lramos,

I think it's really great that you are paying so much attention to what your new bride will need and what she might most enjoy.

I also do not recover easily from jet leg, so wherever you go first, try to make it a place where you will feel the least pressure to be up and around sightseeing.

I have to say that if my husband had taken me to Venezia for our honeymoon I'm not sure whether I would have liked it or not. I find Venezia jammed full of things to see, not very Italian and has way too many tourists (which I really don't enjoy). I also am a nature lover, and while Venice has a lot of water, it has very little greenery.

I think I might have very much enjoyed staying in a Tuscan villa with daytrips to cities, provided there was a car. Sometimes if you stay in a countryside villa or agriturismo, your bill for accommodations is so much cheaper that renting a car is affordable.

Is your fiance really big on art? Has she dreamed of seeing these Italian citeis all her life? Are you both going to be totally wiped out from the wedding?

Has your intended offered you any clues about her enthusiasms when it comes to Italy?

TarheelsInNj - I appreciate your comments, and in no way feel that any comment, biased or not is unwelcome. Believe me, everyone in one way or another is biased and perfer one location to another; however, that is why I post my questions here in the first place: I know everyone will give me there opinion.

If you don't mind, would you be able to go into more detail regarding your Honeymoon. I was very interested and would like to know more about your experience. Thank you.

If I were you, I would budget for a water taxi ride from the Venice airport to your hotel, since it is your honeymoon. It's expensive, but on the first stop of my honeymoon, I wouldn't want to be lugging suitcases up and down stairs on the bridges. I'd give up a gondola ride before I'd give up the water taxi ride with luggage.

Well I have to admit that this particular question has left me wondering, but in a good way. I appreciate everyones input, and this trip will probably change many different times within the next couple of months, but I feel that I am getting a better understanding, that is a better appreciation for the location and not just the destination. I will continue to debate; however, thanks to all the replies I am in a better position.

Again, Thank you all.

Sure, I'd be glad to share! I never did get around to writing a trip report, but I'm happy to provide more info on anything I say below.

We had a two-week honeymoon, which involved 4 days in Florence, a week in Tuscany, and a "layover" in Paris (3 nights).

Given our time and budget constraints, we purposely viewed this trip is a first trip (of many!) to Italy. Therefore, we didn't spend much time waiting in line at museums, didn't feel the need to rent a car and visit every hilltown, and didn't worry about "missing" Rome and Venice- they've been there thousands of years, after all, and they'll still be there in a few more!

Instead, our philosophy was to soak up Italy, and just enjoy being there and being together. We spent a lot of time walking around Florence, and particularly enjoyed the views over the city from various places. If you're there at the beginning of June, you MUST visit the community rose garden. It's simply perfect, and ranks as one of my favorite places in the world. We also took a side trip to Fiesole (mentioned above) and climbed the Duomo, which was a fabulous experience.

We spent our Tuscan week in Montepulciano, in a rented apartment. It was truly perfect- everything you dream that Tuscany will be. I didn't truly relax until we stepped into the town.

Most people will recommend that you rent a car, but we chose not to, and I'm glad. Instead, we spent a very slooooooooow week relaxing, walking over every inch of Montepulciano, drinking wine, sharing long meals, etc. We were armed with info about side trips, but didn't end up leaving the town much. We did go on a hike to Pienza one day, however, which we really enjoyed.

One thing I will say is I had NO idea how exhausted I would be after the wedding. Though we had an amazing honeymoon, if I had to go back I might have put Montepulciano first, only because we were able to really relax there.

Really, you can't go wrong with Italy... it's an incredible country, and I am looking forward to many more trips there!

Wow, tarheel! What a lovely honeymoon you had! Makes me look forward even more to the "second honeymoon" my husband and I are planning in Italy and some good ideas, too. Thanks for sharing and thank you, iramos, for asking.