When planning a wedding, where to stay on your honeymoon is in most cases more important than the actual wedding itself. For us this was the case as we were looking for a two centre holiday that allowed us time to relax and also time to enjoy ourselves. After a few weeks of looking about we were told by the local travel agent that Florida would be a great choice for a two centre holiday as it would meet both our needs. Having made up our minds before we left the travel agent we chose to stay for one week in Orlando and the other in Ft Lauderdale/ Miami area.
For me it was my second trip to Florida, having been five years previous with my best friend, for my wife Mel it was her first time in the sunshine state. After the big day itself we flew out the day after from Manchester on Virgin Atlantic (and received a free bottle of bubbly and message on the intercom system, after being set up by my dad )! For our honeymoon we spent the first weeks stay in a villa near Disney and the second week at the Sheridan Yankee Trader in Ft Lauderdale.
For the first week it was nice to be so close to Disney and all the attractions and have the space and freedom of a large villa all to ourselves. We spent most of the first week in either a theme park enjoying all the rides, or in the villas large spa/ Jacuzzi with a bottle of bubbly. This was a great decision as it was our first time experiencing what luxury a villa had to offer and the extra space over a hotel room. This was a great way to start our honeymoon.
One thing we noticed while in Florida on our honeymoon was just how friendly all the people were. As soon as we told everyone we had just got married (which we did quite a bit) they could not do enough to help us. In most restaurants this normally meant we were well looked after with either a better table or free bottle of wine. During our stay in Orlando the weather could not have been better, as it was sunny for the full duration.
After the second week we did the four hour drive (meeting a couple of crocs on the freeway) down to Ft Lauderdale where we arrived at the Sheridan Yankee Trader hotel located along the long golden sands of the Atlantic. This hotel was one of the best I have ever stayed at and each room had a sea view. Again we were upgraded to a better room (after telling them we have just got married!). Ft Lauderdale is an ideal place for people on honeymoon as most of the restaurants are located along the large stretch of golden sands and each of the tables has a good view overlooking the sea. Ft Lauderdale can get a little expensive if you eat at any restaurant near the marina, but hey you are on your honeymoon after all.
Overall I would say Florida is a great place to experience a two centre holiday and is ideal for those looking for a great place for a honeymoon. If you like to be in the heart of the action and enjoy theme parks then Orlando cannot be beat, while if you are after a relaxing time near a great beach then Ft Lauderdale has one of the best in Florida. Couple this to one of the worlds best places for great weather and it really is hard to beat.
It is strange that many people still see Florida as just a theme park type of holiday and not a place you would go on honeymoon. For us it was great as I enjoy exiting holidays and my wife Mel enjoys beach holidays, so for us this was a great compromise. My advice would be to give it a go as you will be pleasantly surprised.
For me it was my second trip to Florida, having been five years previous with my best friend, for my wife Mel it was her first time in the sunshine state. After the big day itself we flew out the day after from Manchester on Virgin Atlantic (and received a free bottle of bubbly and message on the intercom system, after being set up by my dad )! For our honeymoon we spent the first weeks stay in a villa near Disney and the second week at the Sheridan Yankee Trader in Ft Lauderdale.
For the first week it was nice to be so close to Disney and all the attractions and have the space and freedom of a large villa all to ourselves. We spent most of the first week in either a theme park enjoying all the rides, or in the villas large spa/ Jacuzzi with a bottle of bubbly. This was a great decision as it was our first time experiencing what luxury a villa had to offer and the extra space over a hotel room. This was a great way to start our honeymoon.
One thing we noticed while in Florida on our honeymoon was just how friendly all the people were. As soon as we told everyone we had just got married (which we did quite a bit) they could not do enough to help us. In most restaurants this normally meant we were well looked after with either a better table or free bottle of wine. During our stay in Orlando the weather could not have been better, as it was sunny for the full duration.
After the second week we did the four hour drive (meeting a couple of crocs on the freeway) down to Ft Lauderdale where we arrived at the Sheridan Yankee Trader hotel located along the long golden sands of the Atlantic. This hotel was one of the best I have ever stayed at and each room had a sea view. Again we were upgraded to a better room (after telling them we have just got married!). Ft Lauderdale is an ideal place for people on honeymoon as most of the restaurants are located along the large stretch of golden sands and each of the tables has a good view overlooking the sea. Ft Lauderdale can get a little expensive if you eat at any restaurant near the marina, but hey you are on your honeymoon after all.
Overall I would say Florida is a great place to experience a two centre holiday and is ideal for those looking for a great place for a honeymoon. If you like to be in the heart of the action and enjoy theme parks then Orlando cannot be beat, while if you are after a relaxing time near a great beach then Ft Lauderdale has one of the best in Florida. Couple this to one of the worlds best places for great weather and it really is hard to beat.
It is strange that many people still see Florida as just a theme park type of holiday and not a place you would go on honeymoon. For us it was great as I enjoy exiting holidays and my wife Mel enjoys beach holidays, so for us this was a great compromise. My advice would be to give it a go as you will be pleasantly surprised.