It seems only fitting to end a week of posts about a great food-lovers’ trip to Spain and Morocco with a shot of something sweet. Jaime and David Caldwell had an a “fascinating cultural experience” on their adventure. I’m so happy to be able to share all of their incredible images.

For some couples, travel at the holidays and being away from family would be hard. But from the looks of it, these two had an amazing time just being together in a gorgeous setting. That’s the fountain of Plaza del Triunfo below.

Jaime talks about how they decided on a honeymoon destination, “Spain is always great (David had been before but I hadn’t) and we were both excited to visit Morocco as neither of us had ever been. A friend of ours spoke very highly of Morocco and we couldn’t wait to dive in!”

She adds, “We originally wanted to take a grand tour of Africa – Namibia, South Africa, Ethiopia, Seychelles, but once we took a hard look at flights and due to David’s limited vacation days (due to school), we realized we needed to scale back to a smaller geographic area. Spain and Morocco had the food and culture we were looking for and were very easy to navigate.”

Lots of couples struggle to decide if they should travel right after the wedding or wait a while to take their honeymoon. Jaime’s very glad they pushed their trip off a bit. “Due to David’s school and summer job schedule, we delayed our honeymoon by nearly 6 months. This turned out to be the biggest blessing as we were able to spend time planning and anticipating our trip completely apart from our wedding. Ours was a destination wedding (in New Orleans) with 175 people which required a lot of planning and preparation (as all weddings do) and in the end, we were so glad that we didn’t have our honeymoon right afterwards as it would have added that much more planning. We were able to focus 100% on our wedding and making it a great event for our friends and family and then 100% on our honeymoon and making it a great trip for us. Whether it’s for scheduling reasons or financial reasons, I cannot stress how great it was to separate these two events. It made everything that much more fun and enjoyable for us!”

Thanks again to Jaime and David for sharing their story with us this week. Here’s wishing everyone a Merry-Christmas-in-April!

On their honeymoon tour of the Pacific Northwest, Eric and Marisa checked out a ton of the must-see spots in Seattle, Washington. First on the list was Pike Place Market. Yes, this is the place you’re thinking of. The one where they throw the fish. But there’s so much more than just seafood here.

With bakeries, candy shops, coffee shops, cheese shops and six different honey stores, you know you’re going to find something new and cool. There’s also a dozen different dining options for folks who want to sit down to a good meal.

Next up on the activity list was taking in a Seattle Mariner’s game at Safeco Field. I love that these two really got into the spirit by sporting caps of the hometown team.

Safeco Field is know for it’s great views of downtown Seattle and the setting sun. But it seems like an extra-special honeymoon moment when a double rainbow arches across the field. Who needs Hawaii when you’ve got peanuts, Cracker Jacks and nine innings with a rainbow!?

One way to get to see all the great stuff Seattle offers is to ride a duck boat on a tour with Ride the Ducks of Seattle. These amphibious vehicles travel on land and water. Tour guides crack jokes and give you the history and highlights of all the main points of interest. They also give you little quacking noisemakers shaped like duck bills, which Marisa models in the shot above. Both of these newlyweds rated the experience a full “excellent.”

The Duck Tour takes you through the streets to see some great sights: the Space Needle, Qwest Field, historic Pioneer Square and the funky Fremont neighborhood. Then they head for the water and drive right on into Lake Union. They’ll take you quacking past Gasworks Park and the houseboat used in the movie Sleepless in Seattle, as seen above.

And no trip to this area would be complete without a stop at Mount St. Helens. Know around the world because of its infamous 1980 eruption, the area around this active volcano was declared Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument thirty years ago. It offers spectacular views of the mountain, hiking, camping and picnic spots.

Marisa and Eric’s honeymoon road trip led them out of Portland and into Wilamette Valley for some wine tastings. With over 50 wineries in a spectacular setting with views of Mt. Hood, this wine region has gotten tons of recognition for its Pinot Noirs and Pinot Gris. The newlyweds liked Domaine Drouhin in Dayton.

After the imbibing, Eric took a much-needed, post-wedding-stress rest. Or maybe it was just a little too much wine. Either way, it’s well deserved.

Less than an hour east of Portland is Bonneville Dam, which spans the Columbia River. This massive, impressive man-made structure generates power for the area. Visitors can see fish and sometimes even sea lions stopping by for a meal.

Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge is breathtakingly spectacular. It’s just a short drive from downtown Portland.

Great views of the river and amazing hikes are what draws visitors. It’s also know for some pretty incredible waterfalls. Above, Marisa check out the aptly named Bridal Veil Falls.

