By Sara Martinez
Your wedding should be a seminal event, one that is marked by both the love you have with your significant other and the unification of your two families. Further than that, your marriage should begin with one baller honeymoon. People tend to take the honeymoon for granted and thus end up with those cliche trips: Hawaii, Mexico, Paris and so on. You don’t want to start your marriage out with a cliche trip, do you? Buckle up and grab a cheap ticket and some hotel reservations, we’re about to look at the most incredible honeymoon destinations in the world.
Acapulco, Mexico
Alright, so maybe we will begin this list with a little bit of cliche — but out of necessity. The Camino Real Acapulco Diamante is one of the premier destination spots in Acapulco, Mexico and it offers some gorgeous views. Whether you want to spend your honeymoon overlooking the ocean from your balcony or in one of the various swimming pool designs that dot the property, you won’t miss a thing. Temperatures stick around the mid 80’s throughout the year and the resort is actually affordable for couples who are trying to stick to a budget. Mexico gets a bad rep, and sometimes for good reason, but this resort living is as good as it gets — once even good enough to host Jackie and John Kennedy. We suggest hitting the private Pichilingue Beach for some fun in the sun.
Seychelles Islands
When you are looking for a romantic getaway you can’t do much better than a beautiful, isolated feeling island out in the Indian Ocean. Seychelles is a remote island located off the eastern coast of Africa and it is filled with beautiful scenery that is, best of all, relatively free of other travelers. Seychelles makes up 115 different islands all clustered together and each one has its own quirk and personality. You’ll see white beaches as far as your eyes can track, boundless ocean, tall palm trees, and giant boulders dotting the landscape. If you are the kind of couple that likes a little wildlife with your hotel reservation then this is a perfect stop for you: colorful tropical birds and giant gentle tortoises patrol the island as well. This is a remote and luxury styled honeymoon getaway for the couple with a little adventure in their heart.
Phuket, Thailand
Anthony Bourdain said about his travels to Thailand, “Before I visited I don’t think I really knew what color was,” and that rings so true today. Phuket, the largest island controlled by Thailand, has been a must-visit destination for honeymoon bound couples who want more than a cheap flight to Florida. Phuket is brimming with gorgeous restaurants that range from fine dining to delicious street vendors. The culture of Thailand hasn’t been phased out for the sake of tourism either as you will be steeped in their life for the duration of your stay. We suggest hitting up the Anantara Phuket Layan Resort in order to take advantage of their secluded beach, pool villas, and cliffside wedding chapel. Yeah, this is a gorgeous place. If you need a little bit of an exotic getaway then this is definitely the stop for you. The culture is distinctly different from the West and the views match it all the way around. Make sure to take time to get one of the romantic single boats rides in before you leave.
Anguilla, Caribbean Islands
We’ve focused on destinations that feel like honeymoon destinations so we decided to switch it up with Anguilla. Anguilla is an island out in the Caribbean that sets itself up as a far-flung, remote and authentic trip for honeymooners looking to embrace island living. You won’t find highrise resorts or downtown tourist traps. Instead, you’ll have beautiful beachfront villas, infinitely clear water, and deserted beaches as far as the eye can see. Unpaved roads leave you with little option but to embrace the authenticity of your immediate surroundings and a surprising hot spot for the wonderful music. Anguilla is a destination for musicians looking to hone their craft at a high level for happy, if tipsy, audiences. If you are ready to embrace a slow-burning day full of beautiful sights, delicious food, cold drinks, and a hot sun then this will be the stop for you. If you need more action for your honeymoon then you’ll want to keep on perusing our list.
Lake Louise, Canada
Have you ever seen an image that simply captured your heart and imagination? No? Well, take a look at the Fairmont Chateau off of Lake Louise. This glacier-fed lake is expansive, crystal clear, and gorgeous as it is ringed in by both nature and the beautiful resort. If you don’t mind saving the tropical vacations for later on then this snowy resort will be borderline magical. The Fairmont Chateau offers active honeymooners the ability to go skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, dog sledding, and more. Spend some time looking over the ice frosted lake from your own hot tub or get all bundled up for the most romantic sleigh ride of your life as you curve atop the snow and look up at the stars through the tree canopy above you. Lake Louise is still a great destination when it gets warm as more outdoor activities open up: horseback riding, rafting, and hiking. This is the polar opposite type of honeymoon as compared to other tropical destinations but it is such fun, still.
The Maldives
Several times we’ve touched on the idea of remote destination honeymoons but we’re sure that they don’t get more remote feeling than a trip to the Maldives. The Maldives is a great twist on the traditional beach getaway as it offers you the same pristine views and environment minus all of the dratted people. You have to take your time getting to the Maldives though as these islands lack a direct flight from the USA. It’s an expensive trip but one that ends up well worth it as you are as isolated as you can get for your romantic honeymoon getaway. Stay in a private villa that is erected on stilts over the ocean and enjoy mind-blowing views in every direction. Go scuba diving, take a break with the on-call masseuse, or even spend your evening with a gourmet meal on the deck of your private beach villa. Yeah, we could get used to this.
Bali, Indonesia
Indonesia is slowly turning into one of the premier tourist spots in Asia but it is still relatively under the radar as a honeymoon destination. Let’s do our part to change its relatively obscure nature. Amankila is an elite resort located on the island of Bali in Indonesia. This resort offers a beautiful multi-level pool and a view straight out into the Lombok Strait. You’ll get a heaping serving of history and Indonesian culture while staying at the Amankila and any venturing off of its property will lead you to a world steeped in history. There are more than 10,000 temples on the island and most of them are worth taking the time to look at. Enjoy this zen-like trip and embrace your first trip as a married couple. Bali can be expensive so make sure to save a couple of bucks to get the trip booked.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
We aren’t blowing the lid off of any secret by suggesting new couples to head to Bora Bora for their honeymoon getaway. We are, however, letting you in on one of the best resorts that you can stay at the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort. This resort is home to a smattering of private bungalows that are perched on floating platforms in the lagoon. From here you get an expansive view of the ocean, an intoxicating view of the sunset, and the sort of privacy that honeymooning couples desire — especially when they are paying a hefty price for it. Tropical fish swim right below your bungalow, visible through the glass on the floor, and you won’t want to miss a second.
Florence, Italy
If you want a city that feels old but was never new then heads to Florence. We suggest taking in the St. Regis Florence resort in order to get the royal treatment in t his old, classical city. You’ll be staying just near the Duomo Cathedral and you’ll be walking distance from the shops near Ponte Vecchio. This city is perfect for romantic couples who love their history and want to take PLENTY of pictures. The St. Regis Florence is just one of many beautiful hotels in the city but we can’t overlook their marble floors, royalty sized rooms, or pristine decorations.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini is an island off of the southeast coast of Greece and it is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world — especially for newlyweds. Booking a room here will cost you time and money so make sure to get ahead of the curve if you plan to drop in during one of the busier seasons. Santorini is a walkable island that is covered in gorgeous architecture, delicious restaurants, and the sort of ocean views reserved for expensive movies. If you want to spend time in Santorini then make sure you hit up Kamari Beach or the Ancient Akrotiri.
