prinx

Hi guys,

We are from India and are getting married in the month of Feb'13! So accordingly, planning a 8/9-night trip to France and Italy for our honeymoon.
I really have been following some of the discussions on this GREAT GREAT forum - and I need a LOT OF HELP from all the experienced travellers - with regards to following points - so that I can plan my itinerary accordingly.

Our main aim is ofcourse to have a relaxed and good quality time together for our honeymoon, but then there are certain distractions as well - like winter sale in Paris, Disneyland, Venice Carnivale, Valentines Day, etc

1. We are planning to reach Paris on the 8th Feb'13, stay in Paris for 3 nights - and leave on 11th morning to Venice.
- Is it a not-so-required long stay at Paris, considering we also want to include a 1-day trip to Disneyland?
- Is Disneyland a good option to go to on a honeymoon?? If yes, how many minimum hours should we park aside for the same?
- Do we have the winter sale in paris? If so, what would be the probable dates??

2. Next up is Venice - which we reach on the 11th Feb'12, and had initially planned to stay there till 14th, and leave on 15th (considering atleast one peaceful leg of the honeymoon, and that too at one of the most romantic places there). But the prob is - Good room rates are almost the double up until 12th night (due to carnivale).. and become HALF after that. So my fiance suggested we may have to skip the carnivale so that we can be within our budget And instead went to florence/Rome for 2 days and then reach Venice on the 13th/14th.
- I need to know HOW MUCH will the carnival be worth going to (atleast on the 12th)?? Will I be missing a great deal if I didn't go??

3. Next is supposed to be choice between florence and rome - either in between Paris and Venice, or after Venice - as we might not have the budget for both. I obviously want to visit both the places, but then I know Rome is HUGE, and florence is beautiful - plus Tuscany has the hot balloon ride! Please help me decide!!

luademochila

Trying to share some of my experience, if grammar and ortography permits - I'm not fluent in english.

Honeymoon deserves a more relaxed pace, trust me. You need time for yourselves. Avoid changing your home base as much as you can, it's stressful and time consuming - your time is already very short. I would remain at one country only, no more. France would be my choice, more organized and less chaotic than Italy (we've been to both). At least 5 nights in Paris, 3 or 4 nights in the countryside. Loire Valley is a good bet, very romantic.

luademochila

Forgot to say - I would save Disney for another trip, with kids.

Mimar

You do realize February is winter in Europe? Look at www.weatherbase.com for average temperatures and rainfall. I doubt there'd be hot air ballooning in February. (Freezing cold up there! Not to speak of the rain.)

So you fly into Paris. Where do you fly out of?

To keep your trip easier, I'd go from Paris to Florence, take the train to Venice and fly out of there. To get to Florence fly Easyjet from Paris Orly to Pisa and take the train to Florence. Orly is easier to get to and less complicated than CDG. Nonstop trains to Florence from Pisa airport run every 2 hours and take about an hour; otherwise you have to change in Pisa's main station.

If you want to omit Italy, you could go down to the French Riviera. Or go further south in Italy to where it's warmer. Taormina in Sicily would be a good honeymoon location.

jgg

laudemochila gave you good advice. You have WAY too much planned for 8/9 days. I agree - pick one city and spend 5 nights there and then 3-4 nights in the countryside or divide your time between just two cities. Adding a third location will make everything a blur. If you spend 5 nights in Paris, and Disneyland is something you really want to do then go for it! (I'm assuming you've never been to Disneyland/World in the states). But if only in Paris for 3 nights - definitely skip it.

Christina

I don't like things like Disneyland, that's just a personal choice as to whether you like to go to that kind of thing. I can't imagine never having been to Paris before and thinking that out of a 3 day trip, you should go to Disneyland. But if you are a Disney fanatic, maybe you would, who knows. Is some American theme park really as important to you as real European places and history?

