...should we go for our honeymoon?

Our parameters:
- Leaving on and around June 28th from either LAX or JFK
- Want to spend ten full non-travel days
- Want to spend no more than 7k
- Prefer cities/architecture/culture/good food over wilderness/country although we like some pretty nature
- Want to go somewhere neither of us have been, and somewhere outside of North America
- Places we've been: Ireland, England, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Kenya, Thailand

Thanks for your help!

Others (perhaps you?) have asked similar questions & one response has been- "..are you sure you've seen EVERYTHING there is to see in all the countries you've visited?" That said, I notice Greece is not on your list. That's where I'd pick based on your parameters, although I've not been yet. 8-)

Eastern Europe. Prague and or Budapest. Beautiful, interesting architecture, tons of art/music/ culture - and very reasonable prices - so you can have a whizz-bang honeymoon suite.

Scandinavia, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Rumania, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Beyloruss, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Luxembourg, Nigeria, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Isle of Man, Scotland, Wales, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Colombia, Nicaragua...to name a few

Oops! I suggested Greece on your Latin America posting when it should have been here.

Richard!

Have you considered maybe traveling around the south pacific islands: Tahiti, Fiji, Cook Islands, etc.? Also maybe staying in an old castle in Scotland, taking a cruise through Scandanavia and seeing the fjords of Norway?

Japan.

Whatever you choose, congratulations on your new life in marriage... and...

Best wishes,

Rex

What about Australia? I've never been but I'm dying to go.

Beth: unfortunately Nitajan says their fans of culture. Probably rules out Australia!

Dr D.

Dr. No Good, you're really bad! Actually I'd rule out Australia because it's the middle of winter -- unless you wanted to do the beaches north.

I'd think Prague and Budapest would be a great combination, and it looks like you haven't been to either.

Thanks for the congrats and suggestions thus far! True - we haven't seen everything there is to see in many of the countries listed, but a new stamp in the passport is always fun. Also, ideally we'd like to go somewhere neither too cold nor too crowded.

With that budget and time frame, let me suggest a cruise. Now, I know, many posters to this forum will poo-poo the idea, but my suggestion is not without some thought having been given, and, truth to tell, a deposit on a similar cruise ourselves, albeit a different itinerary and season.

For example, a new cruiseline, Oceania cruises, has a sailing in early July from Copenhagen that calls at a couple of Norwegian coastal ports and/or fjords, then hits the Shetlands, Scottish coast, Irish, Welsh, Manx and Cornish ports, and ends in Dover 12 days later. Sort of a Celtic Frings/Viking route.

Now this is an itinerary you couldn't really do without being on a boat, it covers both scenic beauty and interesting cities (Bergen, Dublin etc.), the accommodations are deluxe, the sea is a romantic thing to have going by outside your window or balcony, and, with Oceania, you get the best food on the water, Jaques Pepin being the cuisine director. Unpack once, never sweat the accommodation quality, spend your days exploring Lerwick or Douglas (skip the tour buses and hike around the streets); then back in time for a flash meal (no tuxes allowed) and nightcaps over the whitecaps. How bad is that?

Give it a thought.

I was going to suggest Scotland... the people are friendly and fun, it's beautiful in the summer, the history is fascinating and the nightlife is quite good. But then I read the cruise idea. That's actually a pretty good idea, especially for a honeymoon. You only have to do the bag-drag once and can focus on the fun things that you want to do in each city. The price will probably fall into your budget, too.

Scotland is on our favorites list....but it's true...maybe we should consider our cruise (not our natural inclination)!

While I really respect Gardyloo's opinion, I have to jump in here &amp; say if a cruise is not your &quot;natural inclination&quot; <b>don't</b> do it for your honeymoon. While that one does sound interesting, cruises do tend to attract older travelers. If you guys are relatively young, you could be miserable. Save this idea for your 25th anniversary.

Also, I must say I don't get the obsession (not just you, but other posters too) of going &quot;somewhere neither of us have been.&quot; What about combining some of your/his favorite places with some totally new ones??? I'd be less concerned with &quot;new&quot; stamps in a passport and more concerned with going places you're sure to enjoy.

Rio with a side trip to Iguasso Falls. It will still be warm Rio in June, without being unpleasantly hot. The crowds of people will also be diminished. You couldn't ask for better nightlife, dancing, views.