The best honeymoon destinations for gay people

Curation by Jamie McGhee, words by Ian Packham

Thanks to the steady passage of civil union and same-sex marriage legislation through various national parliaments, gay couples are finally able to reap the benefits of marriage equality, including the chance to enjoy a true honeymoon for the first time in history. Here are our best honeymoon destinations for gay people.

The American West

Home to Hollywood, the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, and San Francisco! The American West contains some of North America’s most iconic sights. The palm-lined beaches and chic stores on Los Angeles’ Rodeo Drive are a great starting point, while driving a stretch of the historic Route 66 is a romantic way to escape with your new partner. The majesty of the Grand Canyon should not be missed, nor should the wonder of Monument Valley – the setting for many a John Wayne film. Swapping nature’s most impressive feats for glitz and extravagance will take you to Las Vegas, America’s gambling and entertainment capital. From there, make sure to take in the lunar landscapes that have made Death Valley a household name, and don’t miss the granite domes and expansive views of Yosemite National Park. End your tour in San Francisco, home to Castro, one of the United States’ first gay districts, as well as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.

Monument Valley | Photo: Madhu Shesharam

Thailand is the quintessential Southeast Asian honeymoon destination

Thailand

With a laid-back and fun-loving populace, an abundance of historic sites, tasty local cuisine, and unrivalled beaches, Thailand is the quintessential Southeast Asian honeymoon destination. Starting in Bangkok, explore the architectural marvels of the Grand Palace, the former residence of the country’s kings, before heading to the ruins of Ayutthaya, the former capital. In the northern city of Chiang Rai, meet up with professional mahouts to learn the secrets of elephant pedicures, or take a traditional longboat downriver through the mountainous jungle landscapes. Thailand’s second city of Chiang Mai couldn’t be more different, acting as a gateway to the region’s tea and coffee plantations, and boasting a thriving evening market. Finish your Thai honeymoon with a few days of privacy on Naka Yai Island, where you can do as little or as much as you like on pristine beaches.

Photo: Evan Krause

Photo: Mathew Schwartz

Rome

Rome, the eternal city has been an attractive honeymoon destination for decades. With its long rollcall of renowned sites, divine cuisine, and emphasis on life’s simple pleasures, Rome isn’t quite like any other capital. For one thing, it completely envelops a separate state—Vatican City, with the epic Vatican Museums holding a treasure trove of art, including Michelangelo’s famed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. You’ll want to dedicate at least a day to the wonders of ancient Rome, from the Colosseum to the Imperial Forum, best explored with the saucy historic tales of a local guide. Afterwards, consider heading out of the city to the grand ancient villas of Tivoli in the Roman countryside. Making the best use of Rome’s transport options, roar around the cobbles to the Trevi Fountain and shopping street of Via Condotti by 1960s Vespa, while leaving plenty of time in your Roman honeymoon to enjoy La Dolce Vita with your new husband.

Photo: Caleb Miller

Make the journey to the Santa Claus Village, the official home of none other than Santa Claus himself

Lapland

Sitting on the Arctic Circle, the town of Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland offers a romantic honeymoon getaway like no other, whatever the season. The high summer gives you the chance to celebrate your recent nuptials beneath the unsetting midnight sun. The winter months promise cosy fireside evenings and, if conditions are right, the mystery and romance of the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) from the large picture windows of the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel. When you tire of the spectacular panoramas, make the short journey to the Santa Claus Village, the ‘official’ home of none other than Santa Claus himself, along with his elves and reindeer. Though Rudolph and friends are probably out of bounds, there’s plenty of opportunities to snuggle up together beneath a fur-lined blanket on a dogsled, or cling tightly to one another through the adrenaline release of a snowmobile adventure.

Photo: Jonathan Gallegos

The Amazon

A honeymoon should be unforgettable, and nowhere is as memorable as the largest rainforest on earth—the Amazon. Famed for its biodiversity, the Amazon region is more than just dense jungle, however, with the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Quito in Ecuador an ideal starting point for deeper exploration. Head from Latin America’s best-preserved colonial-era city to Yasuni National Park, one of the world’s most diverse areas, in just a few hours by air and river. Observation towers bring you closer to the canopy of mighty trees than you thought possible, while jungle treks introduce you to all manner of native flora and fauna. The locals who call the area home should not be forgotten amid the natural wonders; a visit to the indigenous Kichwa is another must before your return to Quito.

Photo: Lucas Campoi

Plan the perfect honeymoon with Out Of Office

Are you celebrating your marriage or civil partnership? You probably have enough on your mind without adding the complexities of planning the perfect vacation with your nearest and dearest. Let Out Of Office, experts in gay honeymoons, tailor-make the ideal trip for you.

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