The wedding plans are underway and you are so inundated with details that you feel like if you see another piece of hot pink tulle you will scream. The light at the end of the tunnel is near, you will be saying those vows soon and will start a lifetime of marital bliss. Just beyond that light and those I Do’s lies a week of peace and paradise, the honeymoon. The honeymoon can be anything from a 4-day trip to the mountains for hiking and rafting to a 14-day cruise to the Caribbean with plenty of pampering and relaxation time. Cater these precious first days as a married couple to your budget and your style and they will be days you and your new hubby will always cherish.
There are many places, both domestic and international, where each and every couple can spend a few well-earned days to themselves.
For the outdoorsy adventurous couple:
Asheville, North Carolina/ Nantahala National Forest
Contact: Jeff Greiner @ 828-713-3475
Lying out by the ocean sipping on something fruity not really your thing? You guys are more the rugged throw on a backpack and hike until you find the perfect picnic spot kind of couple. Asheville has a good mix of romance, outdoor adventure and quaint local dining. Known as an art city, you are sure to find a plethora of local galleries or coffee shops to fill your afternoons. The Biltmore, with its lush gardens , restaurants with locally grown food and winery would be the perfect romantic day. For a little thrill you could drive about 60 miles to the Nantahala National Forest, the largest national forest in North Carolina. One of the most exciting things to do here is raft the Nantahala River. It is a great river for the casual or experienced rafter. The rapids are exciting without being too topsy turvy. Many of them are Class II with a thrilling Class III as the grand finale. There are many trails for hiking including a portion of the Appalachian trail. You can hike up to Wayah Bald. When you reach the top of the mountain you will come upon an old fire tower observation deck. This vantage point of 5,200 feet puts you at eye level with the birds. The views from the tops of the mountain are breathtaking and are sure to give you plenty of intimate moment s. For the water lover, you can also hike to one of the many water falls in the area. Rainbow Falls has a moderate hike to a serene setting, the sound of the falls crashing into the water is very relaxing and is the perfect spot enjoy the splendor of nature around you.
For the all-in-one-place couple:
Cruise to Costa Maya and Cozumel Mexico
Not really a plan it yourself kind of couple? If you don’t really want to research the best restaurants and beach hot spots a cruise is for you! There are activities from the moment you step on the boat until the morning it is time to depart. Depending on the length of your cruise you will have a couple days at sea in which you will spend on the boat and a couple days at port. Your days at sea can be full with viewing art, visiting the casino, relaxing at the spa, shopping in the duty free shops, reading in the library, or hitting up one of the many different buffets. You can also relax by the pool and possibly catch a calypso band.
The fun continues as you reach your ports. The first thing you will notice as you dock in Costa Maya is the beautiful crystal clear blue water and white sandy beaches. You will feel like a sailor landing in a new world, paradise. The port area in Costa Maya is somewhat small but the shopping is abundant! The main strip is full of stands with hand-made jewelry, clothing and much more. You can lie in the beach chairs outside the many restaurants and enjoy authentic Mexican food and a margarita! If activity is what you want you can go on one of the many excursions such as scuba diving snorkeling, kayaking or visiting Mayan Ruins. The Port at Cozumel is a hub of excitement and you are greeted with the same beautiful blue water. Here you can browse the many shops or stop by a restaurant and have some local fare. Scuba diving and snorkeling excursions are also offered here. The water is clear and you have a great chance of seeing many coral formations, exotic fish and marine life. Among many other excursions you can go deep sea fishing, swim with dolphins or visit the ancient Mayan kingdom of Tulum. Back on the ship your evenings will not be dull! Each night you will have a first rate dinner with entrees like Chateau Briand and lobster. After dinner you can catch a different show each evening from Broadway style theatre to comedy. If this isn’t enough you can request a song in the piano bar, catch a band, sing your own tune in the karaoke lounge or dance the night away in the disco. There is truly never a dull moment.
For the international traveling couple:
Venice, Italy
Ah, the city of love. When you think of romance this city comes to mind. You’ll notice as you exit the train station that there is not a car in sight. The streets are narrow and each building has its own distinct architecture and is rich with history. The streets allows for plenty of meandering and discovery. A great place to start is the Rialto Bridge. Here you can find many vendors selling art, clothing, carnival masks and plenty of gelato, Italian ice cream. As you stand on the bridge you can see awnings jutting out from the many restaurants waiting to tempt you with true Italian food. There are boats and gondolas all along the waterway. Take a stroll around the bridge and be sure to try the gelato which comes in flavors such as almond, apples, apricot, crème brule and hazelnut. Carnival is an annual celebration that takes place in Italy for two weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday. You can visit one of the many shops with handmade Carnival masks and take a small piece of the celebration home with you. Some are very elaborate with feathers and many colors and jewels while others are simples being only a white mask to cover your eyes. From the bridge you can jump on the water taxi to take you to a Piazza or city square. The Piazza San Marco is an amazing sight with its recognizable St. Marks Basilica and its many venetian pigeons. You can stroll in the piazza with the pigeons or grab a table and sip some wine and watch tourists. Possibly the most romantic thing to do in Venice is take a gondola ride. You won’t be able to miss the gondoliers, clad in dark striped shirts and toting long oars, parked all over the city. Be sure to negotiate before you hop in, but then settle in for a leisurely romantic view of the city from its many back alley waterways. If you are truly lucky your gondolier will serenade his newlywed passengers. Be sure to give in to temptation to one of the many restaurants hidden within the city. Treat yourself to a glass of true Italian Chianti followed by mouth watering pasta and finish with a delicious piece of tiramisu. You won’t be able to miss the romance in the air in this historical floating city.
For the big city kind of couple:
New York, New York
You’re already singing it, New York, New York! For the big city lover there isn’t a better city in the US. Manhattan has been romanticized in every media outlet and for the honeymooner this rings true. At any time, day or night, there will not be a shortage of activity. The top of the Empire State Building might be the perfect first romantic place to hit. The building itself, with its recognizable spire is a beautiful tribute to the city. Take the swift elevator up 86 flights to the observatory for breathtaking views. From the top you can see as far as 80 miles. The next stop might be a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park. No matter the weather, this will be the perfect opportunity to cozy up to one another. You can also stroll through the park and happen upon its many hot spots such as the Zoo, Strawberry Fields or the Belvedere Castle. Take the time to walk hand-in-hand through the Metropolitan Museum of Art and enjoy everything from their ancient Roman artifacts to the modern art collection. If it is winter, you won’t want to miss the chance to twirl on the ice in Rockefeller Center. Times Square will light up the darkest of days and Ellis Island is a must for the Statue of Liberty and those coveted skyline photos. In the evening, enjoy a candlelit dinner at one of New York’s countless restaurants and then stroll over to Broadway for a little theatre. For dessert, head to the Roxy or Carnegie Deil to share a slice of delectable cheesecake. Get dressed up and stop by Carnegie Hall to see the Symphony or New York City Ballet. What trip to NY would be complete without a stop at Tiffany’s? Even if you don’t leave with something in a little blue box it is exciting to grace the doors of the famous jeweler
There are hundreds of honeymoon destinations, pick the one that is right for you and relish every moment of your first week as a married couple. No matter where you go remember, this week is not all about what you do and see but about spending time together and savoring every moment of the beginning of a long beautiful journey.
-Becca George, I Do Weddings
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