Last month, Ever After Honeymoons was featured on Glamour’s Save The Date. I was asked to list 5 honeymoon hotspots for 2011, and here is what I came up with:
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Perfect for couples who are looking to get away, but don’t want the hassle of a 10+ hour flight! It’s a quick trip from most U.S. cities and offers beautiful beaches and luxury resorts—most of which come with private pools and service fit for royalty. Nearby downtown Playa del Carmen is perfect for a night out.
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Bali, Indonesia
It’s like two or three honeymoons in one: You’ll find beaches, jungles, and exotic culture, plus super-friendly people. Famous for its villas and private pools, it’s a great destination for newlyweds who are desperate for some solitude and relaxation.
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Croatia
One of Europe’s best-kept secrets! Europeans have been vacationing in Croatia for years, and recently it’s been gaining popularity with Americans. The coastlines, small islands and unbelievable national parks are great for adventurous couples!
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South Africa
Go on a safari to Kruger National Park, enjoy the lively city of Cape Town, admire Table Mountain and take a day trip to enjoy the spectacular Victoria Falls. South Africa has a little bit of everything.
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California Coast
One of the most popular destinations in the world, driving down California Coast makes for the perfect road trip honeymoon. Rent a fancy convertible and stop in small towns, go wine tasting, and enjoy the beautiful views and gorgeous beaches.
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Each one of these destinations guarantees a spectacular and breathtaking view, however, each has their own individual unique qualities that caters to everyone. Which one is your favorite?
Interested in escaping to one of these destinations for your honeymoon? Contact us! hello{at}everafterhoneymoons.com
Cat and Jeerun had a whirlwind European Honeymoon, visiting London, Paris, Munich, Venice, Florence and Rome. After hearing about how fabulous Europe was from their friends and family, they thought it would be the perfect destination for their honeymoon.
“Paris and Rome were amazing because of all the sights there were to see,” says Jeerun, “We also really enjoyed Munich because we caught the tail-end of Oktoberfest. I enjoyed the beer and Cat enjoyed the food. Venice was very romantic but also very crowded due to all the tourists.”
Jeerun and Cat loved that they had the freedom to be on their own schedule; they could wake up early to catch an excursion if they wanted to go on a tour or just wander around the cities at their leisure.
For couples considering going on a similar honeymoon, Cat and Jeerun would suggest staying on the main island in Venice, especially if your visit to Venice is short. They stayed on Lido Island and it was a bit time consuming traveling from Lido Island to the main island.
Overall their honeymoon just as they’d hoped: fun, memorable and romantic!
Interested in going to Europe for your honeymoon? Contact us!
At Park Guell in Barcelona
Garrett and Jessica recently celebrated their honeymoon by staying in Barcelona, taking a 7 night cruise to France and Italy, then returning to Barcelona and taking a train up to Madrid for a few nights. Cruises are a great way to see a lot of different destinations, and then you can return to your favorite places at a later time!
Here is what Garrett and Jessica had to say about their honeymoon:
1. Where did you go?
We flew into Barcelona and stayed for 2 nights before embarking on our 7 day cruise to Nice (France), Genoa, Florence, Rome and Salerno (Italy) and back to Barcelona. Then we took the train to Madrid for another 2 nights and flew back to the states.
2. How did you decide on this destination?
We knew that we wanted some new destinations to explore together and we love cities and experiencing various cultures. Europe has always struck us as being the ideal honeymoon destination so we went for it.
In Cinque Terre, Italy
3. Did you like where you stayed?
We enjoyed the locations of the hotels. We also loved how each of them was unique. They are not your typical big-chain hotels but had a very local flavor in addition to the English speaking staff.
4. What did you think about the destination?
Each city was very enjoyable and we really overdid ourselves with the exploration but it was well worth the physical effort.
5. Did you receive any special honeymoon amenities or upgrades?
We did receive a fruit platter at the U232 hotel but everything else was fairly standard.
At the Colosseum in Rome
6. What was your favorite part of your honeymoon?
We loved exploring Rome on our own. We took the train in from the port and got around on a tourist map using their public transportation system. It was neat seeing history blended with modern Rome.
7. Do you have any suggestions for other couples going on a similar honeymoon?
There is no pressure to book the shore excursions with the cruise. All of them are overpriced and you are able to get the information you need to get around from the concierge. There’s so much to enjoy on your own that it’s well worth the effort and planning. Also, don’t overdo yourself, otherwise you will spend many weeks recovering from what was supposed to be a relaxing time after the wedding.
8. What 3 words would you use to describe your honeymoon?
Adventurous, Cultural, Busy!
Russ and Jeanne decided to throw tradition aside when they let Ever After Honeymoons plan their vacation. They decided upon a honeymoon in Turkey.
The couple, who describes themselves as “fun, cool and hip, but really we’re just total nerds,” chose Turkey because they thought it would be a mix of history and fun, and boy were they right!
They spent 11 days traveling Turkey. The first part was spent in Kusadasi, a famous beach town where they relaxed and enjoyed their brand new marital bliss. Next stop, Cappadocia! Cappadocia is full of caves and an underground city (Derinkuyu, the historical part of the vacation).
The last stop was Istanbul where the couples visited former churches, now mosques, the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires and the Sultan’s Palace. They ate, they stayed, they conquered! They stayed over the Aegean Sea, in a cave hotel and a modern European-style hotel in Istanbul. Who could ask for anything more?
Their favorite part?
We loved seeing the ruins of the Roman city Ephesus, and Istanbul was filled with so much history and architecture which we really enjoyed.
Final remarks on the trip?
Relaxing, adventurous and fun! It was definitely the honeymoon of a lifetime!
Russ and Jeanne took a very original route when it came to their honeymoon, does it inspire you to as well?
Read more on this historic honeymoon on Utterly Engaged!
Interested in going to Turkey for your honeymoon? Contact us!
Attention foodies and travel lovers, here we present an amazing opportunity to eat your way across Italy! The Old Vine Cafe along with The Italian Institute for Advanced Culinary and Pastry Arts would like you and your loved one to travel in fine dining style through the Splendors of South Italy. This is a 10 day small group tour from January 2-12, guided by two notable chefs, Chef Mark McDonald from Old Vine Cafe and John Nocita from the Italian Culinary Institute in Calabria. Since Chef Nocita is from this region, he will provide a genuine experience of the local culture. Think of it as a stop along your honeymoon, or your destination, this trip is absolutely to die for!
This incredible edible vacation starts in Calabria, considered the birthplace of wine in modern Europe, where you will visit and have dinner at an award winning winery. The next day consists of hands-on cooking lessons with which your dinner will be hand cooked by you! For the next few days you will eat at an organic farm, many local restaurants and have free time in the city of Terracotta to see the sites and on day six, you will travel to Sicily, eat and play for a few days and get in a few traditional meals. You will be sure to get in your cannoli and gelato fixes!
The trip is $3,500 per person, not including airfare. The price includes: nine nights at three and four star hotels in Calabria and Sicily, breakfast every day, seven lunches, six dinners and speaking guides throughout the trip. E-mail Katie for more information on this unique and exciting opportunity to eat your way across Italy!
