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Off the Grid Honeymoons

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Natural Wonder

Natural Wonder

It's easy to unplug on your honeymoon when you journey off the beaten path. These destinations take a bit more time and logistics to reach, but trust us– the tranquility and lack of selfie-stick-wielding tourists will be worth the extra effort. And don't worry about roughing it. We've tracked down the most comfortable stays, delicious meals and romantic experiences in some of the most far-flung corners of the world.

Port de Sóller, Mallorca

Europeans know about Mallorca, but this Mediterranean paradise in Spain’s Balearic Islands still flies largely under the radar of American travelers. Port de Sóller, a little village in one of Mallorca’s most beautiful harbors, is an ideal base for exploring the island.

When to Go

September, when the temperatures are still quite warm, but less humid, and most of the Euro crowd has returned home.

Where to Stay

Raw, handcrafted furniture, boldly colored woven rugs and large dream-catcher-like wall hangings give the 114 rooms at newcomer Bikini Island and Mountain Hotel a fun, funky vibe. A poolside bar and an outpost of trendy Israeli-influenced restaurant Neni ups the cool factor. (From $178; Bikini-Hotels.com)

How to Get There

Fly into Palma de Mallorca Airport then drive 40 minutes north along Ma-11.

What to Do

Ride the historic tram, one of the oldest in the world, 30 minutes from Port du Sóller to the town of Sóller and soak up Spanish culture at a café. ($8; TrendeSoller.com)

Romantic Moment

Stroll the narrow streets of Fornalutx, known as one of Spain’s prettiest villages, and time your arrival at Es Turó restaurant so you can watch the sunset from the terrace.

ALL ABOARD | Explore the coast of Port de Sóller via electric tramway.

Côn Đảo, Vietnam

This 16-island archipelago served as a penal institution for more than a century. Despite, or perhaps because of, its ugly past, it’s remained one of the few hidden spots in Vietnam, blessed with deserted white-sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs and dense forests.

When to Go

Turtles nest on beaches around the islands from May to October. The water is clearest for diving February to July.

Where to Stay

You’ll feel miles away from civilization at Six Senses Con Dao. The only fivestar option on the island features 50 villas along a romantic, mile-long beach. Take advantage of complimentary Guest Experience Managers who can arrange romantic outings just for you. (From $630; SixSenses.com)

How to Get There

Take a direct 40-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao Airport via VASCO, a subsidiary of Vietnam Airlines, or hop on a high-speed boat from Soc Trang.

What to Do

A protected marine nature reserve, the Con Dao islands host over 340 species of coral, and 1,300-plus marine species, including rays, barracuda and bamboo sharks. Explore on stand-up paddleboard or channel your inner Jacques Cousteau on a scuba excursion with the Con Dao Dive Center. ($100 per tank dive; DiveConDao.com)

Romantic Moment

Play castaway for the day at Dam Trau Beach, reached by a 15-minute scooter ride from Six Senses. Swim in the turquoise waters, snooze in a hammock and explore food stalls featuring grilled clams and cold beers.

PADDLEBOARD DUO | Master the SUP while cruising around the bay.

Antarctica

The last patch of untouched wilderness, Antarctica is about as off the grid as you can get. The Great White Continent is a photographer’s dream with its otherworldly ice formations and unique wildlife.

When to Go

You can only visit during the Antarctic summer, November through March. Fluffy penguin chicks are abundant in January and February while March is the best month to spot whales.

Where to Stay

Silversea’s new 254-passenger Silver Cloud expedition ship boasts suites with verandas and four luxe dining options. Equipped with 16 Zodiacs and 10 kayaks, and staffed by a team of historians, geologists and wildlife experts, you’ll feel like an explorer by day and be pampered like royalty by night. (10-day cruise from $10,800 per person; Silversea.com)

How to Get There

Cruises depart from Ushuaia, Argentina. Silversea offers roundtrip charter air flights from Santiago, Chile, with the option to add three nights pre-cruise to explore the famed Chile Wine Route.

What to Do

Daily Zodiac excursions weave around glowing blue icebergs and deposit guests on shore for an up close encounter with penguins and sunbathing seals.

Romantic Moment

Allow your butler to serve you a six-course, wine-paired tasting menu on your suite’s private balcony.

SET SAIL | Dodge ice-filled waters in a Zodiac– a small inflatable boat.

Priesteregg, Austria

Once a retreat for Salzburg priests, this tiny mountain village tucked away in the Alps is straight out of a fairy tale. It may not have the cachet of France, the Swiss Alps or Lech, but it’s got all the right ingredients for a romantic alpine retreat.

When to Go

Visit in summer and early fall to hike and bike. Winter months are for skiing, snowshoeing and cozying up by the fire.

Where to Stay

Each of the 16 chalets at Bergdorf Priesteregg is crafted from wood sourced from Austrian barns and outfitted with relaxation-inducing amenities such as a fireplace, soaking tub, hot tub and sauna. Rustic restaurant Huwi’s Alm serves hearty Austrian classics, and a menu of regional specialties, like cheese dumplings, can be served in your chalet. (From $260; Priesteregg.at)

How to Get There

It’s less than a two-hour drive from Munich, Salzburg or Innsbruck airports, but don’t rely on GPS. Ask your hotel to send directions for reaching the little-known village. In winter, avoid snowy roads and take the train to Leogang station, where hotel staff can pick you up (from $40 round-trip; OeBb .at) or catch the Holiday Shuttle from Salzburg and Munich airports to Priesteregg (from $115 round-trip; Holiday-Shuttle.at).

