When love is in the air, you probably won’t care where you are. But certain places add significance, so that a bridge or a beach can awaken memories of a sweet moment. For some couples, the Old World is the backdrop they’ve always envisioned for the sweet moments of their honeymoon.

Even with a weak dollar against the Euro, a honeymoon in Europe may be the icing you want on your wedding planning cake. Perhaps you’ve dreamed of clutching your honey’s hand as you view Paris from atop the Eifel Tower or basking on dazzling beaches after a stroll through ancient Greek ruins. Either way, a little insight from travel agents who’ve been there and done that can help you put together your ideal European honeymoon.

Paris in the Spring

We’ve all heard the classic song, I Love Paris in the Spring by Ella Fitzgerald. Such enthusiastic lyrics as, “I love Paris every moment/ every moment of the year” are practically an invitation to go find out what all the hoopla is about.

Despite a fall in favor with Americans, Paris is still considered the eternal city of romance. Timing is everything when you travel on your honeymoon and you want to see your chosen destination at its best.

That means you avoid the swell of European tourists who tend to travel en-masse, especially in August. But Paris can be chilly in spring and fall, so you need to dress accordingly: pack with layers in mind because the weather can also be temperamental. This past May, the weather plunged near freezing and then spiked up to the nineties.

You should also try taking small trips from Paris, such as to Versailles. Of course, you may want to stay outside the hustle and bustle of Paris – and then take a train to the City of Lights. Also recommended is to visit smaller French destinations, especially the regions in the south of France.

Princess and Holland America Cruise Lines are the less expensive options for a sea-borne tour of the Isles, while Silver Sea, Radisson Seven Seas and Crystal are the upscale lines.

While the landscape and ancient ruins are much of the draw for cruising the Greek Isles, everyone goes on vacation to bring back stuff.

If the cruise isn’t just your honeymoon, and you’d actually like to seal the marriage deal with you man on the water, then your options are somewhat limited. Princess is the only cruise line that will marry you on the sea. Other cruise lines will marry you when the ship is in port. They usually do not have clergy on board for that when sailing, you must bring your own person to perform the ceremony.

You can also arrange a port-side wedding. It’s a little complex though. Each country has its own rules. Some countries you have to be in the country for three days.

The All-Mighty Dollar

Be realistic about what you can spend on your honeymoon and your travel agent can work with it. Your budget gives your agent a range of where she can look. Be honest about your budget and your agent can get you the most for your money.

For the past year, the dollar to Euro exchanged has hovered at or below .80 – meaning your dollar gets you less than 80 Euro cents. That difference translates into higher prices for your overall trip- for hotels, dining out and buying souvenirs. But with the latest European Union Constitution in danger of being voted down by member countries, you may soon find the exchange rate working to your benefit – so keep an eye on the numbers if a trip to the Continent is on your radar.