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Bernie Sanders' honeymoon has been a topic of interest for many, especially his political critics. Sanders and his wife, Jane, travelled to the Soviet Union shortly after their wedding in 1988. Although Sanders himself has referred to this trip as a strange honeymoon, it was not a honeymoon in the traditional sense but rather a government trip to establish a sister-city relationship between Burlington, Vermont, and Yaroslavl. The couple took a more traditional honeymoon the following year in St. Lucia in the Caribbean.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1988 |
| Place | Yaroslavl, Soviet Union |
| Honeymoon Type | "Strange honeymoon" or "real honeymoon" |
| Honeymoon Length | 10-day |
| Trip Purpose | Establishing Burlington's "sister city" |
| Trip Genesis | A Soviet choir of about 30 girls visited Burlington in 1987 |
| Trip Attendees | Bernie Sanders, Jane Sanders, and about 10 others |
| Trip Expenses | Paid by Sanders and his companions |
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What You'll Learn
Bernie Sanders' honeymoon in the Soviet Union
The primary purpose of the trip was to establish a "sister-city relationship" between Burlington, Vermont, and Yaroslavl, Russia. This relationship was intended to foster better relations and mutual understanding between the two cities. Sanders and his wife, Jane, were part of a 12-person delegation that travelled to the Soviet Union for this official visit.
During their time in the Soviet Union, the delegation first visited Moscow, where Sanders walked through Red Square and saw Lenin's Tomb. They then travelled to Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). Sanders also interviewed the mayor of Yaroslavl, the sister city of Burlington, about housing and healthcare issues in the two cities.
Sanders' trip to the Soviet Union has been a notable chapter in his political career. He has used it to explain his views on foreign policy, advocating for learning from each other's strengths and pursuing peaceful coexistence. However, the trip also drew criticism, particularly as it came at a time when US-Soviet relations were in flux, with Reagan's summit in Moscow and the push for reform by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
It is important to note that Bernie and Jane Sanders took their actual honeymoon in St. Lucia in the Caribbean the following year.
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Trip to Yaroslavl, Russia
In 1988, Bernie Sanders and his wife, Jane, took a trip to Yaroslavl, Russia, which has been described by some as a "honeymoon" in the Soviet Union. This trip occurred shortly after their wedding and was part of a government initiative to establish a sister-city relationship between Burlington, Vermont, and Yaroslavl. Sanders himself has referred to the trip jokingly as a "very strange honeymoon".
The choice of Yaroslavl as Burlington's sister city was initially suggested by Robert Daniels, a University of Vermont history professor. Daniels noted the similarities between the two cities, including their forest and dairy environments, as well as the comparable universities in each location. The trip to Yaroslavl was an official 10-day visit, during which Sanders interviewed the mayor of Yaroslavl about housing and healthcare issues, comparing the two cities.
Sanders and his entourage first visited Moscow, where he walked through Red Square and saw Lenin's Tomb. He also visited Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) and was enthralled by the hospitality he received and the lessons he could bring back home. He advocated for taking the strengths of both systems and learning from each other.
The trip to Yaroslavl has been a topic of discussion and criticism for Sanders, with some accusing him of having a soft spot for Russia or even nefarious ties to the country. However, the trip was not a traditional honeymoon, and the purpose was to foster international relations and break down "international barriers of hatred and mistrust."
Sanders and Jane took their actual honeymoon the following year in St. Lucia in the Caribbean.
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Real honeymoon in St. Lucia
Senator Bernie Sanders and his wife Jane took their honeymoon in St. Lucia, a Caribbean island nation, a year after their wedding. The couple got married in 1988 and travelled to the Soviet Union on a government trip to establish a sister-city relationship between Burlington, Vermont, and Yaroslavl. Although Bernie and Jane jokingly referred to this trip as their honeymoon, they took a more traditional honeymoon in St. Lucia the following year.
St. Lucia is a popular honeymoon destination, having been voted the "World's Leading Honeymoon Destination" by the World Travel Awards 13 times. The island boasts lush rainforests, secluded coves, towering mountains, and vibrant local communities. It offers luxurious lodgings, outdoor adventures, a thriving culture, and a lively nightlife scene.
For a romantic getaway, couples can enjoy hot stone massages overlooking the vibrant ocean waters or indulge in pre-dinner drinks at dusk. St. Lucia is also known for its spectacular landscapes, including the Pitons, which offer steep trails for hiking and breathtaking views. Couples can take a catamaran trip to the base of the Pitons for snorkelling or enjoy a mud bath and soak in the springs.
