Honeymoon in May - Southern France or Southern Italy?
 

My fiance and I will be honeymooning for 2 weeks in May, and we've narrowed our options to the French Riviera or Southern Italy (Amalfi Coast) and Sicily). We are interested in food, wine, history, art, and scenery. We want the trip to be relaxing, but we've avoided resorts in our destination search because we don't want to run out of things to do or see. I'm assuming the weather will be similar between the two destinations. He has been to Paris previously, and I have been to Venice and Rome, but neither of us has been to the southern coast of either country. We don't speak either language. We're sure we would love them both, but can someone help compare them so we can choose one over the other?

I think I would drop the Riviera, there are much nicer parts of France and the history element is missed out

Amalfi and Sicily hit the spot on most of your requests.

It will likely be warmer in Sicily than on the southern coast of either Italy or France. With your stated interests, Sicily would be a wonderful destination and two weeks would be a good amount of time to spend. We've been to all 3 and Sicily was both the most beautiful, most varied and the most interesting. And the food is fabulous!

We spent 10 days in Sicily and definitely wish we had had more time. You will not need to speak the language in any of the possible destinations although it is nice to learn a few phrases of greeting.

Here is Sicily in May:
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3828

Here is the AC in May:

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4481

Both great choices. Click on my name above to find trip reports.

Hi kj,

I would recommend the western portion of Provence over the Riviera.

I think the AC and Sicily would fit with what you want.

Don't forget to include Naples - at least 2 nights.

((I))

Hi kjantz, and congrats on upcoming nuptials. My thoughts are very general but I have also been to your 3 plus Provence (a humble brag) so here goes:

Are you thinking about staying in one place for the entire 2 weeks? If so, I'd save Sicily for another trip so you can give each area a few days. If not, it's an incredible place to visit-a wealth of history. Driving can be more hair-raising there (IMHO) but there are trains and busses to the major areas.

Getting around by road on the AC has its drawbacks as well but you can take ferries and hydrofoils (other posters must help here). Hub and I stayed in Sorrento so it was easy to get to the train station. We took a boat to Capri. Gorgeous views on AC. Pompeii, Naples museum, Huraculeum (sp?) and palace at Cesara are good day trips.

I agree with ira about Provence (Aix has Cezanne, Arles has van Gogh) although Nice is not without cultural activities (Matisse, Chagall) and train service is very good from there. Hub and I based in Nice and took van tour that picked us up at the hotel. Very convenient.

Do check out some travel books and take a gander at what these areas have to offer that are of interest to you. Also, remember you can fly into one airport and out of another.

I think all 3 destinations will fill your requirements. Or did you mean the Amalfi Coast AND Sicily?

Have you considered the transportation options? Most likely you'd want a car in Sicily and do a road trip stopping here and there. This kind of trip is less relaxing and requires more planning.

Without a car you could base in Sorrento near (not on) the Amalfi Coast and do day-trips by boat and bus and train: Pompeii/Herculaneum, Capri, the AC towns, Naples, Paestum. Or, on the French Riviera, base in Nice and similarly day-trip by bus, boat, and train to Monte Carlo, Antibes and to various sights in between, inland and off-shore. Maybe spend some time in inland Provence.

Regarding your interests, you will find interesting food, wine and beautiful scenery at all your choices. The French Riviera/Provence is good for art, not so much for history. Whereas the Italian sites are more about history, less about art except maybe ancient art.

Tough decision. I'd look at photos -- maybe in the DK guidebooks -- and see what appeals to you.

Since you have the time and, apparently, the $$ to go to either, I would choose Sicily and the Amalfi Coast. It is more expensive and more of a hasslee to get to Sicily so
do it now while you can! Either way, you will be glad that
you took the trip.

Pat