Looking to honeymoon in Italy. No preference, have never been. We have 2 weeks and would like to go to more then one place.<BR><BR>We are looking for beautiful hotels, with great service, an area with awesome food (is there any place in italy without that?), really nice beach or pool area, an opportunity to really relax with an option to go sightseeing and see what Italy really has to offer. <BR><BR>We have heard about Sardinia but know nothing.<BR><BR>Help all knowing ones.....!!!

This kind of question is almost as broad as "where should I go in Europe?"<BR><BR>Admittedly, you HAVE given us a certain amount to go on - - what you think you want to find, how long you have, and maybe a hint at your budget. And yet it still really isn't quite enough for me to make anything more than superficial recommendations.<BR><BR>Part of me has to question why go to Europe on a honeymoon, if you have never been before (you didn't exactly say never to europe before, just never to Italy before). I suspect that you DO have your reasons, you just haven't stated them all that completely. And perhaps a vision in your head of what Italy means to you, and why you would pick it over Spain or Greece or Bermuda or Tahiti. Tell us what Italy looks like in your head.<BR><BR>I never think of Italy as a first choice for those wanting a beach vacation. Others will disagree. At Amalfi, perhaps at Cinque Terre, along the Italian Riviera, on Sicily and (I guess) Sardinia, there are undoubtedly good beaches. I'm just not sure they are as good as Florida, Hawaii or the Caribbean. You haven't said when this honeymoon will occur. This September? you really need to scurry. Next June? you have time to plan and think, though I believe that your beach time needs to be south of Tuscany, for example.<BR><BR>There are certainly some great hotels in Italy, and they are VERY expensive. Be prepared for $500 per night or more for the top of the top.<BR><BR>Having said all that, I would recommend a combination of 5-7 days Tuscany, 2-3 days Rome (seems almost obligatory), and 4-6 days Sicily.<BR><BR>But there are so, so many other ways to approach this.<BR><BR>What ever your decisions, congratulations on your new life in marriage.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Sorry about the lack of info, head is still spinning.<BR><BR>We have been to Hawaii, actually most of the US, all of the Caribbean, Bermuda, France, & England and we figured Italy would be the perfect place to honeymoon. When I said beaches I didn't expect anything like Hawaii or the Caymans, I meant more along the lines of a beautiful setting, cliffs, and a great pool area to lay out and relax.<BR>We haven't set a budget because we figured it was a honeymoon and that shouldn't be our main concern. Being as though we travel alot, we are already prepared for the obvious.<BR>We are getting married next May.<BR><BR>Tahiti is just too far of a flight from NY, but we did consider it. <BR><BR>We were thinking about making Rome a place to see on another trip, when the main focus is sightseeing. <BR>

Not sure what time of year - but we spent two weeks last August on our honeymoon - 4 nights in Santa margherita (Imperial palace hotel); 3 nights in lake Como at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni; 3 nights in VEnice at the Westin Europa and Regina. All were great - we went to Rome - unless you are a history buff or have never been you should try it - the Vatican is a must. I have a number of thoughts and recommendations - email and I will send them (hotels, restaurants, etc) _ It was wonderful and romantic.

Actually, Frank, you just added a ton of info that makes providing advice a lot more straightforward.<BR><BR>Since you have traveled abroad as much as you report, I retract any suggestion that you should NOT consider Europe for your honeymoon.<BR><BR>Since you are traveling in May, I recommend staying at or south of Tuscany.<BR><BR>And since you intend to go back to Italy for a more sightseeing trip at a later stage, I second your instincts to save Rome for another trip.<BR><BR>So, my guess was closer to "spot on" than I expected. I will stick with recommending a week in Tuscany, followed by a week in/on Sicily - - or alternatively, substitute Sorrento/Amalfi. I believe that you will find the luxury/pampering choices a little more plentiful there.<BR><BR>Sounds like a great way to start a marriage.<BR>

