Newlyweds Kim Kardashian and Kanye West surprised fans when they jetted off to Ireland for their romantic five-day honeymoon, but the new Mrs West has since revealed the reason behind the seemingly unlikely choice. "We spent Kanye's bday in Ireland a few years back & fell in love with it!" she tweeted on Monday.
"Its such a calming relaxing place!" The loved-up duo made the most of their luxurious mini-break in the Emerald Isle, staying at the five-star Castlemartyr resort in County Cork. Far from the glitz and glamour of red carpets and flashing cameras that are part of their daily lives, the pair enjoyed some quiet time in the tranquility of the lush green Irish countryside.
As well as lapping up the luxury of one of the country's most exclusive hotels – Kim and Kanye had access to a lavish treatment spa, fitness studio, four swish restaurants, as well as the resort's 800-year-old castle ruins – the couple also enjoyed the great outdoors with an hour-long mountain biking adventure.
"They were clearly enjoying having this time together," mountain bike guide Fergal Somers told US magazine People. "They were very affectionate, and it was obvious they were enjoying the remoteness of the location and the lack of people around."
The lovebirds also indulged in not one but two movie dates in the same day, at the Odeon in Portlaoise, County Laois.
Kim and Kanye have been fans of Ireland for years. The rapper has performed twice in Cork city, first in 2006 and then again in 2009, even heading to hip-hop club Jam after his 2009 performance to treat lucky clubbers to a few tunes.
Then in June 2012, Kim joined her beau in Dublin – said to be on one Kanye's favourite cities – while he stopped off in the capital during a tour. Kim's trip was a birthday surprise for her love.
After this year's whirlwind adventure in Europe – Kim partied in Paris ahead of the wedding, headed to Florence for the nuptials and flew to Cork together with her new husband for their honeymoon before the pair went on to Prague – the reality TV star was happy to be reunited with her daughter North.
"Had the best most relaxing romantic honeymoon in Ireland & Prague! Missed my baby girl so much! Excited to be home to squeeze her so tight!" the mum wrote on Twitter. The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star is already getting into the swing of things back in Los Angeles. She was spotted on Tuesday lunching with a friend at exclusive restaurant Craig's in a flowing Valentino gown.