Whenever I’m asked about the ideal honeymoon destination, I rarely give the same answer twice. Whether you’re traveling stateside or overseas, it’s important that a couple’s personality and lifestyle be compatible with their destination of choice. If beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder, what are the chances that my paradise will resemble yours?
You didn’t choose your fiancé on a whim. Your honeymoon should be no different. Where a couple decides to spend their first days of matrimony speaks volumes. Free-spirited or intimate? Daring or traditional? Outgoing or leisurely? Don’t let chance alone decide.
With love as the common ingredient, why not spice up the concoction? We’ve all heard about the Waikikis and Arubas of the world. But if a pre-scripted honeymoon at an all-inclusive resort isn’t your style, then try one of these on for size.
Life of the Party
Key West, FL
If you want tropical without straying too far from home, there’s no better place than the Florida Keys. Key West’s mellow party vibe has a funk all its own (guaranteed by none other than Jimmy Buffett). A mecca for bohemians and beach bums alike, Key West will let your wildest dreams of island escapism run their course. Scuba or snorkel by day, then let loose at night at one of Duval Street’s many hot spots (just be sure to keep an eye out for any free-ranging chickens that might wander your way). If parasailing doesn’t blow your skirt, then don’t rule out a sunset cruise or dolphin watching.
Barcelona, Spain
A magnet for night owls and architect buffs, this Spanish culture capital has a style that few cities can rival. The Mediterranean provides the climate, and the street performers and nightlife of La Rambla Street deliver the rest. If bullfighting isn’t your idea of a romantic outing, then catch the latest Flamenco dance. Indulge yourself with Catalonian cooking where seafood isn’t just cuisine, but a way of life. And if your timing is right, witness the spectacle of Spain’s renowned Carnival.
Wild-at-Heart
Acadia National Park, Maine
The only national park in New England, Acadia offers unparalleled coastal beauty, not to mention activities for casual hikers and adrenaline junkies alike. The views are spectacular, the landscape pristine, and the wildlife plentiful. Where else can you eat freshly caught lobster and stay at a bed-and-breakfast with ocean views? The diverse geography of the park includes marshes, meadows, dense evergreen forests, and mountains rising from the sea. Whether you’re into climbing granite peaks or taking in the scenery, Acadia is a nature lover’s paradise.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Welcome to the adrenaline capital of the southern hemisphere. It wasn’t by chance that Queenstown became the birthplace of bungy-jumping. Activities include skydiving, hang gliding, caving, and skiing, to name just a few. In the heart of the Southern Alps along the shore of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown serves up some of New Zealand’s most breathtaking views. If crowds aren’t your thing but you’re still looking for some excitement, try nearby Lake Wanaka as an alternative.
Down to Earth
Niagara Falls, NY
A world class destination with something for everyone, Niagara is a rarity that actually lives up to all the hype. We’ll leave it up to you whether you prefer the American or Canadian side. Either way, you’ll be left with breathtaking views and memories for a lifetime. Be forewarned: there has been reported sightings of heart-shaped Jacuzzis. Though plenty of man-made distractions abound — casinos, arcades, and tacky shops along the boardwalk — the undeniable beauty of the one-hundred-and-sixty-seven-foot falls is a crowd-pleaser.
Québec City, Canada
Unique is the best word to describe this four-hundred-year old hidden gem overlooking the St. Lawrence River. The only walled city in the Americas north of Mexico, Québec City has convinced more than one traveler to skip Montréal all together in favor of its smaller, more intimate neighbor. Québec City’s down-to-earth citizens will be more than proud to show off their town’s Old World charm. Walk hand-in-hand down the narrow cobblestone streets lined with 17th- and 18th-century houses. Wander far enough and you might just come across musicians, street-performers, and actors in period costumes who have a tendency to show up in the most unlikely places.
Sun Lovers
Cumberland Island, GA
Retreat to the very place where JFK, Jr. held his clandestine wedding. Much like the tide washing ashore, time moves at a slower pace on Cumberland. Explore oak-lined trails or sun yourself on sandy beaches where you just might catch sight of one of the island’s wild horses. The only lodging outside of a campsite is the luxurious Greyfield Inn, which is still furnished as it was at the turn of the century (that would be the twentieth century). And if you’re thirsting for civilization, the quaint seaside town of St. Mary’s makes for a great excursion.
The Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
This pearl of the Adriatic is sometimes forgotten amidst its more famous Greek and Italian neighbors. In the port town of Dubrovnik, atmosphere is at a premium with marble streets, red-tiled rooftops, and a Mediterranean climate. The surrounding archipelago of forty-eight islands scattered beyond the city include the renowned Korcula, with its many quiet coves and secluded beaches. The island is also home to some of Croatia’s finest wines and olive oil. Watch yachts glide along the coastline in this seafarer’s paradise.
