This past weekend we made one of the biggest moves yet in terms of planning our wedding…
We booked our honeymoon!
On one hand I can hardly believe we’re making it happen and on the other hand, I’m all, of course we are doing this! WE ARE MAKING THIS HAPPEN!
Looking up flights was no walk in the park, though. I honestly felt like I’ve spent the past three years searching even though it’s only been a little over a month. Ha! Every night I would do a little bit more research and every night I would feel my head spinning one thousand spins. Until Sunday afternoon when I found the most amazing prices I’ve seen yet and VOILA! I booked it! The rush of booking a flight especially an international one is kind of surreal. My palms were sweating, for one. And my mouth was in the biggest grin it could ever make.
And now… the details!
We will be taking our honeymoon abroad for 20 days. Yes, T W E N T Y D A Y S S S S.
We are flying in and out of Venice (with one overnight layover in Istanbul) and with 20 days and a passport I believe the saying is true: the world really is our oyster.
Here is a very rough draft of our very tentative plan:
One night in Istanbul {this is because of the flight deal we snagged — we have a 19 hour layover and we’re choosing to look at it as an opportunity! We will have enough time for a bit of sightseeing, dinner, and an early breakfast the next morning.}
1-2 days in Venice
Train to Rome…
2 days in Rome
Train/Bus to the Amalfi Coast…
3 days on the Amalfi Coast {Sorrento? Positano? Furore?!}
Trek across Italy {by bus/car} to the Adriatic Sea…
Ferry across to Croatia…
10+ days traveling the coast and cities of Croatia !!
We hope to hit Dubruvnik, Hvar, Split, Plitvice National Park, Zagreb, Rovinj… and hopefully more! {Are we crazy? Maybe. Absolutely. Do we love it? WE SURE WILL.}
And then finally finishing off with a Ferry back to Venice before we FLY ON HOME.
//
As I typed up that list now I just kept thinking, is this real life? Pinch me, please. Zan and I are definitely a pair of adventuresome travelers. The more we can see the better and we’re not afraid to jam pack a day full of everything, but we’re also not opposed to staying put for a few days on the beach throughout our stay. This trip will definitely be an exhausting one, but I also know that I feel so alive with each passing moment in a new place. I am so excited I can hardly stand it.
So far I am still in the research phase. Which means being on Airbnb and Pinterest all night every night until I feel like my eyes are going to bleed. But I’m not complaining! Never! I’ve also been returning to this post and this post and this post from Hither and Thither over and over because Ashley has amazingly detailed info and her travel photos are just so pleasing to look through!
I’ve also found this blog, which is fantastic, specifically for Croatia info. So much good!
And now, my very favorite question to ask:
Do you have any advice to give? Affordable places to stay, things you think we should see and do? Have you ever been to any of the places we’re planning on visiting? I’ve only ever been to Venice as far as Italy goes, and Croatia will be completely new to us! We would love any comments or tips you have to give. Any and all!
XO!
{P.S. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your
email on Croatia, Chrissy! I am cherishing it
and all the info you sent us!
INCREDIBLE!}
// featuring insanely amazing VSCO photos from
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
I don’t know much about Italy or Croatia, but I’ve got a few suggestions for Istanbul, depending on how much time you have:
– visit the Blue Mosque. it is stunning, and I think you will love it.
– wander around Sultanahmet [the area where the blue mosque is]. there are tons of small lanes to discover and lots of lovely cafes and shops. I don’t remember specifics, but chances are you’ll stumble across even better ones than I did.
– after dinner, take a walk through Taksim Square. there are over a thousand bars and clubs, and even if you don’t go into any, you’ll pick up on the spirit and the energy just by strolling through.
– if you have time, take a ferry to one of the Princess Islands. you can go for a quick dip in the river or just have a walk around. plus the views from the ferry are pretty stunning.
good luck with your planning!
xx
Thank you, thank you for these Istanbul suggestions! We will definitely try to visit the Blue Mosque and walk through Taksim Square. I am so excited we get to stop here if even for a short time!
On the Amalfi Coast make a day trip to Capri and hike to the Villas of Tiberius- it’s a quiet and beautiful respite and the boat ride and island are so idyllic.
Yes, I think we will have to make Capri a must-do! I have heard this from several people which makes me want to even more!
The Plitvice Lakes are one of my dream vacations – I am so excited to see the pictures you capture there!
I also second the day trip to Capri and the Villas. I went on a whirlwind trip to Italy as a high school student, and Capri was one of the best/most memorable parts. We went as a day trip from Sorrento, and Sorrento is also a really lovely and delightful town. It is also easy to stop at Pompeii between Rome and Sorrento!
Thanks for the tips! Capri here we come!! :)
Oh my goodness, I am SO excited for you and SO jealous!!! You are going to have such an amazing time! I haven’t been to any of those places but one website I liked for prepping for our trip to Ireland last fall is travelfashiongirl.com. She has so many packing tips for making do with less, packing lists, etc. and it was all really helpful! I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOUR PICTURES <3 <3 <3
Oh, thank you! Yes, I am finding blogs to be the most helpful! Go figure!!
Amazing news! This sounds like the trip of a lifetime! I cannot wait to see your photos! Enjoy the planning, that’s one of the best parts of travel.
It is fun, isn’t it? The anticipation!!!!!
I have not been to any of these places, so I’m looking forward to living vicariously through you. :) 20 days for a honeymoon sounds like the dream! I’d really love to be able to take a month off and just traveled should I hypothetically manage to find myself getting married in the future. You’re going to have such an amazing time!
Yes, we just decided we had better go big or go home! :) :)
That sounds amazing! Def stay in Positano , it is oh-so-beautiful! And then a day trip to Capri or better even stay for a night. In the evenings the locals swim into th blue grotto – after all the tourists in the boats have left and it is absolutely amazing (but officially not allowed – you have been warned ;))
My boyfriend spent this past spring backpacking throughout Europe for two and a half months. Without a doubt Italy was our absolute favorite and we ended up spending the most time there. I would definitely recommend checking out Cinque Terre and possibly fitting it into your travels. It is a little slice of heaven!
You’re welcome! I’ve had a few people ask for recommendations for Croatia and I love helping out fellow travelers – it can be so overwhelming to plan a trip!
THAT SOUNDS AMAZING. I can’t wait to read your recaps and see your photos!!
I haven’t been to any of those places YET, but I have a tip! This is exciting because I NEVER have tips :) When we spent 10 days traveling around Israel last year, I used Evernote to help plan — I created a new note for each day and put things like travel confirmation numbers, train schedules, google maps screenshots, and names of restaurants/attractions I wanted to try that corresponded to where we would be on that day. It was SUPER helpful, but I did have to purchase Evernote premium for one month to use everything offline ($5).
Also, I forgot our travel book [INSERT STRESSED OUT EMOJI] but with the overdrive app(Which lets you borrow library e-books!), when we had wireless I borrowed and downloaded an Israel travel book to my phone, which was even better than having an actual book since I think it made me look like less of a tourist.
i just stumbled across your blog and love it! i just wanted to add that i spent 2 weeks in croatia last june and it was amazing! i would highly recommend visiting the island of korcula, it is just so cute and beautiful and picturesque! the jadrolinja ferries are the best way to get around the islands, so easy and convenient. we took one from dubrovnik to korcula, had two nights on korcula and then took another from korcula to hvar. you will have the best time! oh and the krafne are amazing – custard, chocolate or jam filled fluffy doughnuts you can get from every bakery – i ate so many!