Destination Honeymoon

Destination Honeymoon

Make your first trip as a married couple extra special

Story by Desiree Gerland

Honeymoon travel can be a major source of stress, and trying to incorporate all of your favorite things into one trip can overwhelm, or take away from your time spent simply enjoying each other’s company. The trip should be relaxing while also suiting your wants, needs and style as a couple.

A honeymoon should be a once-in-alifetime trip. But what counts as “the perfect honeymoon” is subjective — meaning there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Weather you’re the type of couple that wants to explore a once-in-a-lifetime destination, experience otherworldly food and architecture, or simply veg out on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, it’s important to consider the best times to visit your dream destination.

While off season travel can save you money, the last thing you’d ever want is to spend the majority of your trip in inclement weather, or discover that most of a location’s must-visits are only open in high season.

With all that in mind, here are some of the ultimate honeymoon destinations to have on your short list.

ON A BUDGET - Puerto Rico

World’s collide in Puerto Rico. Spend your honeymoon indulging in sights, cuisine and culture inspired by a mix of American, Spanish, African and British influence.

What to do. Beach bars and casinos dot the hotel strip of Puerto Rico’s capital, San Juan. When you’re done with the patch, move on to explore mountain ranges and rainforests, then retire into some Spanish colonial nightlife.

For whom. Puerto Rico is for couples who enjoy warm weather, fine dining, rainforest hikes and dancing.

Best time to visit. The best time to visit Puerto Rico is from mid-April to June, right after the busy winter season and just before the rainy summer.

EXOTIC ADVENTURE - Pink Lake, Western Australia

Picturing Australia brings to mind kangaroos and koalas, boomerangs and aboriginals. You’re in for a very pleasant surprise when you discover what this next honeymoon destination has in store.

What to do. Experience wildlife, aquatic coasts, fantastic food and wine, and...deep pink lakes! Salt-loving algae and pink bacteria cause the deep hue. Yes, the water is safe to swim in, they’re really just salt lakes.

For whom. This honeymoon destination is for couples that have seen everything…or at least thought so. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and a vision that you will never forget. If you’ve already done your fair share of traveling and looking for something you can’t find anywhere else, this is the destination for you.

Best time to visit. December through February are the hottest and best months to visit. As the water gets more shallow, the pink becomes more vivid. Make sure to hit either sunrise or sunset, The pink hues against the rising sun may be the best Instagram shot you’ll ever take.

RELAX AND UNWIND - Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu was built for couples looking to relax. Offering destinations such as a crater-turned-cemetery, iconic beaches, and the famous Pearl Harbor there are plenty of sights to see when you’re not on “down time.”

What to do. The “Heart of Hawaii” is home to Honolulu offering tropical glamour meshed with a thriving urban spirit. When you’re out of the city, make sure to visit a Japanese Buddhist temple or laid-back surf town.

For whom. Oahu is for the young and the young at heart. Relaxation surrounds you but low-impact entertainment is constantly within reach. Jump on a surfboard during the day and then head into the city core for some free-spirited nightlife.

Best time to visit. Oahu is rumored to have the best weather of all the islands, but we recommend catching the best waves on the North Shore during winter months.

MOST BEAUTIFUL - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam is so much more than the thriving nightlife scene that it’s known for. In fact, this city has so much to offer that you’ll be calling it “the city of love” once you’re through with your honeymoon.

What to do. Enjoy rich history, unexpected architecture, peaceful parks and markets. Take a walking or bike tour through the city to experience gorgeous canals and bridges, and make a stop at a local bar or two. There’s one on every corner!

For whom. Amsterdam is for couples who are into mixing modern metropolis with 17th-century atmosphere, and who appreciate a free-living, liberal social culture.

Best time to visit. If you’re into traveling on a budget, the winter is for you. However, it does get a little grey during these months. We recommend a warm summer visit.

MOST MEMORABLE - Stockholm, Sweden

Fourteen islands connected by 50 bridges connect gorgeous cobblestone streets and ochre-colored buildings, which makes for an ideal setting for any honeymoon destination.

What to do. After your visit to the Cathedral, Royal Palace, and the Nobel Prize museum, book a sightseeing boat to soak in all that Stockholm has to offer.

For whom. Stockholm is the honeymoon destination for couples that want to experience something new. Sweden’s capital is enthusiastically experimental and is always finding new ways to make absolutely everyone feel welcome.

Best time to visit. You’ll want to cram as much entertainment into each day as humanly possible. July offers the hottest temperatures and the most hours of daylight.

BEACH BLISS - Bali, Indonesia

Honeymooners will find the Indonesian island of Bali quite appealing. What sets this destination apart are the religious buildings and festivals. Hindu, Christian, Muslim and Buddhist cultures have found perfect harmony in this coral reef paradise.

What to do. Partake in one of the island’s many festivals, or take a tour and experience gorgeous volcanoes. Also, make sure to take a gander at the infamous Komodo dragon while you’re there.

For whom. If you have a meaningful appreciation for culture, Bali is your ideal honeymoon destination. Get a taste of global tradition at your own pace. But, make sure to brush up on your proper Balinese etiquette before you start interacting with the locals.

Best time to visit. If you want to get the most of what Bali has to offer, go during the high season when festivals are at their most active state, which happens in the surrounding weeks of Easter and New Year’s.

FOR THE CREATIVE COUPLE - Hobbiton, New Zealand

Live out the dream world of Peter Jackson’s famous films at this pristine landscape packed with good times and events. What to do. Take the walking tour, or partake in one of the Hobbit festivals like Summer Solstice or the Mid-Winter feast. If your wedding lines up with the season, this is one of the best summer honeymoon destinations.

For whom. If someone calls you a geek or a nerd and you automatically take it as a compliment, this is a honeymoon destination that you’ll never forget.

Best time to visit. The best time to visit New Zealand is in the spring when the weather’s at its best. We also recommend avoiding the mid-day summer place and book your walking tour in the morning or closer to the evening.

FOR THE CREATIVE COUPLE - Walt Disney World, USA

Almost all of us have been influenced by Disney at some point in our lives, and what better way to celebrate your Happily Ever After than at the place that defined the saying?

What to do. With a world-class entertainment and recreation destination featuring four of the most popular theme parks from around the globe, two thrilling water parks, more than 30,000 hotel rooms, a sports complex, several golf courses and Disney Springs, there’s never a shortage of things to keep a smile on your face.

For whom. Disney World is the perfect honeymoon destination for honeymooners with kids or kids at heart.

Best time to visit. Crowds are down but events are up in the months of November and December. Avoid the lines in slightly cooler weather to make the most of your getaway.

Honeymoon destination list provided by www.weddingforward.com/best-honeymoon-destinations/