As for the winter sales, they probalby will still be on at that time. They start the second week in January and last about a month. Last year they were Jan 11th until Feb 14th. If you are from India, I don't know what you would want that much from the winter sales, it is generally the leftover season's clothing that hasn't sold yet, which would be Fall season. There are some minor items sold, that's true, like some jewelry, etc. But it's still the stuff they want to get rid of, I wouldn't plan on it being that great an event. Not to mention, then you'd have to lug extra stuff you bought for the rest of your trip.

nytraveler

Agree you are trying to stuff too much into a honeymoon, which should be relaxed.

Second you may not be taking into account that in Feb - europe is cold, dank, dreary, you may get snow in any of these places are are likely to get quite chilly (30s or low 40s farenheit) and rain or sleet. Also days are short, it gets dark early and many paces are operating on shorter hours for the winter. Be sure you have warm winter coats, scarves, hats, gloves and waterproof shoes or boots with non-skid soles.

Frankly I would never waste a day on Disney Paris (which is supposed to be very poor compared with the real thing) except for small children who have no other chance to see it. These cities have so many wonderful things to see and do - even in the winter - and I believe that some cafes even have heaters so you can still sit outdoors - that I would just drop Disney.

As for a balloon ride - they do that only if the weather is good - you should check to see if they operate in Feb - ad under what circumstances (won;t go in rain or snow and perhaps not below a certain temps).

If it were me I would pick Forence, which is smaller, more manageable and has more to see indoors (although Rome has much more to see/do overall, a lot is outdoors and really needs nice weather.)

prinx

Hey guys,
Thanks a TON for your opinions/experiences! After reading these, I have finally decided to let go of:
1. Venice Carnevale
Were anyways planning to be there only for the last day - read at some blogs/forums that "Venice during Carnevale is best avoided for a honeymoon - and specially for first time visitors". Plus, do not really know what it IS like during the carnival. I guess I just wanted to watch in live what the carnival is like! But that is totally disrupting the peace of the place, and I know we would have to be silent observers of the festivities, because we don't have the budget to be a part of it anyways!
2. Florence
Did want to go there, but thanks to the advice of many of you, know that it was making the honeymoon trip pretty hectic! Ballooning - depends on weather, plus checked the prices ofcourse! So let the BALLOON GO!
Most importantly, my fiance is VERY keen on Rome!

So, here is the final set of dates that I am planning for the trip:
1. Reach Paris on 10th Feb'13.
Stay there for 3 nights (mainly to reach Venice ONLY after the carnival gets over), and fly to Venice on the 13th morning.
While in Paris, also can make a trip to Versailles if possible!
Trying to stay in a budget of 100-150 euros per night, so I guess we would be taking up one of the mercure hotels in either the North or the South of Paris.

Question: Although we are on a budget, I personally really want the hotel stay to be a memorable one and honeymoonish and more European-like! Do any of you have any suggestions for a good hotel within our budget?? It'll be a GREAT help!!

2. Reach Venice on the 13th, and explore the place or its ways on that day. Stay for 3 nights again (Want to be there especially on the 14th!!!). leave on 16th morning
Planning a stay at Hilton Molino Stucky Hotel here - so wanted to stay at Locanda Orseolo, or sth similar.. but its way out of our budget Any suggestions are welcome!

Question: In Venice, does a canal view/garden view/no view really matter in a winter month?? Price differences are huge really! Currently, I have compromised on the canal view (190 euros) for a garden view (147 euros) at Hilton - its cheaper than the one at Locanda (190 and 173 respectively)
Any advice on any other good honeymoonish hotels there?? I really really want VENICE part to be just perfect!

3. Fly to Rome on 16th morning (Are the flights actually cheaper than the trains???). Spend the 3 nights there, and leave on the 19th.

Question: Again, last leg of the honeymoon - still trying to figure out which part (central Rome, outside Rome) to stay at - and trying to get some budget luxury hotels there! Have found out one 3-star hotel Julia in Central Rome - at around 110 euros a night, and a mercure hotel at approx 70 euros a night but at a distance of 13km from Central Rome!

Trying to see if we can/should save some money on our stays, so that we spend more on the food and other leisure activities as such at each of the places.

