The 12 Best Honeymoon Spots For Newlywed Gay Couples

DOMA (the Defense Of Marriage Act) is dead, and that means that gay couples around the U.S. will be getting married in spades. And more weddings means more honeymoons.

We asked travel experts to weigh in on what they think will be the hottest honeymoon destinations for newly married gay couples.

And while honeymooners may want to avoid places like Russia, which recently passed severe anti-gay laws that will even impact gay foreign tourists, there are plenty of awesome destinations that are just waiting to welcome gay newlywed couples with open arms.

Provincetown, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Located at at the very tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is a charming resort town that has been drawing in gay travelers for years.

"This is a gay Mecca, which makes it an obvious choice for gay honeymooners," Pauline Frommer, the publisher of Frommers.com, said. "It's famous for drag shows, restaurants, and a vibrant gay community that's been there for decades."

The town is chock-full of quaint guest houses, elegant restaurants, and has access to the incredible beaches of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

"Massachusetts was one of the first states to allow same-sex marriage in the U.S., and right away wedding bells were ringing in Provincetown," Ed Salvato, the editor in chief of gay travel magazine ManAboutWorld, said. "It has all the tourism infrastructure and the tolerance—no, the celebration of diversity."

There are dozens of charming gay-friendly guesthouses and inns, but the Crown Point Historic Inn & Spa and Surfside Hotel & Suites offer exclusive romance and honeymoon packages.

Tel Aviv, Israel

Tel Aviv has been billing itself as a gay-friendly destination for a while now, doing its best to lure in gay tourists from around the world.

But it really cemented its reputation as a gay travel destination last month, when France's first married gay couple chose to honeymoon in the Israeli beach city—an event which was documented by multiple news publications. France's first married gay couple stayed at the Diaghilev Live Art Hotel, a sleek design boutique hotel.

"Israel has a very open and large gay community," Pauline Frommer said. "If you've ever wanted to travel to the Middle East, it's a cosmopolitan, fascinating city. It has fascinating museums, extraordinary restaurants, gay clubs and gay bars. It's very warm and welcoming to gay couples."

Frommer added that gay couples may want to take a side trip to Jerusalem, but may have to keep their relationships under wraps there since the ancient city is so religious.

Napa and Sonoma, California

Between the miles of pristine vineyards and the great food and wine that often accompanies it, there's something incredibly romantic about wine country.

And California's wine country has plenty to celebrate this year, with the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Proposition 8 and made same-sex marriage legal within the state.

"With its abundance of wine, winery tours, and unique bed and breakfast getaways,  this area is quickly becoming a popular destination,"Mark Novak,  president of HotelCoupons.com, said. "It is also very close to San Francisco which has long been a very friendly city to the LGBT community. The area recently celebrated the DOMA decision at its annual Gay Days celebration with an expected 40% increase in attendance."

Honeymooners will want to sip the region's delicious wines, explore quaint towns like St. Helena and Yountville, stay at a charming bed and breakfast like The Inn on First in downtown Napa Valley, take the wine train, and just relax with their new husbands or wives.