Our whirlwind wedding was over and our stress levels were higher than ever. My sweet boyfriend was put on antibiotics the day of our rehersal dinner (he had a nasty sickness) and the one thing that the pharmacist said would help was REST. Well, that was exactly our plans. We were looking forward to our 10 day adventure in Mexico just for the chance to shed the stress and tension of weddings, ceremonies, families and get our BEACH on.
After a quick flight and a subsequent drive, we pulled into a beautiful exotic hotel in the Riveria Maya. It was called the El Dorado Royale and we had booked a casita suite (which is technically just a shmancy name for stand-alone hut). Our room had an outdoor shower, a lounging pool and a swim up bar. Since it was October (hurricane season) we ended up being one of the only folks on that side of the resort.
The low number of vacationers actually benefited us…we got great service, were able to walk into any of the eight included resturaunts without a wait and got a different towel-animal on our bed each night. I mean, we were practically celebrities 🙂 And just so you know, if I ever was rich enough to hire a housekeeper, I would ask them to be fully educated in a diverse array of towel-folding.
One of our favorite parts? The beaches. We were able to spend three outta the ten days plopped down on the beach…doing absolutely nothing…not even retrieving drinks since we had a beach boy (not a famous singing beach boy…just a normal non-singing one) whose main job was keeping our cup full.
And we were able to detox from all things marraige – related. There were no questions about processionals or photos or whether or not the reception facility absolutely forgot to refill table twelves sweet tea. It was divine.
But in the midst of all that relaxation, we definitely had planned some excursions. Afterall, we were in Mexico and wanted to be able to take in as much of the beautiful country as possible.
One of the days we visited XCaret – which was basically like a zoo with gardens and a show at the end.
This was also the place that we booked a session to swim with the dolphins. Let me explain something very important…I used to swim. Not like in a normal sense…it was hard core swimming. Literally, my summers in highschool involved me hitting the pool at 6 am and having three to four practices A DAY. The kids in our family didn’t change outta our suits. And during the winter, Sundays was the only day that we didn’t don a Speedo. So for the better part of my teenagehood, I believed that I was a human dolphin. I know that is weird. But I also used to believe that I could breathe underwater and I would take naps in the pool…all that to say this experience was perfect for me.
After swimming with them, the trainers told us that they would come behind us and push our feet. Then we could ‘ride’ through the water. First was Jeremy. The whistle blew signaling the dolphin to start zooming through the water and Jeremy rode the entire length of the pool.
Then came my turn. I waited and waited. Then I turned around looking for the trainer to see what was holding up the whistle. Then all of a sudden, my crazy prankster dolphin started launching me through the air…needless to say, I was slightly surprised. I knicknamed him Bart Simpson after that.
Our other highlight from XCaret was snorkeling in the underground river.
Although the water was a little chilly (it was raining a little that day which made the water colder), we both got a kick outta swimming along the long tunnel and seeing the ground above us and below us. Very cool. pun totally intended.
After our visits with all the different animals (we saw everything from anteaters to oxes) and the water adventures – we got ready for dinner and a show.
The production was amazing. The entire thing explained Mayan history and traditions and helped us understand their culture and beliefs (which came in handy during our other excursions). Plus, anytime I get to see grown men twirl with giant paper mache plates on their head, I am game.
Even our server was in the spirit of things. Please note that this is the only time that I have accepted food from a half-naked sweaty man. Although, I would consider doing it again…but next time, deodorant would be necessary; anti-persperant optional.
The next day, we went on another excursion…this time it required a few hours in a bus.
But the drive was well worth it when we got to see this:
That is Chichen Itza…a New Seven Wonder of the World. This temple and the surrounding ruins are an ancient Mayan city. They include a ball court (where the winner got his head chopped off. I know. I would totally throw that one too.) and a bunch of carvings of human skulls, the Platform of Venus, and a Temple of Warriors (who got their heart cut out if they were the best…needless to say, these people were very dedicated to being on top of their craft).
On the way back from Chichen Itza, our tour group stopped at this cenote (giant water hole). It was beautiful from the bottom and the water was FREEZING.
The next excursion was my absolute favorite. It was a Mayan Adventure. We started out kayaking through an alligator infested swampland. Then we hiked through the jungle, got blessed by a Mayan before swimming in a cenote (that required a rope to climb in and out of), then we got to a giant cavern.