And of course they had to hit up McMenamins Kennedy School, a Portland fixture. It’s got 35 guestrooms, a movie theater, a brewery and a bar. Sure, it can be a little surreal to sip whiskey is a spot that still looks exactly like an old elementary school, but you simply cannot go to Portland without visiting. Eric found himself at home in detention.

Teacher Marisa felt right at home with the chalkboard and took a minute to practice her new name. Too sweet!

Kevin and Melody didn’t have a single regret in choosing Belize as the destination for their trip. She says, “We really wanted a honeymoon that was equal parts adventure and relaxation. We both love hiking and physical activity, but enjoy lazy cocktails on the beach just as much. We got exactly enough of everything we wanted!” And a day in the city of San Pedro was lovely for them both.

One of their favorite discoveries was Pages Bookstore on Tarpon Street, which they happened to stumble across. Melody says visiting this shop is “a must.”

Another highlight was driving their rented golf cart through downtown San Pedro. Bikes, carts and scooters are the best way to get around the tiny streets. Some of our other featured couples have opted for bicycles and golf carts too.

Melody says the people they met really made the honeymoon amazing for them. “Belizeans are some of the friendliest people I’ve met. Everyone was very warm and helpful – from our tour guides to our Victoria House bartender to a guy on the street in San Pedro who, as he saw us leaving a corner store with a case of Belikin, advised us that we could get it for much cheaper at a different store down the street. He turned out to be right!”

A million thank-yous to Melody and Kevin for sharing their stories and beautiful photos. They’re just one more couple who’ve convinced us that Belize offers a bit of everything to honeymooners looking for a memorable trip. Cheers!

Kate says: We rented a studio apartment, above, in the Latin Quarter for the week we stayed in Paris. We found the flat on Craig’s List and the price for a week was considerably less than what we would have spent on a hotel. But more than the savings, staying in an apartment made us feel that we weren’t just tourists. There is something incredibly romantic about making omelets, or even doing laundry, in a Paris apartment! It gave us a sense of domesticity, a sweet feeling for a newly married couple, and it was Parisian domesticity.

We delighted in discovering “our neighborhood.” Le Boulanger de Monge, one of the city’s best bakeries, was down the street from our flat and every morning we indulged in decadent pastries. We also made several trips to the nearby rue Mouffetard, a street lined with market stalls, where we bought fruit for our day trips and wine to enjoy back “home.” I would highly recommend renting a flat to anyone who plans on staying in the city for more than a few days.

We hit the big tourist stops: the Eiffel Tower (where we enjoyed a picnic on a nearby lawn), the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and Notre Dame. However, we also took time to wander. I highly recommend “City Walks: Paris,” a set of 50 cards with maps and suggestions for walks. Every day we picked several cards and walked one or two of the suggested routes. This is how we ended up on Passage Brady, a pedestrian street that is home to Paris’s très petite Little India. The vegetable stands, South Asian grocers, and Indian restaurants made us feel homesick for Mumbai. We had an excellent dinner at Pooja, where the tasty curries were obviously made with rich French butter and cream.

One of our favorite afternoons was spent in L’Institut du Monde Arabe, above.

We drank fresh mint tea in the institute’s Café Littéraire and then took the elevator to the rooftop terrace, which overlooks Notre Dame and the Seine. The view is marvelous and so is the building—steel diaphragms open and close depending on the sunlight, an ingenious blend of modern design and classic Islamic architecture. We’ve returned to Paris twice since our honeymoon and both times we made sure to visit this gem.

Of course food played an important part of our stay in Paris. We discovered what we consider the best crepe stand in the city near the St. Germain des Prés Métro stop. We grew so addicted that we went on a daily basis and even went twice on one especially greedy day.

At Dalloyau tearoom in the Bastille neighborhood, we drank the thickest, richest hot chocolate we’ve ever tasted. We lounged on a red sofa, against a backdrop of pink and red walls. It was like being inside a Valentine candy box.

And we’ll have Mumbai and Trivandrum and London and Melilla and Barcelona… We feel fortunate that we experienced such an incredible honeymoon (or honeymoons) and look forward to one day telling our daughter about these adventures.

RH note, again: A super, gigantic, huge THANK YOU to Adeet and Kate for sharing their incredible journey. Their words and photos make are just spectacular!

Kate says: I chose to focus on cosmopolitan Barcelona, but Adeet and I enjoyed the several days we spent with a friend in Granada. The city is rich in history and its masterpiece, the Alhambra, is an architectural marvel. And in Granada Adeet ate his weight in jamón serrano, the dry-cured ham that is a culinary marvel!

