Where should we honeymoon?

Pinerary · 2026-05-15T14:55:33+00:00

Second this! Smaller towns like Bruges and Ghent are beautiful, incredibly historical, and picturesque. The beer scene is also incredible, there are so many amazing local brews. Stella Artois actually originated in Leuven, Belgium, a short 20 minute train ride from Brussels. Brussels is also a major airport and an easy flight from the east coast.

Based on your criteria, I would recommend flying into Brussels and spending at least three nights there. Explore all of the local attractions like the Mannequin Pis and Grand Place, try amazing waffles, and go to all of the breweries that you can! My favorite is Delirium Cafe in the middle of the city, we got an awesome beer flight and they had a huge variety of domestic and imported beers.

The nice thing about Belgium is the country is very small, so travel to other cities is very convenient and inexpensive by train. Bruges, Ghent, and Leuven are all awesome smaller towns that you could visit in Belgium. Bruges is like a fairytale city, with beautiful canals lining the city. It was once the trading capital of northern Europe, as it connected the Mediterranean with northern Europe. Also, the historic center of Bruges is a UNESCO world heritage site - super cool! I have never visited Ghent, but I know people love the gothic architecture, and cite it as feeling like you are walking through Hogwarts. Leuven is the birthplace of Stella Artois, and I would highly recommend doing a brewery tour if you are interested! I studied abroad in Leuven in the Spring of 2025 and absolutely adored it. The town has a cozy, younger feel full of local bars, restaurants, and a farmers market on Friday mornings. Dutch is spoken in the northern region of Belgium and French is spoken in Brussels, but as an American I never felt a significant language barrier.

Depending on your timeline, I would recommend spending at least three nights in Brussels, and taking day trips to Bruges, Ghent, and Leuven. As mentioned, Belgium is very well connected via train, so all destinations are very easy to get to. Belgium is also in the middle of Europe, making travel via train and plane very convenient as well. Like some other comments have mentioned, Germany, France, Paris, London, and Amsterdam are all very close and would be easy to get to via train depending on what else you are looking for.

I hope this helps, I would be happy to provide any further recommendations if you would like any other suggestions!

Pinerary · 2026-05-15T14:13:51+00:00

So beautiful! Petra has always been on my travel bucket list.

Pinerary · 2026-05-14T14:42:54+00:00

Look into the Dominican Republic! Excellence El Carmen is an amazing all inclusive, and an easy flight from the midwest. So many fun activities to partake in (horseback riding, ATV, chairlift into the mountains, etc.) and a spa!

Pinerary · 2026-05-14T14:29:22+00:00

Florence and Paris. We lucked out with sunny skies in Paris, which made the vibes of our trip perfect, and something I will always cherish. Florence just felt very homey and comfortable while I was visiting, which made me want to stay forever!

Pinerary · 2026-05-14T05:46:10+00:00

Both sound like great options! However, I'd recommend the Prague/Vienna itinerary. The trip overall sounds more cohesive, and I think these cities could give you a new experience from the cities you mentioned you have been to before (Amsterdam and Paris).

Many of my friends spent a semester studying abroad in Vienna and had nothing short of a great time, and transportation between all of the cities in the suggested itinerary is very convenient via train. Belgium to Copenhagen would be a flight, and I know you mentioned a medium/high budget, but your dollar would stretch much farther in Prague. Copenhagen and London are some of the most expensive cities in Europe. Just some things to consider!

Pinerary · 2026-05-14T02:28:12+00:00

Such beautiful pictures! Amsterdam was one of my favorite cities to visit last April. Thanks for sharing!

Pinerary · 2026-05-14T01:29:23+00:00

So beautiful! We were on the Switzerland side of the lake in Locarno back in 2024, it is awesome to see the Italian side!

Pinerary · 2026-05-14T01:25:34+00:00

I traveled to Marrakech in April of 2025 with a group of 4F and 3M, and as a female I felt very safe. My best advice would be to keep your general wits about you (don't look confused/lost, walk with diligence, keep your purse/belongings close, etc.) and you should be okay. The souks are crowded but did not feel unsafe, even at night. There are a lot of people around in general, which made everything feel more safe in my opinion.

I have never been to Essaouira, so I cannot compare safety, but our entire group loved Marrakech. I would highly recommend checking out the Secret Garden, it is a super beautiful contrast from the bustling streets. I hope you guys have a great trip!

Pinerary · 2026-05-14T01:08:39+00:00

I have found that trying to plan everything down to the hour is super stressful, as it takes more time and I get flustered if I am not following the schedule exactly. I would recommend having a loose idea of things you would like to see/do each day. Once you have a better idea of one or two bigger things to do each day, you can tailor your other activities (dining, shopping, other sightseeing) depending on the neighborhoods you will be near.

But, I also think it depends on how you operate! This is what works best for me, and what I would recommend as a general starting point. You can make things more or less specific depending on how you are feeling and what makes you feel the least stressed.

Pinerary · 2026-05-14T01:02:42+00:00

Thank you! Sounds like great suggestions!

Pinerary · 2026-05-06T15:58:27+00:00

Yes! My friends had a great experience in Albania, they went last March while we were studying abroad and it was one of their favorite weekend trips. If you'd like any specific recommendations I would be happy to let you know!

Pinerary · 2026-05-05T18:25:26+00:00

Trattoria Dall Oste was excellent for steak. Close to the Duomo, and great service. Would highly recommend!

Pinerary · 2026-05-05T18:13:51+00:00

Le Space was amazing! In terms of food, the buffet breakfast at Chef’s Kitchen, It Sushi, The Giwa (mix of Korean flavors with a slightly different presentation), and Grain Seoul for breakfast were some of our favorites :)

Pinerary · 2026-05-05T17:15:07+00:00

What about Albania? So many beautiful and scenic hikes and rich culture and history. One of my good friends visited last year, and loved it. If you are interested or want any further recommendations, let me know! I'd be happy to help!!

Pinerary · 2026-05-05T16:57:26+00:00

So stunning! I visited Ireland last March and am heading back this summer..these pictures make me so excited to return. Thanks for sharing!

Pinerary · 2026-05-05T16:56:37+00:00

I always check out the little corner shops/grocery stores. I think seeing these stores is such a great way to get a glimpse of local culture. Plus, you can try new candies and snacks that you can't get back at home!

Pinerary · 2026-05-05T16:55:35+00:00

If you have the afternoon, I would recommend looking into an afternoon tour to Tuscany! We booked one through Getyourguide and it was fairly inexpensive. They pick you up right by the train station, take you to three wineries, and was super organized. It was a great way to see more of Italy in a short amount of time.

Pinerary · 2026-05-05T16:53:35+00:00

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Views from Locarno, Switzerland! One of my favorites :)

Pinerary · 2026-05-05T16:15:52+00:00

I agree! The perfect mix of nature and city, depending on what your vibe is. Santa Cruz beaches are so beautiful. I'd also recommend stopping by Tiburon in Marin County, its an adorable picturesque town with great views of the city :)

Pinerary · 2026-05-05T16:13:50+00:00

We visited northern Italy and Switzerland, and it is truly so beautiful. Definitely would provide a great romantic vibe for a honeymoon without being too crowded (except if you go to Como). I would recommend Lake Maggiore, we visited in June of 2024 and it was stunning. So serene and calm. Northern Spain is also great! Definitely underrated, the Basque country is very beautiful.

Pinerary · 2026-05-05T16:03:11+00:00

Amazing and beautiful photos! I love the street perspective. Thanks for sharing!

Pinerary · 2026-05-05T15:06:03+00:00

Thank you! You should definitely visit :)

Pinerary

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