Red Hot Honeymoon Cities

by Paris Permenter & John Bigley

Imagine the Southwest and what comes to mind? The two of you standing before a rugged landscape, little changed since its Wild West days? A day of shopping for handcrafted jewelry, one-of-a-kind pottery, and Southwestern art, selected from an array of galleries? Or do you anticipate a journey filled with the flavor of Old Mexico, sharing the sights, sounds, and spectacles of a foreign destination?

Lucky honeymooners can choose from any of these scenarios in some of the Southwest's most romantic destinations: Sedona, Santa Fe, and San Antonio. Each city offers up a red-hot honeymoon destination and an atmosphere that can't be equaled.

SAN ANTONIO

Here couples find the red-hot atmosphere of Old Mexico in a city that dishes up a Tex-Mex culture that can't be beat. Will Rogers once proclaimed San Antonio "one of America's four unique cities." Wake up to the aroma of huevos rancheros in the air, the sound of mariachis filling the streets, and the sight of water taxis lazily cruising the San Antonio River, and you'll know that you're in the Alamo City.

While other cities may speed along in the fast lane, San Antonio prefers the scenic route, a perfect pace for the city's many tourists who visit from around the world. This is the kind of town where a siesta or a fiesta are equally appreciated.

At the heart of the city is the San Antonio River, winding through tropical lushness and drawing residents and visitors into its current of gaiety along the riverbanks. The San Antonio River is to this city what the Seine is to Paris, the bay to San Francisco, the Mississippi to New Orleans. It draws both residents and vacationers to its banks to enjoy a sense of place that is unrivaled anywhere else in Texas - and few places around the globe. Here couples stroll hand-in-hand beneath tall banana and palm trees, shop for Mexican imports, dine at sidewalk cafes, or, just steps away, tour the hushed rooms of the Alamo, the mission that symbolizes the fight for Texas independence.

Along the River Walk lie some of the city's most romantic hotels: La Mansion del Rio, an 1854 Spanish colonial style structure that began as a school and is now an elegant hotel, the Hyatt Regency San Antonio, which diverted part of the river right through its signature atrium, and the Marriott Rivercenter, which soars from above the Rivercenter Mall and offers a bird's eye view of the city.

More intimate properties lie on the fringe of the River Walk. Check out the Fairmount Hotel, a historic hotel that earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records when the structure became the heaviest building ever moved. Just steps away lies the historic King William district. Many of its 19th century homes are now bed-and-breakfast inns where honeymooners can choose the plantation-style elegance of properties such as the Ogé House, an 1857 three-story home or the rustic elegance found at the Riverwalk Inn, a unique B&B that utilizes five two-story log homes circa 1840 and offers guests the chance to sit on porch rockers and watch the quiet side of the River Walk.

For more on San Antonio romantic getaways, see www.sanantoniocvb.com

SEDONA

Known for its red rock beauty, Sedona is a city surrounded by towering sandstone splendor. Located in central Arizona about two hours from Phoenix and 2-1/2 hours from Grand Canyon, Sedona is well known as a base for Arizona day trips, but it is also home to plenty of attractions of its own.

Although settlers first arrived over 120 years ago, Sedona was rediscovered in 1950 when surrealist painter Max Ernst drew the attention of the art world to the community. Soon, other painters followed, the Cowboy Artists of America was organized, and Sedona became recognized as a center of Southwestern art. Today over 200 artists call Sedona home, and visitors can select from over 40 galleries.

Even if you've never before visited Sedona, your arrival here may be accompanied by a case of deja vu ; the area has been used in movies starring John Wayne, Gene Autry, Henry Fonda, Rock Hudson, Elvis Presley, and Robert DeNiro. Movie makers were attracted by the natural formations found at sites such as Red Rock State Park and Slide Rock State Park. Today's honeymooners can enjoy the parks on back country guided jeep tours, helicopter tours, or aboard romantic hot air balloon trips to view the crimson formations at sunrise or sunset.

Top Sedona resorts include Enchantment Resort, tucked in secluded Boynton Canyon, and Poco Diablo Resort, nestled on Oak Creek and offering golf, tennis, heated swimming pools, and spas.

For more on Sedona, see www.city.sedona.net

SANTA FE

Red chile ristas adorning adobe structures. Sun-weathered hands shaping a lump of clay into a work of art. Ceremonial dancing at Indian pueblos, some of the oldest communities in North America. This is Santa Fe, a destination often nicknamed "the City Different." In Santa Fe, both visual and performing arts shine. Over 150 art galleries and 50 jewelry shops showcase the work of local artisans, and over 20 performing arts groups entertain audiences, including world-class productions by the Santa Fe Opera, whose performances are held in an outdoor amphitheater in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Opportunities abound for couples to explore those mountains. Hikers can explore ancient Indian ruins and old mining towns. Skiers enjoy a season that stretches from Thanksgiving to Easter on runs located just 15 miles from the city. River rafters can thrill to Class V rapids in the Taos Box on the upper Rio Grande, or enjoy quieter stretches of water on the Rio Chama, America's first designated scenic river.

After a day of activity, head back to a romantic accommodations such as the Hotel Santa Fe, a pueblo-inspired inn enhanced with Native American art, the Eldorado Hotel, located just one block from the historic downtown, The Bishop's Lodge, another pueblo-style resort with tennis, horseback riding, and nature trails, or Ranch Encantado, tucked in a valley 15 minutes north of the city.

For more on Santa Fe, see www.santafe.org

Copyright Paris Permenter & John Bigley