That is where we got strapped in and went ziplining. Being scared of heights had us both sweating buckets…but it was so worth it. And yes, that is a stick I am holding. It was my brakes for when I got to the end of the line so that I didn’t slam into a tree 🙂
After our zipline craziness, we got to repel down onto the floor before having a handmade Mayan meal and bicycling through the jungle to see more ruins. And when I say we had mountain bikes, I mean…we literally had bikes that the parts were found on different parts of the mountain. One girl pushed down on her pedals and the bike crashed into a pile of parts. She was left there holding the handlebars while I laughed myself silly. It was awesome.
One of our excursions (whew! what happened to the rest and relaxation?!?!) was to Xel Ha – a large natural aquarium that urges snorkeling.
The fish were unreal. Arnold Schwarzenegger fish. They were huge. Like they had been eating steroid plankton fortified with growth hormones.
After we swam all over Xel Ha, we hopped on another bus and spent the rest of the day at Tulum…which is where the Spanish conquistadors first contacted the Mayan people. The walls of the ancient city were right on the cliff that overlooked the ocean. I can imagine that the Mayans saw the ships on the horizon and probably dropped the f-bomb. I mean, seriously, this place was crazy beautiful and they knew that their best warrior would have to cut out his heart if he survived the fight!
I would be remiss to forget one of the best parts of our vacation – THE FOOD. Since our resort was all-inclusive (and we aren’t big drinkers) we decided that the best way to exploit the hotel would be to eat our weight in food. Some nights we would hit up to three resturaunts for dinner. I’m honestly surprised we didn’t gain twenty pounds…because we did our best to gorge ourselves at every meal.
The last two days we switched hotels. We ended up leaving the southern coast and heading north to enjoy Cancun. Here was our view from the Hilton suite (which was AMAZING!):
While we were in Cancun, we hit up the Hard Rock cafe (which we also visited when we got engaged) and Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville (where I got pulled up on stage to dance!). And I met these two fellows…I think Jeremy had a tinge of jealousy…because I know wearing a tiara and having a fairy wand is totally his style. Kidding honey!
We also took a dinner cruise…which I highly recommend. We got to see the sunset and eat dinner with a very fun couple from Scotland. And yes, I did attempt to speak to them in their native tongue. And they thought we sounded funny with our accents 🙂
It was the perfect ending to our wedding celebration and the best beginning for our new lives together. And yes, I did attempt to stuff a pool boy in the luggage to take home…c’mon…HE COULD FOLD SWAN TOWELS AND BRING ME PINA COLADAS…basically the recipe for a perfect man. I probably could have fit him too…if only I didn’t buy that dolphin towel!
So now tell me…where did you honeymoon? What was the best part? Spill those moonin’ details (heehee…moonin’….like bums!)
we had to wait a year after the wedding, but that just made us that much more excited about our honeymoon! We spent 10 days on the Maine Coast. Stayed at some great B&Bs, ate some amazing lobster, and went sea kayaking. I want to go back so badly, maybe for our 10th anniversary. For now we want to travel to new places first.
Your honeymoon sounded amazing! Have you taken a big vacation since then?
We drove the four hours from Orange County to Santa Barbara, Ca. We stayed only four days. We walked around State Street, walked to the beach, wine tasted, visited a mission, and may have gotten drunk in a state garden… We had bought a house two days before our wedding (not a great idea!) and were anxious to set up our home!
Ohh sea kayaking! Add that to my bucket list 🙂
xo – kb
I rarely comment on your blog but I had to for this one. We took the exact same honeymoon! We stayed at the El Dorado Royale in a casita and it was wonderful. We didn’t do as many excursions but did go to Xel-Ha and swam with the dolphins there. We have been married for 5 years now and have been thinking about going back. Seeing your post made me so nostalgic that I pulled out our honeymoon album and now I know that we have to go back! Loved hearing about your adventures.
Holy Cow Elyse – closing on a house two days before a wedding sounds like a recipe for disaster! Glad it all worked out because that honeymoon sounds devine!
And yes, we have taken a big vacation since then…we went on a mission trip to the Bahamas, a short trip to Grand Cayman curtesy of my job, a long babymoon/anniversary trip to Dominican Republic and an anniversary trip to Niagra Falls 🙂 Gosh…when I write it all out, it sounds like we travel all the time!
xo – kb
We also went to Mexico for our honeymoon!!! And we also went to Xcaret, Tulum and Chichen Itza!! It’s so funny! Our hotel was on the Costa del Sol. It was just a perfect week!
My hubby and I actually honeymooned in Park City, Utah to go snowboarding! Yep, not that relaxing and on top of that, it was my first time. My husband had to teach me. Needless to say the first day was a little frustating but after that I totally got the hang of it and it was a real test to the relationship. It just proved to me again that I picked the right guy. He was so patient with me as I slid down the mountain on my butt in tears and cheered me on when I finally figured out how to get off the lift without bringing everyone down with me. It is a trip I’ll never forget. It was beautiful and right before Christmas so everything was decorated too. I highly recommend it. Now it’s a yearly tradition to hit the slopes!
