Euro Trip Honeymoon Itinerary Critique

Time of year??

Likely July/August2016. I like to be prepared =)

Day 11: FLR-SPU Flight (Rome to Split Croatia)

Do you plan on travelling Florence => Tuscan countryside => Rome ??
With only 3 days in Spain (Madrid) I wonder if its worth the effort.

Sorry that was a mistake by me. At first it didn't appear that Florence to Split flights were cost effective and thought we'd might as well take the high speed train down to Rome, stay a day, and fly out of FCO. But I think FLR to SPU should be fine and we can avoid another travel element.

As for Madrid, I read that 3 full days could work, but that's definitely something I'll think about and potentially change (add another day, or just skip it).

I had the same reaction as David to your short stay in Madrid, especially with the first day being your not-at-your-best jet-lag day. But you have to spend that day somewhere, and I don't know where to suggest you subtract a day to add one in Madrid. You're basically spending nearly three weeks in three areas (Spain, northern Italy, Dalmatian coast) which seems to me like good pacing. Have fun filling in the blanks!

Yes, I'd be torn as to where you could find a day or 2 extra to add to Madrid, that is if you can't extend your time in Europe beyond 17 nights. Perhaps the 3 nights would be better spent added on to Italy or Croatia.

Day 1: LAX-Milan Flight
Day 2: Land in Milan (possibility of heading to Lake Como)
Day 4: Train to Florence. Staying in Tuscany
Day 10: Flight to Split, Croatia
Day 12: Take boat from Split to Hvar
Day 14: Take boat from Hvar to Korcula
Day 16: Take boat from Korcula to Dubrovnik (Game of Thrones!)
Day 19: DBV-LHR-LAX (land the following day)

Madrid can be very hot in July and August (pushing 40 degrees) and many avoid it at that time of year as it can be unpleasant. Ideally you need longer there to make it worthwhile especially with jet lag. You will be travelling peak school holiday season so flights and destinations will be busy and more expensive and Madrid and Tuscany are at the expensive end of the scale to start with!

Many places in Croatia at this time may have a minimum 3 night booking, so for maximum relaxation, just visit one island. Avoid Hvar town at this time unless you are into all night clubbing. I suggest the quaint Stari Grad or Jelsa or smaller Vrboska, Croatia's answer to Venice, to the north of the island or hire a car or a scooter and stay in one of the slightly inland villages such as Dol or Vrbanj. Alternatively, Korcula maybe slightly quieter.

On the whole, it looks a lot more sensible than most itineraries on this website!

Thanks everyone for the advice! I was definitely wary of the jet lag, but through points hoarding I'm able to book our TATL flights in business class and was thinking we'd be fine day 1, but I may be a little too optimistic. Looks like we can save Spain for another trip that's longer and in a better time of the year.

I'll definitely look into the other suggestions you all gave. Much appreciated!

I wondered about your return from DBV to LAX landing on the west coast "the following day". A quick browse on www.itasoftware.com showed many flights that arrive the same day, although often requiring a very early morning departure. The most interesting is Norwegian, the "budget" trans-Atlantic carrier, flying through Heathrow and then non-stop to Los Angeles on the new B-787. Its times are civilized.

Really appreciate you for checking on that! The next day arrival from DBV-LHR-LAX is due to a 14 hour layover in LHR which is based on current AA Biz Class award tickets on that route. Different options may open up as we get closer to that 330 day award window. If not we're fine staying in the city for the night, grab a nice dinner and walk around.

As a European city, Madrid wouldn't make my top 20 list, but it has the Prado, the Thiessen and the REina Sofia art museums and one of the best palaces in Europe. So don't feel bad about skipping it, since those sights aren't your priorities.

Instead of staying right in Dubrovnik at the height of the summer, you might consider staying in Cavtat, a little fishing village just south of the city (near the Dubrovnik airport). You can easily reach Dubrovnik by boat or by bus (15-20 minutes). But then after sightseeing in Old Town, you can come back and relax along the peaceful palm-tree lined harbor and sip wine while you watch the sun set and the yachts dock. Good restaurants. Check it out on Google and Trip Advisor.

We've stayed in Cavtat twice ... once at the big Hotel Croatia, which has balconies with gorgeous sea views (might be perfect for a honeymoon) and once at Villa Andros, a small b&b right in the town (great location). Totally different experiences but both good.

If you're planning a day trip to Montenegro (highly recommended) you can take a tour bus or rent a car from Cavtat as well. Then when it comes time to fly back home, you're just a few minutes from the airport.