Suggestions for 1-week honeymoon in late May-early June: Provence, Barcelona, northern Italy, Santorini?
Sep 29th, 2003, 12:08 PM
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Suggestions for 1-week honeymoon in late May-early June: Provence, Barcelona, northern Italy, Santorini?
The good news is that we're going to South Africa for 15 days in November-December. The bad news is that that was supposed to be our honeymoon, but we are now having to move our wedding date to late May, when we can only take a week of vacation time.
So, we are trying to decide where to go on our honeymoon for a week in late May-early June, leaning toward somewhere in Spain, southern France, Italy, or one of the Greek islands. We will be flying out of Washington DC on a Sunday, arriving on Monday, and returning the following Monday -- seven days & nights. We love good food & wine, scenic views, art, and photography. We would like someplace beautiful, romantic and relaxing -- and since it's only for 7 days we don't want to have to move around too much on this trip. We are considering Provence, Barcelona, northern Italy, or Santorini -- but we are open to suggestions. We would prefer to stay in accommodations that are intimate, luxurious, and unique rather than huge resorts or hotels, and our budget for accommodations (just this once) is around $200/night max, although less would be great. Places we are probably NOT considering -- because either one or both of us has been there recently -- are Paris, Madrid, Seville, Rome, Tuscany, Florence, Venice, and the Amalfi coast (I know, that rules out a lot). At this point our first choice is Santorini, although because of flight schedules we would only be able to have six nights there (with one night in Athens), which doesn't sound as relaxing.
Advice, recommendations, thoughts? Feel free to suggest specific hotels. Thanks.
So, we are trying to decide where to go on our honeymoon for a week in late May-early June, leaning toward somewhere in Spain, southern France, Italy, or one of the Greek islands. We will be flying out of Washington DC on a Sunday, arriving on Monday, and returning the following Monday -- seven days & nights. We love good food & wine, scenic views, art, and photography. We would like someplace beautiful, romantic and relaxing -- and since it's only for 7 days we don't want to have to move around too much on this trip. We are considering Provence, Barcelona, northern Italy, or Santorini -- but we are open to suggestions. We would prefer to stay in accommodations that are intimate, luxurious, and unique rather than huge resorts or hotels, and our budget for accommodations (just this once) is around $200/night max, although less would be great. Places we are probably NOT considering -- because either one or both of us has been there recently -- are Paris, Madrid, Seville, Rome, Tuscany, Florence, Venice, and the Amalfi coast (I know, that rules out a lot). At this point our first choice is Santorini, although because of flight schedules we would only be able to have six nights there (with one night in Athens), which doesn't sound as relaxing.
Advice, recommendations, thoughts? Feel free to suggest specific hotels. Thanks.
Sep 29th, 2003, 06:05 PM
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Late May in the beautiful and most romantic village of Oia on Santorini is your best choice for perfect weather, beautiful views, great food, sightseeing and relaxation. You can take advantage of low season rates and get a fantastic room over the caldera with a view "to die for". Getting there is easy from Athens, there are a few flights each day, then you're only a taxi away from Oia. The weather will be perfect and the water warm. It won't be crowded and you can spend your days lazing in the sun or take a ride to other areas of the island to see the archaeological sites or just go shopping. Hotels to consider: Katikies, Esperas, Perivolas, Oia Mare, La Perla, Canaves Oia Traditonal Houses and Atlantis Villas to name a few.
Oct 1st, 2003, 08:45 AM
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I disagree - while Santorini is beautiful - 6 days is too long to spend on just that island, and Greece is best seen while looking at the differences between multiple islands. My vote is for France. Provence is spectacular, you could spend some time in Nice, drive to Cannes and best of all Monaco. The weather will be great that time of year, the last weekend in May is the Monaco Grand Prix which brings a great excitement to the area. The Monto Carlo Casino is unike anything you've seen. Best of all, all these towns are within relatively easy driving distance, if you are bored of one place and you want a day trip it's easy and if you don't want to move it's all pretty!! One of my favorite restaurants in the world is in St. Paul de Vence - Columb de Or - be prepared for incredible food, great service and the most relaxing 4-5 hour meal you've ever had. Congrats!!