We went up to Bar Harbor, Maine and enjoyed Acadia National Park. The only downside was that a huge storm was coming through when we were there, so half the time it rained.
P.S. Not to be creepy, but I was thought about you this morning as I packed my breakfast/lunch because I was bring bacon with me. I normally can’t stand the stuff, but since becoming pregnant I have been obsessed with turkey bacon.
Your honeymoon sounds amazing!
We had a staycation for our honeymoon and took daytrips which was fun. A little over a year later we went to San Francisco for my husband’s cousin’s wedding, which was equally amazing even if it was chilly and rainy (and I can’t wait to go back!)
Your honeymoon looks like it was wonderful! Our honeymoon was almost 15 years ago, we went to London and then to the Cotswolds. Great honeymoon 🙂
Happy Anniversary! Ours is this week too- and we also went to Mexico on our h’moon. The Mayan Adventure was hands down my favorite excursion. At least once a week I still say “lets go back to Mexico!”
Interestingly, we honeymooned in Mexico too. The Riviera Maya, actually. Where did we stay? Oh, a little place called The El Dorado Royale! Looking at your pictures, I relived some of our adventure in Mexico. We too took the day trip to Chichen Itza and visited that cenote on the way back. One of my favorite parts of the trip was the day we spent just wandering in and out of the shops and restaurants in Playa del Carmen. Did you get into the town during your stay? My husband and I were married nine years ago this past May, and we still talk about going back there some day!
Your honeymoon sounds wonderful! I visited Mexico this past spring with a group of girls. We staid between Cancun and Tulum in a city called Aukmal, it was awesome. For our honeymoon my hubs decided not to tell me the destination so I didn’t know until I got to the airport. We ended up going to Jamacia to a Sandal’s resort and it was amazing. It was all inclusive and we ate all week.Our last night I decided to forego the buffett and eat nothing but desert. I justified it to myself that I didn’t get to eat hardly at all at our sit down dinner reception that I deserved to eat what I wanted. Thank you for sharing!
Oh my god! I went on a similar trip for my senior year of high school class trip. We did not stay in the swanky Riveria Maya which I’ve heard great things about but we did venture to Chichen Itza (which we called Chicken Pizza the entire trip, very mature right?), Xcaret where I remember swimming in the pool there?, and the giant water hole … which has fish in it and I’m scared of fish so I was basically thrown into the water. It’s amazing that you guys didnt spend allll of your time lounging by the pools and actually got out and about to learn about Mayan culture. Very cool! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your pictures! My husband and I are leaving in 7 days for riviera maya!! I am super excited and am currently obsessed with all things mexico so this was the perfect post!! We also plan on doing the excursion to Chichen Itza so I am pumped to see you guys had a great time! We are thinking of taking a taxi to playa del carmen, but my husband is alittle worried about safety. If you have another recommendations for what to do in riviera maya, please share!!
We honeymooned in Riviera Maya as well in 2008 at the Aventura Spa Palace. We did the trip to XCaret and Tulum and LOVED it! Our pictures look very similar!
My husband and I went on a cruise and visited several south Caribbean islands (St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Lucia, Dominica, etc.). We had two rules about the honeymoon: 1) We wanted to leave the country and 2) we wanted to go somewhere that neither of us had previously visited. So it was perfect! The best part was definitely the food and drinks — we would go to the sushi bar when it opened at 5 p.m., then eat our late dinner in the restaurant around 8:30 p.m., and finally order room service around 2 or 3 a.m. Our cabin was dark at night and the swaying of the ship just rocked us to sleep. It was so restful and wonderful after a year and a half of law school, grad school, and wedding stress!
We went to Riviera Maya too! We just went 3 weeks ago and was amazing! We got married September 18. We didnt go to XCaret but we drove past it and it looked cool. All inclusive is the way to go!
We honeymooned in Riviera Maya as well and like one of the above posts stayed at the Adventura Spa Palace! It was wonderful! We did the trip to Tulum and had one of the best Mayan tour guides that provided SO much history about the city! Did your guide to the “clap test”? Our guide stood near the middle of the city and clapped and people over a 100 yards away turned and looked. It was so cool! He explained that the Mayan’s had figured out the accoustics for the high priest to speak and the peasants beyond the walls of the city to hear..ok I’m a history nerd, but it was cool! We also spent a day in Playa Del Carmen at the sister resort to ours shopping, drinking, and playing on the beach. We went parasailing one day, hoseback riding and enjoyed an awasome couples massage at our resorts amazing spa! We LOVED the food too! My husband still jokes about the chubby little Mexican woman that stole his heart with homemade corn tortillas everyday on the lunch buffet! 🙂 I think he would have packed her in his suitcase it I would have let him! Thanks for sharing your pictures and the little trip down my own memory lane! Happy Anniversary Week!
