amandakl25

Hello everyone

this is my first post here, I’ve read many- and have come to a time where I hope to get some advice on an upcoming trip.

my finance and I are planning our honeymoon for early September. We will have 10 days ( 10 full days outside of our travel days). We’re both in our mid thirties and are in good health/mobility ( so hills aren’t an issue)

We are looking for:

• A place with lots to do nearby ( we will have a rental car- so nearby means anything within a 2 hour drive)
• Somewhere on the ocean (or large lake) with lots of restaurants to check out
• great food
• preferably some vineyards/wineries
• beautiful scenery

we are looking to relax, eat, and take in some scenery, we don’t need nightlife. To give you an idea- my favourite places so far have been Croatia ( split and omis), Italy ( Positano) and Greece ( santorini). Fiancé doesn’t love Greek food ( I know, how?!) so Greece is off the list for this trip. We’ve both been to Paris, and loved it, but looking for something more coastal for our honeymoon.

We were originally thinking lake como or south of France, but a little overwhelmed with options in south of France and I’ve heard 10 days is too long for como ( our last trip to Italy was 2 weeks of going place to place, this time we went to pick one place and really settle in).

any recommendations would be welcome and appreciated!

Michael

The Dordogne. With a car you will be able to see quite a bit. The area is divided into 4 sections:

Périgord noir of which Sarlat is the center:

https://flic.kr/p/7yBkNQ

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjpmUgbR

The Périgord vert with Brantôme as its tourist center:

https://flic.kr/p/a6nXX8

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjpxhVq3

The Périgord blanc with Périgueux the administrative center of the entire region

https://flic.kr/p/8vcEAV

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjprT5tk

The Périgord pourpre which is the Dordogne's wine region

https://flic.kr/p/7U1mE8

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjqcGRfx

emmamackenzie

It's a shame your fiancé doesn't like Greek food because Santorini, Paros and Crete are stunning! Have you thought about Portugal? I loved Portugal! We've been to Lisbon and Lagos - they were amazing, and so romantic. I haven't been there, but I hear Corsica is an idyllic honeymoon location and I know people who have spent over a week there quite happily. How exciting for you! Congratulations!

FTOttawa

As you correctly point out, the south of France offers a lot of options (as in, “lots to do nearby” and is adjacent to a very large lake indeed, some might call it a sea.

Riviera connoisseurs might cheerlead here for their favourite base, but really, just fly into Nice, don’t need to rent a car for the whole time, and enjoy. The Côte d’Azur will surely tick all your boxes.

Gardyloo

Several areas come to mind; you might want to research them a little...

1. Annecy and Haute-Savoie. Lac d'Annecy is very big and gorgeous, rimmed by the alps, and the town itself is a gem (quite popular, too.) You're within your two-hour radius of Lyon with its foodie culture, and there are some decent wines produced in Savoie. And of course day trips into Switzerland - Geneva, Lausanne, etc. - are very easy.

2. Brittany. Glorious coastal scenery, a distinct Celtic culture (music, wow) plus Belon oysters and crepes... what's not to like? We spent a few days in Dinan in the north and a few more in Pont-Aven in Finisterre, and both were beyond delightful. There are some vineyards, but oh, the cider!

3. Biarritz and the Basque country. Sandy and rocky beaches, some of Europe's best food, fishing villages and coastal glamor. A two-country base in either France or Spain and you've got the makings of a terrific holiday.

4. French and Spanish Catalonia. Not only the coast from Narbonne and Perpignan to Barcelona and beyond, but if you want to venture inland (well within your day trip range) you've got the Pyrenees, Montserrat... Best of three worlds.

I'll probably think of more.

tripplanner001

Another suggestion is Istanbul. Beautiful city, full of things to do, cruising on the Bosphorus is a joy, and the food is awesome.

ekscrunchy

Each of Gardyloo's suggestions would be very, very well worth exploring.

My own pick, if those do not appeal:

The coastal, walled city, of Senigallia in Le Marche. Long, wide, almost-white, sand beach; with your time frame, water will be warm enough to swim. Charming walled city large enough to spend a few days exploring but small enough that you can walk anywhere of interest.

Fantastic restaurants including 2 that are world-famed and Michelin starred, but not at all stuffy. (one of my best meals in Italy was at one of these restaurants, ULIASSI.) It has 3 Michelin stars, is listed in the "World's 50 Best Restaurants" list, with owners who are as delightful and welcoming as you could imagine. Right on the beach. You can choose from a few Tasting menus or just have a la carte. I would drive here from Rome to be able to have another meal here.

https://www.uliassi.com/our-menu/#carta

There are also great casual restaurants and gelaterie.

There are olive oil producers nearby, that accept visitors. For example, Frantoio Brignoni, outside the absolutely enchanting small town of Corinaldo.
The region offers many excellent wines from about 10 DOC(G) zones.

https://italianwine.guide/regions-en-gb/marche-en-GB/


We saw no English-speaking tourists when we were there, in late September/early October.
The town is very well placed for easy day trips, both to other coastal towns, and to inland Le Marche. So you could take a day or two in Ascoli Piceno, or Urbino, or other compelling city or town.
The drive to Urbino and the drive to San Marino (stamps!!) each take 1 hour. It's an hour and a half to Ascoli Piceno.
The drive to Bologna takes less than 2 hours, as does the drive to Ravenna (mosaics).

Hotel prices are very reasonable and the town is flat and great for wallking.

From Rome you can fly/train into Bologna and pick up your rental car, or just make the drive from Rome. You can also fly into Ancona from Rome.

Not sure of your interest in shopping, but the area is famed for outlets of designer brands like Tod's, Armani...etc. This is probably the best outlet shopping mecca in Italy.


https://www.turismo.marche.it/en-us/...enigallia/5642