What is it with New Zealand? Surely, it must be spectaculiscious, or your comments wouldn't be running 5-to-1 (or something) in its favor. And you would think that my LOTR-geek sweetie would be all over the chance to tour Middle Earth. But, no. The Kiwi rock climbing is, well, not so much, and as best we've gathered, so is the food.
For a time, South Africa held its own as our top contender, until rumors of chilly waters and Great White Sharks unseated it. Burma (or Myanmar, as you may prefer) received considerable attention, and I hope we will someday travel there together because the itinerary my favorite Asia tour operator compiled had me salivating. We flirted with Paris and the Dordogne, Hawaii, and Cayman Braque, but none of these survived the preliminary rounds.
Instead, after much research, discussion, fantasizing, wheedling (on my part), and hands-throwing-in-air (on Steve's), we're going (drumroll, please) . . . .
Here. And then here. And probably here, too.
The hounds of obsessive travel planning have been released. Italy, you've been warned.
You can't swan to Italy and not go to Venice, especially on honeymoon! Although north east and miles away from Rome, Tuscany, Florence (extremely hot during summer months, because air gets trapped in its valley) et al, Venice rocks.
The Veneto region is a good one to explore too, Verona is a beautiful city. Even though its small and better known for its cheesy Romeo and Juliet balcony. That said, Venezia in a hurry at the height of the tourist season, would be verging on the edge of insane. Stick to the rock climbing!
Congrats on the choice, Italy is a beautiful country. I hope its a long break, with so much to appreciate, you are going to need it ...
Posted by: Alison | February 16, 2005 at 01:41 AM
Italy is perfect. You will get your great food (according to my sister and her husband who just returned from their honeymoon there), climbing and outdoors activity but also some stereotypical romantic spots. What's a honeymoon album, after all, without one photo on a touristy site w/a sunset in the background?! (our's is on the beach at Fiji - my husband and I went to Fiji and NZ, the latter where he spent the entire time with the flu). Keep those of us who must live vicariously for now posted on your plans!
Posted by: Carolyn Elefant | February 16, 2005 at 09:12 AM
OH YES! You can't go wrong w/ all three places . . . but you'll find that out for yourselves!!!!
Posted by: therese | February 16, 2005 at 12:53 PM
Bravo! Bravisimo! I'd skip Rome on your honeymoon and if you don't want to go to Florence, there are lots of charming, interesting smaller towns in Tuscany worth a visit, like Volterra, San Gimignano, and Sienna. Plus the food is great and reasonable everywhere. DAD
Posted by: DAD | February 17, 2005 at 06:09 PM
You can't lose with Italy, land of the nastiest swear word that exists in any language I'm aware of. Vafanculo. Another good one is stronzo. Cretino. Also learn how to say very forcefully and at the top of your lungs, "No capisce Italiano!!!"
Posted by: UCL | February 18, 2005 at 04:26 AM
I can't believe you say NZ has no climbing?!? It has some of the best climbing in the world - one of the best bouldering spots (listed in top 10 by Rock & Ice) - Castle Hill. Has numerous great sport and trad oppurtunities at Froggats edge, north island, chrishtchurch, dunedin, otago, wanaka, queenstown....
I had my honeymoon in nz, spent the whole time climbing!
Posted by: jimbo | July 11, 2007 at 06:34 AM