We got married and honeymooned in the Mayan Riviera too! We went to Playa del Carmen, stayed at an all-inclusive and did WAY less then you guys did. We did do a bit of sight-seeing, but basically we sat on the beach and ate. We also had many pina coladas. 🙂 We actually eloped to avoid all of the wedding stress and had a beautiful ceremony with 3 wonderful couples we met while we were there. We then had a reception back at home. I can’t wait to go back to Playa del Carmen. What a beautiful place!
We went to El Dorado Royale, too!
Wow, it’s great to hear that you enjoyed El Dorado Royale…we have friends that just announced that they’re having their wedding there next October! We’ll probably be making the trip to celebrate with them, so I’m glad to “know” someone else who’s giving it good reviews!
We went to Costa Rica for our honeymoon and loved it! We went on a rainforest hike, did a ziplining tour, relaxed in the hot springs, had our first couples’ massage, and then went down to the beach for our last two days and did a sunset-snorkeling tour. It was awesome!
We honeymooned in Panama and it was a beautiful time! We ate lovely food and relaxed on the gorgeous beaches and stayed in the rain forest for part of it. I love this wedding week related blog posts – I was thinking of doing the same thing on my blog this winter!!
Your pictures made me smile – we went to Cancun and stayed at the Moon Palace (AH-MAZ-ING!) We also visited Chichen Itza and every Mexican bug in a 20 mile radius bit me while I sweltered in 100% hunidity and 100 degree weather (It just so happened to be the HOT-TEST day of our September honeymoon the day we decided to trek into the jungle). But what an incredible week that was …. Looking at your pictures brings back some very wonderful memories 🙂
Our honeymoon was a bit of a ker-schmozzle due to swine flu cancellations at the last minute. 3 days before our wedding, I got a call from the travel agent telling me that our Mexican cruise had been cancelled because of swine flu. The reason we picked a cruise in the first place was because I HATE flying! So… 5 ativan later, we ended up flying to Denver, then roadtripped it down to Galveston, TX, where we cruised for a week to Grand Cayman and Jamaica. The roadtrip was the best part though – we stayed at a ski resort near Denver, saw a Rangers game, game 6 of the Rockets-Lakers series, went to Schlitterbahn – it was great! We had nothing planned because of the last minute switch but the spontaneity ended up being the best part (and this coming from a girl who LOVES lists!)
So fun!!! I went to Cancun with my family year and years ago. We went to Xel Ha and Chichen. One of the things that I could never get out of my head was the whole chopping off the head of the winner. Crazy. I also remember the pit where they tossed in the virgins (as a gift to the gods) and the bowls where they put the still beating heart of the people they sacrificed. The Mayans were brutal, to say the least.
My husband and I got married in my hometown of New Orleans in March and didn’t have a honeymoon : / unless you consider driving back to San Diego a honeymoon. But spending an entire day driving through Texas is *definitely* not my idea of a honeymoon. In 2 years my hubby gets a big fat settlement check when he turns 35 (from getting his face nearly bit off by a dog when he was 2) so we’re hoping to have a very belated extended honeymoon then. Oh, and his face is ok now… and scars are sexy!
Congrats, Katie, on your anniversary!
We’ve been to Xcaret, too – stayed at the all-inclusive next door. What a fun eco-park. And we swam that underground river – it was very chilly – in JULY! But so, so clear – totally worth the cold water.
Thanks for taking us down memory lane – its been fun to see where you guys started from.
-KB
Karin Bowker
It took us 10 years, but we finally had our honeymoon in the Riviera Maya last April. We stayed at the Dreams Riviera resort which was out of this world! We did Chichen Itza which was amazing! We also did Playa del Carmen for an afternoon. My absolute favorite was the candlelight dinner on the beach, so cool! I’m staring at the little Bacardi bottle of sand on my desk right now. We can’t wait to go back some day!
