Two Months, Six Countries, One Amazing Honeymoon

When my husband and I got married, we knew a weekend getaway wasn't going to cut it. We wanted a honeymoon that matched the size of our love for travel.

So we packed our bags, grabbed our sense of adventure (and a whole lot of allergy cards), and set off for two months across Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea.

What followed was the most transformative, delicious, and deeply beautiful experience of our lives.

Vietnam: Where It All Began

We landed in Ho Chi Minh City and immediately fell under its spell — motorbikes flooding every intersection, pho broth drifting from open-air stalls, humidity wrapping around you like a warm blanket you didn't ask for.

We crawled through the Cu Chi Tunnels and cruised the Mekong Delta by rowboat before heading north to H?i An, one of the most enchanting towns I've ever visited.

The Ancient Town glows amber and gold at night, every lantern reflected in the river below. We took basket boat rides through water coconut palms, learned to make White Rose dumplings in a cooking class, hand-crafted silk lanterns, and had shoes custom-made overnight by local cobblers.

My husband — who navigates gluten, dairy, and nut allergies — found Hoi An wonderfully accommodating, with bánh mì and fresh rice-paper rolls naturally safe when ordered carefully. We ate extraordinarily well.

From Hanoi, we boarded a private junk for three days on Ha Long Bay — one of the true wonders of the world. Thousands of limestone karst formations rose dramatically from jade-green waters as we watched the sun set from the deck with cold drinks in hand, and shared feasts with fellow travelers from around the globe. The morning mist rolling off those ancient rock formations is something I'll see in my mind for the rest of my life.

Cambodia: Temples and Heavy Hearts

We rose before dawn to watch sunrise over Angkor Wat, its towers reflected in the long pool as golden light slowly crept across the stone. Over two days, we explored Ta Prohm's tree-root-swallowed walls, Bayon's hundreds of serene stone faces, and a dozen smaller temples.

In Phnom Penh, a sobering morning at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields was essential, emotional, and unforgettable — an experience we carried quietly with us for days.

Thailand: Markets, Lanterns, Elephants, and Islands

Bangkok delivered gilded temple after gilded temple, a Thai cooking class, a traditional costume glamour photo shoot, and Thanksgiving dinner in the Marriott executive lounge. Night markets hummed with vendors and smelled of lemongrass, frangipani, and frying garlic.

In Chiang Mai, we arrived just in time for Yi Peng and Loy Krathong — Thailand's legendary lantern festivals. Standing in the middle of the street, releasing a glowing paper lantern into a sky already filled with thousands of golden lights, is one of those experiences that stops your breath entirely.

We also climbed Sticky Waterfalls and spent a glorious day at an ethical elephant sanctuary, bathing the animals in a river as they trumpeted with pure joy.

From the misty mountain village of Pai to overwater bungalows at Khao Sok National Park, and then south to Krabi for scuba diving among blue starfish and cuttlefish in the Phi Phi Islands, a bioluminescent sunset cruise, and five restful days waking up to Koh Samui sunrises — Thailand gave us absolutely everything.

Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea: A Fairytale Finish

Hong Kong felt like landing in the future after a month in Southeast Asia. We rode the historic Peak Tram, crossed the harbor by Star Ferry, and hunted down gluten-free dim sum (yes, really — it exists and it's wonderful).

We spent two magical days at Hong Kong Disneyland — trading pins, riding everything, sipping Marvel cocktails, and watching fireworks burst over the lagoon at night.

Tokyo was our next stop, and it delivered: conveyor belt sushi for breakfast, a cat café in the afternoon, the stunning Starbucks Reserve Roastery in the evening, and Tokyo DisneySea — arguably the most beautiful Disney park in the world.

The Japanese culture of precision and transparency in food preparation, combined with allergy communication cards in Japanese, made every meal manageable. We even found a 100% gluten-free restaurant for his last lunch before we flew home.

Our trip ended in Seoul, South Korea. It was cold, but we were still surprised when we awoke on Christmas morning to a white Christmas. We enjoyed coffee by the fire at a Starbucks and had delicious Korean BBQ. Despite some things being closed for the holidays, we were still able to visit beautiful palaces and gardens.

Two months. Six countries. Countless bowls of pho, plates of pad thai, and fresh coconuts cracked open in ancient cities. If you're dreaming of a trip like this — whether it's to Southeast Asia, a Disney adventure abroad, or a journey tailored to dietary needs — I'd love to help you plan it.