A sunset cruise on Caribbean waters is another romantic activity for honeymooners. Couples can charter a private boat with Carnival Sailing, complete with champagne and canapés, or book a half- or full-day excursion that includes snorkelling and a loop around the island. St. Lucia is also home to excellent dive sites, including wrecks along its southwestern coast, where couples can book scuba diving excursions.
For foodies and chocolate lovers, the Rabot Estate's "Tree to Bar" Experience is a unique, hands-on tour that teaches visitors about the chocolate-making process. St. Lucia also offers a variety of dining options, with many opportunities to sample local cuisine. Gros Islet, for example, is known for its vibrant atmosphere and delicious local food.
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Critics' claims of Sanders' ties to Russia
In 1988, Bernie Sanders, then the mayor of Burlington, Vermont, travelled to the Soviet Union with his wife, Jane Sanders, shortly after their wedding. The purpose of the trip was to establish a sister-city relationship between Burlington and the Russian city of Yaroslavl. Sanders has referred to this trip as a strange honeymoon, and it has been used by critics to imply that Sanders has ties to Russia.
The suggestion for Yaroslavl to become Burlington's sister city did not originate with Sanders. Instead, it was first proposed by Robert Daniels, a University of Vermont history professor, who noted the similarities between the two cities in terms of their environments and academic institutions. Sanders and his companions paid their own way, according to news accounts at the time and his campaign.
Critics of Sanders, including former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, have claimed that his trip to the Soviet Union indicated a potential soft spot for Russia or even nefarious ties. These claims resurfaced in 2020, when news broke that Russia was once again meddling in the US presidential election. However, it is important to note that Sanders' trip to the Soviet Union was not a traditional honeymoon, and he and his wife took a separate honeymoon in St. Lucia the following year.
Sanders has long been an advocate for improving foreign relations and reducing military spending. He has cited his trip to the Soviet Union as an example of his views on foreign policy, and he has praised elements of the Nordic model, which prioritises social welfare and economic equality. Sanders' foreign policy stances, combined with his self-identification as a socialist, have drawn criticism from those who accuse him of having a soft spot for communist or authoritarian regimes.
In addition to the claims about his honeymoon, Sanders has faced scrutiny for his comments on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In an interview, Sanders stated that the US should not be "spending trillions of dollars in weapons and other items to bring democracy to Ukraine." He has also criticised the US government for prioritising aid to Ukraine over addressing issues at home, such as the failing healthcare industry and the needs of the working class. These statements have been interpreted by some as further evidence of Sanders' soft spot for Russia or authoritarian regimes.
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Sanders' foreign policy views
Bernie Sanders, the senior United States senator from Vermont, is an American politician and activist. Sanders is known for his progressive policies and has been viewed as the leader of the modern American progressive movement. He has advocated for universal and single-payer healthcare, paid parental leave, tuition-free tertiary education, a Green New Deal, and worker control of production through cooperatives, unions, and democratic public enterprises.
Sanders has been vocal about his foreign policy views, which include a focus on diplomacy, international cooperation, and environmental concerns. He believes in reducing military spending and has criticized U.S. foreign policy in Latin America throughout the 1980s. In 1988, shortly after his wedding, Sanders travelled to the Soviet Union as part of a government trip to establish a sister-city relationship between Burlington, Vermont, and Yaroslavl. Although Sanders jokingly referred to this trip as a "strange honeymoon," it was not a traditional honeymoon and was instead focused on building international relations.
Sanders has also been critical of U.S. interventions in the Middle East, including the "global war on terror" initiated by President George W. Bush, which committed millions of troops and trillions of dollars to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Sanders believes that the United States should lead the world in improving international cooperation to fight climate change, militarism, authoritarianism, and global inequality. He supports a foreign policy that focuses on democracy, human rights, diplomacy, peace, and economic fairness.
Additionally, Sanders has criticized the framing of the U.S.-Chinese relationship as a zero-sum struggle, arguing that there will be no solution to the existential threat of climate change without cooperation between the two countries. He has also called for an end to U.S. support for the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen, which has created a humanitarian crisis. Overall, Sanders' foreign policy views emphasize diplomacy, human rights, and international cooperation to address global challenges.
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Frequently asked questions
Bernie Sanders honeymooned in the Soviet Union in 1988.
Yes, Bernie Sanders was on his honeymoon when he visited the Soviet Union in 1988. He has since described the trip as a strange honeymoon.
Bernie Sanders honeymooned in Yaroslavl, a city in the Soviet Union, in 1988.
Bernie Sanders and his wife, Jane, travelled to the Soviet Union as part of a government trip to establish a sister-city relationship between Burlington, Vermont, and Yaroslavl.
Yes, Bernie Sanders and his wife, Jane, took a more traditional honeymoon in St. Lucia in the Caribbean a year after their trip to the Soviet Union.
