Henry & Niki

Henry & Niki

August 29, 2021

Henry & Niki

Henry & Niki

August 29, 2021

Hi everyone!

While we have taken many exciting trips together, we are very much looking forward to our first real adventure as husband and wife. It is because of the lifetime of memories we will gain from this trip that we settled on a honeymoon registry. We greatly appreciate and will fondly remember these gifts for years to come. After all, the memories from this honeymoon will last a lot longer than a new set of wine glasses (especially at our breakage rate!).

We'll do our best to document our experiences via photo and include it in your much-deserved thank you note. If we can't practically use a gift while in Europe for whatever reason, we will reallocate that money and let you know what you helped contribute to!

From the bottom of our hearts -- thank you so much!

We're going to Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany!

After saying our goodbyes and crossing over the entire width of California to catch our flight at SFO the day after our wedding, we'll be landing in Venice with hopefully not too much sleep deprivation. Once there, we'll spend a few days walking along the canals, taking in all the museums, glassware, and great food the city has to offer, as well as enjoying romantic gondola rides at sunset (Bridge of Sighs, anyone?). We'll be staying at the luxurious and romantic Hotel Danieli, which has fond memories for Hank since he and his family stayed there once in 2015. The restaurant at the hotel has a beautiful view of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute across the Canal Grande--it literally does not get more romantic than that.

We'll leave the floating city behind and travel to Bellagio in Lake Como (maybe stopping for a few hours in Milan on the way), enjoying several days sailing on the lake and eating what is sure to be an unhealthy amount of pasta. The villages around Lake Como are ripe for exploring, so we'll burn that pasta off with long hikes up steep alleyways and around cobblestone lanes that reveal the secrets of these small, enchanting places. Each morning we'll dine beneath the wisteria trellises of the Hotel Florence, one of the oldest and most venerable hotels in the area, once host to Puccini, Toscanini, Jean-Paul Sartre, and many others.

From Bellagio, we'll take a train across the border to Switzerland and spend the next few days in the alpine town of Zermatt, nestled comfortably beneath the shadow of the Matterhorn. We'll hike ancient glaciers, relax in spas, eat our weight in melted cheese, and gaze wonderingly up at the imposing spire of one of the world's most iconic mountains. After a few days of acclimatizing, we'll scurry on over to Wengen, situated high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and continue our Swiss mountain adventures. Known as the Jungfrau region, this area of Switzerland has much to offer: hikes with adorable bell-jangling cows, tours of the valley's many waterfalls, and cogwheel trains that take you up the steep sedimentary cliff faces of the valley. We'll also explore the Junfraujoch, with its observatory at the top of Europe, and the Schilthorn, which boasts impressive panoramic views as well as a historic connection with James Bond.

Floating gently down from the mountains, we'll rest for a few days in the charming French town of Colmar, best known to us as the primary inspiration for Sophie's town from the Studio Ghibli film "Howl's Moving Castle." We'll tour the town and surrounding countryside, sampling some of the finest rieslings and gewürztraminers the Alsace region has to offer. We'll reminisce fondly about our recent time in Venice as we stroll through "Little Venice," the flower-decked promenade that parallels the canal cutting through the heart of the old town. While it may be one of the shortest stops on our honeymoon, it's sure to leave some long-lasting memories.

From Colmar, we'll zip over the Rhine to Freiburg im Breisgau and rent a car for a lovely day of driving through Germany's scenic Schwarzwald (Black Forest). Fairy tales await us as we wind through pine-flanked switchbacks and cruise through picturesque small towns, munching on pretzels and a butcher's worth of brats. Our road ends that day at Schloss Eberstein, a charming castle-turned-hotel that Niki discovered in her research. When we saw the website we knew we had to spend at least one night there, and so we will! Situated on a vineyard-lined hill overlooking the quiet town of Gernsbach, Schloss Eberstein is a pure romantic fairy tale. We can't wait to say "prost!" while clinking our steins together as we enjoy a warm Black Forest night straight out of a Brothers Grimm story.

