7 honeymoon paradises around the world

However, to avoid going to familiar and always overcrowded tourist destinations like Paris, Rome, Venice, or Tokyo, why not try exploring other cities? Travellive suggests the following 7 honeymoon cities; the rest is up to you to choose one and plan accordingly.

1. CZECH REPUBLIC -PRAGUE

The capital of the Czech Republic is also known as the "City of a Thousand Towers" due to the presence of countless church towers throughout the city. More fortunate than many other cities in Eastern Europe, Prague escaped destruction by Nazi bombing during World War II. Perhaps because of this, despite its rapid tourism development, Prague has retained its unique character as a city with a series of impressive medieval architectural structures. If you're here for your honeymoon, you absolutely must visit the Charles Bridge, known by tourists as the "Bridge of Love," and add a love lock to the bridge with a wish for your future together.

In Prague, you can experience the bustling and vibrant life of a tourist city in the morning, and immerse yourself in a peaceful and somewhat tranquil Prague at night. This is especially true when you stroll hand-in-hand with your lifelong partner on Charles Bridge. At that moment, the soft yellow light casts a gentle glow on the centuries-old stone statues, making the surrounding space seem delicate and fragile, as if you could reach out and touch the ethereal beauty of the night descending upon Prague.

Besides its impressive architecture and fascinating historical stories, Prague is also famous as a culinary city with delicious food and intoxicating Czech beer. A romantic dinner on the rooftops of old buildings overlooking the Grand Place will leave you with lasting memories of this city.

Additional information:

- Journey: From Vietnam to Czech Republic, you can fly with airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Emirates, and Thai Airways, with an average one-way fare of around 600 USD (excluding taxes).

- Visa: To travel to the Czech Republic and some European countries in the Schengen Area, you need a Schengen visa, which can be obtained from the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Hanoi or the VFS Global Visa Center in Ho Chi Minh City.

-Tip: One of the restaurants with the best panoramic city views is Terasa U Zlaté Studne, located at U Zlaté Studne 4, on the rooftop of the Golden Well Hotel. You can find more information about itineraries and popular attractions in Prague on the website www.misagjone.com/vi/ using the keyword "Czech travel tips".

2. Idea -TUSCANY

The Tuscany region (Toscana in Italian) encompasses numerous cities and towns, the most famous of which are Florence, Pisa, Siena, and the renowned wine-producing region of Chianti. While Florence and Pisa are already famous and always crowded with tourists, Siena, Chianti, and other smaller towns are ideal locations for a romantic Italian-style honeymoon.

For a long time, Italian cuisine has been a formidable competitor to that of its neighboring Gaul, from delicious food to fine wines. Some specialties of the Tuscany region include cured meats, smoked meats, and crispy roasted herb-marinated pork.HerettaEnjoy it with rye bread. Savoring a fragrant, rich, and delicious roast pork sandwich while sipping on a cold Azzurro beer is truly wonderful.

After getting somewhat overwhelmed by the crowds and noise of Florence, we invite you to visit the small town of Arezzo, the filming location of Roberto Benigni's World War II film "Life Is Beautiful." The film received over 30 nominations in various categories at 11 prestigious film festivals worldwide, winning almost all of them. Arezzo doesn't have cathedrals with domes painted by master Renaissance artists, or museums with priceless paintings. However, the small street where Guido strolls with Dora, or the red brick house with flowers hanging casually, will make you exclaim that life in Arezzo is truly beautiful!

In autumn, when the sky is still breathtakingly blue, and along the road, the harvested wheat fields are left with only golden, burnt stubble, it's the perfect time to take romantic wedding photos in Italy. One of the most beautiful places to photograph Italy in autumn is Val d'Orcia, especially the stretch between Bagno Vignoni and Poggio Grande. From the top of one of the countless rolling hills, you can gaze out at the endless vineyards and the gray mountain ranges fading into the twilight.

Additional information:

-Tip: In Florence, you can visit the famous The Mall shopping center, which houses outlet stores of high-end fashion brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, etc., with prices only half of what you'd find in other stores. You can take a bus from the center of Florence. Check the website www.themall.it for more information.

