Without a doubt, being whisked off on a luxurious or adventurous travel itinerary immediately after you say your farewells to all your wedding guests is a dream-come-true for many couples. But it's not always the ideal fit for everyone. Adding time in between your marvelous Wedding Day and the date of your Honeymoon Plans offers quite a few benefits!

Focus in on planning one major event at a time - Whether you are planning most of the details of your wedding yourselves, or have hired a wedding designer and a multitude of vendors to assist, the process of putting together all the elements of Your Special Day is intense. Wonderful, exciting, but intense! If you haven't yet thought much about delaying your Honeymoon until a few weeks or months after your ceremony, it's worth consideration!  By giving yourselves time to focus in on the Wedding Plans... and then focus in later on planning the logistics surrounding travel arrangements for your Honeymoon, you allow yourselves an opportunity to give all your attention to one grand event at a time. This can help you succeed in not overlooking details, reduce the stressors of taking on too much at once, and allow for an even more immersive experience which many couples find that much more fulfilling.

Relax a little more at the wedding reception - A looming deadline for boarding a plane can be stressful! ...So can packing suitcases and planning for extended travel while making last-minute decisions for your ceremony... Let all that go by simply scheduling your Honeymoon at a later date!

And as wonderful as your Wedding Day will be... and while  it will certainly be energizing and unforgettable, it will also be somewhat exhausting!  Taking a break before the Honeymoon, for many couples, simply makes sense so that they can fully enjoy and savor that event just as much as the ceremony.


Retain your ideal wedding date - Sometimes, couples find that they give up their favorite wedding date in favor of scheduling it to coincide with the time of year they really want to travel to their perfect honeymoon destination. This becomes a non-issue when the Honeymoon plans take place separately from the Wedding Day. -Research optimal weather at your honeymoon destination, budget options, and even plan for traveling during shoulder months when the location/s you'll be visiting won't be so busy.

Boost your Honeymoon Budget - In lieu of tangible gifts, many LGBTQ+ couples request that their family & friends contribute to a honeymoon fund or honeymoon registry. This can include travel vouchers and also gift certificates for experiences (such as spa treatments, romantic dinners or adventure excursions.) However, many guests like to buy gifts last-minute, or offer even more than previously planned if the opportunity arises at the wedding reception. Spontaneous, inspired gift-giving!  Consider an interactive digital station where your wedding guests can, during free time during the reception, contribute to your Honeymoon Fund, donate for special interest experiences or add-on items for your Registry, etc. 

And later, after your fabulous Wedding Day, you and your spouse will also have time to continue building your own honeymoon budget! After the wedding vendors have been paid, and you settle in to life as newlyweds, if you/ve chosen to delay the Honeymoon, you'll have that extra time to set money aside.

Important to Remember - Be sure to set your honeymoon date DURING the wedding planning process and STICK with it! Why? If you wait until after the wedding to set a date, it's easier to find reasons to postpone altogether.

Some travel pros even suggest buying non-refundable travel tickets just so that you are not tempted to back out on the honeymoon plans later... If you reschedule your honeymoon once, you are more likely to do it again and that can lead to an ongoing postponement.

______

A Honeymoon is important! Whether you travel across the globe or simply across town, taking at least a few days to indulge yourselves in that sweet private time after you're officially married is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you'll never forget. Be sure to make it a priority to pamper each other's dreams for a Honeymoon, in whatever ways you can, and keep in mind what's most important: that the two of you, in your own way, celebrate the milestone of your committed life together as a married couple. Congratulations!

Looking for a Romantic Getaway this Pride Season??  Searching for the PERFECT host for your Destination Wedding??

Looking for a Romantic Getaway… or planning your fabulous Honeymoon Adventure??  Check out these Top LGBTQ+ friendly Travel Hotspots from around the globe!

Amsterdam, Netherlands:

Amsterdam is known as “Venice of the North” because of its historic canals that criss-cross the city, its impressive architecture and more than 1,500 bridges. There is something for every traveler’s taste here, whether you prefer culture and history, serious partying, or just the relaxing charm of an old European city.

Considered by many to be the gay capital of Europe, Amsterdam is naturally one of the top destinations for gay tourism.  The city boasts some of the best gay clubs, bars and hotels in the world.

The Netherlands is a world leader in terms of liberal policies towards and public acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1811. The first openly gay bar opened in 1927 in Amsterdam.  As early as the mid-’80s, a group of gay rights activists asked the government to allow same-sex couples to marry. The law was changed on 1 April 2001 and The Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.  (Dutch law requires either partner must have Dutch nationality or reside in the Netherlands. The law is only valid in the European territory of the Netherlands and does not apply to the other constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.)

There is a strong LGBTQ+ community, and numerous gay-owned or gay-friendly hotels, nightclubs and cafés. One of the most popular gay bars in Amsterdam is Bar Blend, a lively and stylish venue spread across two floors and featuring weekly drag shows and bingo. The bar attracts a cross-section of Amsterdam’s gay scene.

