Honeymoons

This week on social media is all about the honeymoons! So I thought I'd do a blog post of my favorite honeymoon ideas, and maybe give you a taste of my own honeymoon story :) 

beach

The beach is a classic honeymoon vacation. Something about the salty air and ocean waves that relaxes us and aids in that deep connection that honeymooners and romance seekers look for. There's nothing quite like watching a sunset next to your love with your toes in the sand (or, sun rise if you're on the east cost. Does the sun even rise at the beach? I don't know...I've never seen it :) ). A moonlit walk on the beach, a playful splash in the ocean, and enjoying breakfast on your balcony has all the makings of an awesome honeymoon. Favorite beaches? I love the clear waters of the Caribbean, and if you're one of those people (like me!) that loathe the thought of some weird creatures lurking beneath the waves, you'll love it to! But, if the Caribbean is not in your budget, you can still enjoy a great beach honeymoon. St. Pete Beach/Clearwater, FL is probably one of my favorites. There are a lot of great hotels and resorts on the ocean, and if you're looking for a more active honeymoon, there's sights and attractions nearby. St. Augustine, FL also comes in a close second. While this is one of my favorite places in the world that I would normally recommend first, it is situated on the Atlantic Ocean, so the waters aren't as clear as the gulf coast. But, it's still a great location for a romantic getaway. There's also tons to do in the downtown historic district if you want more than just a beach vacation. If you love history and the beach, this is the place for you! 

All-inclusive resorts

All-inclusive resorts are an increasingly popular option. Whether you are afraid of sea sickness, don't like the idea of being on a ship, or just taken too many cruises to count, the all-inclusive resort is an affordable way to get a taste of paradise without the stress. My favorite all-inclusive resort for honeymooners right now is Couples Resorts in Jamaica. It's adults only, and there is one common goal for you and most of your fellow resorters: connection. You can stay on the resort the entire time (there's plenty of activities!), or venture away for an excursion or two (these may be included, depending on which resort you pick). The major draw to this resort for me, besides the price, is the included honeymoon gifts if you stay for 6 or more days and the included wedding package if you stay for 3 or more days. If you don't want to go to Jamaica or fancy another resort, this is just one of the MANY all-inclusive resorts in the world. It would take years for me to cover them all, so I just picked my current favorite :) 

Cruise

I intentionally put this one in the middle. It's my favorite, and if you follow me on social media, you know that. I didn't want you to see "cruise" first thing, roll your eyes, and close the article. :) If you're not into cruising, keep scrolling, because there's more of my favorites down below! A cruise, for me, is the best of everything. You get multiple destinations, entertainment, food, activities, no cooking, no cleaning, excellent service, and the only thing you'll have to do is remember to put your towels on the floor if you want new ones. Watching the ocean go by is probably the most relaxing thing in the world to me, and you see a color blue in the water that you won't see anywhere else. I feel like a cruise is for everyone because you can do everything, or you can do nothing. Want to stay in your room all day? Great! Order room service for 3 meals and snacks. Sleep, watch tv, or relax on your balcony. Does the thought of laying by the pool unnerve you? That's fine, too. Catch a movie or a show, visit the casino (play responsibly), hit the water slides/sports court/ropes course/mini golf/gym/spa/arcade. Check out the activities of the day, as well. My husband once participated in a paper airplane contest (and won!). Trivia is popular, live music is abundant, and you may even catch a game of bingo in the theater.  Some ships even have zip lines and a surfing simulator! For those seeking a little peace and quiet, most ships have libraries and adults only areas. Cruising is a vacation like no other!  

city

Getting out of the beach/tropical scene (because as much as I love the beach, I realize some people just don't), I get a lot of requests for honeymoons & couples trips to major cities. Places like New York, Las Vegas & Washington, D.C. More and more, couples are looking for ways to experience new things together, and visiting a city that you've both never been to is a great way to do that. So, what's my favorite? It's really hard to pick! I think I would have to say Las Vegas because of the affordability. Honestly, having never looked seriously into a Vegas vacation before becoming a travel agent, I was surprised at just how affordable it was. And once again, there seems to be something for everyone: Shows, casinos, theme parks. The Grand Canyon is also a day trip away. Admittedly, I haven't been to Vegas (yet!), but it is on my personal top list of places to visit in the next 5 years. 

keep it local

With the current travel fears and smaller budgets, keeping it local is an excellent option. And by local, I mean within 2-4 hours drive. While you certainly could be a tourist in your own town, I love the idea of getting away from family, friends and everything familiar to connect. Look around your area. I bet there are excellent cities, attractions, beaches, or parks within a 1/2 a day's drive! My favorite for this area is one that I've already mentioned: St. Augustine, FL. But some other good honeymoon/romantic spots are Savannah, Atlanta (both in GA), Charleston, SC., and Daytona Beach, FL. Orlando may even be a good option, but if you're going to hit the theme parks, be sure to expand your budget a little.  

you may be wondering...where did i honeymoon?

We rented a mountain cabin in Tennessee. Cabins are a great way to have some alone time and a view of the mountains, along with the obligatory hot tub make it the perfect setting for romance. Our cabin was actually pretty awesome. Except, of course, for the one lane pig trail we had to drive to get there. One side was straight up, the other side was straight down, and my anxiety did not appreciate it. The main living room was downstairs and the bedroom was a loft upstairs. Basically, the entire back side of the cabin was glass, looking at Mt. LeConte. Sunrises were awesome. We spent some time in town taking in all of the shops, we went to Dollywood & the Forbidden Caverns. Having never stayed in a cabin before, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. But, it was very nice, clean, and now I don't really want to do the mountains any other way!   

Where ever you choose to go...

Have fun, connect, and get to know each other! After all, that's what honeymoons & romantic trips are all about. :) 

So tell me, where did you honeymoon (or do you plan to honeymoon)?