As one of life's happiest periods, the honeymoon has traditionally been a time to celebrate love in some of the most romantic places on earth. Here are just a few popular destinations for couples who've made the happy decision to stand together in marriage.
Paris
With its tree-lined boulevards filled with bustling cafes and bookstores, and its gorgeous hotels and restaurants, few cities are as romantic as Paris. The setting for some of the greatest novels in history, from the work of Balzac to Hemingway, Paris seems to be almost a film set for people in love. Hemingway once said of Paris that, "nothing was simple there, not even poverty, nor sudden money, nor the moonlight, nor right and wrong nor the breathing of someone who lay beside you in the moonlight.” It is this otherworldly beauty of Paris that people in love find endlessly fascinating.
Florence
"Open my heart and you will see, Graved inside of it, 'Italy'," wrote the English poet Robert Browning. The connection between the life of the heart and Italy is a profound one, and many couples choose to spend their honeymoon in this country seemingly dedicated to beauty. The trouble is, which city should a couple choose for their trip?
Rome's smaller, quieter (and some would say more charming) neighbor, Florence has been a site cherished by Italians since before Dante began his famous love poem to Beatrice, The Divine Comedy, in the 14th Century. Whether you're looking at Michaelangelo's famous "David" sculpture or wandering through a shadowed garden while sipping espresso and talking about literature, a visit to Florence may end up being one of the most treasured experiences you have on a honeymoon.
Vienna
Straddled on the border between West and East, Vienna seems to have all that is charming about Old and New Europe. For music fans, Vienna is a kind of Mecca, a place where Mozart wrote some of his greatest works tucked away in the city's Old Town section. With its warm cafes, lighted streets, and inviting dishes of Apfelstrudel, Vienna is as bright and airy as it is charming. A low cost of living also means that couples can stay longer in Vienna on an easy-to-create budget.
For these reasons, finding the right place for a honeymoon can be a remarkably moving experience. Whether it's strolling in the broad avenues of Paris after an evening of fine cuisine and wine, or pausing in a medieval portico in Florence after a visit to the Uffizi Gallery for a glimpse at Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," the right location can create memories for a lifetime.
