Tips for a 6 month Honeymoon/Holiday Trip

Ah good, you both have British Passports so you don't have to worry about the Schengen Area "90 days in 180" limit. You can sty ina any EU country as long as you like, and even get a job if you want to.

Direction matters. In spring or Autumn work form north to south, getting warmer. May to August can be seriously hot in southern Europe. But then you're Auzzies, it can get a bit warm there too. For the Northern Lights you want winter. They are totally unpredictable, but the further north you get the more chances you have of being lucky.

Our son and dil recent completed five months in the far east and Europe as a part of their honeymoon. A big issue is your finances and access to your finances. If somethings goes wrong, it can be hard to deal with banks long distance and in different time zones. In the US, the privacy laws are pretty strict as to who has access to your financial records, etc. For them, we set up with their banks so that I had complete access and control (should that be necessary) of their funds. We had no problem during the five months. This concern arose from a problem years earlier when son was a student in Spain. One day his bank suddenly froze his accounts. When I try to determine the problem I was denied any information because I was not on the account. Since this was before the internet era, long distance calls from Spain was the only contact and it proved to be a hurdle in solving his banking problem. So get someone your trust on your accounts who can intervene on your behalf should a problem arise.

Good advise from Frank, its something visitors for shorter period never thing off, but for half a year its a good idea to have someone at home who can intercede on your behalf if needed!

What a wonderful journey to celebrate your marriage. Congrats.
I take it your wedding is in September perhaps, with the 6 months travel taking you thru to the Northern Lights in mid winter (Feb). Do you have set dates as yet?
I would recommend, however, travelling May thru October, starting in Italy and Greece, heading north to Germany, Holland, UK, Ireland, France, before finally down thru Spain and into Morocco as autumn (Oct) hits. Thoughts??
Week 1-3 Italy (Venice, Florence, Rome - initial splurge for honeymoon romance)
Week 4-5 Greece
Week 6 Hungary
Week 7 Austria
Week 8 Czech Republic
Week 9 Switzerland
Week 10-11 Germany
Week 12-13 Scandinavia
Week 14 Netherlands
Week 15 Belgium
Week 16-18 UK
Week 19-20 Ireland
Week 21-22 France
Week 23-25 Spain
Week 26 Morocco

Our wedding will be in April 2017! YAY!! As my partner works at a school they prefer he applies for leave in blocks of school terms, and we will need two. The plan is to travel in the latter half of the year, July to December – mainly because we wish to catch the winter season. So I assume finishing in Norway for the lights (fingers crossed) and heading back home for Christmas with the family. I was also thinking of going to Germany twice, Berlin at the beginning when the weather is nicer and then again to Munich in December for the Christmas festivals and some skiing (I choose Munich for this because we have some close friends in Immenstadt) before heading up to see the Lights.
I do like the spread of time in each country. Would you think somewhere like Greece or Italy to be more romantic and geared towards a romantic getaway?

Personally I would much prefer a long European trip, May to October, than July to December.
I understand your desire to experience Xmas festivals and possibly see the Northern Lights.
From what I have read late winter is a better time for the lights, when the chance of a clear sky is greater.
October/November are generally wetter months in Europe, and you would be carrying more heavy warm clothes.
Some things for thought.

This would work for you from July to mid December ...
Week 1-3 Italy (Venice, Florence, Rome - initial splurge for honeymoon romance)
Week 4-5 Greece
Week 6-7 Hungary/Austria/Czech Republic
Week 8 Switzerland
Week 9 Germany
Week 10 Netherlands
Week 11 Belgium
Week 12-14 UK
Week 15-16 Ireland
Week 17-18 France
Week 19-20 Spain
Week 21 Morocco
Week 22 Germany
Week 23-24 Scandinavia

The plan is to travel in the latter half of the year, July to December – mainly because we wish to catch the winter season. So I assume finishing in Norway for the lights (fingers crossed) and heading back home for Christmas with the family. I was also thinking of going to Germany twice, Berlin at the beginning when the weather is nicer and then again to Munich in December for the Christmas festivals and some skiing (I choose Munich for this because we have some close friends in Immenstadt) before heading up to see the Lights.

