Best Destinations for a Winter Honeymoon

Spying the Northern Lights in Iceland alongside your love is an unforgettable experience. (Photo: Alamy)

Something magical happens when the snow flurries start to fly. Ever see The Holiday featuring Cameron Diaz and Jude Law? Their love story wouldn’t have been the same without the fireside date, the cozy sweaters or the snow-covered cottage in the woods. Perfect fairytale, right? We think so! If you’re planning a winter wedding, what better way to heat up your new marriage than visiting a cold weather honeymoon destination? As the chill sets in, prepare to snuggle up next to your bae and check out these hotspots in some of the “coolest” places on Earth.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Few things in life are more romantic than stargazing with your loved one. Forget spotting Orion in your backyard. Reykjavik, Iceland, promises to top your typical stargazing experience. From October to March, Reykjavik is a go-to destination to view the Northern Lights. Head to either Miklatún or Hljómskálagarður parks for a spectacular view of the dancing green lights. Swing by Café Babalu first and grab some goodies to enjoy while watching the lights. You can’t pass up the cheesecake or one of the traditional crepes. Wash it down with some espresso and you’re ready for a long night under the sky!

Symbol of Love & Fidelity: After all the craziness of your wedding, you’ll need to relax. Head to Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa. The crystal blue water and silica mud are said to improve and rejuvenate your skin. Perfect for a post-wedding treat!

Prague, Czech Republic

Sure, the temperature may top out in the mid-30s during winter, but we bet that won’t stop you from exploring the cobblestone streets, ancient architecture and cosmopolitan nightlife of Prague. For a look into the medieval past of the city on your honeymoon, head over to Prague Castle. Built around 880 A.D., Prague Castle actually consists of multiple structures and is the world’s largest coherent castle – taking up more than 753,000 square feet. With so much ground to cover, plan on visiting the highlights on a half-day visit. We recommend St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace and the Golden Lane.

Symbol of Love & Fidelity: After checking out Prague Castle, head over to one of the two love lock bridges in the city. Grab a lock and hook it on the bridge in the Malá Strana district. Throw the key into the river in celebration of your unbreakable love!

Aspen, Colorado

If you want to stay stateside for your honeymoon, few places beat the grandeur of the snowcapped mountains of Aspen. There’s no shortage of outdoor activities in this winter (and summer) wonderland. Take a break from the slopes with a horse-drawn sleigh ride tour. Offering public and private sleigh rides, Aspen Carriage and Sleigh gives you the picture-perfect winter backdrop as you careen through fields of snow and along the Roaring Fork River. After your sleigh ride, warm up with some homemade soup in downtown Aspen at Victoria’s Espresso Wine Bar and Gourmet Grazing café. We recommend the pork green chili with homemade bread – but when warm soup is involved on a cold day, can you really go wrong?

Symbol of Love & Fidelity: What better way to start your lives together than in the kitchen? It’s true what they say – the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. Check out Mawa’s Kitchen cooking school schedule for a hands-on workshop sure to leave you both with a happy belly.

Zurich, Switzerland

Considered Switzerland’s banking capital and home more than 100 art galleries, Zurich is a bustling metropolitan city offering a little bit of everything. If you’re looking to get out and about on your winter honeymoon, check out the bustling nightlife in the Niederdorf area in Old Town. For those looking for something a little quieter, indulge yourselves in the area’s iconic food item: fondue. What’s better than warm, gooey bowl of fondue made with Gruyere, Emmental and Vacherin cheeses, white wine and kirsch (a fruit brandy)? Nothing. Unless you remember it’s paired with fresh bread for dipping. Talk about the icing on top of the (cheesy) cake. Check out the selections at Gmuetliberg or Swiss Chuchi.

Symbol of Love & Fidelity: Love has no limits – especially when you take the train up Uetilberg Mountain. Get ready for some truly spectacularly pictures of Zurich from the top. Your #honeymoon picture will be raking in the likes!

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