For the last leg of our honeymoon, we'll travel north and deposit the car at Heidelberg, where we will rest from our journey at the Boutique Hotel Heidelberg Suites. Overlooking the Neckar River and the totally-not-haunted ruins of Heidelberg Castle, Heidelberg Suites will be the perfect place for us to relax, unwind, and reflect on this incredible adventure as it comes to a close. Never ones to go out without a bang, we'll make sure to pack those last few days with adventures of their own: castle-spotting river tours, lengthy forest hikes along der Philosophenweg, and plenty of exploring around Heidelberg's altstadt will keep us busy right up until our flight out of Frankfurt. With so many fond memories and stories sure to tell, we'll return home feeling satisfied that this honeymoon was one for the books.

Our Registry

Activities & Experiences
Relaxation
Dining & Accommodation
Travel
Honeymoon Gear
General
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  • $0-$50
  • $50-$100
  • $100+
  • All
Private Gondola Ride - Venice is one of the most unique cities in the world due to its abundance of canals and bridges. We'll get a private tour and kiss under the Bridge of Sighs at sunset!
Gift Fulfilled
Lake Como Boat Tour - We will rent our very own boat to cruise around the lake and enjoy the scenic view of the mountains. We'll also pack a picnic lunch for a stop at a secluded shoreline.
Gift Fulfilled
Admission to Historical Attractions - The city has a rich history and features many prominent churches, buildings and squares. We'll learn about the city and its ties to religion, art, war and other historical events.
Gift Fulfilled
Cute French Hat - It wouldn't be a true visit to the town that inspired the look of "Market's Chipping" from Howl's Moving Castle without a hat from the closest thing to Sophie's hat shop, Chapellerie Waldvogel!
$10000
1/1
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Museums of Venice Pass - From the Academy Gallery to the Guggenheim Collection, your gift will provide admission to some of the top museums in the city!
Gift Fulfilled
Music of the Night - The city features a number of spectacular venues for musical performances. The chance to see a concert at Teatre La Fenice or Musica a Palazzo would be an unforgettable experience.
Gift Fulfilled
Matterhorn Hike - We'll take the train up to the Matterhorn and hike around beautiful ancient glaciers! This gift will help us defeat the yeti.
Gift Fulfilled
Swiss Massage - What better place to get your first massage than in the Swiss Alps? This gift will bring about some much needed relaxation after some long mountain hikes!
$10000
2/2
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Tandem Paragliding in Switzerland - We're soarin'! Flyin'! There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach.
Gift Fulfilled
Jungfraujoch - It's the top of Europe! Trains aren't cheap, but your generous gift will surely take our breath away much like the increased altitude and freezing winds will.
$5000
1/4
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Cow Adventures - A cow says what? This would be quite the mooving gift, a bo-fine present indeed. Every time a cowbell rings, Niki will do a little happy dance.
Gift Fulfilled
River Castle Tour - What's the only thing that could possibly enhance the majesty of old German castles nestled into forested hillsides? You guessed it: water. Help us tour these magnificent abodes from the safety and comfort of a slow-moving barge!
Gift Fulfilled
Italian Cooking Class - We would love to learn how to make pasta from the real human Italian experts and not a rat hiding under a chef's hat.
Gift Fulfilled
Matterhorn Museum - We'll not just see the Matterhorn, we'll learn about it too at the Matterhorn Museum!
Gift Fulfilled
Shopping Excursion - Venice is a shopper's paradise, who knows what treasures we'll find! We'll be saying "Treat Yo Self" as we select beloved Italian keepsakes and gifts to bring back home.
$10000
3/4
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Cafe Stops and People Watching - Nothing says "European honeymoon" like coffee breaks at cute bars and cafes along the sidewalks.
Gift Fulfilled
Champagne Celebrations - Whenever there's an opportunity to punctuate a moment with a champagne cork pop... by golly, we're taking it!
$2500
6/10
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Lauterbrunnen Livin' - This gift will give us the funds necessary to travel around the beautiful Lauterbrunnen Valley, eating melted Swiss cheese and playing with cows that have little bells dangling from their necks.
Gift Fulfilled
French Souvenirs - While our stay in France will be short, we would love to bring home some memories to last a lifetime!
$5000
2/3
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Black Forest Knickknacks - A journey through the Black Forest would be incomplete without some fine German craftsmanship to show for it! And if we stumble upon the perfect cuckoo clock, there's no telling what may happen...
