Katie MacLeod, a journalist and Scottish expat based in New York City, is the blogger behind Stories My Suitcase Could Tell, the award-winning travel blog that inspires readers to explore the world, at home and abroad.
When she’s not meeting reporting deadlines or blogging about travel, you’ll likely find her in her local coffee shop, with a latte, notebook, and a (large) slice of cake in front of her. She took some time out of her exciting adventures to share with us her secret honeymoon location which sounds amazing!
What is your favourite region?
This is such a hard question to answer! I suppose I’ll always have a soft spot for East Asia. I met my husband when I was living in China for a year, and we got engaged a few years later in Japan, so it’s a region that holds many special memories for me.
Plus, the food there is incredible: my time in China completely transformed my relationship with food. I went from being an incredibly picky eater who wouldn’t even eat pasta, to someone willing to try jellyfish, goat stew and chicken hearts!
Top resort recommendation
Full confession: I haven’t stayed in many resorts, and I tend to opt for boutique hotels or rental apartments. When I have stayed in resorts though – like in Mexico, or Kenya – I’ve loved the complete sense of relaxation that comes with it. There’s definitely something to be said for not having to worry about anything other than whether to relax by the pool, walk on the beach or which neighbourhood you’re going to explore that day.
In Kenya, I stayed at Diani Sea Resort on the coast near Mombasa and the setting was unbelievably beautiful. I was also able to go on local tours, like a safari drive through Tsavo West or a walk through the Old Town of Mombasa, so it really did feel like the best of both worlds; total relaxation coupled with cultural adventures.
Suggestions for great honeymoon activities
Great honeymoon activities are always going to be dependent on what the couple enjoy on holiday anyway. If you like to constantly be on the move when you travel, chances are that’s not going to change on your honeymoon! Equally, if you usually love lounging by the pool and indulging in spa treatments, a more slow-paced honeymoon is going to best.
One location that has something for everyone is Puerto Rico, where my husband and I spent our anniversary this year. There’s history, culture and good food in Old San Juan; relaxation on one of the world’s best beaches in Culebra; hiking in the El Yunque jungle and magical water sports in the form of kayaking on glowing bioluminescent lagoons by moonlight.
The ideal location for a proposal
Well, I suppose I’d have to say an intimate restaurant in Tokyo, with a feast of fresh food from the famous Tsukiji Market in front of you – seeing as that’s where I got engaged! I also think somewhere remote and beautiful would be a lovely backdrop for a proposal, like the sands of Luskentyre in the Hebrides, with the sea and mountains behind you.
Best kept secret honeymoon location
Scotland’s Outer Hebrides are something of a ‘secret’ in travel anyway – they receive far fewer visitors than other areas of Scotland, like Edinburgh, the Highlands or the Isle of Skye. Some savvy travellers are starting to pick up on their luxury potential, though; I know a few people who have chosen it as their honeymoon destination in the last year or two.
Besides, what’s more romantic than secluded high-end luxury accommodation, fresh local food, and a pristine white sand beach on your doorstep? For honeymooners, I’d recommend staying at likes of Whitefalls Spa Lodges, The Broch House, or the newly-opened Oran na Mara. My husband and I spent a weekend at The Broch House on the Isle of Harris a few years, and we’re still raving about it!
Images via Katie from Stories My Suitcase Could Tell
Ms Chinoiserie Says: Oh, I love the idea of a Puerto Rico honeymoon; pristine beaches and beautiful hotels sound just perfect! But then the Outer Hebrides are stunning too – now I can’t decide!!!!
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