Special from Booking.com
After the never-ending laundry list of things to plan for the perfect wedding – complicated seating arrangements, ensuring the in-laws get along, and endless decisions about flowers, food and music – the honeymoon is all about romance. It’s also a chance to breathe a well-earned sigh of relief and focus on a happy and fulfilling future together.
But where to go? With thousands of stunning destinations to pick from and marriage equality sweeping the globe, here are eight amazing and accepting destinations where everyone can enjoy their first days of married life, thanks to our friends at Booking.com.
Whether you’re looking for a picturesque city escape, or a sunny beach along the Mediterranean, these welcoming and inclusive honeymoon destinations will inspire you with their warmth, beauty and pride.
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Tel Aviv, Israel
With a pristine beach stretching eight miles along the western edge of the city, mind blowingly vibrant food, nightlife, shopping and weather, Tel Aviv is a great destination for an unforgettable honeymoon. It’s also one of the most inclusive and accepting cities in the Middle East, not to mention the entire world.
Where to stay: Set in the heart of Tel Aviv, the Brown TLV Urban Hotel features stylish rooms with a vintage vibe. Accustomed to hosting a diverse group of travellers, the staff can provide local tips to help every guest get the most out of their stay.
After a day lounging on the beach or exploring some of the city’s world-famous Bauhaus architecture, you can relax with a soak in the property’s open-air jacuzzi on their rooftop sundeck and watch the sun set over Tel Aviv.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
As a honeymoon is meant to be the vacay of a lifetime, the picturesque city of Amsterdam will not disappoint. Lovebirds can get lost wandering around its famed cobblestone alleyways, book a private boat for an intimate tour through the city’s iconic canals to ponder its many leaning houses, discover a trendy brunch spot or two, or simply enjoy a picnic in one of many beautiful parks.
As a bonus, the Netherlands has a proud history of being open and inclusive and was one of the first countries in the world to support marriage equality.
Where to stay: Featuring Dutch design and overlooking Amsterdam’s historic rooftops, One and Only Bedroom offers up a cozy love nest for honeymooners.
This boutique townhouse apartment’s brightly lit spaces use modern furniture to create an intimate, zen-like feel. It’s also just a short romantic stroll away (in any direction) from several cafes with terraces right on one of the city’s many canals.
Madrid, Spain
With more than 300 sunny days per year, the siren call of Spain’s capital city is difficult to deny. In addition to its sensational weather, for foodies keen to feast on tapas and wash it down with luscious, local wine, Madrid is pure magic.
Whether its strolling along one of the city’s impressive boulevards or touring one of the region’s many wineries to sample the latest vintages, Madrid makes for a fabulous urban honeymoon getaway. In addition to marriage equality having been in place in Spain for well over a decade, every summer the city also hosts one of the world’s biggest pride celebrations. Handy to know, just in case you want to add an extra dose of festivity to your post-nuptial travels.
Madrid, Spain cityscape on Gran Via at twilight.
Where to stay: Set in a historic building, 60 Balconies Recoletos offers a cozy, yet stylish getaway close to some of Madrid’s most important museums and popular shopping areas. The apartments are within walking distance from the welcoming, buzzy and vibrant Chueca district, known for its independent bars and trendy shops.
Reykjavík, Iceland
Iceland’s compact capital Reykjavik makes for the ideal home base for adventurous honeymooners, no matter what season.
Whether it’s hiking through the inlets in summer, chasing the first glimpses of the northern lights in the fall, a romantic dip in the turquoise geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon in winter or the busy festival season in the spring, Iceland’s unique landscapes (all reachable in just a few hours from the capital) offer spectacular and memorable getaways.
Iceland also boasts one of the most friendly and inclusive societies in the world, which makes it a compelling choice for an unforgettable and welcoming honeymoon experience.
Where to stay: The modern, family-run Freyja Guesthouse & Suites is in the heart of Reykjavík, just steps away from the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church, one of the tallest structures in Iceland.
No matter the time of year, Newlyweds can also easily visit the nearby Sundhöllin, one of the city’s oldest and most popular public pools, and spend a few hours relaxing in the warm thermal waters or enjoy a shocking plunge in a traditional ice bath.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
With some of the most advanced equality legislation in the world, Argentina’s boisterous capital Buenos Aires moves to the beat of its own singular personality. This inclusive honeymoon destination dazzles with its rich culture, colonial-era plazas, royal theatres, colorful façades and amazing fusion food.
The birthplace of tango, the city is also host to a popular dancehall that’s open for everyone and is famously liberated from traditional gender roles. So, whether you want to take the lead or just be seduced by the dance’s sensual rhythms, you and your sweetheart are welcome to try out some fancy footwork for yourselves.
Where to stay: Start your honeymoon off in style with a stay at Mio Buenos Aires, an exclusive property with state-of-the-art technology and luxurious extras to pamper and spoil yourselves. The warm, modern aesthetic of the rooms includes unique carved wood bathtubs, perfect for setting the romantic mood and celebrating your new life together.
Toronto, Canada
A diverse and welcoming metropolis, Toronto offers up gag-worthy views of Lake Ontario, multiple trendy neighborhoods and an epic nightlife. The city’s distinctive streets are lined with coffee houses, restaurants, bars, art galleries and designer boutiques.
A diverse and welcoming metropolis, Toronto offers up gag-worthy views of Lake Ontario, multiple trendy neighborhoods and an epic nightlife. The city’s distinctive streets are lined with coffee houses, restaurants, bars, art galleries and designer boutiques.
This vibrant urban oasis also oozes culture from every corner, making all visitors feel like Toronto is their home away from home, perfect for the 64% of Canadian travellers who reported within recent Booking.com research that they need to feel ‘at home’ where they’re staying to enjoy a vacation entirely. With endless options for honeymooners who love fine art, theatre, street art and music Toronto welcome all with wide open arms.
City skyline view of CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from the marina along Lake Ontario
Where to stay: Located in the west side of downtown Toronto, NB Urban Luxury Suites offers contemporary apartments with all the comforts of home. With the city at your doorstep, imagine starting every day of your honeymoon with a lovely walk along Lake Ontario.
San Francisco, USA
San Francisco is a city that truly celebrates diversity in every sense of the word. From its iconic hills, trollies and candy-colored houses to its buzzing sea front and phenomenal food scene, this northern Californian city has been an open and accepting haven for decades.
Plus, with mild temperatures year-round, there’s never a bad time to visit San Fran. Whether you want to trek across the Golden Gate, explore wine country, or take a tour of Alcatraz, it makes for a dynamic and historic honeymoon destination that everyone can enjoy.
Where to stay: With a blend of traditional Japanese decor and modern design, Hotel Kabuki a Joie de Vivre is just a short bike ride away (if you really want to travel like a local) from the popular Castro neighborhood, a historic epicenter for San Francisco’s vibrant culture and community.
Guadalajara, Mexico
As Mexico’s second most-populous city, Guadalajara is the home of mariachi and an important cultural capital of the country, with many of the city’s art galleries rivalling those in Mexico City. Also known as the ‘San Francisco’ of Mexico, this beautiful and historic destination welcomes everyone with open arms.
Where to stay: This welcoming boutique bed and breakfast is located in a restored 19th-century home in the historic center of Guadalajara, just two blocks away from one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods. Don’t forget to enjoy a tequila (the city is famous for it) in one of the area’s trendy bars or to visit a hip gallery or two. Or for something a bit more low-key, you can simply wander, taking in the impressive colonial-era architecture and visiting a few of Guadalajara’s bustling street markets.
Courtesy: Booking.com
