Most people spend their honeymoon relaxing on a beach. We spent ours racing through Europe—with backpacks, 5-star hotels, and a mission: to experience as much of the continent as possible in just 17 days, then decide where we wanted to return in the future.
We called it our “scouting trip.” And it changed everything.
9 Countries. 17 Days. One Philosophy.
Our journey began in London and ended in the English countryside. In between, we visited Paris, Zurich, Milan, Vienna, Prague, Berlin, Hamburg, Amsterdam, and Brussels—eleven iconic cities across nine countries. Nearly all of it was done by train, with just one quick flight from Milan to Vienna. We traveled light—backpacks only—and stayed exclusively in 5-star hotels that balanced luxury with location and efficiency.
This wasn’t a slow honeymoon. It was a fast, intentional, luxurious sprint designed to give us a taste of each place. We wanted to know where we’d want to return—where we’d spend more time, go deeper, and make new memories in future seasons of life.
Trains by Day. 5-Star Hotels by Night.
While the pace was ambitious, we never compromised on comfort. Each hotel was selected for its quality, location, and service—and a few still stand out today as places we dream of returning to.
Park Hyatt Zurich offered refined elegance and one of the most memorable suites we’ve stayed in. But the showstopper was Park Hyatt Vienna. Nestled in a former bank building in the heart of the city, it’s a place where old-world grandeur meets modern luxury. The Bank Brasserie & Bar was a culinary highlight, and the spa provided the perfect reset mid-journey. It’s no surprise we’ve returned again since.
Even when we were covering multiple countries in a week, these hotels made us feel grounded—like we could pause and breathe before the next adventure.
The Power of Sampling
There’s something liberating about visiting a place knowing it doesn’t have to be your forever favorite. We weren’t looking to see it all—we were looking to feel each place, even if just for a moment. Amsterdam? One visit was enough for us. But France and Switzerland stole our hearts, inspiring full-length return trips of 10 days each.
Traveling this way allowed us to build a personal travel map. We now know where we want to spend more time, what destinations resonate with us, and which cities serve better as a quick stopover than a weeklong stay.
A Lesson in Light Travel
Packing light was key. We brought backpacks only—no checked luggage, no waiting at baggage claim, no hauling giant suitcases up cobblestone streets. That decision alone made the pace feel manageable and gave us the freedom to pivot, explore, and move confidently through stations, cities, and borders.
These days, we’ve graduated to carry-on suitcases instead of backpacks, but we still never check bags. That philosophy—travel light, move fast, and live luxuriously—is the foundation of Jet Set Digest.
The Unexpected Pivot
Originally, our plan was to spend nine days traveling through Italy. But when we arrived, COVID-era restrictions were still in place and many areas hadn’t fully reopened. So we made a spontaneous decision to reroute—ditching our Italian itinerary for Vienna, Prague, Berlin, and Hamburg. It was one of the best decisions we made on the trip.
While we don’t always advertise last-minute pivots as part of our planning services, we believe in staying flexible and embracing opportunity. Some of the best travel moments happen when you let go of the plan and follow your instinct.
The Trip That Launched Jet Set Digest
This honeymoon didn’t just spark our love of travel—it created our travel philosophy. Fast, luxurious, and purposeful. It also showed us that you don’t have to choose between efficiency and elegance.
If you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary trip, or multi-country adventure and want to see the world without feeling rushed or overwhelmed, we can help. Through our VIP Concierge Service, we’ll build an itinerary that fits your style, pace, and priorities—whether that means whirlwind or wander.
Contact us to start planning your own fast-paced, luxe adventure.
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