I really hate layovers. To me, they’re almost always a waste of time and just another chance of a delayed/missed/canceled flight while the airline loses my luggage. That’s why earlier this year, my husband and I made the conscious decision to always pay extra to fly direct whenever we possibly can.
However, flying direct to many popular honeymoon destinations is just not feasible, even for those who live near big hubs like Los Angeles or New York. So if you need to have a layover or two, why not try to make the most of it à la Anthony Bourdain?
You may find yourself stuck at LAX en route to Hawaii, Australia/New Zealand, Asia, or Tahiti/Fiji. Depending on how much time you have, you will probably want to rent a car since the city is so spread out.
I totally agree with Tony that your very first stop should be In-N-Out Burger – there’s one right by the airport. (The burgers aren’t huge – you’ll still look awesome in your bikini, I promise.) After that, the world is your oyster. If it’s your first time in LA, you may want to drive over to do some shopping in Beverly Hills or The Grove. If you’re looking to just take it easy, maybe drive over to Malibu or Santa Monica.
Beware of LA traffic though, and make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get back to the airport before your next flight.
Miami is the gateway to the Caribbean and South America. The infamous beaches are just 30 minutes away, and you can easily get there via the super shuttle or a taxi.
South Beach is a pretty amazing place to people watch and get some excellent seafood. But if you don’t want to venture out of the airport, there’s a pretty decent Cuban restaurant that you should check out in Terminal D.
London is a great city for a layover because there’s so much to see and do, and Heathrow will connect you to many airports throughout Europe and Africa. Unless you’ve got tons of money to spare, take the Tube into town because taxis are incredibly expensive. In fact, everything you do is going to be pricey, so just be aware of that. If you’re going to be in London for < 24 hours, just buy a one-day travel card. But if you’re going to be in town for longer than that, buy yourself an Oyster card.
Crunched on time? Just go to a pub. Which pub, you ask? Any pub will do. Really. Beers will be at least $8 each, but they will be delicious and worth it. Order some fish and chips as well.
Have plenty of time? There are so many great (and free!) museums in London, my favorite being The British Museum. You’ll also want to take obligatory photos near Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace.
Peonies to Palm Trees 