About Our Honeymoon
We have always valued experiences over physical goods. Over the past few years, we have decided to spend our discretionary income on trips and adventures instead of clothes, meals or other things. We have been fortunate to travel around the United States and Caribbean over the past few years on many short trips. Our love for travel have drawn us closer to each other as we explore this beautiful world that God has created. Marriage is what we considered "Our Greatest Adventure" as we enter the world together as one unit for the first time. It is a life long journey that will have many twists and turns, ups and downs but we will always face them together.
To celebrate our marriage, we are planning our biggest trip yet! If you asked either of us separately "what is your favorite trip you have been on", we would both answer: a mediterranean cruise. It was a trip of a lifetime for each of us but it was many years before we met and we didn't go together. For our honeymoon, we are going on an Italian and Mediterranean adventure the day after we wed. Keep reading below to learn about some of the things we have planned for our dream honeymoon.
To celebrate our marriage, we are planning our biggest trip yet! If you asked either of us separately "what is your favorite trip you have been on", we would both answer: a mediterranean cruise. It was a trip of a lifetime for each of us but it was many years before we met and we didn't go together. For our honeymoon, we are going on an Italian and Mediterranean adventure the day after we wed. Keep reading below to learn about some of the things we have planned for our dream honeymoon.
First Stop: Florence, Italy
Our adventures starts in Italy after an overnight flight from Charlotte to Rome. We plan to take a train to Florence and stay there for few days. Allie (Tam's sister) studied aboard in Florence for 6 months and has given us plenty of things to do and areas to explore.
Our hotel is right on the Amo River in the heart of Florence where the views are breathe takings. Here we will enjoy great local food and relaxation after all of the wedding planning and stresses have passed!
As many of you know, we are both huge red wine fans so we know that a visit to the Tuscany district is in the plans. We have started to scope out a few vineyards that we would like to visit during our stay in the area.
Our hotel is right on the Amo River in the heart of Florence where the views are breathe takings. Here we will enjoy great local food and relaxation after all of the wedding planning and stresses have passed!
As many of you know, we are both huge red wine fans so we know that a visit to the Tuscany district is in the plans. We have started to scope out a few vineyards that we would like to visit during our stay in the area.
Back to Rome: The Start of Our 10-Day Cruise
After 3 relaxing days in Florence, we will venture back down to Rome via train for a night in the city before we board our cruise ship, Jewel of the Seas, for a 10 day Mediterranean cruise. We have been able to go on cruises together in the past but nothing will compare to this voyage together!
We have selected a stateroom with a balcony on the port side of the ship. This way we are on the side that is most often facing land as we travel around the trip of Italy and along the coast of Greece. On this trip, half of the adventure is just getting there with amazing views and plenty of things to do onboard was we travel the Mediterranean.
We have selected a stateroom with a balcony on the port side of the ship. This way we are on the side that is most often facing land as we travel around the trip of Italy and along the coast of Greece. On this trip, half of the adventure is just getting there with amazing views and plenty of things to do onboard was we travel the Mediterranean.
Setting Sail: A Day at Sea
Our first full day on the ship is a day at sea. This will give us plenty of time to settle in and enjoy all of the activities and food (Tam's favorite part) that the boat has to offer. We are also planned to drink a special bottle of wine from our favorite vineyard in Napa Valley on our private balcony that night. We have been saving this bottle on wine for a time after we share a last night. We will get to sleep early that night as we have a busy itinerary planned the following day on the island of Crete in Greece. .
Our First Port of Call: Crete, Greece
An ancient city on Crete's north coast, Chania overlooks the Aegean against a dramatic mountain backdrop. Its Old Town is a delight of narrow streets of Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish architecture filled with shops, tavernas and cafes. There are many shore excursions that we are looking into but we have not landed on one yet! Regardless, we know that we are going to have a great time on this Greek Island.
Our Favorite Place in Greece: Mykonos
After a day in Crete, our adventure on continues in Mykonos, Greece. We both love the beautiful view of the all white houses along the Greek hills that boarder the sea. We both agree that we do not need to go on an official shore excursion provided by the ship since we each have our own favorite places from our previous trip here that we want to share with one another. We plan to finish the day in Mykonos with a visit to a restaurant that Kelsey loves followed by another beautiful sunset on the boat.
A Holy Place: Ephesus, Turkey
We both cannot tell you how excited we are to return to Ephesus, Turkey together. This stop is by far one our most favorite places in the world. Ephesus has so much Biblical history and significance with a culture that is unlike any place in the world. We will go on an excursion to Mary's House (The Mother of God) as well as see the amphitheater were Paul was stoned. Most of the architecture is thousands of years old and is absolutely stunning!
Back to Greece: Santorini
No other Greek island is more famous for its romantic setting, mythic beauty, and volcanic scenery. Santorini enchants with a deep blue bay, high cliffs, black and red sand beaches, and white-washed towns perched on the crater rim. We are looking forward a shore excursion to experience the food and wine of the local area. Afterwards, we plan to explore the town's marketplaces to bring back a few keepsakes from our journey together.
The Center of Greek Mythology: Athens, Greece
Our next port of call takes us to the capital city of Athens, Greece. Here we plan to take a shore excursion to visit the Acropolis and to eat and shop in the traditional Greek market. We are very much looking forward to returning to Athens and exploring this magic, historical place together. Kelsey will try to not get in trouble again this trip from trying to take a rock from the floor of the Acropolis.
Time to Relax: A Day at Sea
After a many days of exciting ports back to back to back, it will be nice to enjoy some down time on the boat for a relaxing day at sea. As a special treat, we are going spend most of the day in the ship's spa for a relaxing time and couples message. This is the part that Kelsey is most excited for! We enjoy a nice private dinner on the near the ships edge and watch a live comedy show that night onboard.
Back to the Italian Coast: Sicily (Messina), Italy
Just a few miles from mainland Italy, Messina has served as a gateway to the island of Sicily since antiquity. Over the centuries, the city has been influenced by foreign invaders and powers, and its architecture is a mix of old and new. There are a number of things we are planning to do in this city however we are going to wait to see what option is best for us the day of.
Our Italian Adventure Continues: Naples, Italy
Our last last port of call before returning to Rome is Naples! One of Europe's oldest cities, Naples is vibrant and filled with rich artistic and architectural heritage. Nearby sights include the ruins of ancient Pompeii uncovers, the idyllic resort isle of Capri, and the jewel-like towns that dot the Amalfi Coast. We are planning an amazing "Taste of Italy" shore excursion with plenty of time to explore the markets and views of this beautify city.
The Last Day in Rome
After 10 days of sailing, we will return to Rome for a full day of adventures in the city and an overnight stay. We are hoping to have one more relaxing dinner and evening together before returning home the following day.
We have always valued experiences more than physical goods. En lieu of a gift from our wedding registry, please consider making an online contribution to help us go on our dream honeymoon.