Best Honeymoon Destinations
You’ve picked the perfect partner, now it’s time to pick the perfect vacation. Planning a honeymoon can be a bit overwhelming at first. There are so many different options to choose from. Are you looking for an all inclusive luxury getaway, an adventurous excursion, or a little R&R on a relaxing beach? Are you planning on splurging or would you rather not break the bank? Well whatever it is, we’ve got you covered with plenty of options to consider when booking your romantic getaway with the best honeymoon destinations you wont want to overlook!
Luxury Beach Getaways
Santorini and Oia – Greece
Our couple, Sherri and Frank, traveled to Santorini and stayed in Canaves Oia, Luxury Resorts and Villas. Their room included their very own private infinity pool that overlooked the Caldera and Aegean sea, talk about a luxury suite! The hotel also included a breakfast buffet that was delivered straight to your room, who doesn’t want to enjoy breakfast on their private balcony in Santorini? For Sherri, Santorini was the perfect destination that offered a great mix of relaxation and exploration. Not to forget the amazing food and breathtaking views!
Where to stay: Canaves Oia
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Even though it wasn’t a honeymoon, our beautiful couple Pilly and Mat had their wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico at the Grand Velas resort. This all inclusive, luxury resort is definitely a place you need to consider staying for you romantic getaway. Everything here is incredible from the food, the accommodations, and not to forget, the spa! Experience rejuvenating facials, restorative massages, and a plethora of different relaxing body treatments. Indulge in an array of gourmet cuisine from over 5 different restaurants. Experience French, Asian, Italian, and classic Mexican dishes made by renowned chefs from all around the world. This is definitely a the best honeymoon destination for that couple wanting a relaxing luxury getaway!
Where to stay: Grand Velas, Riviera Maya Mexico
Maldives
Our bride, Betsy Quinn, had the ultimate dream honeymoon. Her husband completely surprised her to the point where she had no idea where she was going until she arrived at the airport. They stayed at the Como Maalifushi in the Maldives and enjoyed their own private overwater bungalow. The Maldives is the perfect spot for relaxation but it also offers plenty of adventurous activities as well. Keep it romantic by going on a private sail for two to watch the Maldivian sunset while relaxing with a glass of champagne, or schedule a romantic three-course meal on a secluded part of the beach. For more adventurous outings, take a guided kayak tour around Como Maalifushi’s house reef, or go on a 20 minute boat ride out to a beautiful reef to snorkel and explore marine life in their natural habitat.
Where to stay: Como Maalifushi
Adventurous getaways
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a dream come true for that adventure seeking couple who is ready for the time of their life. Enjoy your honeymoon rock climbing, going on horseback tours, hiking through the rainforest and kayaking. And all of this can be done at The Springs Resort and Spa. The Springs Resort has their own outdoor center, Club Rio, located a mile away, directly below the resort along the Arenal River. This resort is absolutely perfect for outdoor activities, and you don’t have to travel far at all to experience the thrills of Costa Rica!
Our KWP bride, Alicia, stayed at the Zephyr Palace in Costa Rica. The Zephyr palace is situated on top of a mountain above the Pacific Ocean. It’s the perfect combination of a mountain and beach resort. The hotel offers amazing restaurants, onsite yoga, and a spa. The concierge desk will help you plan out all of your adventurous activities such as visits to national parks, hiking in the rainforest, and canopy tours.
Where to stay: Zephyr Palace
New Zealand
Elaine and her husband, Kaleb, traveled to New Zealand for the ultimate adventurous honeymoon. They used a motorhome company to explore all that New Zealand had to offer in their own RV. The company, Wilderness, provides you an itinerary that includes a travel map with overnight locations, highlights with top things to do, and directions for each day. You can choose short escapes or long in-depth adventures. Explore New Zealand biking through back country roads, bungy jumping, exploring stunning underground caves and hiking to beautiful waterfalls and natural geothermal springs. This is definitely the perfect honeymoon for that couple who wants to travel and have the adventure of a lifetime!
Travel NZ: https://www.wilderness.co.nz/
Marrakech, Morocco
With so many things to see, it’s impossible to have a boring day in Marrakech, Morocco! Spend your honeymoon days wandering and getting lost around the city, bargaining with vendors for the coolest pieces to bring back home and trying out the delicious cafes on every corner. Don’t forget to pick up a new rug! The spas are also a must-visit for all of your post-wedding pampering.