With love as the common ingredient, why not spice up the concoction? We’ve all heard about the Waikikis and Arubas of the world. But if a pre-scripted honeymoon at an all-inclusive resort isn’t your style, then try one of these on for size.
Life of the Party
Key West, FL
If you want tropical without straying too far from home, there’s no better place than the Florida Keys. Key West’s mellow party vibe has a funk all its own (guaranteed by none other than Jimmy Buffett). A mecca for bohemians and beach bums alike, Key West will let your wildest dreams of island escapism run their course. Scuba or snorkel by day, then let loose at night at one of Duval Street’s many hot spots (just be sure to keep an eye out for any free-ranging chickens that might wander your way). If parasailing doesn’t blow your skirt, then don’t rule out a sunset cruise or dolphin watching.
Barcelona, Spain
A magnet for night owls and architect buffs, this Spanish culture capital has a style that few cities can rival. The Mediterranean provides the climate, and the street performers and nightlife of La Rambla Street deliver the rest. If bullfighting isn’t your idea of a romantic outing, then catch the latest Flamenco dance. Indulge yourself with Catalonian cooking where seafood isn’t just cuisine, but a way of life. And if your timing is right, witness the spectacle of Spain’s renowned Carnival.
Wild-at-Heart
Acadia National Park, Maine
The only national park in New England, Acadia offers unparalleled coastal beauty, not to mention activities for casual hikers and adrenaline junkies alike. The views are spectacular, the landscape pristine, and the wildlife plentiful. Where else can you eat freshly caught lobster and stay at a bed-and-breakfast with ocean views? The diverse geography of the park includes marshes, meadows, dense evergreen forests, and mountains rising from the sea. Whether you’re into climbing granite peaks or taking in the scenery, Acadia is a nature lover’s paradise.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Welcome to the adrenaline capital of the southern hemisphere. It wasn’t by chance that Queenstown became the birthplace of bungy-jumping. Activities include skydiving, hang gliding, caving, and skiing, to name just a few. In the heart of the Southern Alps along the shore of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown serves up some of New Zealand’s most breathtaking views. If crowds aren’t your thing but you’re still looking for some excitement, try nearby Lake Wanaka as an alternative.
Down to Earth
Niagara Falls, NY
A world class destination with something for everyone, Niagara is a rarity that actually lives up to all the hype. We’ll leave it up to you whether you prefer the American or Canadian side. Either way, you’ll be left with breathtaking views and memories for a lifetime. Be forewarned: there has been reported sightings of heart-shaped Jacuzzis. Though plenty of man-made distractions abound — casinos, arcades, and tacky shops along the boardwalk — the undeniable beauty of the one-hundred-and-sixty-seven-foot falls is a crowd-pleaser.
Québec City, Canada
Unique is the best word to describe this four-hundred-year old hidden gem overlooking the St. Lawrence River. The only walled city in the Americas north of Mexico, Québec City has convinced more than one traveler to skip Montréal all together in favor of its smaller, more intimate neighbor. Québec City’s down-to-earth citizens will be more than proud to show off their town’s Old World charm. Walk hand-in-hand down the narrow cobblestone streets lined with 17th- and 18th-century houses. Wander far enough and you might just come across musicians, street-performers, and actors in period costumes who have a tendency to show up in the most unlikely places.
Sun Lovers
Cumberland Island, GA
Retreat to the very place where JFK, Jr. held his clandestine wedding. Much like the tide washing ashore, time moves at a slower pace on Cumberland. Explore oak-lined trails or sun yourself on sandy beaches where you just might catch sight of one of the island’s wild horses. The only lodging outside of a campsite is the luxurious Greyfield Inn, which is still furnished as it was at the turn of the century (that would be the twentieth century). And if you’re thirsting for civilization, the quaint seaside town of St. Mary’s makes for a great excursion.
The Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
This pearl of the Adriatic is sometimes forgotten amidst its more famous Greek and Italian neighbors. In the port town of Dubrovnik, atmosphere is at a premium with marble streets, red-tiled rooftops, and a Mediterranean climate. The surrounding archipelago of forty-eight islands scattered beyond the city include the renowned Korcula, with its many quiet coves and secluded beaches. The island is also home to some of Croatia’s finest wines and olive oil. Watch yachts glide along the coastline in this seafarer’s paradise.
- Josie Macalester
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