We honeymooned in southern Africa. It was more amazing than I expected (and I was expecting a lot). we stayed at two safari camps in South Africa then went to Capetown for 4 days, rented a car and headed up the east coast for 10 days staying at little B&B along the way. We had no reservations for this part of the trip and we were surprised how easy it was to find nice spots (it was off season). After that we flew to Botswana for a camping safari that ended in Victoria Falls, Zambia and then off for some beach time in Mozambique. Simply amazing! Hopefully we will get the chance to go back someday.
we went to cancun for our honeymoon! we were only there for five days, so we spent almost the whole time on the resort. we learned how to sail and went jet-skiing! the only excursion we went on was to the isla mujeres, which was so peaceful and beautiful. of course, we also ate a ton, milking the all-inclusive resort for all it’s worth!
I also went to Mexico but we stay on Cozumel. It was during the swine flu epidemic so we only went to Chichen Itza and the cenote. That is so cool that we chose the same location!
Well my honeymoon story would be awesome but you basically already told our story! We went to El Dorado Royale as well but didnt do the casita thing. We also did the Mayan Ruins and swimming in the cavern! You’re right, the food was AWESOME and we actually made good friends with other honeymooning couples! We were there May of 2007. Glad you had a great time!
First of all, I love your blog and kind of love you. I’m not a creeper but I wish we were friends….like real, you made me pee my pants laughing, type of friends. Anyhoo….
We too stayed at the El Dorado for our honeymoon and loved it. It was so fun to hear about your trip and see your pictures too. We actually didn’t do too many day excursions which I kind of regret now but at the time we were so enjoying doing absolutely nothing but beach, sun and open bar. We did go to Xel Ha which was really sweet along with a few other excursions but I wish I would have read this two years ago. Well thanks for sharing wedding week with us!
Ok, so I posted my comment before reading all the others but holy El Dorado, let’s start a club. How fun to hear and see so many other couples who loved El Dorado as honeymooners as much as we did. I love all the stories.
Loved hearing about your honeymoon! You may have mentioned this already, but how long were you two engaged? I always like to know how long people dated and how long they were engaged.
We went to Jamaica for our honeymoon. We got married in Arkansas and drove the next day all the way to Georgia (where we were living) and flew out from the Atlanta airport. I do not recommend driving 11 hours the day after you get married.. However, to make it better we opened a wedding gift every hour. Jamaica was a lot of fun! (I know you’ve been there so I don’t even have to tell you!)
I’m loving all the sweet stories and photos this week!
We went to Jamaica for our honeymoon and stayed at an all-inclusive like y’all did. We definitely got our money’s worth by eating our weight in food every day too!!!
We honeymooned in the Mayan Riviera, as well, at Iberostar Grand Paraiso. It was amazing. The all-inclusive thing really isn’t us, but we decided to go for it since we didn’t want to have to think about anything, and it was a great choice. The hotel was amazing, and we enjoyed the food and drinks. We’re kind of food snobs, so we weren’t expecting much, but most of the food was awesome. I had the best pasta I’ve ever had (and that’s saying a lot being from a mostly Italian family) – linguine with pesto, marscapone and black truffle. I still remember it… and dream about it. Yum. We also did a snorkeling day trip to a really cool cenote and then an area near Xel Ha. Fun to relive it through your pics! Sounds like you did it up right!
Loved hearing your story! My husband and I have the funniest honeymoon story ever — I can’t wait to tell it to my kids when they’re older! We went to a little island off the coast of Venezuela (called Margarita Island) for a week. We relaxed and did absolutely nothing. Then we totally switched gears and went to Peru for two weeks. The best part was that we hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. 4 days through the Peruvian Andes. Literally in the MIDDLE of nowhere! Ice on our tents in the morning and hours and hours (and hours) of hiking. My husband got so tired of the altitude and hiking that he ended up riding the small donkey the porters brought for us “just in case” of emergencies. My husband is 6’1″ and 280lbs. Ummmmm, saying that I regret not taking a picture of that scene is an understatement. I will NEVER let him live that one down. It was hilarous (and embarassing that he was the ONLY one in our group to ride the friggin donkey)! But gosh Machu Picchu was soooooo worth it! BEAUTIFUL! We had a great time overall, but man it is such a funny, funny story to tell!
We ‘mooned in New York City for 10 days. We stayed in a wonderful hotel (The Casablanca) and our days basically went like this:
Breakfast in the hotel, watch the morning Olympics highlights (we were married 08.08.08, the opening day of the Beijing olympics)
tourist-y stuff
lunch
nap
touristy stuff
dinner
touristy stuff
sleep
It was an amazing relaxing time, and I can’t wait to go back!
Your resort looks beautiful, I’ll keep it in mind the next time we’re planning a warm vacay, Mexico is on our list of places to go!
Oh Theresa,
I wish I could see Machu Picchu. I regret being in Peru and not seeing it…but I guess in the end it was more worth it to feed poor children…but the selfish side of me says WHY OH WHY DID I MISS THAT!?!?