Where to stay: La Sultana Marrakech
For more adventure ideas, check out Green Wedding Shoes “10 Amazing Honeymoon Destinations for Adventurous Newlyweds”
For the Foodie
Argentina
(https://www.savoredjourneys.com/worlds-best-foodie-vacations/)
In addition to incredible wines, Argentina has food options you and your spouse won’t want to miss on your honeymoon! The way to Argentina’s heart is through it’s asado, or barbecue. You can’t visit Argentina without experiencing the abundance of grilled meats next to an open flame. Also, don’t be surprised if you see a whole pig or lamb roasting out in the open! Visit downtown Buenos Aires for some of the best steakhouses Argentina has to offer. Another dish that you can’t pass up are Argentinian Empanadas. If you aren’t a huge meat eater, enjoy these deep-fried or baked pastries stuffed with savory cheeses or vegetables.
Where to stay: Lirolay Suites
Tokyo
Things can get pretty weird, pretty fast – but one thing is for certain, you will never have another adventure like eating in Tokyo! With some of the most unusual cafes and lots of great street food options, you can dine on any budget in this metropolitan masterpiece! When visiting Tokyo you simply cannot ignore all of the sushi. Tokyo has over 30 Michelin-starred restaurants alone. The Tsukiji fish market, the biggest in the world, brings fresh seafood to Japan from all over! Also don’t forget about the ramen. Ramen is a huge part of the Japanese culture, no matter where you turn there are numerous amounts of restaurants offering every type of ramen you could think of!
Where to stay: Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills
Europe (basically, all of it!)
From Florence to Eze, Munich and Spain, touring Europe is the perfect choice for those foodie couples! Where else would you go to experience the best European cuisine other than visiting the food capital of the world, San Sebastian. Three of it’s restaurants have earned the highest honors in the world of food. San Sebastian is home to some of the best and freshest seafood in the world, which is where some of their most iconic dishes come from. Also what would be a European foodie trip without visiting Italy? Of course you can get the most amazing pizza and pasta your tastebuds will ever experience, but Italy is so much more than that. It’s truly hard to go wrong with food when visiting Europe!
For more foodie locations, check out this link: https://www.savoredjourneys.com/worlds-best-foodie-vacations/
Keeping it local: USA Top Destinations
San Francisco is a wonderful place to celebrate your marriage! You cannot miss the Golden Gate Bridge, of course, along with the restaurant options and Conservatory of Flowers. One of my favorite cities in the US, don’t forget to check out Alcatraz, and for the serious garlic lover – don’t miss eating at The Stinking Rose!
Where to stay: The Fairmont Hotel
Charleston, South Carolina is the perfect picturesque destination with their cobblestone streets and beautiful churches and homes. Whether you and your spouse love to spend time outdoors, roaming through museums, trying new food, or shopping, Charleston is a city you will enjoy for your honeymoon.
Where to stay: The Francis Marion Hotel
If you and your spouse enjoy outdoor activities and finishing the day next to a hot fire, Colorado is a great honeymoon destination for you! You can spend the days skiing and enjoying the mountains and snow.
Where to stay: St. Regis Aspen
Spending your honeymoon exploring the French Quarter of New Orleans is sure to be a fun time! Strolling through the charming streets and listening to jazz music are the perfect way to spend your trip. Beignets, crawfish and Po’Boys will keep you full of energy for your trip! You can also take a romantic tour of the city.
Where to stay: Le Richelieu Hotel
Cruising
Cruises make for amazing honeymoons. Whether you choose to cruise the Caribbean, or explore Europe, all cruises include spas, amazing restaurants, and many amenities to make your honeymoon memorable. This is perfect for couples who enjoy doing different things because you can combine a relaxing waterfront getaway with the excitement of visiting new places! Every morning is a new adventure waking up in exotic locations! But you can still spend your evenings enjoying delicious food, entertainment, or simply relaxing in your stateroom.
Our favorite? Celebrity Cruises! Check out some of our favorite locations below!
French Riviera and Mediterranean – There is nothing like the French Riviera, but this cruise also brings you to some of the most delicious Mediterranean cities in Italy and Spain!
