A European honeymoon can be idyllic. With romantic cities in Europe, gorgeous beaches, and many charming destinations in between, it can be hard to narrow down the perfect places to honeymoon. Check out this itinerary designed to take you through some of the most romantic cities in Europe.

LONDON

Start your trip in London as it’s central to most major cities around the world by air. Here you should spend three nights sightseeing, taking in the local theatre and having loads of fun!

Stay at a boutique romantic hotel like The Chesterfield Mayfair or Flemmings. Both set the scene and are perfectly situated to maximize your time spent sightseeing. Quick tip: nothing tops champagne at the top of The Shard or the Champagne Experience on the London Eye (be sure to book ahead)!

Weather permitting, plan a picnic in Regent Park. Let’s set the scene: the sun is shining, you have a picnic of tasty delectable treats (perhaps with a bottle of bubbly), a nice comfortable blanket and gorgeous views out over the water on one side and Buckingham Palace on the other.

St James’s Park is the prettiest of all the London parks and the perfect spot for a romantic picnic. If you really want to push the boat out for your picnic shopping, I should also mention that Fortnum & Mason is just around the corner…

PRAGUE

From London fly to Prauge for three nights. Prague is the perfect city to visit year-round with beautiful medieval cathedrals, town squares, and streets that will leave you enchanted. History, great food and romantic to a fault!

Stay at the Hotel Aria …it’s awesome and close to the castle. Be sure to take a horse-drawn carriage ride at night (with champagne of course). This is something Cathy and I enjoyed, and we ended up getting engaged in Prague.

For simple meals and people watching eat at the Clock Caffe in the old town square. For an uber-romantic dinner try Mlynec.

Spend your spare time walking this city and getting lost, as it’s the best way to explore Prague and savour its history.

BARCELONA

From Prague fly to Barclenona—three nights here will leave you with loads of unforgettable memories. Barcelona is one of my favorite cities, and with that latin passion you can’t go wrong!

Barcelona combines everything that is most charming about Mediterranean cities – a relaxed pace, months of endless sunshine, unbeatable food – with the cultural and design clout of almost any city in the cold north. Whether you choose to lie on its great beaches or visit the many tourist sights such as Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia, this city is made for romantic memories.

Michelin starred restaurants abound and the nightlife is always electric, so enjoy. Share a jug of sangria with ridiculous views and leave the city chaos to the peasants below! There are few more romantic than La Isabela at the Hotel 1898 – it’s in the heart of La Rambla and the 360º view and super loungy seating provide the ultimate relaxation.

If you really want to get to know this city, hire Mari Carmen Rodriguez for a day. She is my go-to guide to all things Catalunya.  Find her at guiacatalunya72@gmail.com, and be sure to tell her I sent you!

PORTUGAL

From Barcelona it’s a short flight to Lisbon for your final three nights. Dramatic scenery, a beautiful river, and charming cobblestone streets will leave you breathless. If you are looking for one of the most romantic places in Europe for a honeymoon, this hits the spot.

Once you land, there are several luxury hotels in Lisbon to choose from; the Pousada de Lisboa, Britania Art Deco Boutique Hotel, a Lisbon Heritage Collection,  and the Hotel O Artista are highly-rated picks for an unforgettable stay. If you’re looking to go all-out, you could even opt to stay in a restored palace!

Once you’ve dropped your luggage, hop on one of the city’s sleek trams to get around. If you have time, make sure to take a ride on the No. 28. These vintage Remodelado streetcars are wooden and painted yellow—a complete throwback to another era that fit right into the city’s narrow streets and old-world charm.

Hidden away in Lisbon’s embassy district, the 5 star Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel is the epitome of elegance, nested on a hilltop overlooking the Tagus River, furnished with antiques and boasting a large outdoor pool and garden space.

When you’re ready to nosh, be sure to try Portugal’s signature confection, pastel de nata, a cinnamon-dusted egg custard tart served throughout the city, but perfected at Pastéis de Belem. The treat has been served since 1837 at Pastéis de Belém, which sells over 20,000 pastries each day. While dining in the lovely blue and white tiled atrium, you may even spot a newlywed couple (or two) enjoying a Belém pastry, as there’s an old Portuguese proverb that says “A bride who eats a pastry will never take off her ring”. Any country that believes it’s good luck to eat pastries is fine by me!

By combining cities like those above, you can create some exciting plans for that once in a lifetime memory.