I am so excited about featuring Aaron & Lindsey’s honeymoon! You can see pictures from their beautiful wedding on JL Design’s Blog and on 100 Layer Cake. The adorable couple started their honeymoon in Santorini Greece, and then they headed off to Italy where they stayed in Sorrento and Rome. They had an amazing honeymoon and came back with beautiful pictures! Be sure to check back later this week to see the rest of their honeymoon in Italy!
Where did you go? Santorini, Greece, Sorrento & Rome, Italy (w/ day trips to Capri, Positano, and Pompeii)
Where did you stay in Greece? The Arressana in Santorini was in the capital of Fira and conveniently located close to the coast, restaurants, shops, and the bus station. (Which we used every day!)
How did you decide to honeymoon in Greece & Italy? We had never been to either country and wanted the perfect mix of relaxing (Santorini) and an adventurous vacation (Italy)
What did you like about Santorini? Santorini was an absolutely gorgeous island with breathtaking views, sunsets, and delicious local foods. The Aegean Sea was wonderful and we enjoyed swimming every day in its beautiful, blue, clear water.
Did you receive any special honeymoon amenities or upgrades? We had champagne and snacks awaiting us at each of the 3 hotels as well as a very nice ‘congratulations’ welcome from the staff.
If you could have changed one thing about your trip, what would it be? It really was perfect…first class flights would’ve been nice though.
If you had to pick just one, what would be your favorite honeymoon memory? It’s not fair to pick just one, but swimming in the Aegean Sea at Amoudi Beach in Santorini was something we will never forget.
Looking back, is there anything you would tell other couples planning their honeymoon? Pack light (which we did), don’t over plan (save time to relax), and listen to Katie!
What 3 words would you use to describe your honeymoon? Dream Come True!
So cute, right?!! Thank you again Aaron & Lindsey for sharing your honeymoon with us! Check back later this week for the second part of their honeymoon! Interested in going to Greece or Italy for your honeymoon? Contact us!
I have a lot of couples looking for recommendations on guide books. So I’ve decided to put together a Travel Guide Round Up!
Luxe City Guides: These are my favorite travel guides. Luxe City Guides are mostly restaurant and shopping focused guides. Their recommendations always lead you to these amazing little local spots that I never would have on my own! They also have a mobile app.
Assouline Travel & Lifestyle Books: These books are fabulous for anyone who wants an interesting take on the history of a certain locale. These books read like a story and serve as a colorful tribute to the destination they are about. Not to mention they make great coffee table books.
City Secrets Guides: These guides take travelers away from all of the other tourists, crowds, and craziness and point them towards the types of places a friend would tell you to go to. City Secrets Guides are the true Insider’s Guides.
There are also some great websites that help with research before I head out on any adventure.
FATHOM – FATHOM is an independent travel website from the founders of Daily Candy and prides itself on being the “website that reflects the way that wired, global-minded travelers plan, purchase, & share their travel experiences.”
Fabsearch – “The Ultimate Travel & Going Out Guide” – I love checking this site for fun places to go out for dinner or drinks in any city. It’s a complete list of all the hotspots.
Other great sites to check out: Travel + Leisure, DailyCandy, & Conde Nast Traveler.
What is your favorite travel guide?
Need help planning your honeymoon? Contact us!
To start this week off, we have a lovely Real Honeymoon to the Koa Kea Resort & Spa in Kauai. Alejandro and Brittany had an amazing honeymoon! Here is what they had to say about their getaway.
Where did you go?
Kauai, HI
Where did you stay?
The Koa Kea in Poipu
Why did you decide on Kauai for your honeymoon?
We wanted a romantic and beachfront trip with some relaxation and also some activities.
What did you like about Kauai?
Kauai is a gorgeous, tropical island with extremely nice and welcoming people. We made friends with all our tour guides and hotel staff. The island is also amazing and there is a ton of wildlife in the water, which was awesome to witness.
Did you receive any special honeymoon amenities or upgrades?
We were upgraded to an ocean view room and received complimentary champagne, which was fun to arrive to.
If you could have changed one thing about your trip, what would it be?
That the surf was not so big! Haha!
If you had to pick just one, what would be your favorite honeymoon memory?
Snorkeling with my hubby and swimming next to a sea turtle.
Looking back, is there anything you would tell other couples planning their honeymoon?
It is always nice to have a balance of relaxation and activities. We had an activity planned each day but made sure to have either a relaxing morning or evening for ourselves.
What 3 words would you use to describe your honeymoon?
Fun, relaxing, & adventurousThank you two so much for sharing!! Interested in going to Kauai for your honeymoon?? Contact us!
