The time of year is crucial here-it will be very hot in most of Italy and Spain. I would consider Venice, Lago Como, and a bit of the Swiss Alps--perhaps Luzern.

It is expected to be another hot summer in southern Spain. Croatia, it you haven't been, could be a great adventure. You can save Andalucia for another trip in the fall or spring.

I'd remove weather from the equation by taking the honeymoon in mid-to-late-September. It will still be warm everywhere but not scorching hot. I also think it lessens the planning pressures if you have some time between the wedding and the honeymoon.

Consider Venice and Croatia, they are close enough to enjoy both.

For your honeymoon you should do Amalfi Coast and Capri!! It's the most romantic and beautiful!! I would do a 4 days Positano, 4 days Capri, 3 days Rome, then fly to Dubrovnik for final 5 beach days of your honeymoon, then home. It will be hot, that's true, so that's why you want to be on the water and at a beach. Especially if you've never been to the Amalfi Coast and Capri. It's so beautiful there! Just read celebrity interviews, they all say Capri is their favorite place and there's definitely a reason for that. It's gorgeous and true romance. Treat yourself!

San Sebastian or Positano and Capri. never been to Croatia.

If you have to go in the summer- then Croatia. I've never been there but friends raved about it and it's not as crowded as Italy and Spain.

Given the heat, I like bobthenavigator's idea, or perhaps Croatia. I suspect you will need to be prepared for crowds, though, in either region. Enjoy!

In Italy or Spain there would be more to see and do versus Croatia (where I happened to honeymoon), which is more relaxed. All will have crowded beaches in July. You really can't go wrong, so why not check into the airfare/flight options first and see what is best for you? It can be difficult to get to Croatia with less than two flight changes, depending on where you are coming from. Also, Italy is the most expensive and Croatia the least, Spain in the middle. Of course you may want to splurge on your honeymoon, but you also want to get the most out of your money. I suggest the two of you making lists to compare and see where the most overlap is. good luck and congrats!

Thanks everyone for the responses! I think yorkshire is right, we need to make lists to compare what is best for us. So with that I will need to do research and will probably have more questions from there.

Thanks again! Keep any other recommendations coming

Guess I have been to every place mentioned above except San Sabastian. The main "problem" is Europe in July. Indeed it is hot and crowded. All suggestions to you have been good; personally I would try to postpone the trip to mid-September. It is dry and moderate temperature-wise, the crowds are gone and ALL the places mentioned are well suggested. Two years ago in September we had a great trip to Spain; Madrid and the surrounding areas; last year was the hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria in Central Italy. Neither would have been a good idea in July but were great in the fall. If you HAVE to go in July I guess Switzerland would be a prety good idea or even Scandanavia - warning; both are VERY expensive. Good luck and congratulations.
Richarda

For our honeymoon 12 years ago, we did Athens and Mykonos. It was divine. It was also my first trip to Europe. We now live in Germany (we lived in Holland for 9 years) Those locations are 2 of my favorites, and we have been back since, and planning a third trip this May. Greece is amazing, the food, the architecture, the weather. You really cannot go wrong, and your husband as a first-timer would probably love it.

I am looking to build a Croatia trip in the next 12 months, that's how I found your post, but good luck whatever you decide

Thanks for the message Bethany! We just booked our trip, we are going to do a little travelling though Italy and then fly out of Rome to spend the last 4 nights in Santorini!

We are so excited! I hope you have a wonderful trip to Croatia, I hope to visit there on another trip!