When someone mentions Italy, the first thing that comes to mind is romance, great food, and beautiful sites. However, many honeymooners choose the typical places such as Hawaii or the Bahamas for their honeymoon destination. Why not have your honeymoon in Italy? Many might think a honeymoon in another country would just be too expensive and too hard to plan. I'm living proof that it's affordable and the adventure of a lifetime! You must first determine the purpose of the honeymoon: Is it to rest and relax? Is it to have adventures and see sites at the destination? Or is it a little of both? If you want a little of both, Italy is the place to go!Here’s how to begin to plan your destination to Italy...
1) Time
Definitely don’t go to Italy in the months of July and August if possible because it is too packed with tourists and hard to get rooms to stay in. Also, it gets pretty hot during that time. The best months are October, November, March, April, May, and early June. You also need at least 7 or 8 days to visit; two weeks would be ideal.
2) Packing- pack light!
Try to just get a big backpack and let all the extras go if you can! The sockets aren’t the same as the U.S. so forget any blow dryers,etc. You need your underwear, socks, 2 pairs of good shoes, 2 pairs of good jeans, some tank tops and t-shirts. You probably won’t even have time or the need to wear dressy clothes. Bring a warm coat and an umbrella too. The only way you should bring your whole wardrobe and lots of shoes is if you are staying in just one area of Italy and in one hotel which you probably won’t because there’s so many places to go in Italy!
3) Getting there
The Leonardo Da Vinci Airport in Rome is most likely the airport you’ll want to land in. For tickets, do your work on the internet and give yourself time to find a good price. Start with priceline.com and search the other cheap ticket sites. We flew roundtrip for $533 per ticket from Los Angeles to Rome. Since most weddings are on Saturdays, chances are you’ll be traveling on a Sunday if you plan to leave the next day. Stay at a hotel near the airport the night of your wedding so it’s easy to get yourselves to the airport.
*tip: I stayed at the same hotel the night before the wedding with my Maid of Honor so we could have all of our luggage already at the hotel.
4) Where to stay
Now this depends on your personality. My cousin who travels a lot said that it’s best to just go and get a room when you get there since you’ll have no idea what the room is really like if you reserve over the phone. It’s best to walk around a little and see for yourself. If you just can’t go somewhere without having a reservation, you can call the Southern California Autoclub if you’re a member to get help or talk to the travel agent you use.. Key word: hostels and Bed and Breakfasts. Trust me, you’ll want to stay at those unless you’ve got money to burn. Otherwise ask to reserve at three or four star hotels. At a hostel or bed and breakfast you’ll most likely share a bathroom with other guests which is fine because you can wake up early and get in and out; it’s no big deal. If you don’t like that, you’ll pay just about $20 extra to have your own bathroom depending on the city.
a) If you choose to just show up and look for rooms, it’s easy. Start at the airport’s hotel info desk, they can give you different hotel information and even reserve a room for the night right there if you like. Another great place to start is at the central train station-people from the hostels and bed and breakfasts just come right up to you and ask if you need a room to stay in. That’s what we did and it was really no problem.
b) If you must reserve, like I mentioned, your travel agent can help. Also, the internet is a good place to search. You shouldn’t pay more than about $190 US dollars for a hotel room for two. The hostels and bed and breakfasts are about $40 -$70 a night. But, I truly recommend being flexible and doing the “play it by ear” way because it’s a lot more fun and you can be more adventurous.
5) Where should I go and how do I get there?
Da Vinci airport in Rome is a big airport where you’ll most likely start.
a) Rome: You have to see Rome with its Colloseum, Trevi fountain, the Vatican, etc. As soon as you get in town, get a map and a guide so you’ll know where to go. There are small fees to see certain sites like the Colloseum just so you know. You will take the train everywhere, please don’t rent a car. Italians drive in a very different way than us. Besides, it’s more convenient on the train and will cost less as gas prices are sky high in Italy along with the tolls on their freeways.
b) Florence: This can be done on a day trip if you start early. Take a train north of Rome to Florence to see Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia museum along with his and Galileo’s tombs at the San Croce church nearby. Don’t miss the Uffici Museum, but go there to make reservations because lines are bad. If not, go around lunch and it won’t be as bad.
c) Pisa: It’s West of Florence, take the train to see the leaning tower and that should be a short trip, there is no reason to stay in Pisa.
d) Cinque Terre: A must do if you want peace and relaxation. It’s up North in Italy. Take the train to La Spezia and then the trains into the 5 villages (Cinque Terre). I recommend the villages of Maggiore or Vernazza. It’s absolutely beautiful here and it’s by the coast. Cute bed and breakfasts start at about $50. There aren’t any hotels here. Just keep an eye out for “Camere or Camera” which means “rooms.” 3-4 days is sufficient for your stay in the Cinque Terre.
e) Pompei, near Napoli: This is in Southern Italy. Please stay in the town of Sorrento and take a train into Pompei to see the ruins of this once great town which was devastated and covered due to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. It was later discovered and excavations have been ongoing. A MUST SEE!!! Sorrento is the greatest town and the food and shops are terrific. Try the hostels for rooms and you might end up like us staying in a little apartment for less than $60! You can also ask around at the bars for rooms and someone will call somebody to help you get a room because that’s how they are in these small towns!!! Stay in Sorrento about 3 days if you can.
6) Only in Italy for a short time?
Rome and Sorrento (for Pompei)-those are the ones you’ll definitely not want to miss.
7) Money saving tips
Buy your sodas and water from the little markets, it’s cheaper. Just order the first course (Primi patti) and skip Main courses. Order house wine. Try eating at the little pizzerias-you’ll save. Don’t reserve a room without looking around a little unless it’s a really good price and room.
Well! That’s it! Have fun in Italy and don’t forget to send postcards!
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