What to Do

Eat breakfast in bed, then explore the 170 miles of slopes at the Leogang Saalbach-Hinterglemm ski area. (Saalbach.com)

Romantic Moment

After a day of outdoor adventure, couples can sip champagne as they soak in a steamy bathtub hidden at the edge of the forest. ($115 for 2 people) >>

LUXE LIVING | Book the Willy Bogner Chalet for its killer views and infinity pool.

Isla Holbox, Mexico

Whale sharks are the most famous residents on Isla Holbox (pronounced hol-bosh), a sleepy, pretention-free island off Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Tranquil aquamarine waters and swaying palms make this the perfect destination to embrace the art of doing nothing.

When to Go

Time your trip to whale shark season, May through September.

Where to Stay

A beachfront setting and an excellent restaurant make it hard to ever leave boho-chic Casa Las Tortugas. Luckily, persuasive staff get guests off property to discover the island’s beauty via activities such as kitesurfing, horseback riding and kayaking. (From $200; HolboxCasaLasTortugas.com)

How to Get There

It’s just over a two-hour drive from Cancún International Airport to the port of Chiquilá, where a 30-minute ride on the ferry ($7; HolboxEno.com) takes you to Holbox.

What to Do

Snorkel alongside whale sharks. The largest known fish species can reach more than 40 feet in length. Casa Las Tortugas runs half-day boat trips every morning in season.

Romantic Moment

The spa at Casa Las Tortugas is influenced by practices of ancient Mayan Healers. Book the Luna de Miel, a couple’s experience that includes a massage and milk bath with bugambilia flowers. ($395)

Saratoga, Wyoming

The small town of Saratoga is full of Old West charm. Nearby, you can get lost on endless trails in the million-acre Medicine Bow National Forest, soak in hot springs and cast for trout in the North Platte River.

GIDDY-UP | Explore 50 miles of private trails on horseback.

When to Go

Summer days are punctuated with afternoon storms, which keep temperatures cool. July is peak fly-fishing season, while fall temperatures are ideal for hiking.

Where to Stay

Foodies with a penchant for outdoor adventure should book one of the nine log cabins at Magee Homestead. Set on 7,000 acres of high mountain desert plain, this adults-only, all-inclusive retreat feels like a private prairie hideaway. Open May through October, activities include horseback riding, float trips, mountain biking and more. (From $1,000 per person all-inclusive; MageeHomestead.com)

How to Get There

Denver International Airport, the closest major airport, is a three-and-a-half-hour drive. Private and charter planes can fly into Shivley Field Airport in Saratoga, just 20 minutes away.

What to Do

Head to the Gun Club and let Jon Kruger, known as the Tiger Woods of the shotgun world, help perfect your aim.

Romantic Moment

Relax with a Wildflower Fields couple’s massage at the spa ($560 for 90 minutes), then retreat to your own private pool cabana for lunch. Don’t miss the burger, featuring ranch-raised Akaushi, a rare Japanese breed of beef. >>

FRESH CATCH | Authentic eats with a beach view.

Istria, Croatia

The largest peninsula in the Adriatic is lined with picturesque beaches. Inland, you’ll find rolling hills and vineyards reminiscent of an unspoiled Tuscany.

When to Go

Year-round sun means there’s no bad time to visit. Spring and autumn have warm days and cool nights. The Adriatic heats up in July and August, making it ideal for swimming and sunning on the peninsula’s pretty beaches. Truffle season runs from September through October.

Where to Stay

The restaurant at Hotel San Rocco is a destination in itself. This family-run countryside retreat in the village of Brtonigla is surrounded by olive groves and gardens, and the coast is just four miles away. Each of the 14 rooms reflects the regional architecture, with original wood-beamed ceilings and exposed stone walls. An outdoor infinity pool and wellness center with a Finnish sauna make relaxing effortless. (From $150; San-Rocco.hr)

How to Get There

Pula is the gateway city to Istria, with an airport that receives regular scheduled flights May through October. Venezia Lines offers catamaran services from Venice in the summer (VeneziaLines.com). The three-hour ride is an easy way to tack on a visit to one of the world’s most romantic cities.

What to Do

Go wine tasting. Must-stop vineyards include Cossetto, a family-run winery dating back three generations (Cossetto.net), natural wine specialist Roxanich (Roxanich.hr) and Kozlovic, where harvest is still done exclusively by hand (Kozlovic.hr).

Romantic Moment

Splurge on the seasonal degustation menu at Hotel San Rocco’s esteemed restaurant. Request a table on the terrace overlooking the gardens.

GREAT GRAPES | With a hint of Italian influence, Istria wines are distinct and delicious.

Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Denali, the highest mountain peak on the continent, is the most obvious draw in the park. But the wildlife (caribou, moose, wolves) and clear, starry skies are equally awe inspiring.

When to Go

The Northern Lights appear September to March. May to July is adventure season, when guests can go by helicopter to remote hikes and hot springs.

Where to Stay

Sheldon Chalet looks like a hexagonal lighthouse, perched 6,000 feet above sea level amid a 35-square-mile snowfield amphitheater in Denali National Park. The family-run lodge has just five rooms, all with mountain views. You won’t have cell service or Wi-Fi, but you will have champagne and king crab legs. (From $2,300 a night, including air transfers; SheldonChalet.com)

How to Get There

From Anchorage, drive just over two hours to Talkeetna, or journey three hours on Alaska Railroad. A 45-minute helicopter ride deposits guests at the chalet.

What to Do

Take in the sights and sounds of the massive Ruth Glacier, plus the best views of the summit of Denali, with a snowshoe tour.

Romantic Moment

Enjoy a bouillabaisse dinner for two around a table dug into the snow. Insulated blankets and wine will keep you warm as you watch a chef prepare a seafood stew over a portable butane stove.

ICE PALACE | Explore the Ruth Glacier Gorge on snowshoes with a mountaineering guide.

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