By Blake Guthrie
The Best Honeymoon Destinations in December
December is not the most popular month for newlyweds to take a honeymoon, but it can still be appealing. The trick is finding the places that are less crowded or more suitable for the climate of choice. For example, the
Caribbean is in season, and so are the Rocky Mountain ski
resorts. December is the off-season for some places, including Gatlinburg, Tennessee, but that can often be the best time to visit those locations, especially for honeymooners. And honeymooning in December offers newlyweds an extra bonus--an opportunity to escape the stresses of the holiday season.
Aruba
December is the season for Caribbean destinations, and Aruba, with its white-sand beaches, has long been a favorite among honeymooners because of its location. The island is in the extreme southern Caribbean Sea, just off the coast of Venezuela, and it receives less rainfall than the islands farther north in the "hurricane belt" do. That means plans are less likely to be interrupted by inclement weather. Aruba also has a more Las Vegas-style nightlife than other Caribbean islands do, including high-rise casinos and elaborate stage shows in the popular Palm beach area. In addition, Aruba has one of the lowest crime rates in the Caribbean. The native population is extremely friendly to tourists, and racial tensions are not a problem in this member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, allowing newlyweds to enjoy a stress-free tropical honeymoon.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
The mountain town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, has long touted itself as "the honeymoon capital of the South." Situated just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, December is a great month to honeymoon in Gatlinburg because the hordes of tourists normally found here in summer and fall are gone, yet the town remains vibrant and open for business. There's a ski resort on the mountain above town--Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement Park--which is easily accessible by the popular scenic tramway. Even if there's no snow (and in the Tennessee mountains there often isn't, even in winter), don't worry. Ober Gatlinburg has slopes that never close because it has artificial turf and snow machines that keep certain slopes covered at all times. In addition, getting around town if you don't feel like driving is easy because of the convenient trolley system.
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement Park
1001 Parkway
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738
(865) 436-5423
Deer Valley Resort
If you think a honeymoon is a time to splurge, there is no finer place for snow bunnies to break the bank than Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. The resort boasts itself as one of the most luxurious ski resorts, and it has the service record to prove it. The resort has long been a top destination for the wealthy, so it's not uncommon to bump into celebrities on the ski lift. In addition, you will rarely, if ever, wait in line for anything at Deer Valley in December.
While in Park City, honeymooners should stay at the Stein Erikson Lodge. Suites are pricey, but accommodations that are more luxurious and convenient are hard to come by in the area. Stein Erikson is a ski-in/ski-out lodge that is actually closer to the ski lifts than the resort's base lodge is. In fact, the back door exits directly onto the slopes. If the urge to check out the nightlife should arise, a free citywide shuttle system can take couples down the mountain to Main Street, which is lined with bars, restaurants and nightclubs, as well as shops and art galleries that stay open past dark.
Stein Erikson Lodge
7700 Stein Way
Park City, Utah 84060
(435) 649-3700
Deer Valley Resort
P.O. Box 889
Park City, Utah 84060
(800) 424-3337
About the Author:
Blake Guthrie has been a professional journalist since 1996. His articles have been featured in the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution," "Creative Loafing" and on Travels.com. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications from Auburn University.
Photo Credits:
Chris Hagerman
