Honeymoon in Greece or Italy or Spain?
 

Hi all, new here so please forgive me if i forget a few details. I am from South Africa and planning our honeymoon. We will be going around the 8th or 9th of September for about ten days. Firstly is that a decent time to go to the places mentioned? ( Greece, Italy, Spain) Seeing that we only have ten days i think only one of the destinations mentioned would be possible. Budget is around 500 Euros a day that will include accommodation(enough?) Greece we would probably be looking at flying into Athens and then onto maybe two islands. Any suggestions? Some sight seeing , relaxing and good food is what we want ( basically a bit of everything) and of course stunning views for the bride( she is a sucker for beautifull scenery) As for the other two options mentioned i don't really have clue where to start. Somewhere central to cut on time spent traveling from one place to the next. Would love to go to Venice. So any suggestions that include Venice on the route will be appreciated. Spain i am open to any suggestions. Flying into Spain or Italy from South Africa i have a few options of airports to fly into. The ten days exclude our flights from south africa there and back, so 12-14 days total. Roughly 3 to four days in each place ( I know i wont scratch the surface but would like to see as much as possible) Your help and input will be much appreciated.

Thank you!!!

Early September is a wonderful time to visit any of those places. You really just need to focus. Pick one country (or two adjacent ones that are well connected to maximize time), then peruse a guide book to see what your priorities are. The trip reports here are also very helpful.

Would you drive? Makes a difference.
Barcelona and several days in San Sebastian?
Paris and south of France?
Venice is spectacular and romantic ( not relaxing)
One can fly to many spots in Europe connecting in Amsterdam.

The Greek Islands are ideal for a Honeymoon. You can choose between 227 inhabited islands, and there is one that feels like it is created for you.

You can do a bit of research to choose one. In my opinion since I have been to most of the Greek Islands, some islands ideal for Couples are:

Santorini, which is the most obvious since it is considered the best Honeymoon Destination in the World. The view of the Caldera and the Volcano, the traditional White Washed settlements, the Most Breathtaking Sunset in the World, the Wild Beauty of the island, you think you got into a postcard.

Folegandros, is an off the beaten track island, and it surely is one of the most beautiful islands in Greece. The Chora (Capital) of the island is one of the most Atmospheric in the Cyclades, totaly unspoiled, stroll the little Alleys with the white houses and byzantine churches, drink your coffee in the small squares, smell the Aroma of the Bougainvillea flowers and see the Sunset vanishing in the Aegean Sea and the Colors of the Sky changing from the cliff the Chora is built on. It is considered the best Honeymoon Destination for the Greeks, and they surely know their country. It is one of the most chic and sophisticated islands, the elegant little shops, the charming old cafes, the charming Architecture, makes it ideal for Couples.

So, a good Itinerary is for your Honeymoon Voyage is: Athens-Santorini-Folegandros-Athens.

Petro
I am not quite sure that Greek Honeymoon couples spend their honeymoon on Folegandros.....
I would say that they either go abroad ( Mauritius.the Maldives, Venice, Rome Paris etc) or if they stay in Greece they visit islands such as Mykonos, Corfu, Santorini or Rhodes.

Another vote for Belle Epoque San Sebastián. The culinary capital of Spain if not all of Europe, beautiful landscapes, some of the finest city beaches on the continent and a local culture that people take great pride in. Early/mid September is an excellent time of year to go here. The Spanish holiday is just over and the famous film festival and sky rocketing prices is a week away. Recently voted #5 destination in the world on Condé Nast Traveler.
http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/
http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/

You could stay in one of the new attics in old world Hotel Londres in the best location in town, right on the La Concha beach promenade and three minutes walking from the Parte vieja/Old town. About 200€/night. http://www.hlondres.com/accommodation/attic#page

Some articles:
"Is San Sebastián the best place to eat in Europe": http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandst...rink.shopping2
New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/tr...anted=all&_r=0
Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...lin-stars.html

You can splurge in one of the many Michelin restaurants in town, but in general you can have top class meals with wine parings in "normal" restaurants for less than 50€/person. The most famous chef in the world during the last decade, Ferran Adrià of now closed El Bulli, has said that San Sebastián is the best place to eat in the world "in terms of the average quality of the food, in terms of what you can get at any place you happen to walk into".

All about going for the famous pintxos in San Sebastián:
http://www.todopintxos.com/home/home.php?lang=en

Just to add another twist to the excellent suggestions above, if you really want to see Venice, here's what I might do:

Fly to Athens

Try to connect on to Santorini

Four nights in Santorini in a hotel overlooking the caldera ( We stayed in Oia which I much prefer to Fira, but more on that later)

Fly back to Athens

Two nights in Athens

Fly to Venice ( preferably on AEGEAN/Olympic and not on Alitalia!)

Four nights in Venice

Fly home from Venice

Of course depending on flight logistics, you could start in Venice, fly through Athens, connecting on to Santorini, fly back to Athens, spend two nights here, fly home from Athens.

No idea which way makes more sense coming from South Africa. Good luck!

@clausar

Folegandros is the top Honeymoon Destination for Greek Couples (If the choose to visit a destination in Greece), Santorini and Mykonos are passe for the Greeks. Folegandros is new, chic, off the tourist track, and romantic. You can check that site for example, its in Greek:

http://cosmo.gr/articles/galleries/g...a.2330713.html

Petro

This is just an article about islands on a lifestyle website..
This doesn't mean anything at all....

Did that article say anything about honeymoons? I read it as a good island for couples, but that's a different thing. I saw lots of older couples when I was there.

That's correct Heimdall, it says : the best Greek islands for couples.

@clausar @Heimdall

From what I know, Honeymoon IS for couples... Don't play with words.

As much as I love Spain, I would recommend Italy for a Honeymoon. Fly into Rome, depending on your interests spend 3 nights or in Florence. The next three nights you could be in a Tuscan town (I love, love, love Pienza) to get the scenery fix and then train to Venice for the remaining days. Fly out of Venice.

If Spain is the choice, I would fly into Madrid, train to Cordoba, visit the White Villages and spend a few days in Granada. If there is still time left, you could fly to Barcelona and then go home from there.