

So, you're looking for a perfectly romantic honeymoon getaway to celebrate your wedded bliss, but you're on a budget. No problem! Nowadays, more and more couples are choosing to forgo lavish wedding day nuptials, in order to embark on never-ending global honeymoon excursions. Despite popular belief, there are a variety of destinations that newlyweds can visit that don't cost a small fortune. They provide fun activities, culture, relaxation, and gorgeous views. Most of all, you don't sacrifice beauty or the romance of your desired ambiance just because you refuse to break the bank.
Ready to go on your budget-friendly honeymoon destination? Here are just a few options:
Bacalar, Mexico
Now that Tulum has become oversaturated with tourists, this town, located in southeastern Mexico just near Belize, is a great spot to get away from the hustle and bustle while still enjoying some of Mexico's beauty and culture. The area is near what is called The Lake of Seven Colors which is known for its various hues of water and is close to cenotes and archeological zones. It is the perfect place for a romantic getaway. The drive from Cancun takes about four hours. I recommend skipping the so-called 5-star hotels in the area and booking an Airbnb. They have gorgeous inexpensive homes for less than $100 per night along the lagoon front.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Located in the northern region of Thailand, this is one of the cheaper cities to explore in this Southeast Asian country. Couples can enjoy a traditional Thai massage, take cooking courses, and explore some of the temples in the old city. Chiang Mai's Buddhist temples are some of the most visually stunning you'll ever see—although choosing which to visit could be a difficult task seeing as how there are hundreds to choose from. The stunning Shangri-La Hotel in the heart of the city is a luxury urban resort that is a great option at just under $200 per night.
St. Elizabeth, Jamaica
Pass up Ocho Rios, Negril, and Portland and head over to the "quiet side" of Jamaica. This unique fishing village boasts a wealth of natural scenery and romantic activities for couples. Swim in the spring water pool at YS Falls, take a stroll along Treasure Beach, explore the Appleton Estate, or visit the legendary Lovers Leap and hear the story of two slaves who'd rather jump to their deaths than be separated and sold off to different masters. The drive is a little over two hours from Montego Bay. Many visitors stay at the popular Jakes Hotel where prices start at about $100 per night.
Curacao
This Dutch Caribbean island falls under the radar for some because it is overshadowed by neighboring spots like Aruba and Bonaire. Located just 45 miles north of the coast of Venezuela, the island enjoys warm temperatures between 75 to 90 degrees year-round. The beaches are what draw visitors to this quiet oasis, but there are numerous activities for adventure-seekers like hiking and cliff jumping. They also have the most comprehensive collection of African artifacts in the Caribbean displayed at their Kurá Hulanda Museum. Airbnb oceanfront villas in the area are under $200 per night.
Torch Lake, Michigan
If you don't have a passport but you're still looking for Caribbean-like scenery without the palm trees, Torch Lake is the perfect honeymoon destination. Rent a boat and explore Michigan's 2nd largest inland lake at almost 19,000 acres. This area is perfect for water sports like jet-skiing and tubing, but many people like to hang out on the sandbar in awe of just how much this Midwest lake's beauty compares to the Caribbean Sea. The area is pretty secluded, so it's scarce on nearby restaurants but there are wineries and breweries within driving distance. This is a popular spot especially in the summer months so rental properties (while reasonably priced) are booked at least a year in advance.
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Tiffany D. Smith is a TV journalist by day and food and travel influencer by night from Chicago, IL. Since being bitten by the travel bug a few years ago, she uses her blog TheLoveofFoodandTravel.com to encourage people to release their fears, step out of their comfort zones, and explore new places and great food. When Tiffany isn't working in live TV or blogging, she enjoys kickboxing, watching 70's shows, and spending time with friends and family. Keep up with her @loveoffoodandtravel on IG.
Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Feature image by Leon Bennett/WireImage
A Celebration Of Black Voices: What You Missed At The 3rd Annual Black Effect Podcast Festival
Over the weekend, iHeart Radio held its third annual Black Effect Podcast Festival in Atlanta, attracting a star-studded lineup of personalities and shows. Charlamagne tha God, founder of the Black Effect podcast network was in attendance along with other notable personalities like Mandii B and Weezy WTF, the hosts of the popular Decisions, Decisions podcast, who also served as the festival's hosts.
Sarah Jakes Roberts, the esteemed pastor and host of Woman Evolve podcast, singers and co-hosts of the R&B Money podcast, Tank and J. Valentine, former NFL star and Funky Friday host Cam Newton and many more further rounded out the festivals' lineup.
The festival hosted panels that focused on mental health and the future of podcasting as well as many live shows. Good Moms, Bad Choices hosts, Erica and Milah, welcomed Dreka Gates and held a live dating show that was nothing short of hilarious. Naked Sports host Cari Champion sat down with Iman Shumpert and they discussed sports and dating.
Tank and J. Valentine surprised the audience with Jacquees, Cam had a live conversation with Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams, and Sarah closed out the festival with reality star Toya Johnson. Check out photos from the festival below:
(L-R) Shawn Bethea, Jay Barnett, Devi Brown, Charlamagne tha God and Amber Grimes
Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network
Jamilah Mapp, Dreka Gates and Erica Dickerson
Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network
Mandii B and Weezy WTF
Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network
Porsha Williams and Cam Newton
Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network
Iman Shumpert and Cari Champion
Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network
Tank, Jacquees and J. Valentine
Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network