I love imagining a giant man on a donkey…it’s a simple joy in life to see large people on small animals 🙂
xo- kb
Hi Michelle,
We were engaged almost a year…11 months. We dated for almost two years before that. Honestly I told Jeremy not to propose until he had all his debt paid off…and he did it in record time 🙂 It’s all about motivation girls 🙂
xo – kb
p.s. We haven’t been to Jamaica yet – but we have friends that have gone and LOVED it!
KRISTIN S I HATE YOU RIGHT NOW AND AM SEETHING WITH JEALOUSY.
but seriously…not hate more like just wish I were you…that sounds amazing.
xo – kb
Amen Liz…scars are sexy!
xo – kb
Chantelle,
I could not agree with you more – the spontaneity makes life worth living 🙂
xo – kb
Do it Candace. It’s so fun to think back and remember the good times (and see how different you look too!)
xo – kb
We didn’t go into playa del carmen, Angela, but we did take advantage of our resorts honeymoon perks – like a beach side couples massage and dinner on the beach. It was well worth it 🙂
xo – kb
I have to say Mexico has been on my list for a while (have only visited for a day and no where scenic), but after seeing your pics and write-up along with all the comments I will be moving it up to the top of my list. Looks like it is an amazing place!
Oh Amanda, I love that tradition idea! We always said that we would like to go back to Disney every five years. Especially when we have kids.
xo – kb
Our first anniversary was on Monday (Oct. 4)! We went to Greece – it was so amazing. We spent a week exploring the island of Crete, and three days checking out Athens. And no, Athens is not as dirty as everyone says – it was beautiful and romantic.
I have been a long-time reader, but rarely comment. I just love reading about your honeymoon and seeing everyone else’s adventures while skimming through the comments!!!
We went to The Netherlands and Belgium for our honeymoon. We absolutely loved it! We got to ride bikes around Amsterdam, in a national park, see many WWI and WWII battlefields, museums and cemeteries. We also went to all the big art museums in Amsterdam. In Belgium, we ate TONS of chocolate, waffles and Belgian fries (aka French Fries with mayo). We hiked and enjoyed city time in Brussels. We mostly stayed at B&Bs – which was one of the best parts of our trip!
Thanks for making me stop and think about how amazing honeymoon trips can be!
Katie, this is the first time I’ve ever read or commented on your blog; thanks for telling me about it. Your MOM told me. Your honeymoon sounds amazing! The pictures are beautiful. Jeff and I honeymooned in Paris. It was my first time, but not his so I was fortunate to get the benefit of a seasoned tour guide. We ate our weight in cheese, walked around the city in astonishment, visited historic places I had only read about in books at school and had the time of our lives. It was romantic, relaxing and luxurious. Everything a honeymoon should be. We plan to make it a regular trip, especially since it has a permanent place in our hearts. Happy Anniversary!
We honeymooned in Paris for a week and then in Florence for a week in the fall, it was crisp… but I came back huge I ate way to much delicious food.
Hello!!! Absolutely LOVE your recaps! Your honeymoon looks like it would have been amazing!
Our honeymoon was 7 weeks backpacking around Europe. Sounds awesome (it totally was), but it was not a de-stressing vacay like yours! We came back in total need of another holiday… Thankfully I’ve convince my hubs that we need to go the Whitsundays (google it!) in February for a mini relaxing holiday!!! Woohoo!!
Also, you are one HOT TAMALE!!!! Oh, and the boyfriend looks good too! 🙂
We took a New England/Canada cruise to escape the heat of Phoenix. I actually just blogged about it last week if you’d like to look at pictures and all that jazz.
http://lessonsofanewlywed.blogspot.com/2010/09/lesson-109-moon.html
We h’mooned on the Riviera Maya as well for seven glorious days. Our resort, Dreams Tulum, was 5 min north of Tulum. To say we loved it is an understatement. We spent every single day on the beach, except for the morning we rented a Fiesta and drove down to Tulum. I agree–it was so beautiful! How’d you like all the iguanas? I can’t even tell you how many pictures I have of those things–this midwest girl was slightly obsessed! Oh yeah, I almost forgot…the first day, actually the first hour, we were there, my hubs walked right into the water and cut his foot open on a rock. It wasn’t just a cut; it was a full out gushing gash. We learned that we will bring a mini first aid kit with us when we travel again. Couldn’t believe how hard it was to find clean bandages at the resort. Aside from that, we had a fantastic time–we hope to go back soon!