- Sightseeing: Siena Cathedral is one of the most beautiful churches in Tuscany, featuring a series of masterpieces of painting decorating its ceiling and vaults.

3. NETHERLANDS -AMSTERDAM

Despite being the capital of the Netherlands and possessing all the characteristics of a modern metropolis, Amsterdam is small enough to comfortably explore on foot. If you want to experience what it's like to be a true Dutchman, rent a bicycle and leisurely ride along with your partner. Don't worry if you're not good at finding your way around. Simply because... you can't get lost in Amsterdam.

Besides its two "specialties"—bicycles and small canals reflecting charming brick houses—Amsterdam is also famous for its art museums. These include the Rijksmuseum, home to Rembrandt's "Night Watch," and the Van Gogh Museum. If you enjoy history, you shouldn't miss Anne Frank's House—also known as the Anne Frank Museum—where Anne Frank and her family, along with several other Jewish families, took refuge during their persecution by the Nazis in World War II.

From Amsterdam, you can book a day trip to the ancient village of Zaanse Schans, also known as the "windmill village". Here, you can learn about the cheese-making process and the traditional crafting of Dutch wooden clogs. You'll also see firsthand the giant windmills, some hundreds of years old, still in full operation.

Additional information:

-Note: Amsterdam is currently a very popular destination in Western Europe. Therefore, long queues for tickets are unavoidable at popular attractions, especially the Anna Frank House. You should book your tickets online to save time.

-Tip: The Amsterdam City Card is a convenient travel card that integrates public transportation, entrance tickets, and discounts at certain attractions and museums, making it very useful for travelers. You can find more information about this card on the website.http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/i-am/i-amsterdam-city-card.

4. NETHERLANDS -UTRECHT

Just a 30-minute drive from Amsterdam, you'll find Utrecht, the fourth-largest city in the Netherlands. Like a hidden gem, Utrecht is somewhat less prominent when compared to Amsterdam, a long-established and notoriously vibrant city in Europe. But Utrecht's appeal lies in its bicycles! With a population of only about 16.8 million, Utrecht boasts a staggering 19 million bicycles. Nothing beats renting a bike and exploring the city with a fellow rider.

For reasons unknown, the city center, built in the 6th century, is connected by very narrow streets. They are so narrow that they are barely wide enough for pedestrians. And even today, bicycles. Every day, around 100,000 bicycles travel through the city, accounting for 50% of Utrecht's commutes. Even the mayor of Utrecht cycles to work every day!

Reading this far, you'll probably be reminded of the song "Oh, Bicycle!" by the songwriting-singing duo Phuong Thao and Ngoc Le, a very popular song in the late 1990s. That's also the feeling you and your partner will experience as you both cycle around Utrecht.

Traffic laws in the Netherlands and many other European countries do not allow carrying an adult on the back of a bicycle. (You can carry children, but you must use a child safety seat.) But that doesn't mean your cycling journey in the Netherlands is any less romantic. Because perhaps, with a loved one by your side on every journey, any place, any city, becomes poetic and dreamy in the eyes of someone in love.

Additional information:

-The journey: From Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam), you can take a train to Utrecht, which takes about 30 minutes. The ticket price starts from 8.5 Euros.

-Tip: If you want to admire the panoramic view of the city and challenge your physical endurance, you can climb the 465 steps to the top of the 700m-high Dom Tower. The reward is a breathtaking view of the beautiful city of Utrecht below.

5. GREECE -SANTORINI

Santorini Island is one of the ideal locations for couples to take photos. If you've ever been there, you'll surely find yourself thinking that this island is reserved for lovers.

Everywhere on the island, you can spot loving couples strolling hand in hand or exchanging affectionate glances in small cafes under vibrant pink bougainvillea vines.

Perhaps nowhere else on Earth is sunset so eagerly anticipated as in Santorini. Every day, as the fiery red sun slowly sinks below the sea surface, casting its last rays upon the characteristic whitewashed houses of Greece, hundreds of tourists gather on balconies overlooking the ocean, holding their breath in anticipation of this magnificent dance of the universe. What could be more romantic than witnessing that moment with your loved one?

