Romantic Honeymoon Destinations

What Makes a Romantic Honeymoon Destination

A honeymoon is more than just a vacation: it is the first trip a couple takes as husband and wife, when they can explore their relationship together outside the spotlight of wedding plans and festivities. The planning is over and they can focus on the purpose behind it all: being together.

Pace

The pace of a romantic honeymoon is relaxed and languid. The couple should have plenty of time to lounge around without preplanned activities or deadlines: after all, they had plenty of those while planning the wedding. While some couples want excitement on the honeymoon, don’t forget time to just relax.

Luxury

A honeymoon is the perfect opportunity to pamper yourselves as a reward for the hard work of organizing a wedding. After all, you made it through attire fittings, in-law coordination, and a myriad of details and still managed to say “I do.” Luxury may include spa treatments, a king-sized bed, private accommodations, a limousine, or other decadent events depending on your tastes and budget.

Setting

What is romantic to one person is not necessarily romantic to another. To insure a blissful honeymoon, the couple should discuss their expectations long before booking the trip. Whether it’s a white sand beach, exotic foreign venue, or an isolated mountain retreat, the honeymoon should occur in a setting that encourages the emotional intimacy that is so vital to a successful marriage.

Romantic Honeymoon Destination Choices

No matter what your final choice of a romantic honeymoon destination, so long as you can set an indulgent, luxurious pace in a setting that brings you closer as a couple, it will be a romantic getaway. There are as many choices of honeymoons are there are differences between weddings, and some of the most popular are listed here.

Local Honeymoons

Many couples choose to stay close to home on their honeymoon. They may not have the budget or time for a more distant getaway, or they may prefer the simplicity and nostalgia of starting their marriage where they started their relationship. For local honeymoons, there are many options.

• Upscale Hotels: A new or recently renovated luxury hotel can create an extraordinary experience without needing a lengthy travel plan. While the hotel may be more expensive than what you’d ordinarily consider, by staying close to home you can afford to splurge on a larger room, in-room whirlpool, spa treatments, or other decadent delights.
• Bed-and-Breakfast Inns: For a more intimate experience, try a local bed-and-breakfast. These small establishments pride themselves on individuality and exquisite service, and many offer honeymoon packages and upgrades including flowers, champagne, and chocolates.
• Local Resort: Many people overlook local resorts and tourist destinations simply because they’re close to home, even though they may never have visited them. Whether you’ve traveled hundreds of miles or a few blocks, these destinations offer great service and experiences to all guests, and may even offer local residents better rates.
• Home: Setting up a honeymoon at home can be just as romantic as any vacation, with the added benefit that you don’t need to pack or travel. Unplug the telephone, disconnect the internet service, and simply enjoy beginning your new life in your new home with your new spouse. Secret surprises such as a box of chocolates, delivered flowers, satin sheets, or other luxurious treats can make the first few days of matrimony memorable without breaking the bank.

Mountain Destinations

From rolling green of the Appalachians to the jutting peaks of the Rockies, there are dozens of mountain destinations that provide beautiful honeymoon options. These can be particularly exotic if you’ve never seen the mountains, but always be aware of considerations such as altitude sickness and winter weather (which starts as early as October!) when planning a honeymoon.

• Resorts: Mountain resorts offer many options for honeymooning couples. Many resorts, in fact, are couples-oriented and provide activities such as introductory massage, history, wine-tasting, and other lectures for couples to share. Hiking, horseback riding, and bird-watching are other activities that are frequently available.
• Skiing: If you love to ski, a honeymoon at a world-renowned ski resort is a perfect getaway. After a day on the slopes, what could be more romantic than curling up together in front of a roaring fireplace while snow gently drifts outside the windows?
• Cities: If you’re less outdoor-oriented but still want a mountain honeymoon, consider visiting mountain cities such as Denver or Salt Lake City. As large cities they offer the standard choices of entertainment, shopping, and sight-seeing, but day trips to visit natural wonders such as spectacular caves, peaks, and waterfalls are also available.

Beach Destinations

Relax on the beach.

For many couples, nothing is more romantic than sunset over a white sand beach. From coast to coast, beach destinations offer luxury and tropical romance to many newlywed couples.

• Stateside beaches: From Florida to Maine and Washington to California, both the east and west coasts offer beach resorts and hotels for honeymooning couples. Take care to note weather patterns such as hurricane season when planning a beach getaway. Particular features to look for in a beach resort include the availability of renting snorkeling or boating equipment, private beach access, and standard hotel features such as dining options and spa treatments.
• Hawaii: To many couples, the word honeymoon is synonymous with aloha. Hawaii’s mild climate and stunning beauty make it a favorite honeymoon destination, and many all-inclusive resorts are available to take the worry and planning out of a luxurious vacation.
• Caribbean: Whether on a cruise or at an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica, the Bahamas, or other Caribbean islands, the spectacular turquoise water and pristine beaches make the Caribbean a popular honeymoon choice. Because of the strong relationship between the United States and many Caribbean nations, tourist rates are quite affordable and include many amenities for vacationers.

Cruises

For many couples, a cruise is the ultimate honeymoon. After only unpacking once, you can experience multiple destinations without needing to drive or fly again, and the exquisite service between ports makes everyone feel like royalty. Shipboard activities include sumptuous dining, world class entertainment, and a multitude of new experiences such as wine tastings, lectures, games, and more. If planning a cruise, remember these important tips:

• Larger ships have less pronounced motion to ease seasickness.
• Most ticket prices do not include tips, alcohol, or shore excursions.
• Itineraries vary from different ports so investigate several options.

Other Countries

For couples with the desire for exotic travel and the budget to support it, a foreign honeymoon may be the most romantic option. Why not visit a café in Paris, tour the Pyramids in Egypt, or sleep in a castle in Scotland? What about an African safari or a glass of sake in Tokyo? For a worry-free honeymoon, always book these trips through a reputable travel agent and spend time learning about the culture before you travel.

No matter what your honeymoon destination, never forget why you’re there: to celebrate the beginning of a life together with your new spouse. A honeymoon is the culmination of the romance symbolized by the wedding, an event that began with a simple question and a sparkling engagement ring. With proper planning and an appropriate honeymoon choice, the relationship will continue to sparkle for many years to come.