Frank, do a seaarch on Venice. I have never been there, but there was a post a while ago about the best places to honeymoon, and Venice was the choice for romance. I have been to Tuscany. It's gorgeous, there's a lot to see and do and the food is fabulous. Bob the Navigator is a big help and can recommend beautiful places to stay with nice pools around Tuscany - probably southern Tusacny and Siena areas. Look up slowtrav.com. Do a searh on "honeymoon' in this Italy forum and you'll get tons of advice. Have a great trip! (For other to help you, I suggest what you can afford to spend per night for a hotel room, and you'll get much better and more specific suggestions.)

I would suggest you go somewhere else for your honeymoon. You might not like Europe, unless you have a lot of money to burn. Hotels in Europe are very different from what you're used to. Pools are not typical and the rooms are often very small with (gasp!) shared bathrooms down the hall. How can you see what Italy has to offer if you're spending all you time relaxing at the hotel?

Hi Frank,<BR>I just got back from my honeymoon in Italy last weekend. We spent the first 5 nights in Capri, then 4 in Florence and 3 in Venice. Capri was our absolute favorite...we didn't want to leave!!! We stayed at the Quisisana which was kind of a resort with a pool overlooking the sea. No beaches though. This was the best hotel I ever stayed at. Pricey but it was the honeymoon. And while we were there, we took a day trip to Sorrento and Positano on the hydrofoil...very fun. We mixed relaxing and hiking all around the island. Florence was beautiful...filled with history, art, etc...and the food there, in my opinion, was the best that we had. Venice was unique for it's obvious reasons but was our least favorite. Just personal opinion...My husband loves Europe and I am more of a Caribbean kind of person so this was a perfect mix...culture and the sun of Capri. Good luck...

If I had two weeks in Italy for a honeymoon, I would do the following:<BR><BR>Spend 5 days at resort in Porto Cervo, Costa Smerelda, Sardinia. If you have money, stay at the Hotel Cala di Volpe, or for a lesser amount the Grand Hotel Porto Cervo. These are resorts and you can relax by the beach or pool for 5 days. I would then fly over to Florence (45 minute flight) and spend a week in Tuscany somewhere. I suggest staying at either Casali di Bibbiano outside of Montalcino/Buonconvento (full service resort on a working vineyard in a great location) and doing maybe 3 days trips. Spend the rest of the time relaxing, trying excellent local cuisine and sipping wine by the pool with the beautiful scenery all around you.

Hi Frank,<BR><BR>Without a doubt, I would recommend the Amalfi Coast. We went there in Sptember for our honeymoon and it was one of the most beautiful, romantic places I've ever been to. I would recommend Positano. It is right on the water and has great beaches and restauants. There is also plenty to do in Positano - from hiking, kayaking, shopping to taking day trips to other parts of the Amalfi coast or even Pompeii. I would go back in a second. <BR><BR>YOu could maybe stay one week in Poitano and then a scond week on the Island of Capri. I didn't go there but it is also supposed to be incredible. <BR><BR>Enjoy your honeymoon!

If a second honeymoon (32 years) counts, absolutely the amalfi coast!! We have been to Venice, Florence and Rome. While I loved all three for different reasons, the Amalfi Coast had it all. Especially the views over the Bay of Naples. Positano, Ravello and Amalfi are gorgeous, so is Capri, though I found it quite crowded. Ischia is lovely and more remote.If you want some history, you can visit Pompeii!

upping<BR>

Since you are after great beaches and you are willing to spend lots of money i would suggest northern Sardinia, places like Santa Teresa di Gallura, la Maddalena or the nearby villages. The whole area is very touristy but it also has lots of beautiful hotels and great beaches. From Santa Teresa you can make interesting excursions in the mainland to various places on the coastline and to nearby Bonifacio in Corsica (France). Check http://www.santateresagallura.com/ for images and for a few informations.<BR>To reach the area, you can fly to Rome or Milano and than fly to Olbia (the nearest airport) or Sassari.

