Arrive in Lisbon in time for a sunrise breakfast over the water, then a walk along the banks of the Tagus River through the historic Cais do Sodré district.

Before checking in officially and napping off the jet lag, we decompress from the long flight in the hot tub, sauna or get a spa treatment at the hotel

Our first dining experience is Marlene, one of the crown jewels of the Lisboa dining scene. The space exudes serenity, with the kitchen at its heart—an altar where ingredients are transformed into a transcendent gastronomical experience. The menu evolves constantly, and once a recipe leaves, it does not return, making each meal a singular experience.

A haute cuisine-style restaurant adjacent to Zunzum Gastrobar, located in a glass-fronted building next to the Lisbon Cruise Terminal (a bonus for parking, with a huge public car park available). The restaurant, with a contemporary feel, surprises visitors with a large open central kitchen, surrounded by a counter that allows you to watch the chefs at work at all times. Chef Marlene Vieira, together with her team, presents a signature approach based on two tasting menus (9 or 12 courses) referencing both Portuguese tradition (we loved her refined blue lobster, green curry and seaweed) and flavours from other latitudes, always accompanying the dishes with cornbread following her grandmother’s old recipe.

A curious detail? If you order a meat option, you are presented with a selection of handcrafted knives, with different handles and hand-sharpened blades, from which you can choose.

After sleeping off a long day of traveling and a good meal, we wake to breakfast at the hotel and a leisurely morning before getting up and exploring the nearby town of Belém and getting some lunch.

Belém is a laid-back area on the Tagus River, known for its seafood restaurants and houses decorated with colorful tiles. Among the area's shaded green lawns are historic landmarks that recall Portugal’s seafaring past, like the 16th-century Tower of Belém and the sail-shaped Discoveries Monument.

Near the vast Gothic Jerónimos Monastery, the popular Pastéis de Belém patisserie is famed for its custard tarts - great for a mid-day snack before heading back to the hotel and changing for dinner…

Frequently cited as one of the best restaurants in the world, Belcanto is one of the apex moments of our Portugal stay, and is easily one of the most famous restaurants in the country. Boasting two Michelin stars, it’s a magical experience.

Chef José Avillez describes himself as “nonconformist by nature” but the Belcanto experience is one of refined elegance. Located in Lisbon’s historic centre, the wood-panelled dining room has just ten tables.

It’s a sophisticated nook of old-world Portugal where you’ll be taken on a decidedly new-world adventure. Classics like suckling pig and Portuguese pot-au-feu are given the Avillez treatment alongside experimental dishes that have made his name, such as the fairy-tale ‘The garden of the goose that laid the golden eggs’, a starter of egg, crunchy bread and mushrooms.

After an afternoon flight, we’ll be extra hungry - which is perfect when you’ve got a late dinner reservation at a charming Swiss restaurant. LA is a small, charming, and only a few minutes’ walk from the river. It offers 30 seats inside and around 20 outside on the boulevard.

Both the slick interior and chef-patron Matthieu Judenne's seasonally inspired cuisine are modern, but for all their creativity they remain pleasingly accessible and ingredient-driven. The focus is undisputedly on flavour – soul food rather than frills is the order of the day here. This ethos is evident in dishes such as "poached egg, pea tartare, tarragon foam" and "octopus, Kalamata olives, chorizo, haricot beans, fish reduction". There is a four- or six-course surprise menu. In addition to the wine pairings, the alcohol-free alternative can also be recommended. From some tables, you can steal glimpses into the kitchen.

After dinner we’ll get a moonlight walk along the Rhine and soak in the moment, before tucking into bed at our hotel.

In a little town in France, a short walk from the Schwendi fountain, (where a book-wielding Belle twirls around a fountain singing to a vast herd of neighbourhood sheep) sits a nearly 300 year old theater where we will be seeing an opera called The Breasts of Tiresias.

The silly, crude and thoroughly absurd surrealist play Les Mamelles de Tirésias was written during the First World War. It struck both a chord and a nerve with its radically contemporary style and exploration of gender identity, gender roles, and how love comes in myriad forms. During the Second World War, Poulenc adapted the story into a funny yet emotional comic opera in which each song is inspired by a different musical style or pastiche. Britten loved the piece so much that he composed an adaptation for two pianos in 1955 to make it easier to take on the road. It is this “mobile version” suited to all ages that the artists of the Opéra Studio perform in a regional tour staged by Jean-François Kessler, who transports spectators to a paradisiacal beach in the insouciant and carefree days of 1950s France.

Ah, Kaysersberg! This small village on the Alsace wine route comes into view between two valleys – you can't miss the iconic red façade of Hotel Le Chambard, which houses La Table d'Olivier Nasti, Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2007. The chef's objective is to showcase the terroir and restore tradition in a series of creative, visually arresting, even playful dishes. To this end, no ingredients are off limits: game, morels from the Vosges, foie gras, truffles and even Arctic char. He has created a personal menu that takes the seasons into account and pays particular attention to sauces and decoctions. As for the wine, talented and enthusiastic sommelier Jean-Baptiste Klein is a mine of information.

A two Michelin starred restaurant, we will have the choice of two tasting menus.