There are several major gay districts. Reguliersdwarsstraat is rather mainstream and particularly popular at weekends. Nearby, the area around Amstel street with its many gay bars in traditional Dutch fashion offer style and vibe. Kerkstraat is home to a few gay hotels and some gay venues, and finally, there is the Warmoesstraat with infamous gay cruise clubs and fetish shop, such as the Black Body Shop.

Annual gay highlights in Amsterdam are New Year’s Eve, the Queen’s Day on the 30th of April, the Amsterdam Gay Pride with the Canal Parade in August and the Leather Pride weekend in October.

Detailed Information courtesy of:
https://www.travelgay.com/essential-guide-to-amsterdam/

Provincetown, Massachusetts, USA:

Provincetown is a small coastal town in Massachusetts that has a long history of being LGBTQ+-friendly. Everyone has a place in Ptown!  Busy with a lively schedule of events, as well as a rich cultural history and a wonderful beach scene, a vacation in Provincetown offers a diversity of experiences and opportunities.

There’s nothing like an LGBTQ+ event to make Provincetown’s streets lively with tourists from all walks. Celebrations like Carnival in August attract some 90,000 people, especially for the flamboyant parade down Commercial Street. In Provincetown, gay and lesbian events go all summer long, including Family Week in July.  This annual event is the biggest gathering of LGBTQ+ families in the world!  Scheduled this year for July 22-29, 2023.

More info about upcoming Ptown events:
https://ptowntourism.com/lgbtq/

Berlin, Germany:

Be yourself. Love who you want – diversity and freedom are not just words in Berlin. Discover present-day Berlin as one of the most open and tolerant cities in the world!  You'll find gay bars, gay clubs and parties throughout the city. There is a dynamic queer cinema scene, gay museum, gay bars, gay clubs and parties and many other events for LGBTQ+ tourists.  The city is known for its progressive and open-minded culture, making it a highly popular destination for LGBTQ+ travelers… and a place where locals are quite welcoming to visitors from all over the world.

The highlight of the summer is the annual CSD Berlin, where the city is alive with a celebration of equal rights for the community. More than 50 decorated floats and up to 750,000 people parade through Berlin as far as the Brandenburg Gate.

Check out the pink pillow Berlin Collection hotels:  all are enthusiastically LGBTQ-friendly.

Schöneberg was the first borough to officially fly the rainbow flag at the town hall for the CSD gay pride parade, in 1996, and has done so ever since. Right back to the 1920s, the district has been a hotspot of the gay scene and is a magnet and catwalk for queer Berliners and tourists.

With the Lesbian and Gay Street Festival in the summer and Folsom Europe for leather and fetish fans in September, Nollendorfplatz is a very special place to visit.

For more details about Berlin's LGBTQ+ scene and travel info:
https://www.visitberlin.de/en/gay-berlin-lgbtq-guide-berlin

Toronto, Canada:

Toronto is known for being a diverse and inclusive city, and is home to one of the largest LGBTQ+ communities in North America.  A bustling cosmopolitan hub, this beautiful destination offers a variety of experiences in every season!

The Church Wellesley Village is world-famous for its nightlife, inclusive community center, and fabulous restaurants. You might also recognize many hot spots from the television show "Queer as Folk," which was filmed in the area for the five years it aired on Showtime. The Toronto waterfront is the lakeshore of Lake Ontario. It spans Etobicoke Creek in the west and the Rouge River in the East. Legend has it the area was bought way back in the 1820s by a gay merchant named Alexander Wood. LGBTQ-ers have since made this district into quite a lovely home of which Wood could only be proud. Toronto is one of the few cities that has two villages. The village at Church & Wellesley and Queen West feature bookstores, shops, accommodations, theater, and of course bars of every flavor.

Be sure to consider a tour of Niagara Falls, a day’s visit to the famous St Lawrence Market.... the Royal Ontario Museum... and High Park.  This beautiful landmark park is expansive, and offers a serene lakefront promenade and full zoo, filled with animals of all kinds... as well as stunning cherry blossoms in the springtime.

Details courtesy of:
https://toronto.gaycities.com/

OTHER DESTINATIONS TO CONSIDER!

Mykonos, Greece:

Mykonos is a beautiful Greek island that has long been a popular destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. It has a relaxed atmosphere, unique shopping experiences, a rich history and many LGBTQ+-friendly beaches, such as Super Paradise Beach and Elia Beach.  This is a place where it often seems that the gays outnumber the straights!