I would reccomend chosing 2 places to stay. Since you are loking for a great setting I would suggest the Massa Lubrense area on the Penisole Sorrentina. This is the area past Positano and Sorrento. Its smaller less crowded and more filled with Italians. They have less super delux hotels but the views are superb, there is hiking, great little coves, ruins and superb food. Vicenzo is the resident expert on the area. <BR><BR>If you like museums, you have the Museo arcologico and the Capodimonte in Napoli. Ruins? Pompei, Ercolano, Oplontis and Paestum. There are nightclubs on the Amalfi drive. As I said before, there is superb hiking. You can also take day trips to Capri or Ischia or along the Amalfi coast. <BR><BR>For the second week I would be torn between Toscana and Venezia. Venezia may be the better choice if you want to spend a lot of time split between looking in incredible churches and shopping. Venice had incredible clothing, art glass and paintings, pottery etc available. There are areas that are incredibly touristed but you can get to much more authentic areas in just a short walk. In fact, you can get anywhere in Venezia by either a short walk or a short hop on a vaporetto. Its hard to describe the tranquility of being in a place with no cars. Lots of wonderfully pampering hotels (at high prices). You can dine well at Fiaschetteria Toscana, da Fiore, Alle Testiere, cheaply and well at Da Pinto or alla Frasca, and then there are the wine bars like Achiuguette and Do Mori where you can get wonderful fgood and wine for not a lot of money. You can also take boat trips to Torcello (dine at Locanda Cipriani) and Murano (go to Murano Collection or F Schiavoni for incredibel glass). I have a posting on Venice.<BR><BR>If you want beautiful countryside, and great wine, go to Toscana. You can break up your stay with a day trip or two to Firenze and/or Siena. See my Toscana Suggestions and my 10 favorite things to do off the beaten path in Florence posting.

if you want great countryside and better wine than in Tuscany, go to Piedmont!

Alice... them's fighting words. I'll put up my favirite Brunellos against your Barolo and Barbaresco any day. Lets see... maybe a taste off. If we drink 40 or 50 of each we'll beable to say definitively..... nothing. But we will be smiling if still alive!

If i taste 40 or 50 wines I might die for excessive alchool intake ^_^<BR>In any case, the point is not the in the top end producers: Vino nobile is a great wine but... The average wine in Tuscany (mind you, I spend at least one week every month in Tuscany) is too rich in "tannini", a kind of wooden board, while the average wine in Piedmont is still a good tasting wine. Now, would you like a taste of Brachetto with the cake?

Frank, <BR><BR>Please watch in the following week for my trip report - I JUST got back from a 14 night honeymoon in 5 Italian cities.<BR>Garda, Lake Garda<BR>Venice<BR>Florence <BR>Rome<BR>Manarola, Cinque Terre<BR><BR>We enjoyed them all except Rome, we don't regret going to Rome, we just aren't big city people! Report will be coming soon...<BR>KAM

Frank-<BR><BR>We just returned from our two week honeymoon!<BR><BR>Florence: Hotel Beacci Tournabuoni - perfect little bed & breakfast in a great area. Did some light sightseeing and just sat at cafes and soaked up the italian lifestyle<BR><BR>Rome: Villa San Pio in the Aventine Hill area. This was one of the best *** hotels that we stayed at with a wirlpool bath/shower, robes and slippers. The area is a little off the beaten path, but we really enjoyed staying in a quaint upscale neighboorhood and eating in restaraunts with locals rather than tourists. Close to the Coluseaum and the Forum<BR><BR>Ravello: The perfect end to our honeymoon laying by the pool and looking out onto the ocean and the wonderful mountains of southern Italy! We stayed at the ***** Palazzo Sasso and it was everything that we could have dreamed of!<BR><BR>We travelled by car for the most part (a nice Volvo S60) and had such a perfect honeymoon!

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