PREVIOUS ARTICLE
After all the ups and downs of wedding planning, and giddy excitement of the big day, the honeymoon is finally a chance to straight chill. Alex and I went to Italy and Greece, and I still daydream about it, seven years later. Here, eight cool couples reveal the destinations they loved…
“PORTUGAL has history, design, beaches and vineyards — and it’s pretty dang affordable, too. We rented a car so we could spend time outside of the bigger cities. For example, Comporta is a beach town amid rice fields. Stay at this freaking adorable house (with a hammock, obviously), and eat the ultra-fresh grilled fish and fava bean salad at the beachside restaurant Sal. And Arraiolos is a teeny town in the up-and-coming wine region Alentejo — super pretty with all its cork and olive trees. We stayed at Villa Extramuros, a design-oriented B&B with a sick pool and sheep grazing on the property.” — Erica Cerulo
“We took a winter honeymoon to Canada’s BANFF National Park. We went on snowy hikes and even saw a moose from a few yards away! We swam at night in the outdoor hot springs during a blizzard. We wandered around the charming town. We skied at Lake Louise — those Canadian ski runs are unbelievably long and meandering. Since we were on a budget, we ended up hotel/motel-hopping around the area. It was really fun.” — Abby Clawson Low
“We took A ROAD TRIP across the United States — from Utah to New York City, by way of Marfa, Austin, New Orleans, Savannah, Charleston, the Blue Ridge Mountains and Gettysburg. New Orleans was a definitely a highlight. We ended up staying an extra night, so we could explore the city more. A friend had recommended an amazing backyard bar with live local bands. I’ll always remember that meal — we sat there for a few hours just soaking it in. We honestly enjoyed every single day — as we approached NYC, we both wished we could keep driving!” — Alpha Smoot
“We went to Italy’s AMALFI COAST. As a gay couple we wanted to make sure we honeymooned in a region of the world where we wouldn’t think twice about expressing our affection, and I must say, the Italians absolutely showered us in well wishes and love. Lots of free champagne and hugs.
“The hotel we loved was the Grand Hotel Convento di’Amalfi, a 13th century monastery that has been thoughtfully converted into a gorgeous hotel perched on a cliff. Our favorite town was Praiano, a small hamlet outside Positano. We hiked up off the church square and ate at a restaurant called Kasai. It ended up being the best meal of the entire trip.
“One day, we spontaneously rented a private boat with a skipper for coastal exploration. We chose not to visit Capri or the Blue Grotto, and instead pressed our skipper, Franco, to take us to hidden nooks of the coastline. We would stop now and again, jumping into the water and swimming into the grottos dotted along the cliffs with no other people in sight. He also had Frank Sinatra playing on the boat the entire day, and Ol’ Blue Eyes was the perfect companion, along with a Peroni and a float in the Mediterranean.” — Stef Halmos
“For our honeymoon, we wanted to get as far off the grid as possible without actually going out into the middle of nowhere. When we discovered Casa Gallina in TAOS, New Mexico, we were sold. We spent a week in the Bantam Roost, a two-story casita with a wood-burning kiva fireplace and a roof deck with fantastic mountain views. The proprietor, Richard, would bring us fruit from the garden and fresh eggs from his chickens. We spent so much time on the roof deck, reading and sketching, napping in the hammock and gazing at the stars. My other favorite memories are hiking in Taos Ski Valley and then toasting with beers at the Bavarian Lodge, and going for a hot air balloon ride over the Rio Grande Gorge (we saw a herd of elk!). It was a magical trip.” — Corrie Pikul
“We headed to COSTA RICA’s Pacific coast and stayed at a tiny resort called Milarepa. It’s basically four huts and a dining area right on the beach. Super minimal, but also beautifully appointed. Outdoor showers. No TVs. It’s all about romance and unwinding. We had plans to do all sorts of things but we loved Milarepa so much, we just stayed there, ate delicious food, took long walks on the beach and talked about moving there permanently. Which we didn’t do… though we still talk about it from time to time, even 15 years later!” — Brooke Williams
“My husband and I honeymooned in TUSCANY and stayed at this lovelllllly villa with the loveliest owner in Chianti. It’s truly a hidden gem. We spent our days walking around the beautiful towns, eating the most delicious food, and driving from one picturesque view to another.” — Liza Lowinger
“We went to CORSICA, which is wild and beautiful. Our favorite thing to do was hike among the wildflowers all over the island. It’s the most fragrant place — juniper, rosemary, thyme, myrtle, eucalyptus, and lavender. We came across a farm with fresh goat and sheep cheese. Our best meal was a picnic we made with those cheeses, jams, honey and local breads.” — Kavi and David Moltz
Where would (or did) you go?
P.S. 15 wedding dos and don’ts, and did you have sex on your on wedding night?
(Portugal wall photo by Kendra Murphy. Portugal beach photo by Alamy, via Conde Nast Traveler. Photo of Banff National Park by Stevin Tuchiwsky. New Orleans photo by Angelique Cook. Amalfi Coast photo by Angelworx Photography. Costa Rica photo via Instagram. Corsica photo via Condé Nast Traveller. All other photos courtesy of the couples interviewed.)
108 COMMENTS