More helpful info:
https://queerintheworld.com/gay-mykonos-travel-guide/

Sydney, Australia:

Sydney is known for its beautiful beaches, year-round temperate weather, laid-back culture, and is an extremely popular destination for travelers from all over the world.  With so much to offer in the way of outdoor adventures, as well as a lively cultural scene, Sydney offers everything you’re looking for in a holiday getaway.  Check out some of the city’s LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhoods, such as Darlinghurst, and consider timing your visit to coincide with the famous Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which is one of the largest LGBTQ+ festivals in the world.

More info:
https://www.gaytravel.com/gay-guides/sydney

San Francisco, California USA:

San Francisco is often considered the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. The city has a long history of activism and is home to many LGBTQ+ landmarks, including the Castro District.  Also known for international cuisine, amazing tourist attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Fishermans’ Wharf, the nearby Muir Woods or surfing town of Santa Cruz… San Francisco offers year-round beauty, world-renowned museums and theaters, and an incomparable connection to everything LGBTQ+.  The city hosts events such as the San Francisco Pride Parade and the Folsom Street Fair.

More info:

https://www.tripsavvy.com/lgbtq-travel-guide-san-francisco-4797044

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is a vibrant and colorful city that is home to many LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhoods, such as Ipanema. Stunning landscapes, endless beaches, temperate weather...  A more than lively LGBTQ+ party scene, a rich history and cultural attractions, unique shopping and galleries, and incredible scenic and outdoor activities as well.  This gorgeous city hosts myriad events including the Rio Gay Pride Parade.

More travel details:

https://www.gaytravel.com/gay-guides/rio-de-janeiro

Bangkok, Thailand:

A very tolerant city, Bangkok is known as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly areas in Asia!  Surprisingly budget-friendly, this amazing destination offers incredible opportunities to immerse yourself in history.  Tour the city from the water:  the Chao Phraya River feeds its network of canals, and takes you through the Rattanakosin royal district, home to the ornate Grand Palace and its sacred Wat Phra Kaew Temple.  Waterfalls, elephants, bicycle tours, temple tours...  Also, a lively nightlife awaits, in a dynamic city that never sleeps!  And of course, be sure to take in as many different culinary experiences as possible, to savor the authentic flavors of the region.

More details:

https://queerintheworld.com/gay-bangkok-travel-guide/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Products-g293916-a_contentId.37935945820+713932054-Bangkok.html

Cape Town, South Africa:

South Africa’s 1996 Constitution specifically protects full and equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community – all forms of anti-gay discrimination are banned. In 2006, the rainbow nation legalised same-sex marriages, the first country in Africa and the fifth in the world to do so.  Cape Town is a port city on a peninsula shadowed by the beautiful Table Mountain.  Cable cars offer easy rides to the mountain's flat, "tabletop" summit, where you can take in breathtaking views of the entire city and harbor.  Shoulder months are a great time to visit, providing fewer crowds, enviable weather and more budget-friendly rates citywide.  A multicultural metroplis, Cape Town offers a bustling nightlife, world-renowned cultural scene, lavish accommodations, culinary adventures, incredible beaches and much more.

More Travel Info:

https://www.go2africa.com/african-travel-blog/rainbow-romance-gay-friendly-guide-cape-town

https://www.theblondeabroad.com/ultimate-cape-town-travel-guide/

_____________

It's important to note that while these destinations are generally considered to be welcoming and accepting of LGBTQ+ travelers, it's always a good idea to do ample research in advance, and certainly consider consulting with a travel professional for additional guidance, as well as budgeting tips, seasonal advice, and discount opportunities.  Get out there, explore at your leisure… make the world your home!!

Imagine...  The wedding ceremony was stunning, filled with romance and joy.  Scents of the beautiful lilacs and roses your partner chose will forever infuse your memory of the day with the lightest accent of pure sweetness.  Your family gathered together, in support and celebration.  It was perfect.

Could there possibly be more??  Of course!  You and your partner whisk yourselves away for a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon adventure: enchantment, relaxation and awe midst the backdrop of Greece.  Kaló taxídi!

_____________________

Greece is cradled between Europe, Asia and Africa, and has therefore accumulated through the centuries a rich heritage and eventful history.  The Ancient Greeks and the Romans clashed here, this is the land of Plato and Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, this is the birthplace of Western civilization and modern democracy, major mathematical and scientific theories, the Olympic Games, Western drama and so much more.

Today’s tourists and honeymooners have a vast array of exciting activities to choose from:  exploring the popular ancient cities and temples, venturing into the less traveled areas of the country to visit centuries’ old monasteries and other historic sites, touristing the islands and lavishing in the green-blue Mediterranean, visiting the museums, sharing in the traditions of everyday life within a scenic Greek village, sightseeing in the mountains and taking in a view of Mt. Olympus.  There are modern sports adventures, such as skiing and para-sailing, there are tours of the famed sites from myth and ancient history such as the Parthenon and the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, there are culinary temptations and the tantalizing lure of Greek cuisine: olives, mountain-grown herbs and Greek wine, just to name a few.