Oct 13th, 2003, 01:01 AM
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Just goes to show how travel affects people differently. I went to Santorini for a week in August and had huge plans to do all the different activities on the island. Well, guess what? We spent our entire week in Oia, leaving for only one night to go dancing in Thira. Oia was absolutely enchanting and I would recommend it as the PERFECT place for a honeymoon. After the stress of a wedding, you will most likely want somewhere you can just chill out. Santorini (Oia) has the following:
- The most breathtaking views. you will never tire of opening your window and seeing the brilliant blue sea and the myriad of cruise ships/yachts/ferries pulling in and out
- great food and wine. Local Santorini wine, with its distinctive 'volcanic' flavour, is about 4 euros a bottle. Oia has fantastic restaurants. I can recommend some, if you like
- photographic opportunities at every turn. We took over 1,000 digital photos (and these are keepers!!) in 7 days
- the sunset. The sunset in Oia is worshipped every night. People gather on the church ruin 2 hours beforehand and clap and cheer the setting sun. This brought tears to my eyes on my first night.
- romance. When Travel and Leisure magazine did a cover story on the 50 most romantic places on earth, they chose Oia for their cover
- lack of traffic/children (great for romance and relaxation!!). Many of the hotels exclude children simply because of all the steps. It is not an easy place to take a stroller because of the steps, narrow walkways, etc. Oia is mostly car free. Obviously there are roads which lead to Oia but 90% is pedestrian
- for hotels, I stayed at Esperas. FANTASTIC. Discreet, low key hotel in a great location with fantastic staff who will take good care of you. The rooms come with a kitchenette so you can buy wine, dips and bread and settle down for the sunset. After 6 nights of doing this for 2 hours each night you will return home very relaxed indeed!!
- The most breathtaking views. you will never tire of opening your window and seeing the brilliant blue sea and the myriad of cruise ships/yachts/ferries pulling in and out
- great food and wine. Local Santorini wine, with its distinctive 'volcanic' flavour, is about 4 euros a bottle. Oia has fantastic restaurants. I can recommend some, if you like
- photographic opportunities at every turn. We took over 1,000 digital photos (and these are keepers!!) in 7 days
- the sunset. The sunset in Oia is worshipped every night. People gather on the church ruin 2 hours beforehand and clap and cheer the setting sun. This brought tears to my eyes on my first night.
- romance. When Travel and Leisure magazine did a cover story on the 50 most romantic places on earth, they chose Oia for their cover
- lack of traffic/children (great for romance and relaxation!!). Many of the hotels exclude children simply because of all the steps. It is not an easy place to take a stroller because of the steps, narrow walkways, etc. Oia is mostly car free. Obviously there are roads which lead to Oia but 90% is pedestrian
- for hotels, I stayed at Esperas. FANTASTIC. Discreet, low key hotel in a great location with fantastic staff who will take good care of you. The rooms come with a kitchenette so you can buy wine, dips and bread and settle down for the sunset. After 6 nights of doing this for 2 hours each night you will return home very relaxed indeed!!
Oct 13th, 2003, 10:10 AM
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My vote is for Santorini! I spent 3 days there with my cousin in late April a few years ago and we both remarked how wonderful it would be for a honeymoon. The cliffside blue domed buildings are breathtaking and the food in Greece is wonderful. For your interests it sounds perfect- and don't worry, six nights will be plenty relaxing. Since it is your honeymoon, I don't think you will run out of things to do. There are many different beaches to explore and late May would be a great time of year to visit. It was just barely warm enough to lay on the beach so it should be beautiful when you would be there. Also, you'll be on the edge of their high season so it should be relatively uncrowded.