But I am very happy (thanks to you all) that we could atleast decide the number of days and restrict the number of places for our trip!!

luademochila

"Stay there for 3 nights
While in Paris, also can make a trip to Versailles if possible!"

OMG ... nevermind.

uhoh_busted

In my opinion, The train between Venice and Rome is cheaper and more romantic, plus you end up in the center of town....saving an expensive trip in from the airport.

Usually you can get a better hotel deal, for example stay 3 get 1 free, if you stay more than 3 nights in the same hotel. You may want to consider arriving in Venice on th 14th, assuming you are flying between Paris and Venice, so you will undoubtably be there on Valentines Day. (I see that is big for you...not sure it is a big deal in Italy) Check venere.com for Venice Hotels. Locanda Casa Petrarca, near San Marco, looks pretty good and would fit well within your budget. You may be able to find other choices (NOT in Mestre or on Lido, mind you) that offer a canal view and stay in your budget...or stretch it a bit, as you WANT something truly Venetian and magic. Look at this one...(no view, but...wow) http://www.venere.com/hotels/venice/...&pval=2&rval=1

Or, you could splurge just a little here and get a canal view...http://www.venere.com/hotels/venice/...&pval=2&rval=1

Have fun. Planning should be exciting.

prinx

Apologies laudemochila... nothing is full and final yet.. ONLY trying to get help from you guys. Haven't read about Versailles myself yet.. only found out about it in one of these discussion threads posted by others.
Gathering by your expression, I see it's gonna be a bit too much. So I guess, its ONLY Paris for the 3 days that we'd be there!
I guess its just the constant temptation to cover it all.. but will have to be overcome

nytraveler

There are no budget luxury hotels in western europe. (IMHO anything even near luxury will probably be at least 400 euros per night).

You can go for budget quaint - which is what I would do - and focus on getting something very central - in all 3 cities - so you can walk to at least some of the major sights. As for canal view room in Venice - what hotel and what canal, If the Grand Canal it's one thing - if it's some random side canal - i wouldn;t pay an extra dime for it - after all how much will you see with the windows shut?

Jean

The less money you spend moving around (planes and trains), the more money you have for nicer hotels.

Christina

well, you could go to Versailles if you had 3 days in Paris, I don't think that is so terrible. After all, you can get to Versailles in about the same time as you could get from one side of Paris to the other, so it's no different to me than if you were staying on the far Left Bank and said you wanted to visit Sacre Coeur and Montmartre. Well, it is a bit more time to get there, but not that much. It certainly is better than going all the way to Disneyland, that's for sure. Although at least Versailles was a real historical Disneyland, ha ha

It depends on your priorities, that's all, you can decide for yourself. To many people, seeing Versailles could be of greater interest than visiting a museum. It would be for me, actually, but that's because I can visit many great museums at home. The RER train to Versailles only takes about 30 minutes from central Paris (eg, Pont de l'Alma stop). Howeveer, if you have never even heard of Versailles (it was the residence of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI before and up to the Revolution), it can't mean that much to you to see it. But I think it may be too much for you to figure out all that involves on top of everything else (the tickets, stop, RER, etc).

There are some hotels with more local character in Paris for 100-150 euro than a Mercure, although that rate is pretty low nowadays. Although Mercure actually does own a few smaller hotels it bought up in central Paris, the large modern ones tend to be on the edges. But they aren't that cheap, anyway. Sometimes hotels have a bit lower rates during the period you chose, that's one good point (after the second week in January).

The 2* Hotel Clement would be a good choice, it is in your price range and a good location. They say you can't book now, but I thikn that's because many hotels won't let you book into next year, not sure.

try this website for Paris hotels, I use their hotels and they are very nice. They have about 4 hotels free in your price range that are very nice hotels, rated 3 or even 4*
http://www.esprit-de-france.com/en/

You might like the Mansart, that is in an area closer to the shopping stuff and Opera, it's a convenioent location, but all their hotels 150 euro or less are nice.

luademochila

You have 3 nights, not 3 full days. That leaves you 2,5 days. Not enough for anything in Paris IMO. The tourist area is one of the biggest in the entire world, there are so many neighboorhoods with character and things to do.

