7-Day Honeymoon Itinerary: Mini-Moon in Montecito + the Caribbean

Following their intimate alfresco nuptials at a private estate in Montecito, California, Marin (née Seifert) and Eric Bergman celebrated a romantic mini-moon at a nearby luxury resort, followed by a tropical honeymoon in the Caribbean.

Learn more about their honeymoon itinerary for a mini-moon in Montecito, California, followed by a honeymoon on the Caribbean islands of St. John and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Destination: Montecito, California

Prior to their more extensive honeymoon in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Marin and Eric celebrated a mini-moon just steps from where they said “I do” in Montecito, California. “I had a vision that wherever we stayed on our wedding night would be ‘our special spot’ that we could come back to for anniversaries and celebrations,” smiles Marin. Thus, they selected Rosewood Miramar Beach, which offers a luxurious estate-style ambience. “Just wow! It is probably one of my favorite places on earth,” she adds.

Since they had scouted the pet-friendly property with their pup leading up to the big day, the newlyweds knew the area fairly well. As they had also visited nearby Santa Barbara many times before, they didn’t feel the need to explore much during their stay. “We spent the majority of our time poolside eating tacos and sipping margaritas... Rosewood is the type of resort where once you are there, you don’t want to leave!” reveals Marin. With a stunning beachfront location, a tranquil spa, and six restaurants and bars on property – including Caruso’s from Michelin-starred Executive Chef Massimo Falsini, they had all of the finest leisure amenities at their fingertips throughout their two-night stay.

With treasured memories of their exceptional visit, the newlyweds flew back to Cambridge so Eric could attend his business-school classes, and the pair began finalizing the details of their tropical honeymoon to come.

HIGHLIGHTS

Tasting coastal cuisine. “Caruso’s is a must! Simply delicious.”

Hanging with celebrities. “We hung out by the pool with Josh Duhamel, and Justin and Hailey Bieber were there at the same time, which made me feel unreasonably cool.”

Having fun in the sun. “There’s nothing like vitamin D to cure the post-wedding blues! The Rosewood pool and beach are so lovely and great for post-wedding relaxation.”

Destination: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

The next month, Marin and Eric jetted off to the U.S. Virgin Islands for the first time. They knew they wanted to experience the picturesque white beaches and rich history of popular St. Thomas, so they spent two nights at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas – which recently completed a $100-million renovation of the accommodations, infinity-edge pool and cabanas, four dining concepts, and more. “It is a gorgeous property,” affirms Marin of the retreat providing gorgeous views of Great Bay.

Since the hotel offers kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel gear to explore the nearby coral reef, the honeymooners made sure to spend some time on the water. “Eric and I went out one morning, and it didn’t take long for me to see that he had paddled back to shore. Confused, I kept paddling farther out to the other side of the bay. When I finally returned, Eric told me about the many stingrays he saw – he left me out there to fend for myself!” laughs Marin of the memorable moment.

HIGHLIGHTS

Visiting the island’s beaches. “Magens Bay was our favorite beach on St. Thomas!”

Spending time at the pool. “The pool at The Ritz was so luxe and the perfect way to start our trip.”

Sipping on cocktails. “Make sure to get the island’s favorite beverage – a frozen ‘painkiller’ made of rum, coconut, pineapple, orange, and nutmeg!”

Destination: St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

The newlyweds then took a 30-minute ferry to St. John, where they basked in the views at Gallows Point Resort in Cruz Bay. They explored local island eateries, recommending The Longboard for sushi, along with Dave & Jerry’s Island Steakhouse for one of the best meals of all time. “A total hole in the wall, but wow,” remembers Marin.

Their best decision, however, was chartering a yacht around St. Thomas through GetMyBoat. “My favorite memory of our marriage so far is spending Thanksgiving together on a chartered yacht drinking rum cocktails, eating fresh fruit, and soaking up the sun,” says Marin. They saw sea turtles while snorkeling, stopped for a beachside lunch, and swam back to find more drinks waiting. “Such a special day!” she confirms.

HIGHLIGHTS

Spending Thanksgiving on a yacht. “Nothing makes me happier than sunshine, the ocean, and a cocktail, so this was such a great day – by far my favorite of the entire trip!”

Renting a Jeep to beach-hop. “The roads are narrow and there are lots of turns, but it was such a cool way to see all the beaches. Honeymoon Beach was my favorite.”

Marin and Eric suggest honeymooners visiting the same locations in a one-week time frame stay at the Rosewood Miramar Beach for four nights, and then fly to St. John for an additional few nights to charter a yacht around the islands before heading home.

Travel Tips from Marin & Eric:

“It was so fun to experience something new together. If you can, visit a location you both have never been to before.”

“Pack bug spray!”

“Most of St. John is a national park, so be prepared for mosquitos and large iguanas.”

“Try to plan activities you both love to do – which can be hard at times!”

“Prior to arriving at your destination, align on your travel priorities. What are your must sees, must dos, must eats, etcetera?”

This story was originally published as a Travel Diaries feature in the Fall 2021 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. To order a copy of the Fall 2021 issue, visit our library of Inside Weddings back issues available for purchase.