
#4
If you buy a few travel magazines you will find all kinds of ads and itineraries suggested. Budget Travel, Conde Nast, Travel + Leisure would all have some suggestions if a package deal (rather than planning independently) is what you'd like.
Sep 9th, 2005, 11:56 AM
#5
leeni8, You might want to re-post with a title like "2 weeks in Italy and Greece". I'm guessing more people would answer. "Honeymoon Help!" could mean just about anything. kindly, suze
Sep 9th, 2005, 12:31 PM
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Hi leeni8,
My husband and I went on a Windstar Cruise that started in Rome and then along the Italian and French Riviera.
We started with 4 days in Rome, then the cruise, then 4 more days in Nice. The cruise included Portofino, Corsica, Portevere, Monaco, San Tropez and Nice.
I think it was just about perfect because we had the right balance of being on land doing our own thing and then being on the ship. I don't think I will ever forget sitting at the bar on the back of the ship and watching the beautiful land slip away. It was truly magical! And we went in June. The weather was perfect...very warm, but it only rained a few drops the whole time!
A cruise also gives you the opportunity to unpack once and see several different countries.
Some people don't like that you eat on board - well, it worked great, because we ate lunch usually off the ship and/or drinks and snacks and then came back on board for dinner.
Hope this helps.
Tango
My husband and I went on a Windstar Cruise that started in Rome and then along the Italian and French Riviera.
We started with 4 days in Rome, then the cruise, then 4 more days in Nice. The cruise included Portofino, Corsica, Portevere, Monaco, San Tropez and Nice.
I think it was just about perfect because we had the right balance of being on land doing our own thing and then being on the ship. I don't think I will ever forget sitting at the bar on the back of the ship and watching the beautiful land slip away. It was truly magical! And we went in June. The weather was perfect...very warm, but it only rained a few drops the whole time!
A cruise also gives you the opportunity to unpack once and see several different countries.
Some people don't like that you eat on board - well, it worked great, because we ate lunch usually off the ship and/or drinks and snacks and then came back on board for dinner.
Hope this helps.
Tango