We “mooned” in the Dominican Republic. We had a great time, but you were far more adventurous than us. We spent most of our time poolside. We actually just booked a Christmas vacation (family style) to Mexico and I’m getting super excited. Now to loose the baby weight…
Thanks for sharing! abby
Happy Anniversary! We just celebrated our 11th this past weekend. As to our honeymoon, we spent two beautiful weeks in Hawaii – Maui and Lanai (tiny island with only one traffic light and three resorts). Ten years later we went back with our kids. They tried to convince us that we need to go every year – I wish! I am completely jealous of one of your readers – that trip to Margarita Island and Peru sounds incredible! We love to travel and hope get to South America within the next few years.
We went to Italy – 3 fun but not relaxing days in Rome, a day trip to Pompeii, and a week in Chianti that was much more relaxing – lots of tiny Tuscan towns full of good food and wine! Loved, loved, LOVED it and would go back except there are just so many other places I want to travel to!
We honeymooned in New York City the week after our wedding, which was the week before Christmas. We’re both from Chicago and not huge fans of super warm weather, so winter in NYC was perfect for us. We stayed in a swanky hotel, there was snow on the ground, we took in the Rockettes on Christmas Eve and went ice skating in Rockefeller Center. We flew home on Christmas Day to celebrate with our families. It was truly a magical trip to begin our marriage.
Love the Riviera Maya, and looks like you guys had a blast! Great pics, you are so photogenic. We went to Paris for our honeymoon. It was our first time in Europe and we fell in love with the city! LOVE LOVE. Also, I know you mentioned in your other post about wanting to go to Italy –if you’re into guided tours I totally recommend Gate 1 Travel. My husband and I went last Feb to Venice, Florence, and Rome and it was amazing and great value for the price (you get the best deals Feb/Mar) Awesome tour guide and didn’t have to worry about a thing. So worth it!
{blushing}
thanks Amanda 🙂
xo – kb
Thanks for the tips Diana,
I literally would die if I ever got a chance to go to Europe!
xo – kb
We bought a (new construction) home and begged to move in a week early. We didn’t know we were moving in until the day before! It was the most stressful time – me on the hallway floor crying while trying to put my centerpiece floral arrangements together or randomly typing up a seating chart at 1am on my wedding day. I hated the thought of spending out wedding night in a hotel close to our new home. Luckily it worked out, but I would NEVER recommend it!
Those places sound wonderful! We waited to take a big trip for our one year anniversary…but we found out we were pregnant a month before…so, now we wait until Jackson is old enough!
I don’t mean this in a bragging way – at all…actually, it can be annoying some nights. Since you mentioned Disney, we live five minutes from Disneyland! From Jackson’s bedroom window we can see the top 1/3 of the nightly fireworks! But, really, with a 4 1/2 month old…the 9:35 “booms” of the fireworks create a problem!
Oh, that’s right you said you went to the Bahamas. Jamaica is great, you should try to go sometime!
For our honeymoon, the hubs and I went to Mexico on a cruise. It was fantastic!! The best part was unpacking once and getting to see Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta while enjoying the comforts of a cruise! The very best part, aside from the fun in our stateroom :), was the Champange Bar near the dining room. Never having had it before, we got to enjoy caviar, which I thought would be nasty, but was very, very good!! I felt all rich and fancy every night enjoying the lifestlye of the rich and famous. Also, the desserts were to die for! Oh, and the facial and massage, and the pizza and ice cream served every afternoon on the pool deck…i could go on! It was sooo fun, and relaxing and delicious!!
We went to Germany for our honeymoon. We stayed in Munich for a romantic week, and then spent a month in youth hostels all over Bavaria. Why? Because we are thrifty-as-heck, and you can only stay in hostels in Bavaria until you are 26, so it would be our last chance! We went to every out-of-the-way town we could, even staying in a couple of hostels that did not have private rooms, so we were put in separate single-sex dorms – there’s romance for ya! It wasn’t a restful, pampering honeymoon (except for that first week), but it was a trip full of fabulous memories.
After spending a college semester in ’94 as a student & intern in London and getting to know the city without having the time & money to do many touristy activities, I decided to “take” my new husband on his first trip to Europe for 2 weeks on your honeymoon in ’02. (International travel was still light from the US due to 9/11, so airfare & accommodations were unusually affordable.) In & around London (and a short jaunt to Scotland) we went to shows, concerts, gardens, museums, historical landmarks, restaurants, pubs…. took tubes, buses, boats, trains, taxis…. and covered miles upon miles of pavement on foot. It was exciting & romantic & educational &, for us, relaxing!!! Neither of us have had the desire to spend time on a beach…. we’re so obviously made for each other! 🙂
My husband and I are leaving in a month for a week at El Dorado Royale! I was so excited to see your pictures and hear your great reviews. I was already excited to go, but now I can’t wait 🙂 We weren’t really thinking about excursions -just how soon can we get to the beach?- but I think we will look into a few of the ones you mentioned now! Thanks for posting!