One of the key moments in our honeymoon, we travel from our beautiful cottage to Riquewihr - along with Colmar, considered to be a primary inspiration for the visual language in Disney’s adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. Being that this is one of Molly’s favorite films, this is going to be truly special.

We will have lunch at the famous La Table Du Gourmet where Chef Jean-Luc Brendel shares his love of cooking through dishes combining terroir and creativity. The 1 Michelin star restaurant welcomes you in a charming 16th half-timbered house where old beams elegantly blend with the Feng Shui-inspired design décor.

After an early night, we’ll wake up and have breakfast and soak in the hot tub for a minute at our AirBnB as the sun rises over the vineyard. A great time to just sit and reflect on the beauty of our surroundings and rest from a few days of traveling and walking.

We arrive in Colmar and have a prix fixe lunch at Lucas et Chris, a quintessentially friendly bistro is run by two lads who were born and bred in the town: Lucas Gaertner (in the kitchen) and Chris Roldan, who is also a DJ in his spare time.

After lunch we’ll further explore the town, potentially stopping in the Colmar Toy Museum, Saint Martin Church and taking a flat bottom boat ride.

At 7:30 we have dinner at L’Atelier du Peintre where Martin Schongauer, one of the greatest late-15C engravers and painters from the Rhine, had his studio across from where we’ll be eating. The restaurant, whose walls date back to the Renaissance. The chic, cosy interior, by contrast, has a decidedly contemporary vibe. When it comes to the food, Loïc Lefebvre cooks up precise modern cuisine, which is rife with creative twists and, needless to say, evolves with the seasons. Freshness, subtlety and also indulgence are the hallmarks of his Marennes oyster poached with green apple and dill, or his matured Salers beef tenderloin with red wine sauce.

After an early morning of traveling, we finally reach the town of Dubrovnik in Croatia, where (after dropping our bags) we have lunch seaside at the Gradska Kavana Arsenal. Near Dubrovnik's main square, Luža, located in the very heart of the historic district, where for centuries the destiny of the Dubrovnik Republic was planned and where its leaders carefully guarded their most cherished value, which was not for sale for any amount of gold.

In the immediate vicinity of the café are two palaces which symbolize the statehood of the Dubrovnik Republic: Sponza Palace (on Luža square itself), which once served as the customs building and mint, and the Rector's Palace, the seat of the government and residence of the Rector, the ruler of the Republic.

Set in a historic building dating back to 1897 our hotel is the perfect place to end our honeymoon journey. Right on the edge of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, with views of its iconic red roofs and the Adriatic Sea. After lunch, we’ll take a little nap and relax for a little bit and see where the day takes us. We’re less than 500 meters from Pile Gate, the Lovrijenac Fort, and Šulić beach so there’s plenty of options - or we can just stay in.

After a golden hour walk through Old Town we arrive at a restaurant that has been serving seafood for nearly 150 years, Proto Fish. Located in the heart of Dubrovnik's historical core at the intersection of the Široka and Vara streets.

The long tradition of this popular Dubrovnik restaurant attests to its reputation and lasting quality based on its unparalleled preparation of diverse seafood and meat dishes. Proto's gourmet menu is inspired by indigenous dishes and the culinary artistry of Dubrovnik's aristocratic and commoner families, passed down from one generation to the next.

We embark on a thrilling speedboat tour and explore 7 breathtaking sea caves of the Adriatic. All along the way discovering hidden natural wonders shaped by the sea and wind over centuries.

We’ll swim in the magical blue light of the Blue Cave (the one made famous by Ariel in The Little Mermaid) and visit 3 Green Caves glowing with emerald reflections—perfect for unforgettable photos and a refreshing dip. We’ll wade into the mysterious Bat Cave for a unique atmosphere, then explore 2 Bezdanj Caves, true hidden gems with crystal-clear water.

Located inside a restored 15th-century medieval palace in the heart of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, The rooftop terrace is one of Dubrovnik’s most exclusive dining locations, offering an unforgettable experience under the stars. With only 16 seats, it’s an intimate setting perfect for a romantic dinner, a special occasion, or a memorable evening with friends. Here, among the medieval rooftops and above the bustling city, we’ll enjoy the same breathtaking views that nobles once did, and savor fresh Adriatic seafood and regional wines in a setting that feels timeless.

After sleeping in and having a nice little hotel breakfast, we’ll make our way into Dubrovnik’s historic Old Town district. We’ll first have lunch at Taj Mahal, a well known but low key Bosnian restaurant with warm, grounding flavors - perfect to fuel our walk alongside the sea walls, reflecting at the St Ignatius Church and grabbing a drnk at one of the cliffside Buža Bars.

One of the final nights of our honeymoon, we’re closing with Posat - a farm to table restaurant in the heart of the city. In the restaurant is a large saltwater aquarium where you can pick your fish straight from the tank - ensuring absolute freshness. Chef Ivica grows most of the vegetables we use in his own gardens in a village near Dubrovnik, and everything else is provided by local farmers we personally know.

Before leaving the Balkans, we’ll wake up and take a tour of the Gruz Market in Old Town and feasting on local delicacies - with specific focus on oysters as it’s their peak season in Dubrovnik!

After arriving at Gatwick airport the night before just in time for drinks and a good rest, we’ll wake up in time to have a traditional full English breakfast before our flight back to NYC.