My fiance and I are going to have our wedding next Aug/Sept., and we are looking for the ideal place to have our honeymoon in Europe. Both of us have been to Europe several times and have been to most of the major sights. I would like to hear some fun honeymoon stories so that we can have the best experience possible. Also, if anyone has taken a European cruise, could you recommend itineraries, companies, etc.
Thanks
When exactly do you want to go: before or after Labor Day? Can make a big difference in terms of crowds. Are you looking for seclusion, romance, great food, art, history, etc...? Fun honeymoon stories in Europe--- Sorry, we kayaked in Alaska(and had some real fun there!).
Likely September-ish.
The idea of Greece keeps coming up but that just seems too easy. I am just looking for ideas at this point.
I have an idea. Since you have at least 6 months before making definte plans, why don't you and your loved one start watching movies together w/an European locale to get some more ideas. American or foreign made, it shouldn't make much of a difference. For instance, Ronin for Paris and south of France, La Cage Aux Folles for south of France, The Mandolin Player? w/Nicolas Cage for coastal Greece, Johnny Stecchino for Sicily, etc... Look at Amazon.com for more movie ideas. BTW, don't make it too much of a cheap date. Buy some good wine and cheese. Another idea---And what cities have you both visited? Do you want to revisit them together?
Jeannine made a good point about visiting some of the places you have each been together. My husband and I are going to Europe, and it's his first time, but my second. We're visiting several places I've been but would like to share with him (Paris, Arles, Aix) and some new places that interest us both (Luberon villages, Madrid). If you haven't been to Europe together, it might be fun to share some of your favorite places while experiencing new places together as well.
I look at it slightly differently. I think going somewhere neither of you have been , and experiencing it together for the first time( sort of like losing virginity, LOL) is a special way of ensuring you will share memories of this honeymoon as being unique to this specail time in your lives.
I have done Europe many times, and I love France and Switzerland best, but, I have to say, at your age, I think a trip to the islands of Greece WOULD be my choice. I loved loved loved Greece. It is very romantic. And so beautiful I have been in late Septand the weather is still wonderful for finding a secluded beach and just relaxing and clubbing at night is fun too..try Santorini, Mykonos, or a
quieter chice might be Paros.
I have kept this hotel on my favorites for years, I have not been , but the reviews are good on this place, and well , just LOOK at that view.
It is Hotel Tagoo in Mykonos.
http://www.hoteltagoo.gr/
Good luck.
Hey Kirk...My wife and I Honeymooned in Europe last October/November. It was our first time in Europe so everything was fresh for us (like Pat said we lost our virginity). We spent a month traveling through Ireland, London, Holland and Paris. We found the big cities to be very romantic (nice dinners, long walks through random neighborhoods, etc). The time we spent in the "country" was also very nice but Paris, London, Dublin and Amsterdam were the best. At that time of the year it was like we had all of these cities to ourselves...Watching the Eifle Tower lightshow with no one else aroud was magical...Walking along the Thames at night with no one around was super romantic. We also stayed in apartments in most cities and I would highly reccomend it (more than just one room to play in). It depends on your personal tastes but no matter where you go your Honeymoon will be the best time of your life! Feel free to contact me if you would like to chat about your plans.
Kirk, for a Honeymoon trip in Europe, I suggest go to a place where people can easily feel relaxed : an island of Greece. I recommend the islands Naxos, Paros, Sifnos, Folegandros. Fly to an island from Athens. (Do not be in the city Athens, except for one night in a hotel before flying to an island). I was told that the Greek island Corfu is the best island of Greece, but I have not been there. But Corfu could be crowded with tourist groups. If you want my recommendations for hotels, and transportation to islands, send a Private message to me at this website.
Kirk, if Greece seems to easy then don't do it. You'll always be second-guessing yourself on some level. A lot of this depends on where you've been and what you enjoy. Tuscany is great for this. The lifestyle and pace of travel is much more slow-paced. Good for a honeymoon.
Another place to think of is Slovenia and Croatia. Look into Rick Steves' books and videos on this region. It would be great for a honeymoon! Lake Bled, Ljubljana, Dubrovnik and the Plitvice Lakes National Park would be fantastic honeymoon destinations.
Kirk, my husband and I had our honeymoon in Europe too, in April 2001. We spent three weeks and hit certain places that both of us had always wanted to see. Here's what our itinerary was, roughly:
Flight to London, arriving early morning. Deliberately planned 7-hour layover so we could take train into city and run around for a few hours. Then back to airport for connecting flight to Barcelona.
Spent 5 nights in Barcelona (highly recommended -- fun town). Took full advantage of hop-on, hop-off tourist bus. Saw all major sights, took catamaran ride on Mediterranean, celebrated husband's 35th birthday in a city he'd always wanted to see.
Picked up rental car (pre-arranged, of course) and drove northwest, staying a couple of nights at converted monastery in Montserrat. Great day hikes and gorgeous rugged mountains. Day trips just driving around to neighboring towns.
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Stayed about four nights in Andorra. Rick Steves doesn't care for Andorra, but husband had always wanted to see it, and it was fun. Went to very nice spa, did some more hiking and drove all over country (it's small!), did some shopping, and I even got an afternoon of skiing in. Snow was lousy in April :-) but I can now say I've skied in the Pyrenees!
Spent third week in SW France, including Foix, Toulouse, Albi, Carcassonne (which I'd wanted to visit since childhood), and Collioure. Mostly based out of Carcassonne and drove to other places.
Looped back down toward Barcelona and spent last night there (pre-arranged).
So basically we made a big clockwise loop beginning and ending in Barcelona.
Have you been to Copenhagen? That's a great city too, and the weather should be pleasant in Aug/Sept. And if you like biking, you can always bike the Danish countryside.
Enjoy!