Asia – From the desert cities of the Arabian Peninsula to the wonders of India and the Far East, we love the idea of exploring these incredible destinations with your favorite person! We highly recommend the “Arabian Sea & Suez Canal” trip, and the “Japan, China and Taiwan” sailings!
Norwegian Fjords – From England to Norway, visit some of the most beautiful places in the world on this tour of the Norwegian Fjords!
Alaska – The 10-night Ultimate Alaska Cruise is the perfect getaway to see all the sites Alaska can offer. From glaciers to salmon fishing to helicopter rides and dog sled tours, this is one of our favorite states to cruise through!
Eastern Caribbean – Snorkeling, golfing, sparkling beaches and Mayan temples, the Caribbean is an amazing location for cruising. There are so many incredible destinations to choose from, but we highly recommend hopping onboard their brand new ship, The Celebrity Edge, and visiting the Eastern Caribbean – with stops in Puerto Rico, St. Maarten and the Virgin Islands!
Galapagos – Have a big budget and love wildlife? Then the luxury 7-night tours of the Galapagos are for you! Their shore excursions lead by award-winning naturalists will have you uncovering all the beauty of this incredible island chain.
Delayed Honeymoon
Traditionally, you would set out to your honeymoon the moment after the reception. You would probably go to a hotel and leave the next day or take a red eye straight to your destination. But recently it’s been more conventional for couples to wait a few days before leaving or even several months. For instance many couples are now postponing their honeymoon to around 6 months prior to their actual wedding. There are plenty of reasons to do this. Maybe you’ve already taken too much time off of work during wedding planning, or you need more time to get your finances in order. Delaying your honeymoon isn’t crazy. Take the time to save up your money and make it the best romantic getaway possible!
Mini-Moons
If you’re planning on postponing your wedding for several months, consider taking a mini weekend getaway somewhere local. There are plenty of great options for a local weekend getaway. Visit the historical, Spanish architecture of St. Augustine, with so many things to do and places to explore here, this location makes for the perfect mini staycation. You can relax on the sandy beaches, explore the historical national park of Castillo de San Marcos, or do a little shopping on St. George Street. If you’re strictly wanting a relaxing beach getaway, we suggest somewhere like Sanibel, Siesta Key, or Vero Beach. These places are perfect for that much needed R&R time. Find an all inclusive luxury hotel for that complete relaxation experience!
A few great planning resources
If you are wanting to minimize the stress of planning your honeymoon, check out Travelzoo. Travelzoo.com is a global company that finds the best offers and deals for trips. They take their time and do their research to make sure and confirm the deals true value. They offer deals for hotels, cruises, flights, and all inclusive luxury trips for the best prices! If you’ve been wanting to go to Italy but don’t know where to start, check out their Italy vacation packages. View amazing deals like a 9- night escorted tour through Venice to the Amalfi Coast or an 8-day luxury cruise in the Mediterranean . They offer vacation packages for any place you want to go with prices you won’t find anywhere else. This site makes it so easy for you to enjoy your honeymoon while minimizing your planning!
Honeymoon Registry Option
Wanderable.com is a honeymoon registry that allows your guests to gift you with an experience rather than just a tangible item. Wanderable would be especially helpful when considering going on a cruise for your honeymoon. Most honeymoon registries allow your guests to put money towards different excursions while on your cruise. You can create a list of different adventures offered on your cruise and your guests have the option to choose what they’d like to put money towards. Whether it’s a special candle lit dinner on the beach or a scuba diving expedition, your guests can help fund those. Send your guests a picture of you and your partner enjoying the adventure they helped send you on!
Spontaneous Trips
Wanting something a little spontaneous and exciting? We came across this awesome site for that adventurous couple who is ready for anything. Packupandgo.com is a surprise travel agency that plans 3-day weekend trips around the United States. All you have to do is tell them your budget, and fill out a quick survey and they will take care of everything else, all while keeping your destination a surprise. After you’ve booked your trip, you’ll receive an email that contains the weather forecast for your mystery destination with recommended items to pack. You’ll also receive an envelope that contains directions to your accommodation, and it will also be your personal city guide. If you and your significant other are up for something adventurous and thrilling, this is the perfect route to take. What could be more exciting than having a random company send you off to an unknown destination?
