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When most people think of honeymoons, they think tropical destinations. Although I did honeymoon in Bora Bora, I took a 2 week trip to Europe 2 years prior that was excellent and totally honeymoon-worthy. If you feel the same, you’ll love these 5 most beautiful non-tropical honeymoon destinations!
Florence, Italy
Architecture, music, history, and art fill every corner in Florence. Talented street musicians plays classical guitar as the cobblestone streets lead to plazas of carved statues. The entire city has the same Terracotta roofs and Renaissance architecture. And, of course, pasta lovers will absolutely love dining in Italy.
Must sees: The Duomo, views from the Bell Tower, Ponte Vecchio, Piazzale Michelangelo, and “David” in the Galleria dell’Accademia. Additionally, you can take a little under a two hour drive to dine at the world renowned Michelin restaurant Osteria Francescana.
Cinque Terre, Italy
Five quaint villages are tucked away on the Mediterranean coast -Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The houses are nearly stacked atop each other, within the cliffside; the sea is warm and vibrant, speckled with local fisherman. Enjoy the birthplace of pesto, get lost and explore the magic Cinque Terre offers.
Must sees and dos: the views from the hike between Monterosso and Vernazza, a swim in Riomaggiore paired with a nap on the cliffside rocks, indulge on local pesto, and try the best ice-cream you’ve ever had in Vernazza.
California Coast and Wine Country
The California Coast is filled with charming towns and nearby vineyards which produce some of the most distinguished wine. Quirky stores and colorful homes are an amicable theme throughout the coast. For more city feels, start or end in San Francisco, San Diego, or Los Angeles.
Must see stops: Solvang, Santa Barbara, Capitola, Monterey, Malibu, Santa Cruz, Pismo Beach, San Jose, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura.
Algarve, Portugal
Algarve is the Southern Region of Portugal, known for its picturesque coastline and inviting culture. The beaches are breathtaking, the coffee (or galao) is to die for, and when the sun sets, the locals play music and dance. You’ll have to rent a car to experience the most out of the Algarve but it is worth it exploring the entire southern coast.
Must sees and dos: Indulge on the local drink (galao) and food (think fresh fish), spend each day at a different beach, take a tour of the cliffside caves, make a drive to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe, and perhaps day trip to Lisbon. Recommended stay: Monte Dourado Resort.
Paris, France
They don’t call it the city of love without good reason. Parisian architecture, fine arts, and exquisite food are some of the things that make Paris magical. Enjoy a picnic on the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower, get lost wandering the city streets, and take a day trip to Versailles and other surrounding cities.
Notable Michelin restaurants include L’Arpege, Guy Savoy, and Alléno Paris – which I visited in 2017.
Must sees: The Louvre, Museum d’Orsay, Eiffel Tower (day and night views), the many châteaux around Paris (including a two and a half hour drive to the Château de Chenonceau), Mont Saint-Michel, Arc de Triomphe, and Notre Dame. You can even take the train a few hours to Annecy, one of my favorite cities in France. I highly recommend it!
Have any other suggestions for non-tropical honeymoon destinations? Leave them in the comments below!
