It has always been our dream to honeymoon in Italy, but now with the Euro being at over $1.50, does it make sense to overpay to honeymoon there? Everything is is going to be 50% more expensive than it would be anywhere else.
We're considering Hawaii now, which I'm sure is fantastic, but I can't help but feel disappointed.
Should we be more practical and go for an island/non-European destination, or forget our concerns and go for it anyway...on a tighter budget??
HELP!
Wifeynella
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Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
We cancelled the notice of a europe honeymoon b/c of the euro. we didnt want to spend more.
MontaukBride2Be
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Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
Where did you end up booking? BTW...love your screen name!
BeccaJo
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We had similar concerns and decided on a cruise in the Med.. Its all inclusive (meals) and you pay in dollars up front so the euro/dollar exchange doesn't hurt your wallet so much There are some cruises out there that are pretty affordable, too. This is your only honeymoon -- you should do what you really want!!
Annoulak
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Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
the dollar is SOOOO weak right now...it's painful to watch!
You'll probably be able to get more for your money if you go somewhere else.
Good luck!
jeanyus27
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Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
We were so close to planning a trip to Italy, but it was getting so expensive even though we were cutting back on hotel (taking a 3 star instead of 4) We started to think about it and we would've been on a train or bus every 3 days and always on the go. We decided that our honeymoon should be more relaxing. We finaly decided on Sandals Antigua and couldn't be happier! We 're saving our selves about $3000 and going for a few days longer than we would have in Italy. We are going to do Europe next year, or whenever we find discount rates! HTH
Wifeynella
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Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
Posted by MontaukBride2Be
Where did you end up booking? BTW...love your screen name!
thanks
we are going to disney for a week after and than the following summer to mexico
FutureMrsLehmann
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Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
i was in europe last year and it was beyond awful how much i was paying for things like food. stupid bad economy! UGH! i doubt it'll be much better by your honeymoon date, so I'd hold off on europe for now if you have other options
Brooklynbride
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Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
We were going to Italy as well. We have a couple of friend who own villas there, but between the airline ticket and food, it would have been astronomical to go there. We decided to be smart about our money and wait. We prefer to buy our house istead. We found a great place in Mexico, just for honeymooners and an 'adults only ' place for the price of the plane tickets to Italy
tcotier
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Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
Posted by BeccaJo
We had similar concerns and decided on a cruise in the Med.. Its all inclusive (meals) and you pay in dollars up front so the euro/dollar exchange doesn't hurt your wallet so much There are some cruises out there that are pretty affordable, too. This is your only honeymoon -- you should do what you really want!!
We're doing a mediterranean cruise too, all inclusive in American $$'s
I mean you still have to pay for shore excursions and then food while you're off the boat, but you still save a ton of $$ overall.
MontaukBride2Be
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Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
Yea, I agree. We do need to be somewhat practical and it will make me cringe to spend $550 US Dollars on a room that is the equivalent of a Holiday Inn, not to mention like $18 for a glass of vino! Thanks for your input...all of your trips sound so amazing and less stressful!
snwb08
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Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
we are still going to Europe. we are doing a med cruise the first week and then italy the 2nd week. I know it will be expensive but we will only have one HM and fh has never been outside the U.S., so there is no way I'd consider going anywhere else.
DCLM726
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Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
We had our herats set on Italy- spent countless hours researching places and hotels. Then because of the horrible exchange rate we looked into other places. We are now going to Hawaii (Ohau and Big Island) then California and spending ALOT less than we would have been for Italy. What we are paying for our whole trip is only slightly more than we would have paid for the airfare ALONE to Italy
In the end, we are very excited to go and we are just going to go to Italy as a 1 year anniversary trip or in an off season there.
Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
I was in Europe this past summer and yes,,our dollar is worth nothing in those countries still using the euro. My father is from Croatia so we go there as well as Ital where my moms family is from. Croatia happens to be AMAZING! And the best part is that they use kuna as their money. The dollar is worth a lot more there. This past summer we rented a 2 bedroom apartment over the water for about $75 a day! Talk to your travel agent about trips they offer there. Its one of Europes best kept secrets. Feel free to FM me.....
missK
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Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
you only live once so go for it. You can have your wedding guests get gift certificates towards your HM to help pay for it.
Espo22
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Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
we are going to europe for our HM. We got an amazing deal on plane tickets so i was more than happy and we didnt have to sacrifice, we are staying at amazing hotels that are 5 star, if you shop around then you can get good deals. We went through 3 TA's until we found one who gave us amazing prices, you dont have to go with what the first TA gives you. We are going to 2 countries in europe for 2 weeks and i am spending what i see many others spending on caribbean vacations. We are going to spain and the french riviera
The euro will be more but its what was best for me and FH. We are not beach people so i wasnt going to go to an island where we wouldnt enjoy ourselves as much, bc that to us would be a bigger waste of money.
We do realize dinners will be expensive and going out in general but what can you do. Its our HM so if theres one time to splurge on a vacation then it is now, at least thats how we feel, i know others have different opinions
BoxOfRocks
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Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
I was going to suggest Croatia as well. Consider going to eastern Europe instead of the central or western countries. The costs might be lower there. Croatia in particular has been an up-and-coming vacation destination for a few years.
flairforfashion
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Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
FH and I are arguing about this. He is set on Italy and I am set on something that is a little bit more dollar friendly. I think the best way to save on a European trip is to take a cruise. You save on dining which is included on the cruise. You save on all the wonderful activities such as swimming, spas, and nightclubs which is also on a cruise. And, you see the same sights like everyone else. I want to do a cruise but FH has no desire. It's so frustrating. BTW, Hawaii will end up costing just as much as Europe- my cousins went for their honeymoon and it cost them 10K.
Espo22
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Re: Does it make sense to honeymoon in Europe now?
Posted by flairforfashion
FH and I are arguing about this. He is set on Italy and I am set on something that is a little bit more dollar friendly. I think the best way to save on a European trip is to take a cruise. You save on dining which is included on the cruise. You save on all the wonderful activities such as swimming, spas, and nightclubs which is also on a cruise. And, you see the same sights like everyone else. I want to do a cruise but FH has no desire. It's so frustrating. BTW, Hawaii will end up costing just as much as Europe- my cousins went for their honeymoon and it cost them 10K.
i am paying just under 8k including airfare. One week in spain at a 5 star hotel, which ill say this hotel was more than the airfare. Then going to monaco for 5 days 4 nights, also staying at a 5 star hotel. We did get lucky bc our TA used a corporate discount, bc for flights from ny to spain with no stops and only 7 hours to get there, plus flight from spain to monaco again no stops and just 1 hour and a half flight, then monaco to ny total for both of us together is $2200. I know i was looking at discount sites and even with that it would've been more than $2200 per person but somehow he got it for us for 2200 for both of us.
If anybody has a connection with a TA, or can use a company TA then definitely try it.
