• My husband and I spent time on the Amalfi Coast while on our honeymoon in Italy.
• I underestimated how tiring it would be to get from the US to Rome to Naples to the Amalfi Coast.
• We should've booked a boat tour and spent more nights on the Amalfi Coast.

When my husband and I chose the Amalfi Coast for our honeymoon, we knew we were in for a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Everything about this part of Italy sounded dreamy, from the stunning cliffside views and the tasty local cuisine to the charming coastal towns and stunning beaches.

In many ways, our honeymoon was incredible. However, looking back, there are three things I wish we'd done differently to make our trip even better.

I underestimated how exhausting it would be to get to the Amalfi Coast

Getting to the Amalfi Coast wasn't as simple as hopping on a direct flight.

Our journey from the United States involved a long-haul flight to Rome, a train to Naples, and then a car ride along winding cliffside roads to reach our final destination.

In theory, we knew this would be a long travel day, but we didn't fully appreciate just how exhausting it would feel after an overnight flight.

By the time we arrived, jet-lagged and slightly carsick, we felt too drained to truly enjoy our first evening as much as we'd hoped.

In hindsight, I wish we had planned a night's stopover in Rome to break up the journey. This would've allowed us to rest, adjust to the time zone, and ease into vacation mode before heading to the coast.

If you're traveling a long distance to the Amalfi Coast, you may also want to consider giving yourself a buffer day in Rome, Naples, or even Sorrento to make the journey less overwhelming.

A boat tour could've been a great addition to our trip

One of the most iconic ways to experience the Amalfi Coast is from the water — I'd seen amazing photos of private boat tours that pass beautiful villages and stop at hidden coves and caves.

However, we decided not to book a tour since our time on the coast was limited, and they can be pricey (most are over 100 euros a person).

At the time, we assumed that taking in the coastline from land would be more than enough. The views from our hikes and hotel terrace were breathtaking, but we both felt we had missed an opportunity by skipping a boat tour.

We only got to enjoy the coastal beauty via water taxi a few times while going from our hotel in Praiano to Positano — and part of me regrets not extending our journey further to explore places like Capri.

I wish we'd stayed longer

We spent four nights on the Amalfi Coast before heading to Rome.

With such limited time, we packed as much into our schedule as possible and split our time between Praiano and Positano.

Although we had a fantastic experience, our time on the coast felt rushed.

There's something about this part of Italy that made us want to slow down for a long lunch with a view or leisurely wander the streets without an agenda. I found myself wishing for more downtime.

Another couple of nights would have allowed our trip to have a more relaxed pace while giving us a chance to explore lesser-known spots or savor an extra dinner at our favorite restaurant.

For anyone considering a honeymoon or trip to the Amalfi Coast, I recommend staying at least five or six nights.

Overall, we still had a good trip

Our honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast was nothing short of incredible, and I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.

If I return in the future, I'd make a few small adjustments based on my experience, like booking a boat tour, breaking up the long travel day, and extending our stay to make our trip even better.

For future travelers, my other big piece of advice is to plan with intention but leave room for spontaneity.

The Amalfi Coast is meant to be savored, and the best moments of a trip often happen when you slow down, take a deep breath, and simply enjoy the beauty around you.

• I've skied at over 20 resorts in the US. After visiting Brighton Resort twice, I wouldn't go back.
• The resort isn't as impressive as its neighbors in terms of vertical drop and skiable acres.
• I thought it was too crowded on my visits and I'd rather try somewhere new next time.

I've had the opportunity to ski at over 20 resorts across the United States, and five of them were located in Utah.

The state is home to some of the most iconic ski resorts in the US and lots of snowfall, truly making it a powder skier's paradise.

When I close my eyes and think of skiing there, I picture myself gliding down black-diamond runs, indulging in the après-ski scene, and soaking in breathtaking mountain views.

Although that's the experience I've had at most resorts, one beloved Utah destination has let me down: Brighton Resort.

After skiing there in two different years and in two different months, I've realized this popular spot is one I just don't need to return to.

Brighton's lift lines were significantly longer than other ski resorts I've been to

Brighton is part of the Ikon Pass, a famous ski-lift pass that many skiers and snowboarders have around the world.

The ski resorts on the pass are known for their excellent runs, top-notch amenities, and overall upscale atmosphere, which attracts many tourists.

Due to the pass's popularity, you can generally expect larger crowds at Ikon Pass destinations across the country.

However, I've skied at numerous Ikon destinations around the country, and the lift lines at Brighton during my visits felt significantly longer than any others I've encountered.

This is likely because Brighton only has six lifts that service dozens of trails. In comparison, the majority of Ikon destinations in the US have at least 10 lifts — some more than 20.

I wish the resort would install more lifts or make existing ones larger to better alleviate some of the crowding.

Its terrain doesn't measure up to neighboring resorts

Brighton has over 1,050 skiable acres of terrain. Although it's not necessarily small, it seems relatively compact compared to neighboring resorts like Alta and Snowbird, each home to over 2,000 skiable acres.

Brighton's vertical drop is also at least 780 feet smaller than the ones at those nearby resorts.

This results in fewer challenging runs and allows skiers to reach the bottom more quickly, leading to longer waits in lift lines for the next run.

I felt the nearby après-ski options were limited and a bit disappointing

I really enjoy the après-ski experience and love hanging out with my husband and friends after a long day on the slopes.

At well-known resorts, I can typically find a wide variety of choices for post-slope drinks, appetizers, and meals throughout the surrounding mountain and village areas.

However, at Brighton Resort, I felt the options were limited. Most of the nearby dining spots were located by the base of the mountain, which meant they could get pretty crowded.

During our trip, we struggled to find available tables in the packed — and, thus, often loud — restaurants we visited in the area.

I also found the views from the dining options we visited to be less impressive than those I've experienced at other ski resorts in Utah.

Many people love skiing at Brighton, but I don't plan on going back

Utah attracts over a million visitors yearly, with many of those skiers and snowboarders heading to Brighton to enjoy its snow and runs.

Although I'm glad to have checked this resort off my bucket list, I ultimately doubt I'll return. I felt I spent too much time in lift lines, was not particularly impressed with the terrain, and found the après-ski options didn't meet my expectations.

That said, if you view lift lines as part of the experience, don't mind cruising down more moderate terrain, and aren't particularly concerned about après-ski selections, you might enjoy this resort.

Brighton Resort did not respond to a request for comment.