Last year was a total disaster when it comes to weddings and honeymoons. Because of You Know What, many LGBT folk were unable to hold their weddings, so 2021 and 2022 are expected to be filled with marriage ceremonies and honeymoons. So if you’re planning your wedding and post-wedding getaway for this year, look no further. Here’s a selection of top LGBT honeymoon destinations that are friendly, beautiful, exotic and full of romantic and fun things to do. These destinations will welcome you no matter who you love.
Helsinki, Finland.
If you decide on a winter wedding, there’s no better way to honeymoon than with a trip to Helsinki, Finland. This often-overlooked Baltic capital is actually one of the hottest destinations in Europe. Even though nicknamed The White City of the North (due to light-coloured granite used in building), Helsinki is speckled with rainbows head to toe. Rainbow flags welcome people to the city’s shops, bars, clubs and restaurants and same-sex relationships are fully accepted. One of the things that attract people to Helsinki is the city’s lively art scene that will hold your attention. This is especially true for The Cable Factory, the largest cultural centre in Finland that will mesmerise you and leave you talking for months after your holiday.
Winter in Helsinki is something else, reserved only for the brave. But, if you love to be active, Finland can be a perfect winter honeymoon destination for you. You can try out many snow-based activities like taking a snowmobile tour through forest trails, going reindeer watching and trying your hand at skiing. You’ll surely need some warming up after that, so hit an authentic Finnish sauna and chat with locals and visitors.
Sydney, Australia.
Many people call Sydney gay-friendly, but that’s the understatement of the century. After all, this city has been home to the massive city-wide Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for 50 years! This multi-day party of feathers, rainbows and rhinestones is celebrated on a global scale. But if you’re here to have a honeymoon, you’re probably interested in more than the city’s pride week.
Sydney has so many beautiful things to offer from its gorgeous beaches to scenic cliff top walks, both of which are just a short drive from the city centre. If you find a reliable car rental in Sydney, don’t hesitate to grab a vehicle so you can explore all those wonderful natural riches of the area. Of course, your car will also come in handy when you hit man-made monuments. Don’t miss a chance to see the famous Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Sydney will also ruin your diet—forget about counting calories and such shenanigans. This Aussie city has incredible food, so you must spend at least one day doing a foodie crawl through different neighbourhoods (Chinatown is especially loaded with eateries and restaurants).
Balearic Islands, Spain.
Spain has been waving the rainbow flag for years now—gay marriage was legalised a full decade here before the USA. And this country is world-famous for its sunny days, chill vibe and parties caliente, so how can you go wrong by choosing it as your honeymoon destination?! If you love the sun, beaches and parties, you should hit the Balearic Islands. Ibiza never stops partying, but there are quieter islands like Formentera and Menorca that offer a more romantic way of life. If you and your spouse are culture vultures, you need to have a few days in Madrid on your way back and visit Chueca, the city’s gay neighbourhood.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage back in 2001. Since then, LGBT couples can not only marry here, but also enjoy a perfect honeymoon filled with wild parties and dreamy cottage-core field trips. The city of Amsterdam is loaded with gay bars and clubs proudly waving their rainbow flags all along Reguliersdwarsstraat, the main LGBTQ+ street. The city also has a more romantic side, so you can spend your evenings strolling along the charming canals and cooing over cute townhouses. Don’t forget to buy a huge bouquet of tulips for your spouse!
Napa Valley, California, USA.
California’s capital of romance, Napa Valley has always been favourite among honeymooners, gay and straight. This region is made for wining and dining with your love and spending evenings in each other’s embrace while you’re watching the sunset. You will have a plethora of winery tours and restaurants to try out, but there are also numerous spas that will relax you after all that wedding fuss. Don’t miss a chance to book a hot-air balloon ride that ends with a romantic picnic. Thanks to its proximity to San Francisco, the country’s LBGTQ capital, you will meet a lot of same-sex honeymooners, so you’ll have some likeminded folk to kiki with.
Hopefully, 2021 will allow all of us to continue with our lives and enjoy all those cancelled weddings. Reward yourselves with a gay-friendly honeymoon at one of these destinations and you’ll forget all about the horrible year behind us.
