I’m really excited to share this week’s Real Honeymoon with you while I’m in Scotland because 1) massive soccer fans Julia and Mike went to Scotland too (!), and 2) Julia has really mastered the art of leaping solo shots.  You’ll see what I mean below:

When and where did you honeymoon?

Mike and I went to Scotland and Northern England [in April 2013].  We stayed in three locations: Edinburgh, Newcastle and Loch Lomond.

Balmy Edinburgh

How long was your trip?

2 blissful weeks.

How did you decide on your honeymoon destination(s)?

The number one question we got on our honeymoon was: why did you choose Scotland and Newcastle? So you would think I have a good, practiced answer for this, but alas no.  Here is my best shot at it.

We are homebodies and not adventurous.  This was our first big trip alone together, and we have been together for over 10 years.  We wanted to have an adventure, but not too big an adventure. We have always wanted to visit Scotland, and I am English/Scottish.  Mike is also a HUGE soccer fan and Newcastle United is his favorite team.  It was the perfect opportunity to make his dreams come true and see Newcastle United play their local rival, Sunderland.

#1 Newcastle fan

The best part about our honeymoon was…

Getting to spend so much quality one-on-one time together.  I work long hours and we don’t vacation much, so this was a really special experience for us.  And of course the Newcastle United game.

If I knew then what I know now, I’d change…

Don’t rent a car from the Hertz in Newcastle. Otherwise, I can’t think of anything we would have done differently.

Awesome leaping solo shot #1

How much planning did you do in advance?

We booked the hotels in advance and Mike spent a lot of time researching different things for us to do.  We did not have each day pre-planned out, but we always had options to pick from.

Awesome leaping solo shot #2

What was your biggest honeymoon splurge?

5 star hotels- worth every penny! We highly recommend Cameron House in Loch Lomond and the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh.

Tea time!

Where do you want to go on your next big trip?

Somewhere warm where I can lay on the beach reading and Mike can surf.

Brrrr