If you're planning a romantic dinner with delicious food and intoxicating wine, then Santorini is the place to go. Sip on some fragrant, dry Greek wine, and gaze out at the deep blue Aegan sea; you'll feel as if you can hear the ocean whispering mythical tales of the gods.

Additional information:

-The journey: From the capital Athens, you can reach Santorini by plane or ferry.There are quite a few daily flights to Santorini from Greek airlines such as Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, or some European budget carriers like EasyJet and Ryan Air. The flight from Athens to Santorini takes approximately 45-50 minutes.

-Here's a tip for you:Several ferry/speedboat companies operate routes to Santorini, but the most popular is Blue Star Ferry. From now until October, Blue Star Ferry often has departures from Athens the previous afternoon, arriving early the next morning, saving you a night's hotel stay. You can book ferry tickets online in advance for around €38 per way. Check www.greeka.com, www.bluestarferries.gr/en/ or www.ferries.gr.

6. FRANCE -BORDEAUX

This seaside city in southwestern France has much more to offer than just the name of a globally popular wine. However, once you're here, you shouldn't miss the opportunity to visit the region's famous wineries. There are currently over 10,000 such wineries in Bordeaux, and many tour companies offer half-day wine tasting tours.

Some people call Bordeaux "mini-Paris," but true Bordeaux residents probably don't like that. In the last few years, Bordeaux has transformed considerably. From a quiet, small city, it has suddenly become more famous and vibrant, with many exciting cultural, artistic, tourist, and culinary activities for visitors. Perhaps that's why Bordeaux is called "Little Paris"?

However, unlike the always-crowded tourist spots and towering buildings that make the Parisian skyline feel cramped and suffocating, Bordeaux offers the opposite. With its blue sea and red wine right next door, perhaps that's why the people of Bordeaux want their city to remain Bordeaux forever.

When visiting the wine city, you can't miss the famous Place de la Bourse castle with its giant "mirror" in front of the building. This "mirror" is a large granite-paved area where water is pumped up to a height of 2cm, just enough to transform the entire area into a giant mirror, reflecting the clear blue sky of Southern France and the splendor of Place de la Bourse castle. Occasionally, the "mirror" even sprays water, delighting both children and adults.

Additional information:

- Travel itinerary: Currently, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Bordeaux. You can fly to Paris and then take a connecting flight to Bordeaux.

-Tip: If you enjoy photography, head to L'Intendant wine shop (2 Allée de Tourny) to photograph their famous wine staircase. This is a large spiral staircase with walls lined with small compartments filled with wine bottles, enough to enchant even those unfamiliar with wine.

7. JAPAN -KYOTO

Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, is becoming a favorite destination for Vietnamese people. True to its role as an ancient capital, it has everything you could imagine of an old Japan: geishas in wooden clogs, their hair styled in elegant updos revealing their alluring white necks; tranquil tea houses in the Gion district; and the more than 1,000 vibrant red torii gates at Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, which appear in almost every photograph of Kyoto.

One of Kyoto's most captivating destinations is the bamboo forest in the Arashiyama district. The forest, with its towering bamboo stalks intertwined to form a giant green tunnel, is a popular spot. It's not uncommon to see Japanese girls in brightly colored kimonos, adorned with large flowers in their hair, strolling beneath the lush green bamboo canopy. Occasionally, they stop to take photos or selfies, then chat and laugh with their friends. Perhaps nowhere else outside of Japan can tradition and modernity coexist so harmoniously.

If you visit Kyoto in autumn, you'll be immersed in the golden and red hues of maple leaves and the deep blue of the autumn waters. In that early autumn chill, sitting in a cozy tea house with your loved one, perhaps even lovers would softly exclaim, "Oh Kyoto, how golden is autumn!"

Additional information:

- Itinerary: You can fly directly to Osaka from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, then continue your journey to Kyoto by train on the Kyoto Access Nankai Line, costing 1230 Yen. You will need to change stations three times from Kansai Airport to reach Kyoto.

- Sightseeing: Entering the bamboo forest is completely free, but if you want to visit Okochi Sanso Garden and enjoy a Japanese tea ceremony, you must purchase a ticket for approximately 1000 Yen. The ticket price includes the tea ceremony.

Text: Ngoc Quyen. Photos: Various authors.

The Thanh