We had only one night in Barcelona and stayed at Barcino 147 Bed and Breakfast. Our room was clean and cozy and we had the run of the kitchen for breakfast. The B&B’s central location was ideal since we didn’t have a lot of time to sightsee. Our first stop was Antoni Gaudi’s cathedral-in-progress, La Sagrada Familia. Ascending to the top of the towers in a tiny lift is not for the claustrophobic, but the payoff is spectacular, close-up views of Gaudi’s incredible masterwork. (Sadly, we lost almost all of our photos from our day in Barcelona.) We later enjoyed more of Gaudi’s work and great views of the city in Güell Park, a World Heritage site. Later in the day we walked to the area of the 1992 summer Olympics. Although the Olympic architecture can’t rival Gaudi’s, it is interesting and the waterfront view is beautiful.

Kate says: Any stress from getting to Kerala soon vanished when we reached The Tall Trees Resort, outside of Munnar. Cardamom, pepper, and coffee are grown on the grounds of Tall Trees, and tea plantations surround the resort. We loved our accommodations—a spacious two-story “cottage” with a large bedroom and modern bathroom, above. It provided a peaceful alternative to the bustling crowds of Mumbai, and we relished the stillness.

We left Kerala from Trivandrum’s international airport on Indian Airlines. Returning to Mumbai was much less adventurous than our train ride to Kerala. However, there was a moment of drama when we boarded our plane. The flight attendants had placed dry ice in the window wells for dramatic effect, and we thought the plane had caught on fire! Once we calmed down, we enjoyed a quick, comfortable flight complete with lunch. Domestic airlines serve meals even if the flight is less than two hours and are known for their excellent service.

Kate says: Our honeymoon lasted three-and-a-half months and spanned three continents. It was an intense journey that provided us with experiences that have shaped us as a couple. At times we felt like contestants on “The Amazing Race” as we navigated different cultures, time zones, languages, cuisines, and train schedules. However, we enjoyed many relaxing and romantic moments as well. We grew closer to each other with each stop on our “grand tour,” and we still fondly discuss many of our adventures.

Traveling to Kerala proved to be one of the most adventurous legs of our journey. Adeet and I traveled from Mumbai, Maharashtra to Thrissur, Kerala by the Konkan Railway. Our train tickets proclaimed “150 Years of Glorious Service,” but any glory was lost on me as I battled a cockroach infestation in our compartment. I ended up spending much of the 20-hour journey sitting in the open door of the train car. This is where the railway redeemed itself. Although I quickly grew sooty from the swirling dust and diesel fumes, I had a view unavailable from the tinted windows of our air-conditioned berth. The winter-parched countryside of Maharashtra eventually gave way to Kerala’s green rice paddies and coconut groves. Women with saris draped above their knees worked in the fields, and children waved as we chugged past their homes.

Stay tuned for the rest of Kate’s India story later today!

Vermont as a mini-moon is most definitely a winning choice. And there’s one part Burlington you just can’t miss. After the skiing and Lake Champlain, the main attraction for many visitors is Church Street, a pedestrian mall full of shops and restaurants.

With festivals and events taking place year round, there’s always somehing to do and see. Tim and loved the time we spent here on our long weeeknd.

Obviously named for the big church at the end of the street, this ace always attracts a crowd. We couldn’t believe how many people were braving the cold to wander in and out of the boutiques.

We had to stop into Lake Champlain Chocolates for a jumbo chocolate-covered strawberry each. The staff is always making something delicious in the front window and happy to talk with visitors about their confections. You can also check out their factory tours at the nearby Pine Street facility.

My book-junkie hubby could not pass up a stop into Crow Bookshop, a cozy space full used titles. Somehow we managed to get out the door with just one book purchased.

We’re so glad we decided to explore Burlington, a city that we had somehow never visited in all our years in the Northeast. We loved the city so much that we’re talking about heading back up in warmer weather. Vermont has so much to offer honeymooners who don’t want to stray too far from home – cheese, beer, hiking, skiing and so much more. We’re sold!

On our mini-getaway to Vermont, Tim and I knew we simply could not miss the Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour. It’s one of the highlights of a trip for anyone who loves ice cream. We drove out the Waterbury facility, just 40 minutes from Burlington.

Even though they weren’t producing ice cream that day, we paid our 3 bucks each and got to overlook the production facility, watch a short film about the company’s history and philanthropy and – of course – get a free sample! One tiny cup is never enough though, so we treated ourselves to a great big cone each. Ice cream for lunch is the way to go!

If there’s one thing Tim loves as much as ice cream it’s beer. So naturally we headed on over to the Magic Hat Brewery Tour in Burlington. We were invited to sample all of their beers on tap while we waited 45 minutes for our tour to start. We checked out their merch and chatted with the staff. Our 30 minute long tour took us above the brewing and bottling facilities, which weren’t operating that day. But who cares… there were free samples!