Honeymoon - Italy or Hawaii

Do you want to sit on a beach, or do you want to see history landmarks on your honeymoon?

They are both beautiful locations. They both can be expensive locations depending on the quality of restaurant and hotels you want to stay in. You can travel extensively within them. You can see different cities in Italy. You can see the different islands of Hawaii.

FH and myself had this same conversation, going tropical is fun, but to go to Italy on our honeymoon is an amazing adventure. Obviously it's up to you, but the thought would be to first look at budget, then decide whether you want to relax in the sun or explore the historical architecture?

I have been to both Hawaii and Italy. We went to Kauai for our honeymoon, and are going to Europe for our first anniversary. I decided that a trip to Europe would require more planning (sightseeing, tours, excursions, etc.) while Hawaii we could just show up and relax. I think that was the right decision for us, because we were both so exhausted after the last few weeks before the wedding.

Hawaii is expensive, but not ridiculous. We were there for 11 days and spent probably $5500 total including flights, hotel, car rental and all of the activities (which we did plenty - helicopter ride, tubing in the mountains). Italy was expensive because I have a shopping and food obsession lol, and flights to Italy are usually more expensive from Minneapolis (where we live) than to Hawaii.

ETA: You really can't go wrong!! Either would be amazing locations for a honeymoon. If you go to Italy, you have to go to Cinque Terre. It might be the most beautiful place I've ever seen.

There is no wrong answer here....

I have been to both and to Italy numerous times.

Italia, sempre Italia per me!

We opted for a shorter road trip minimoon right after the wedding and saved our big trip to Europe till a few months later--PPs are right, you will be zonked right after the wedding, so the more opportunity for relaxation you have on your honeymoon, the better.

DH and I discussed these same two options and ended up doing Italy. We did Paris and 3 cities/areas in Italy on our 9 day honeymoon. The amount of travel from place to place was a bit exhausting....but I also couldn't have imagined being there/that close and not doing the things we wanted to, especially not knowing when if ever that we would return. I don't regret a bit of it.

Also, I think Italy was a relatively inexpensive trip for us. our flights were cheap ($500-600 each), we mostly used points for hotels which got upgraded to suites everywhere, and the food is dirt cheap but delicious. We did spend money on tours, shopping, etc but those are things you don't have to do or would likely spend on any trip of that magnitude.

to me, Hawaii is a trip that can be done at any point in your life...Italy, not so much.

The sightseeing vs. relaxing on a beach is where I am struggling! part of me feels like the relaxing on the beach is more appealing for a honeymoon, but I also tend to get antsy and I really enjoyed our previous european vacations where we were constantly moving around.

@anne this is basically what I am trying to decide...should we do one now and then save the other for a one year anniversary or something.

@APZ thats for the input! I kind of was thinking that as well but the more I think of it I actually feel like Hawaii (because of flight distance and cost) is actually more of a difficult trip to do later in life and that we could easily hit Italy any time. I'm torn!

I mean personally you can't go wrong but we went to Hawaii last summer and what we did is spent 4 days on the big island and 4 days on Maui so we had plenty of time to relax and sightsee. I can tell you the big island was my favorite because it was so laid back and the place we stayed at was amazing! (Hapuna beach prince hotel). We got more of the sightseeing done in Maui where it was very tourist-y but gorgeous. Do research not just on budget but all the activities and food etc. weigh your options.

Italy. I went for 2 weeks and stayed in Florence, Pisa and Rome. You have to visit Amalfi. Ah I need to go back it was amazing.

@brd2be FH and I are doing 15 days in Hawaii in October. We are splitting the time between Kauai and Maui. It's pretty easy to move around using interisland airlines like Hawaiian air. You can split your trip up to give you that "constantly moving around" feeling.

edit - spelling

It depends on what you are going for. Both are great options! Hawaii if you're more into relaxing on the beach, and Italy if you want more of an adventure!

I haven't been to either, however we are going to Italy for our honeymoon. We also are taking 2 weeks and we are doing the majority of the traveling the first 7-8 days and spending the remainder in 1 place so that we actually get some time to relax. We are going to Venice, Florence, Rome, and Positano with day trips to Cincue Terra and Isle of Capri. It's costing us about $6,000 for flights, rides to and from some of the hotels, and all the tours!

I would prefer Hawaii

We chose between Punta Cana and Italy and decided on all inclusive in Punta Cana because we just want to relax. There are still more than 3 weeks left and I am already exhausted. Italy would have required a lot of planning and I couldn't really fathom planning a long trip and all the wedding stuff at the same time. It is definitely on our list still though!

Italy for sure!

We're stuck between Hawaii or Greece for our honeymoon.

You can't go wrong with both places. You might want to write down what want do see or do and then narrow down your list.

When buying your flights- look for the closest large airport... then look at one way prices on kayak- I started doing this a few years ago and always get great deals. My best friend lives in maui and I flew her out to Rochester NY- picked her up in Toronto- under $500 during "wedding season" I absolutely loved maui- there are soo many adventures you can do there- or you can relax. My FH wants to go somewhere that I've been because I'm such a go-go-go type person, if I went somewhere new or filled with things to do- I'd want to see everything... which in our mind isn't exactly the point of a honeymoon. I travel a lot but have never been to Europe so I'd love to go- but my personality would not be able to relax there! Ha I also flew to Maui once for $108- I opened an American Airlines credit card- paid $89 and got 50,000 miles to use.

I've been to both and love both for different reasons. Hawaii for the absolute beauty and Italy for the sights.