I've also been to Barcelona and that would be a good option as well- there is a bit more action there and more to do. The beaches were nice and there is more nightlife. But for a honeymoon I would still say Santorini! Good luck~
I've also been to Barcelona and that would be a good option as well- there is a bit more action there and more to do. The beaches were nice and there is more nightlife. But for a honeymoon I would still say Santorini! Good luck~
Oct 13th, 2003, 03:10 PM
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What did I do?
I ate the food, drank the wine, worked on the perfect tan, ate some more, drank some more, mad a lot a friends from all over the world, entertained them in the house I rented, enjoyed the amazing sunsets and full moons and starry nights, swam in the most amazing blue water every day, fell in love with the people, the culture and the purity of the lifestyle, and most importantly learned to work to live, not live to work.
I ate the food, drank the wine, worked on the perfect tan, ate some more, drank some more, mad a lot a friends from all over the world, entertained them in the house I rented, enjoyed the amazing sunsets and full moons and starry nights, swam in the most amazing blue water every day, fell in love with the people, the culture and the purity of the lifestyle, and most importantly learned to work to live, not live to work.
Oct 17th, 2003, 02:38 AM
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Another vote for the Greek islands! I stayed in Perivolas in Oia and loved it, it's the original cave-room hotel with a huge dose of luxury. Though it's quite busy even in May, and it's not cheap...
I also went to a tiny island called Folegandros, a couple of hours away by ferry, which was really quiet, and found it the most romantic spot in the world...
You can read my reviews of the hotels and what to do (or not do) on the islands here:
http://www.i-escape.com/destination_...country=Greece
It's a long address so cut and paste carefully!
Good luck!
Michael
I also went to a tiny island called Folegandros, a couple of hours away by ferry, which was really quiet, and found it the most romantic spot in the world...
You can read my reviews of the hotels and what to do (or not do) on the islands here:
http://www.i-escape.com/destination_...country=Greece
It's a long address so cut and paste carefully!
Good luck!
Michael
Oct 17th, 2003, 04:26 AM
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Brotherlee, you sound like my kinda guy! Any man who rents a house - twice - in Oia - is a quality human being in my books. When I'm in Santorini, I feel at my most beautiful even if I haven't got the perfect tan or a scrap of makeup on. I feel my most 'me'. It just does something to you...
Oct 18th, 2003, 12:29 AM
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Lisa,
I am surprised nobody has mentioned Provence at this time. It is absolutely fantastic and you can travel as little or as much as you want. You have the wine, the spring colors, the food, and the many, many villages to stroll through. Photography of the towns and landscape is great during this time. Roussillon, Gordes, and Saint Remy are very romantic and would be a nice place for your honey moon.
Northern Italy is also incredible wiht the lake district and northern Tuscany. Towns and lakes such as Como, Varenna, Lago di Garda, Sirmione, etc. Lots of wine, also great food, and very historical villages etc. We live in Munich and frequent Northern Italy regularlly.
For your South Africa Trip I see that you asked some photography questions on an ealier posting. I have put my trip report on Return from SA and included a photo paragraph for you. Enjoy and let us know if you have any more questions if you decide to go to Provence, N. Italy, or Barcelona. It looks like Santorini is covered pretty well above.
Ciao!
I am surprised nobody has mentioned Provence at this time. It is absolutely fantastic and you can travel as little or as much as you want. You have the wine, the spring colors, the food, and the many, many villages to stroll through. Photography of the towns and landscape is great during this time. Roussillon, Gordes, and Saint Remy are very romantic and would be a nice place for your honey moon.
Northern Italy is also incredible wiht the lake district and northern Tuscany. Towns and lakes such as Como, Varenna, Lago di Garda, Sirmione, etc. Lots of wine, also great food, and very historical villages etc. We live in Munich and frequent Northern Italy regularlly.
For your South Africa Trip I see that you asked some photography questions on an ealier posting. I have put my trip report on Return from SA and included a photo paragraph for you. Enjoy and let us know if you have any more questions if you decide to go to Provence, N. Italy, or Barcelona. It looks like Santorini is covered pretty well above.
Ciao!