Your trip is going to be rushed and you'll waste a lot of time and energy moving on. I'm not 80 years old who get's tired quickly. I'm 31 years old, healthy and fit, have been to all of these places in my honeymoon and I know what I'm talking about. You want Versailles and go shopping. But also want to see the Eiffel tower (I guess so). Walk along the Seine. Cruise the Seine, maybe enjoying it with dinner. See Montmartre. Sit down at cafés in the Quartier Latin. That's Paris, that's the minimum. You see I'm not talking about museums or any other indoor activities yet. And you want to remain rested enough to enjoy each other. That's not possible in 2,5 days, especially after changing home base 3 times. That's not possible in winter, when there are less daylight hours and having to wake up very early every day.

Honeymoon demands a leisurely pace. Well, you've been warned.

mamcalice

WIth the time you have, I would choose only 2 destinations. You seem to want to visit Paris and Venice. I would do that. Fly into Paris, fly from Paris to Venice, fly home from Venice. Spend 5 nights in Paris. Visit Versaialles. Spend 4 nights in Venice. You don't need to spend time in the countryside - it's not especially beautiful in the winter.

Use the "destinations" section of this site to see what you want to do in Paris and Venice - both very romantic cities. Then search on this board for trip reports from Fodorites. That will give you a start on what to do and where to go. Get a good guidebook. Happy planning and happy honeymoon.

Mimar

Here's a romantic hotel in Paris within your price range: www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com. It's in the 5th arrondissement, very central, near the market street Rue Mouffetard.

In general, especially if you have a short time, stay in the center of this and any other city. You don't want to waste time taking the metro out to the far reaches for a cheap hotel. You're cheating yourself of the Parisian experience. A place where you can walk to sights -- and see Paris on the way -- and a hotel where you can go back in the middle of the day to rest, to drop off packages, etc. is much nicer than some bland international chain hotel in the suburbs. Paris has a lot of hotels, many of them quite reasonable and with lots of charm.

In Venice, hotels are more expensive. But staying in the center is an even greater part of the experience. Unless you can afford to splurge here, skip the room with the view and the balcony on the Grand Canal. You'll see plenty of these things as you walk around.

It sounds like Rome is a priority for your fiancee. It wouldn't be a good start to your marriage cutting her choice of destination.

Rome, like Paris, has lots of hotels. I prefer to deal directly with the hotel as opposed to a hotel web site. I think hotels allot a certain number of rooms -- and not the best ones -- to booking via a hotel or travel website. Once those rooms are booked, the hotel appears as full on your dates. But if you deal directly with the hotel, availability magically appears.

And I'd take the train from Venice to Rome. If you add up the time and expense to get to the airport well ahead of the flight and then into Rome from its airport, you won't be saving much time or money. It's just easier to go from city center to city center.

nowwin4u

Hey, I am also planning my honeymoon in Italy at the same time
My itinerary is as follows:
12th to 15th Feb 2013: 3 days In Venice
15th to 18th Feb: 3 days in Milan + Florence

What's wrong in going to Venice at Carnival time? I guess it would be real fun and would be an awesome experience. (Carnival+Valentines Day + Honeymoon)

Paris will be too cold in Feb, so I am sure you will not be able to spend too much time outside your room. Weather wise I feel Italy would be best place in February.

I need some help to find 3 star Hotel in Milan(On budget)

Jean

What's your budget for Milan? The number of stars does not dictate the rate.

nowwin4u

Hey Jean, I booked ADI Doria Grand Hotel in Milan close to Milan railway station. I guess you are right number of stars doesn't dictate the rate as I got this 4 star hotel on a economical rates
I am so happy now my trip is final:
12 to 15th Feb 2013 in Vencie
15 to 19th Feb 2013 in Milan

Since I have 4 days at Milan so want to visit Florence and Pisa for a day.
Any advice on how to spend these days would be of great help. Guys, any advice, tips, dos-don't is most welcome.

Thanks