Hello,

I am planning a suprise honeymoon for my fiance and am trying to decide where to go. She hates museums and swimming and I like to hike and enjoy other cultures. We both enjoyed a great trip to Germany (if you want the report I can send it to you, I don't want to post it though becasue she gets on here) last year and it was my first trip away from the U.S. I know I want to vacation in Europe but that is about it. Any suggestions? So far I have been thinking Greece but I am open to suggestions. We enjoy places with a lot of good walking/hiking tours involving beautiful landscapes, churches, castles, and anything else that isn't super crowded and touristy.

Thanks for your help,

Bob

Jersey in the Channel Islands:

http://www.aboutjersey.net

plenty of castles:

http://jersey.typepad.com/elizabeth_castle/

http://jersey.typepad.com/gorey_castle/

and beautiful landscapes:

http://jersey.blogs.com/photos/jerse...y_morning.html

Western Scottish Highlands, Provence, Tuscany, Umbria, Northern Spain.

Congratulations!

Bob,
When will you be going and for how long?

Croatia and Slovenia

Romania is nice as well-castles, hiking, the beach, culture.

No matter where you go, if it's beautiful, historic, fantastic, romantic, whatever, it WILL be touristy and crowded. In today's world there are no more secret, unspoiled places where there are accomodations, restaurants, transportation, etc.

Well, yes, there are...France's Drôme Valley, for example, which remains largely undiscoverd. The countryside is beautiful, there are charming small hotels (such as Les Hospitaliers in Le Poët-Laval) in areas that have churches, castles, and good walking. The Drôme is just north of Provence.

Northern Italy - Venice (romance), Dolomites/Bolzano (hiking and landscapes),
Trento (churches and castles). And except for Venice, I'd say they weren't "super crowded and touristy".

When when when -- that will make so much difference in what we can recommend for you, hockeyrocks ... if it's April, May, June or September I can give you some great tips for Greece.

Northern Spain.

We really need to know what month. It can make a huge difference . . . . .

(maybe you are afraid you fiance will suss it out if you tell us the exact dates - but at least give us the month)

Depending on the time of year, I would second the Bolzano suggestion. Summer and early fall would be a great time. Lots of hiking, a mix of Germanic and Italian cultures. Wonderful food and wine. There are tourists but mostly not from the U.S.

For really off the beaten path, there is a valley in Osttirol(Austria), called the Virgenteller. Not sure of my spelling on that but the villages are Virgen and Pragraten. Not at all fancy - but great hiking.

Well - a surprise honeymoon is a new one on me. (I like jewelry for surprises - a surprise trip would have me REALLY pissed.) But obviously you know your fiance best.

It might help if we knew when your're going, how much time you have and aproximately your budget (not exact dollar, but splurge, average or budget).

Switzerland

Burgundy and Côte d'Or(one of its departments)are never crowded and there is so much to see.
http://www.cotedor-tourisme.com/index.php?lg=en
and an example of walk around Dijon
http://www.cotedor-tourisme.com/pics...l_chateaux.pdf
Congratulations!
coco

Lake Constance
(preferably in the time from May to Sseptember; definitely not in November)

why not find out where she would like to go?

The "when I was a kid I always wanted to see.... what did you want to see?" conversation is a good one.

Hey Bob,

I've been working in Europe since June and traveling nearly every weekend - one of the most beautiful and romantic places I've been so far was Lago di Como, Italy. There are tons of little villages on the lake to stay in, with lovely little hotels but not at all touristy. Incredible scenery, great hiking, great local culture and food. Have fun, and congratulations!

How about Portugal? Moorish castles, monasteries, forests, good food, not expensive - perhaps a more offbeat destination than northern Italy, and less crowded.

The honeymoon will be the in May. As far as budget goes I was thinking around $5,000, but it is a honeymoon so I can spend more if needed. Thanks for your help everyone, I really appreciate it.

Bob