When Mr. SG and I started planning our Honeymoon well over a year ago, we had initially decided to take a two-week cruise in the Greek Isles this summer (a delayed Honeymoon). But when I found out about Teach For America, we knew that wouldn't be possible since TFA requires a lengthy summer commitment that would prohibit us from going anywhere. So we decided to split up our honeymoon. Y'all saw pictures from our trip to Beaver Creek over Thanksgiving which was round one. We just finished another short (but equally divine) Honeymoon to Marbella, Spain which served as a temporary replacement for Greece and was all that a Honeymoon should be.
We picked Spain because we could fly their for "free" with our air miles and it would be a place where to relax with a delicious beverage in hand while basking in the sun and indulging in frivolity. Being in Texas, we could have easily gone to Mexico but we wanted something a bit more interesting. Through teamwork, Mr. SG and I found amazing deal at the Ritz-Carlton property in Marbella (an enormous Mediterranean facing suite with an insane breakfast included for under 300$ a night). And it was good fortune for us (not them) that the Euro has just been tanking over the past few months. The exchange rate was at about 1.25 the entire vacation.
The especially neat thing about this location in Spain is that it is part of the Costa Del Sol which faces the northern coast of Africa - specifically Morocco. We had been told by the hotel that on clear days you could see the coast of Morocco from the property and so every day, Mr. SG and I squinted towards the Mediterranean- straining to see land. We kept saying "Is that the coastline or are we imagining it?" We both swore we saw something. Alas, on the third day we saw definite coast line!! Had we had more time, we would have gone over to Morocco- they had easy boat trips with guides for around 80 Euro per person - a steal! And we are pretty adventurous people who normally would do something like this, but we decided to focus the little time we had on Spain.
Our activities included going to the Beach Club, lounging by the pool at the hotel, relaxing in the Spa, drinking Cava and READING!!
I promise pictures - I'll do a separate post. For now, I will leave you with book recommendations. Since summer is fast approaching many of you will depart on your own vacations - be it involving a transatlantic flight or shipping the kiddos off to the grandparents for a few days of "staycation". In any case, I give you a few ideas for your summer reading list ...
The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein:
A beautifully moving book told from a dogs perspective. Animal lovers will especially enjoy this. It is a quick, fun read for a diverse set of tastes. Looks like it might be made into a movie in 2012? If so it will make for a great family flick.
One Fifth Avenue, by Candace Bushnell:
We all know Candace Bushnell for Sex and the City, but if you haven't yet dug in to her other books do so now! If you need a mindless getaway and crave the opportunity to be transported to a life on 5th Avenue then pick up One Fifth Avenue. Very girly. Very Sex-and-the-City. Very Manhatten.
Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang, by Chelsea Handler:
I was a bit embarrassed at first to share with you all that I have even read this book. As an English teacher, I am especially mortified ... but I wanted to put it out there that yes - I enjoy potty humor every now and then. For those of you who watch Chelsea Lately, on E! you know what I mean ... her third book is even more crude. On my last flight two weeks ago I packed a bag of etiquette books (one of my FAVORITE things to read) but this week Chelsea's vodka fueled snark was what I was craving! Emily Post would disapprove (and so would my grandparents) but I'll make it up to them by striving to be a lady 99% of the time and correctly setting a table for 10.
So whether you wish to satisfy your potty-mouth side, sexy side, or sentimental side here are some summer reading list suggestions!
