Newlyweds Jaime and David consider their December honeymoon trip to Spain and Morocco a “whirlwind dream trip.” Not only did they see some great sights and indulge in Jaime’s love of food, but they also had a few great hotel stays. She gives us a rundown on some of the best experiences.

Hesperia, Madrid
Loved this hotel! Beautiful, very cosmopolitan, excellent service, close proximity to everything yet not in a terribly touristy area.

Hesperia, Granada
Lovely, quiet hotel in the heart of Granada. Staff was friendly and very helpful.

Riad Altair, Marrakesh
(See more about their stay here) Very beautiful, excellent breakfasts, fabulous roof deck, affordable, knowledgeable and friendly staff. We would definitely stay here again.

Peacock Pavillions (coming soon!)
We had the unbelievable good fortune of meeting Maryam from My Marrakesh and touring her family’s soon-to-open guest houses at Peacock Pavillions. Nestled in an olive grove just outside of the walls of Marrakesh, Maryam and her family have constructed an unbelievably beautiful setting for couples or families traveling to Marrakesh. We can’t wait to go back and stay there!

While in Spain on their December honeymoon, Jaime and David visited La Alhambra, a palace and fortress built in the 15th century by Moorish rulers. (Karen & Tom also visited on their honeymoon.) Located on a mountainside in the city of Granada, visitors can stroll through the buildings and courtyards. Although the exterior walls are mostly blank, the insides are full of carvings and tiling with exquisite detail, which Jaime captured beautifully.

When I asked them about the weather on their trip, Jaime said, “The rain in Spain falls mainly anywhere we are!” They didn’t let a little drenching dampen their spirits. In fact, it made for some beautiful, moody shots of Grenada.

There’s no question Seville is beautiful, as the photo above proves. Those Spanish really know how to work the tile. Karen and Tom loved wandering the city. Check out this wikitravel page for a list of activities.

These honeymooners typically try to avoid the tourist traps when on a vacation, but made sure to see some of Barcelona’s best-know sights. She offers some great advice about things to see and things to skip. “We truly enjoyed seeing all of the Gaudi architecture throughout the city. La Sagrada Familia (above left) is amazing to see and nearly impossible to comprehend that it has been under construction for over 125 years. The audio tour is a must. You will have to wait on a long line to get in but it is so worth it to see the intricate architectural detail. Park Guell and the other Gaudi buildings (above right) throughout town are all must-sees, too. We went to the aquarium in Barcelona and while it was huge for European standards, was not all that impressive. Many of the tanks were empty or had minimal fish in there. I was disappointed that they didn’t have any educational info about endangered species. “

They also visited Granada, in the South of Spain, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, a place rich with culture, architecture and history. If you go, be sure to visit the Alhambra de Granada. The photo above was snapped at Palacio del Pórtico.

We’ve loved getting to experience Spain through this couple’s eyes. When it comes to planning honeymoons, there are no rules. If the beach is calling, then grab you towels and go. But don’t be afraid to pack your trip full of cities, sights, and romance. Thanks for sharing, Karen and Tom!