It’s impossible to enjoy all the gifts of this land, even in a two or four-week getaway.  Be prepared to return again and again – the wonders of Greece are sure to win your heart!

Athens and the Parthenon

Athens is the capital of Greece, and one of the oldest cities in the world.  It has been inhabited for over 7000 years.  Today, Athens is a bustling modern metropolis, yet its ancient history is an integral part.  The city boasts dozens of archaeological landmarks, most notably the Parthenon which tops the sacred Acropolis, overlooking the city.  The Parthenon was built in the 5th century BC, replacing an older temple on the site in honor of the Greek goddess Athena.  The building was first used as a treasury, was later converted into a Christian church and subsequently a mosque... and in 1687 was partially destroyed while serving as an Ottoman munitions dump.

Athens has always been revered as a cultural mecca, and today’s tourists flock to the city to take part in its many diverse activities.  Music and nightlife abound, and Athens offers more theatrical stages than any other city in Europe.  A daytime walk around the area promises to charm:  the old blends with the new in an array of taverns, contemporary restaurants and shops, lilting bouzouki music, worn stonework and old mansions accented with cascading vines and bright flowers. 

Within twenty kilometers of Athens, visitors can escape to picturesque beaches or to breathtaking resort villages such as Vouliagmeni.  The famous fresh-water Lake Vouliagmeni, once a large cavern that long-ago collapsed, now gains its water from underground currents seeping through Mt. Hymettus... the mineral content and constant temperature of 24 degrees Celsius draw in tourists year-round.

The Greek Islands / The Cyclades

There are about 30 inhabited islands in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Greece.  These islands, along with many others which remain uninhabited, are known as the Cyclades.  This archipelago holds its own unique history:  its key geography as well as its abundance of natural resources have maintained the Cyclades as an important landmark throughout the centuries.  Archaeological remnants as old as the 11th millennium BC have been uncovered, revealing Neolithic activity on the islands.  Other sites, ranging from the time of the Cretans and the Mycenaeans through to the German occupation during WWII, provide an almost incomprehensible view of human history.

Today, some of the islands depend on tourism; others, rich with mining and agriculture, do not offer visitors a ready assortment of amenities and attractions.  The most popular Cyclades destinations are Santorini, Mykonos, Paros and Naxos.

"The Jewel" of the Aegean Sea:  The island of Mykonos brings to mind clear blue water, high blue skies, stark whitewashed buildings...  There are preserved windmills with arms in the shape of the Maltese cross, and narrow stone-lined streets just wide enough to permit travel by donkey.  Built around a small fishing village, today’s Mykonos offers a variety of accommodations, shops and restaurants (from the posh to the lower-budget,) along with welcoming inhabitants, inspiring natural beauty, a long-established gay scene and all the grecian magic imaginable.

Hidden Treasures

Befriending local tour guides, or organizing small expeditions in advance, will add a sure sense of anticipation and wonder to your exploration of all that mythic Greece has to offer.  By bus or automobile, winding up the Pindus Mountains, adventurous tourists will find themselves enroute to the spectacular scenery of Vikos Aoos National Park.  Hidden waterfalls, the world’s deepest gorges and jagged peaks offer view to this rugged backcountry rarely seen by most visitors.  High mountain hamlets with cobble streets, slate roofs and kind, gracious villagers will transport you and your partner to the atmosphere of another era.

In another part of the country, according to legend, an 11th Century Byzantine woman faced a difficult challenge.  By law, her family was required to send their eldest son off to become a soldier; however Theodora had only younger sisters.  Her family was poor, and unable to pay the resulting taxes... in an effort to spare them Theodora dressed as a man and entered the army.  She became an admirable soldier, so noble that many of her comrades envied her and, as fate would have it, one young woman fell in love with her.  The woman, a local villager where Theodora was stationed as a guard, adored the quiet soldier and accused ‘him’ of being the father of her unborn child.

Theodora refused to confess, none of her fellow soldiers would speak in her defense, and so she was executed.  Her final words were, in essence, “Let my body become a church, my blood a river, my hair a forest!”  Upon her death, her identity was revealed and her executioners were aghast with sorrow for the mistake they had made.  The villagers were moved to build a chapel at the site of her grave.  According to folklore, a river re-routed itself in order to flow directly beneath the tiny church.  And even today, eighteen full-grown trees have risen themselves up from the chapel roof, running roots down through the walls.  Miraculously, the roots remain hidden beneath the roof and within the walls, never breaking through the fragile mud and stonework.

Saint Theodora’s chapel can be found in the village of Vasta, in the Peloponnese.  Hundreds of other churches, monasteries and other, lesser-known archaeological sites dot the landscape of Greece, mile after mile.  Taking time to seek them out can prove to be one of the most memorable aspects of any vacation to this ancient land.  Kaló taxídi!