Let’s face it, most travel souvenirs are pretty tacky- obnoxious t-shirts, plastic magnets and ugly shot glasses. I love these products because they are capable of sparking a memory from a fun travel experience. And these are much cuter than those Hawaii plastic license plates with your name on it…
1. Ork Neighborhood Posters 2. Little Brown Pen Paris Calendars 3. Jonathan Adler Needlepoint Pillows 4. Destination Maptotes 5. Maya Brenner Necklaces 6. AHeirloom Cutting Boards
St. Barths is one of my favorite Caribbean islands and so I was super excited when Camm & Liz decided to celebrate their honeymoon there! Here’s what the newlyweds had to say about their trip.
Where did you go?
St. Barth’s
What resort did you stay in?
Hôtel Le Toiny
Why did you decide this honeymoon spot & how did you come to this decision?
Camm and I had a few “absolute musts” when our hunt for the perfect honeymoon spot began: Caribbean, beautiful beaches, amazing food, and escape. St. Barth’s had instant appeal because I speak French, and it is known as a culinary jewel in the Caribbean fusing Creole, French and other worldly flavors. We chose it, and Hôtel Le Toiny, because it provided the seclusion and relaxation we craved but would still be easy enough to venture out for a night on the town or adventures on the water.
What was your favorite part about Hotel Le Toiny?
Just one favorite? Then we’d have to say the private luxury of our villa suite. From our own pool and patio, you could see nothing but palms, cliffs, and waves carrying the occasional surfer. The villa was so well appointed as an ultimate getaway, it felt like home the first night. Small touches including turn down service, his & hers flip flops and slippers, unlimited bottled water, and complimentary laundry services (returned the same evening, folded & wrapped in tissue paper) really spoiled us and put the resort experience at the top of the charts. I have to say the service went hand-in-hand with our enjoyment of the resort. Whether it was recommending a dinner spot or reserving a sunset cruise, the staff was gracious and helpful without fail. Breakfast served each morning by our private pool—the figurative cherry atop our bungalow.
What did you like about St. Barths?
We liked St. Barth’s, in part, because of what it wasn’t. There is no Señor Frog’s on the corner and no feeling like you’re on the wrong side of town. We loved it since it wasn’t over-commercialized or catering to people with kids. As for Toiny, the neighborhood we stayed in, it was outside of the hustle and bustle of the bigger villages of St. Jean and Gustavia. After exploring all day, it felt wonderful to retreat to a quieter side of the island.
Did you receive any special honeymoon amenities or upgrades?
As soon as we arrived at the hotel, we were upgraded from a Junior Villa to a full-sized Villa Suite. Awesome! This meant our pool was more than just a puddle, our bathroom was palatial, and our honeymoon all the more special. Also in the room to greet us were mini coconut pound cakes, fresh fruit, and chilled champagne. On our last night, there was a copy of the hotel’s annual art book with a parting note from the managers. A beautiful keepsake to share with friends.
If you could have changed one thing about your trip, what would it be?
We only rented a Mini Cooper for two days. If we had a do-over, we would have booked a car ahead of time for the whole week. While it was nice to go out a few times and not worry about driving, taxis in St. Barth’s are sparse and a bit pricey. Even though St. Barth’s is a small island, it is spread out, and the flexibility of the car would’ve been nice to have all week. Oh, and we backed into a retaining wall once…wouldn’t do that again!
If you had to pick just one, what would be your favorite honeymoon memory?
When I asked Camm his favorite honeymoon memory, he replied, “The food!” More specifically, his favorite dish was a rich bowl of truffle-infused mascarpone potatoes. Those were part of a fabulous meal we ate at On the Rock, the restaurant in the Eden’s Rock resort. For me, the champagne sunset cruise will forever stand out in my mind. While we just paid for a group tour, we ended up having the 60-foot catamaran all to ourselves! Emmanuel, our captain/guide/champagne pourer, was entertaining and knowledgeable. The sunset was a little cloudy, but still it was a magical two hour trip we will never forget.
Looking back, is there anything you would tell other couples planning their honeymoon?
Imagine what you would do on the “perfect day” together. Then, go somewhere you can do that! We had done some research on our own and through AAA, but in the end we were much happier with Katie’s recommendations. Use an agent who knows the area you’re interested in and who is responsive Next, set up a honeymoon registry. Many of our wedding guests loved the idea, and it enabled us to enjoy the food and activities we wanted. Lastly, enjoy your escape!
What 3 words would you use to describe your honeymoon?
Food. Fun. Love.
Interested in going to St. Barths for your honeymoon? Contact us!