Gift Fulfilled
Hotel Danieli - Hank and his family stayed here once in 2015, and Hank immediately knew he had to take Niki there for their honeymoon someday. Well, now's the chance! The Danieli is unlike any other hotel in the world!
$20000
4/7
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Dining Out - From Al Covo to Trattoria de Remigio, the dining destinations in Venice are exceptional. Your gift will help us enjoy one of the best meals of the trip in an unforgettable setting.
Gift Fulfilled
Venice Wine Tasting - We're sure to work up a mean thirst riding gondolas and exploring art galleries all day, so help us hydrate with some fine Italian wine! From Brunello to Sangiovese, we're excited to get to know all the varietals Italy has to offer.
Gift Fulfilled
Hotel Florence - Our hotel in Bellagio is over 160 years old, and has played host to many of Italy's great artists (one of our favorites is Puccini). We can't wait to dine under the wisteria-covered trellises and watch the boats on the lake!
$20000
1/3
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Harry's Bar - Hank's Mom and Dad insist they go to Harry's Bar and try the Bellini. With the bar being a favorite of Hemingway, Hitchcock, Jimmy Stewart and more, it's not hard to see why!
$5000
1/4
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Cheese - CHEESEEEEEEEE
Gift Fulfilled
Hotel Arenas Resort Victoria-Lauberhorn - Nestled in the town of Wengen overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the Victoria-Lauberhorn is a perfect example of an old world hotel. It even has a Turkish spa!
$10000
3/8
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Schilthorn - Your mission, should you choose to accept it: gift us this amazing top-of-the-world dining experience. Featured in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," the iconic Schilthorn offers up great food and pairs it with stunning views.
Gift Fulfilled
Hotel Daniela - Going from the Danieli in Venice to the Daniela in Zermatt might be confusing, but we're confident we won't mix them up! We're looking forward to the great spa and breakfast this hotel has to offer--possibly at the same time!
$20000
1/3
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Wine Tasting - That's pretty much all you do in France, oui? We're only stopping by for two nights but if the wine keeps flowing that could feel like an eternity.
Gift Fulfilled
La Maison des Têtes - Nestled in the heart of Colmar, France, La Maison des Têtes is the perfect little stay for an Alsatian getaway.
Gift Fulfilled
French Pastries - Oui, baguette, oui...
Gift Fulfilled
Schloss Eberstein - Deep in the heart of der Schwarzwald lies Schloss Eberstein, where we'll feel like royalty staying in the charming castle-turned-hotel above the sleepy town of Gernsbach!
Gift Fulfilled
Boutique Hotel Heidelberg Suites - Our final stop in Europe, Heidelberg Suites is situated along the Neckar River with a fantastic view of Schloss Heidelberg. There couldn't be a more perfect and romantic way to end our honeymoon!
Gift Fulfilled
Beers in Germany - "Play Jaja Ding Dong!!"
Gift Fulfilled
German Food - We'll have the wurst time in Germany devouring sausages and potato pancakes! German is Niki's FAVORITE type of food, and she must be satiated!!!
Gift Fulfilled
Swiss Travel Pass - Getting around Switzerland means one thing: trains. We're excited to view the natural beauty of this amazing country from the comforts of a fast-moving locomotive. Who knows, maybe even in first class?
$10000
5/5
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Black Forest Rental Car - To navigate the dark, enchanting woods of der Schwarzwald (the Black Forest), we'll need a car! Help us cruise around in style, assured in the confidence that German engineering will get us where we need to go.
$10000
4/4
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Venice Water Taxi - Help us travel from the airport to our hotel in STYLE. Jet-lagged and bedraggled, we'll use this gift to hire a taxi that will take us directly to our hotel via the Grand Canal. A practical, most welcome gift.
Gift Fulfilled
Hiking Gear - Those Alpine slopes are no joke! This might be the most important gift of all, since it keeps us from dying. If you'd prefer a practical gift that helps us level up from humans to mountain goats, this is the perfect choice for you!
$10000
2/4
$100
Giving Portions
Give This Gift
Lookin' Fancy At The Opera - This gift will afford us each a dazzling new outfit to wear to the Opera so we feel like that we're in that one scene in Anastasia where she finally experiences music for the first time (and looks FINE doing it)!
Gift Fulfilled
Street Art - Who knows where we'll come across a one-of-a-kind work of art? We'd love to pick up a painting that will always give a window back into the beautiful scenery of our honeymoon.
Gift Fulfilled
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