Destination can make your honeymoon historic
Choosing destinations with historical attractions can mean more wedding trip for your money, even if you splurge on things such as accommodations and fancy dinners. Here are three honeymoon havens to consider.
Urban: Montreal, Quebec, has much to offer with regards to culture and historic ambience. One example is the Place d’Armes, a charming square in Old Montreal overlooking the elaborate Notre-Dame Basilica. This tour-worthy structure is particularly picturesque, and its $5 entry fee makes it an affordable must-see. Another bargain activity is the free-to-visit Mount Royal Park, featuring miles of trails for romantic strolls. Montreal’s Museum of Fine Arts offers complimentary access to its permanent collections, although temporary exhibits do require a separate ticket. The three buildings house numerous galleries each, easily providing a full day of entertainment.
With many attractions accessible by foot, saved transportation monies can go toward other memorymaking extravagances. For example, the city’s iconic Ritz-Carlton allows couples to cuddle in style with large soaking tubs and touch-button window shade activation. As historic luxury hotels go, this one’s relatively affordable, particularly for weekend honeymooners. Rates start at $425. The venue’s onsite Maison Boulud offers relaxed fine dining with all main dinner courses ringing in at less than $40 and wine selections beginning at $25.
Tropical: Barbados has more to offer than beautiful beaches. Notable venues include the George Washington House, a former home of America’s first president preserved with period furnishings and a per-person admission price of $10. Historic Bridgetown, recently added to UNESCO’s prestigious list of world heritage sites, can be explored on your own or through $20 guided tours arranged through the Barbados Tourism Authority. Also of note is St. Nicholas Abbey, a Jacobean mansion built in 1660.
Accommodations celebrating the nation’s history are available as well. The Crane, established in 1887, offers heritage rooms in the original hotel for as low as $200, complete with cliff-front ocean views and cross breezes. Modern suites with private plunge pools are also available for those interested in a serious honeymoon splurge. The Crane’s original carriage house provides atmosphere as a present-day poolside lunch venue with menu items available for less than $10.
Rustic: Breckenridge, Colo.’s mining history makes this mountain town a perfect honeymoon haven. Many of the original structures are still used as artist studios, hotels and eateries, building atmosphere into the itinerary at no extra charge. The Fireside Inn features romantic rooms for couples for as little as $97. It’s just two blocks from Main Street and a free shuttle ride away from gondola access to two of the town’s ski peaks. The Abbett Placer Inn offers mid-range rooms that include breakfast and afternoon tea.
Activities include the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance’s historic saloon tours, which cost $10 per person and include a tasting session. Lone Star Sports offers two-day snowshoe rentals for $17 per person, suitable for a variety of moonlight excursions. A romantic dinner splurge can be had at the historic Hearthstone restaurant, which boasts lamb shank and ginger scallops for less than $30 each.
Myscha Theriault is co-author of :10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget" and founder of TrekHound.com, a website for independent travelers.