First of all, I would only consider planning around the Northern Lights if conditions are going to be optimal. Do some research on solar activity and what the chances are before you decide to spend a lot of long winter days (and much much longer nights) in the gray dull north. Sunset in Oslo in November is 3.30-4.00 p.m. You might consider a guided tour to Lappland for a few days, which would be a great experience (friend of mine loved it), and hope for the lights, but don't go to Scandanavia unless you have enough to keep you busy so you won't be disappointed if you don't see the lights. By the way, Norway is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Everything costs more, sandwiches, cokes, buses, etc.

Somewhere along the way, you will need to acquire winter gear . . . and get rid of your summer stuff, since you won't want to lug it around. Spain and Ireland are probably the cheapest countries day-to-day expenses and lodgings. Hotel prices in Italy will be lower in October and even lower in November. Oct-Nov is a good time for southern Europe, when weather not as hot, but days are longer than in the north. In July/August, I'd want to be in Ireland, Scotland, and the north of England with long days and moderate temperatures to enjoy the scenery and hiking.

I can't think of a romantic getaway in July in Europe. It's going to be crowded and expensive. Instead, I'd opt for a full week of relaxing and unwinding midway through the trip. It may be stressful being together 24/7 and dealing with the problems and stresses of travel, so a week or two of "down time" in the middle may be better. The first place that comes to my mind is Sicily in September - beautiful beaches, warm water, great food and wine, definitely cheaper than the Italian mainland, and lots of sightseeing options (wonderful Greek temples, Norman cathedrals, Renaissance towns).

By the end of November, many Christmas markets will be up and running. Some are huge, some are special, but after a few, they'll seem much alike. You'll be able to do

Congrats, sounds like an awesome honeymoon!! I'm also a teacher and will be taking term 2 off next year to do a 3 and a half month trip. I wish I could take 2 terms off!! I've posted my trip up and got lots of suggestions. Greek Islands or Croatia (possibly Dubrovnik) would be awesome to properly celebrate you honeymoon. Good advice about doing it midway through your trip and September would be a good time to do this as the weather will be still good but won't be as crowed or expensive (that's if you want a beach chilled honey moon in a suite/resort with ocean views).

There is currently running on the New York Times website an article about a honeymoon trip to Italy. It makes a good reading and might offer some interesting ideas for your trip.

Hi,

If you're against staying in hostels, then you've precluded the most inexpensive option on accommodations. I personally would not put up with that since your budget is limited. True staying in hostels has its down side, but it has a good number of advantages depending on which hostel or hostel chain you stay at. Keep in mind that hostels offer laundry facilities, which certainly helps in being reequipped with a fresh set of clothes, saving the time and energy looking for a coin laundry in the streets. I used to know where a coin laundry (two blocks from where I stayed) was in Berlin but it's gone. Now I have it done at the different Pension...very handy. A private hostel room is not always cheaper than a Pension or a 2 star hotel...just depends. Time-wise going between May and October would be my personal choice too. If you're in France, Austria or Germany, from about mid-July to the end of August, the budget hotels might offer their lowest rates for the year. Some indicate this on their brochures.

Hello SazMcG. A good place for a honeymoon in the month July : you might like being at a place in England. England is not likely to have very warm weather in July. One of the best hotels in England is located at the west edge of the land that the Chatsworth mansion is at, near the small town Bakewell. I would recommend going to Taormina at Sicily for a honeymoon in November or December, but not in July. I think travelling to northern Norway, for seeing the northern lights, is not a good idea. If you go to there, you might not see the northern lights. And Norway is cold and dark in the winter. I liked being at Norway, but I would not like being at Norway in the winter. And, Munich at Octoberfest ? I think that would not be fun. They have 3 tents. 5000 people drinking beer in each tent. If you will be at Europe, 6 months, you will have time to do Greek island hopping (at Aegean Sea). Read about the islands in the Cycladic islands group, in the travel guide book on GREECE from Lonely Planet, or the book on the GREEK ISLANDS from Lonely Planet. The month October is a good time for being at the Cycladic islands of Greece, and Crete. Remember, much of France and Germany has hot sunlight in July and August.