Holy smokes that makes me want to go back and have a second honeymoon! We rented a cabin in North Carolina, and my hubby learned how to snow ski. It snowed the day of our wedding (in FL) so we were welcomed to fresh white fluff. I loved it 🙂
Also, I need to take up swimming… you look amazing!
We totally stayed at the same place! El Dorado Royale, or EDR as we affectionately called it. We loved it! Although we did not do nearly as many excursions as you, we definitely enjoyed the sun, sand, casitas, pina coladas at 10 am, hotel staff on bikes, and the FOOD. So, so good!
We actually just got back from our honeymoon on Tuesday!! We went to Fiji…aka paradise. We went to two small islands – Malolo and Navini. On Navini there were only 10-15 total guests on the entire island! Our schedule went like this – eat, snorkle, read, eat, nap, snorkle, read, eat, sleep. It. Was. Amazing. Ha! Now I am sitting back in a office…sigh.
Sada,
Fiji is #2 on our must-visit list…we’ve heard it’s unbelievable. You are sooo lucky to have such sweet memories!
xo – kb
We are going to the Riviera Maya this Holiday season! Cannot wait! Stumbled upon your blog and liked all the fun stuff that you did. We were a little worried about the safety but it seems like lots of people have recently traveled there with no problems…
We went to Hawaii for 2 weeks on our honeymoon (Kauai and the Big Island). We almost went back one year later, that is how awesome it was/is.
Oh my gosh! This is exactly where we went for our Honeymoon. We stayed in a casita and gorged ourselves and everything. We actually just got back on Sunday and let me tell you I’m noticing all that gorging as I sit at my desk today.
So…I’m just now stumbling onto your blog, and I love it! I’ve been stalking a lot of “young+married+house” type blogs, because that’s my life right now, but I read your honeymoon post, and my hubby and I are going on our belated honeymoon at the same resort! I’m so glad to hear your positive feedback–very comforting. You guys are adorable! Good luck with the new house!
Love,
Kate
Where did you get that adorable red and white sundress? Seriously, so cute!
Hi Nicole,
It’s from TJMaxx…and I still have it, hoping for a vacation that I can wear it.
xo – kb
We actually stayed at the occidental flamenco Xcaret when we went for our honeymoon in ’09! We thought about doing the Xcaret trip but we didn’t have a lot of time to pack it in. Next time!!
I just found your website via Sherry of Young House Love, and as I was browsing your archives, I realized we got married on the very same day (10/06/07!) and went on almost the same honeymoon! We stayed at the El Dorado Seaside Suites (I think that’s different than the Royale, but I’m not sure) and we went to the same Dolphin Swim…I’m going to have to check my video to make sure we didn’t meet! Small world, this Internet thing is 🙂
haha! Small world – maybe we saw each other bumming around Mexico and didn’t even know it!
xo – kb
What? Get out of here…my husband and I literally almost did the exact honeymoon as you two! We stayed at El Dorado as well for a week, then headed to Cancun for the last three days, we went to Xcaret, swam with dolphins, toured the pyramids. We even have a picture of the dessert that says ‘Happy Honeymoon’! Dude it was like I got sucked into the twilight zone when I was reading this, ha ha! I wish I would have seen this before our honeymoon actually, because the zipline tour looks like it would have been amazing. I keep insisting to my Hubby that we need to get remarried every five years (I loved wedding planning and trying on dresses) and then go back to Mexico. 🙂
Was reading your post today that linked way back to this one, and got HOOKED! My twin sister got married a month ago at the El Dorado Royale, and I’ve been editing her wedding video ever since. I LOVED that place, and am going through serious withdrawal. Just spent way too long (considering I’m at work…) looking through this whole post to see what I recognized!
You can check out the video here if you like revisiting the location as much as I enjoyed revisiting it through your post!
http://www.bigdoglittlebed.com/cheryl-andy-full-wedding-highlights-riveria-maya-mexico/
and this one (more of the fun/evening footage)…
http://www.bigdoglittlebed.com/a-mexican-wedding-to-remember/
Thanks for a great distraction from my work, and another perspective on the same resort 🙂
You are so adorable. Like I want to squeeze you. And I started to tear up at the end of this and I have no idea why. Seriously. I think it was the plate with writing. What’s wrong with me?!
I want to go to Mexico and eat. my weight in food. But all those adventures? I would need two weeks- I was exhausted just reading about it!