I'm looking for some advice. I'm going to Europe on my honeymoon, leaving June 1 for 14-16 days. My fiance and I are in our late 20's. We live in NYC and don't want to tour the major cities (Paris, Madrid, London - all out). We'd prefer to absorb the culture, food, and life-style of two countries, and relax at some resorts for another part of our trip.<BR><BR>We are leaning towards France and Italy. Jan would really like to see Venice. The other ideas being thrown around are a chateaux in Lyon, Lake Como, Sardinia, Amalfi Coast, or perhaps the Costa del Sol or the French Riviera. We'll be there for. <BR><BR>Any specifics on places to look into at those locations, or other ideas would be a great help. I don't know when I'll get back to Europe for this long, so I want it to be the trip of a lifetime, so please put your imagination to work and give some ideas. <BR><BR>Thanks so much,<BR><BR>george.

Hi George<BR><BR> I suggest 3 nights in Venice, 3 nights in Florence, 4 nights in Rome and 4 nights on the Amalfi coast.<BR><BR>

George,<BR><BR>My wife and I honeymooned in Italy and went back to France the next year. Just for reference, we were married 2 years ago and were both 33 at the time.<BR><BR>We spent 15 days in Italy and 10 days in France. <BR><BR>It seems to me that part of your decision is related to the pace of your trip and your transportation thoughts. We like a combination of city life and country culture. We also value freedom from time schedules. For these reasons, we have found that renting a car to be best for us. Driving in Italy and France is very easy...even the smallest towns are well marked and the road systems are excellent. <BR><BR>You can certainly take a train or fly from one area to another. The high speed trains are excellent. I still recommend driving, as your daily schedules are not as structured. 2-3 nights per stop works well for us. Much depends on travel times between destinations. <BR><BR>The Amalfi Coast is awesome, but it is a bit of a hike from Northern Italy/ France. With 14-16 days, I would stay<BR>to the North. Note: It will obviously be warmer in the south, but this matters in early June. <BR><BR>On my honeymoon, we flew into Milan (May 15)and immediately drove to Belagio on Lake Como (1.5 hours). After our wedding, we were both tired and were very happy to just lay low in a small town. Belagio is still one of our alltime favorites...highly recommended and absolutely stunning in the spring. Its relationship to the airport was a major factor. We flew into Milan and were in-town by noon. <BR><BR>I have to say that you should consider the Tuscan countryside. In my opinion, there is no better mix of culture, food and life-style for a honeymoon. I would recommend Siena over Florence. <BR><BR>One suggestion would be to fly into Venice, then head West to Lake Como. Better yet, from Venice, head to Tuscany, then North to Lake Como. Then on to Southern France and to North to Lyons. Of course, this could be reversed.<BR><BR>My personal opinion would be to limit the trip to Central/Northern Italy and possibly the French Riviera. This would provide you with the opportunity to have a relaxed pace. It also provides a wealth of varied cultures and sites, all within reasonable travel distances.<BR><BR>Only one man's opinion...Good Luck.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

The wonderful stretch of highway that connects Lyon to Venice has more great destinations than you could wear out in 14-16 months, let alone 14-16 days.<BR><BR>I think I would actually forego the Rhone valley and western "end" of Provence, and start with 2-3 days in a hotel. It's been almost 28 years since our honeymoon, and we were not able to travel like this back then - - but I think that every honeymoon should begin with at least some room service, maid service, and things you can only get in a hotel.<BR><BR>Between Nice and Venice there are tons of great "villa stay" destinations. I would use several weeks to browse the borchures you can get from places like<BR><BR>www.cuendet.com<BR>www.theparkercompan y.com<BR>www.rentvillas.com<BR>www.regencyintapts. com<BR><BR>or <BR><BR>www.domani-usa.com<BR><BR>to name just a few... and pick a few possible locations where the accommodations look appealing to YOUR taste - - and then come back here for input on the location. Make sure and visit www.slowtrav.com also for lots of ideas and personal experiences.<BR><BR>Close proximity to any of the "big three" lakes of Northern Italy would be great, although Sardinia is an interesting and (slightly) off beat alternative (I have never been to Sardinia).<BR><BR>Then finish off with 3-4 nights in the Veneto (and Venice in particular) for dessert.<BR><BR>Congratulations on your new life in marriage.... and...<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Thanks for the advice. Based on the early planning stages, hotel service will be required to start the trip. I've Lake Como would provide this and will check out Belagio. <BR><BR>Thanks for all the advice, I'll post again and when I decide on locations and need specific hotel or villa advice. as always, greatly appreciated.<BR><BR>george

for george and bride-to-be<BR>

Congratulations! My husband and I decided to honeymoon this past June in Tuscany and loved every minute of it. I had been to Tuscany before and toured the major cities and he had no set expectations so we decided to stay at an agriturismo for the week in Gaiole in Chianti - perfect. It was everything we wanted, leisurely first and foremost - we had no set "schedule" and were able to absorb the counrtyside and all it offers. We rented a car, no big deal at all, and drove from the Pisa airport to our destination. We were able to get enough city time with day trips to Florence and Siena. We both do love to vacation at the beach, so thought we might miss the sun and surf - nope! We were lucky in that our farmhouse had a beautiful pool carved into the hillside - and we had it all to ourselves. This was a huge plus since tuscany was in the midst of a major heat wave, needless to say we didn't miss the beach one bit.<BR><BR>We are now torn for our next trip between Umbria or the Friuli region. Whatever you decide Italy is magnificent and you'd be hard pressed to find a "bad" spot.

<BR>We are New Yorkers in our 60's who were married fourteen years ago. We discovered St. Remy de Provence eleven years ago and have gone back there every year since.<BR>Consider four days in Provence. For a village (country) experience consider St. Remy - hotel: &quot;Chateau des Alpilles&quot;, do not miss Wednesday morning outdoor market, and/or Aix en Provence, a small city called the Paris of the south about 80 kms away.<BR><BR>The lavender blooms in late June but you may get an early growth. If do do, do not miss the Abbey Senanque where monks raise vast gorgeous fields of it.<BR><BR>Congratulations.<BR><BR>

George,<BR>hi I am getting married next year in Venice , it's an absolute must for your honeymoon, I think 3 nights is sufficent.<BR> I also love the Amalfi coast, Positano, Capri, Ravello.<BR>In France, I loved Provance and Saint Paul de Vence, but you won't need more then 2 nights there.I can honestly say if I were you I would skip the south of France - Cann etc. I found it very comercial and touristly( just my opinion).<BR> Sardinia is the place to party if your in to that, it's what the S. of France used to be, I think the best way to get there is by boat,I will leave it to one of the pros. to give you suggestions....<BR>I have received lots of helpful info. fron Bob the Navigator, Elaine &amp; Rex on this board.<BR>You can do a search on almost any subject and get info. <BR>I also highly recommend www.karenbrown.com for hotel suggestions.<BR>Many congrats-<BR>Fluffy

Venice is very romantic but also beautiful and unique. Would certainly not miss Venice. Also if you like the sea and rugged coastline, the Amalfi Coast is lovely. The town of Amalfi itself is very touristy - wouldnt stay there. Sorrento is not my favourite place but there again I am hitting 60 but its good for young people and there is so many places you can go to from there - Positano, Ravello, Capri, Ischia. When reading this forum there are obviously some lovely hotels for honeymooners in the Amalfi coast, depending on how much you want to spend. Casa Morgano Hotel on Capri - balcony with breakfast in your Rome is one of many! Have a great honeymoon!!