I am trying to plan a honeymoon to Italy in the 11th hour and need help!! My first priority besides safety, etc is WARMTH. We will be married Oct 5, 2003 and hope to honeymoon soon after (providing I can pull it together). So far I have booked 2 nights in Venice at Luna Hotel Baglioni where I found a super rate. May change that now as I have read the view is important and doubt this even has windows considering the price we are getting. But I will worry about that later. I really need help with the 4 or 5 days after Venice. It is our honeymoon and I am high maintenance so hotel hopping is not really an option. We are from the South and I freeze from November to May - so I like 75+ days. We are not really sunbathers but we will want to "play" outside all day in the water and sun. We will do a little sightseeing but not too much. Also don?t want to feel like we are missing out, though. I am going to try not to do much shopping ... but I do want hand-painted ceramics, glass, and do a little Christmas shopping - I have a problem but I am going to try to curtail it on our honeymoon! Roaring nightlife is not important. We like nice romantic dining. Do not really want to deal with getting a car. But don?t want to be too secluded because my fiancé' is very sociable and contrary to what he is saying I KNOW he is going to start itching for "people"!! I am just not sure where to focus. Want to stay under $300/night but want very nice room w/ balcony. Done a lot of research on Portofino , Positano(Le Sirenuse booked), Ravello (maybe too far from water?)... just now starting to research SML, Sorrento (not getting great vibes,)Canogli & Capri. I found article ranking most beautiful beach-Otranto(?) but doesn?t look to be nice hotels there. If I were going to the Caribbean I would definitely rent a villa with pool and short walk to beach but since we have not been to Italy thought we may need assistance of hotel.

Otranto does have beautiful beaches and considering that you are going in October, will be the warmest of the destinations you list. If you are that sensitive the cold, I'm not sure how you will find the temperature of the sea in October--it's no Caribbean.But hopefully, the very warm summer this year might have a positive effect by keeping the water temperature up longer. Many of the places you list are summer resorts and begin to close down their swimming pools in October also. If it is warm enough and you want to sit by the sea, Ravello isn't the best choice--it takes 15 to 20 minutes by bus to get down to the coast. Considering it is around 78 degrees in Rome right now, I'm not too optimistic that you will find a lot of 75+ degree days in Liguria in October. Have you thought about Sicily? Taormina offers everything you seek: not secluded, romantic dining, ceramic shopping and warmer temperatures. Check the Hotel Belvedere. They should be in your price range and they have a pool. The best choice for a honeymoon would be the San Domenico Palace but you may have trouble finding a room for under 300 a night.

What is with only 3 star and less hotels in Sicily?

Dear ja,

You will be taking a chance if you are looking for warm weather and swimming in Italy in October.

OTOH there are hot springs on Ischia. Here is a link I found. I am not associated with this property.

There are several five star hotels (San Domenico, Mazzaro Sea Palace, Villa San Andrea and Grand Timeo in Taormina and Villa Igiea in Palermo)and plenty of four star hotels, including the Excelsior Palace, Villa Diodoro amd Caparena in and around Taormina.

I take the 3 star comment away. Sorry. I see that all reviews do not rank/star them the same??
Thanks for the info about hot springs!!! I have been doing this for 4 days straight - only taking lunch and dinner breaks - I MUST find something! If not, he is going to plan it and we will be going to the beach 3 hrs away. BEAUTIFUL beaches but we go 3 or 4 times per summer and I lived there every summer in college. I said 'NO wedding!!' at the last minute because of the hassle and coordinating families SOOO I at least want to have a nice honeymoon!!!! Thanks for everyone's help!

OK! Does anyone know alternative ways of getting rooms when search engines say they are booked? In the states I can call to wheel and deal a room and even a rate. The great hotels are showing booked on expedia, orbitz(ugh), initaly, travelocity, venere...etc. I know there are rooms. How do I get one? I want to go to San Domenico Palace. How can I do it? He is closing in on me - to take over!!

Uummm...have you booked your flight yet?

Good luck in your planning and I wish you a long and happy marriage!

Go to the hotel's websites themselves and check to see if there are openings. Good luck!

The staff at the San Domenico Palace are as gracious and helpful as any I have encountered anywhere. Call the hotel directly. Explain it is your honeymoon and that you would love to stay at their hotel. They speak wonderful English and, if they are booked solid, may even help you find an available room elsewhere in Taormina. The Villa Ducale, although a three star, is lovely and romantic. No pool but gorgeous views.

topping for ja

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I am now also looking at Greece. It will be a miracle if I finish this!