This year is expected to have a record-breaking number of weddings. With all of that wedding planning, couples deserve to relax, and what better way than with a honeymoon worthy of your bucket list? In 2022, many newlyweds are looking to unplug and destress with wellness retreat honeymoons, including luxurious spa treatments, farm-to-table cuisine, nature walks, or morning yoga. Travel consultants also see a greater demand for unique experiences like swimming in bioluminescent water, seeing the Northern Lights, or flying over an active volcano.
No matter what your ideal honeymoon looks like, it’s important to pay attention to flight and hotel change policies, and the more flexible, the better. Given changing travel regulations, we’d also recommend staying within one country to avoid being bogged down with paperwork and multiple COVID-19 testing requirements. Consider working with a travel specialist and look into purchasing “cancel for any reason” trip insurance plus emergency medical coverage from companies like Medjet.
Follow these tips so you can fully enjoy your dream honeymoon. Whether you are into relaxing on a beach all day long, exploring a city’s culture, or embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, we’ve uncovered the best honeymoon destinations for you to choose from. Start bookmarking these spots and get ready to kick off your marriage with the trip of a lifetime.
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Beach Honeymoons Filled with Palm Trees, Soft Sand & Sparkling Seas
If you’re in need of rest and relaxation after wedding planning, a beach honeymoon is the perfect paradise. Book a luxury resort at one of these spots and get ready to be pampered. Listen to the sounds of waves as you work on your tan, take a dip in the pool alongside a floating breakfast, and enjoy a candlelight dinner right on the sand.
Maldives
If you want to turn your beach fantasies into a reality, there is no better place to go than the Maldives. Made up of nearly 1200 islands in the Indian Ocean, this destination offers picture-perfect sand, turquoise water, and the breathtaking views you’ve been dreaming of. Each private island typically hosts one secluded, luxury resort filled with five-star restaurants, world-renowned spa treatments, exhilarating water sports, and countless romantic experiences.
Get ready for a plane ride you won’t forget as you fly low over the spectacular atolls, lagoons, and reefs in a seaplane to get to your resort. Enjoy unforgettable experiences like dining at an underwater restaurant, sleeping in a room right over the ocean, scuba diving under an island or in a shipwreck, or seeing pink dolphins jump out of the water as you sip champagne from a private yacht.
Photo Credit: Rayyu Maldives, Unsplash
Hawaii
Hawaii is one of the most magical places to visit in the United States, so it’s no wonder it consistently appears on best honeymoon lists year after year. Visit one of its six islands (Hawai'i, Maui, Oahu, Molokai, Kauai, or Lanai) to enjoy a truly tropical oasis filled with sandy beaches, gorgeous sunrises, cultural cuisine, invigorating hikes, and more.
From sunset sails and helicopter tours to nature reserve trails and beaches ideal for surfing, Hawaii offers a combination of adventure and relaxation. While there, enjoy a traditional Polynesian luau and place hand-tied floral leis around your neck. Take a tour of the Maui Brewing Company or the Dole Pineapple Experience, or simply enjoy walking along the volcanic terrain. When you’re greeted at your resort with a refreshing cocktail and a pua flower, don’t forget to slip the flower behind your left ear to let others know your new Wifey status.
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St. Lucia
Dreaming of white sand beaches surrounded by rainforests and cascading tropical mountains? Then St. Lucia is the place to visit. Located within the eastern Caribbean, this favorite honeymoon spot has all the features of a far-flung destination without a long journey. Hike up its infamous peaks at Petit Piton and Gros Piton, snorkel among marine life at Marigot Bay, visit the market in Castries, or drive through a volcano. Then relax at Seven Mile Beach or bathe in sulfur springs at Soufriere.
One of the best resorts to stay at is Jade Mountain. This dreamy property is perched upon a cliff with an open-air layout that lets you soak in a private infinity pool while taking in unreal views of the sea and mountains. Just looking at the photos will make you want to book this honeymoon right away.
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Bali
Bali has long been one of Australians’ favorite travel destinations; now, the rest of the world has discovered this vacation hotspot. It’s also a budget-friendly destination, typically costing about half what honeymoon packages in other popular places cost.
A Hindu island of Indonesia, it’s the perfect honeymoon destination if you are looking for a wellness retreat. Its many yoga studios, outdoor spas, monkey forests, and natural waterfalls offer a relaxing and meditative vibe. Balinese locals are also incredibly hospitable and friendly. Enjoy learning about their culture and taste local cuisine full of fresh fruits and vegetables.
From its mesmerizing Indian Ocean views to endless water sports and scuba diving opportunities, the beaches here offer something for every couple. When the sun sets, Bali lights up the night with oceanfront parties and beach dance clubs.
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Honeymoon in These Cities to Explore Art, Culture & Great Food
Love visiting local museums or galleries and dining at fine restaurants while wandering around a new city? These romantic capitals are perfect for an urban honeymoon you won’t forget. From global architecture to infamous art, memorable meals, and vibrant nightlife, here are the cities we’d recommend for your honeymoon.
Florence, Italy
Roam the cobblestone streets of Florence, hand in hand, as you stroll from the Piazza Della Signoria to the Uffizi Gallery and over the Ponte Vecchio bridge. Florence is filled with culture and romance, from ancient palaces and chapels to some of the most important Renaissance artworks ever created.
There are so many ways to take in the many sights here for a picturesque honeymoon you’ll always remember. Take a sunset cruise along the Arno River, sip Italian wines in a local vineyard, or share an aromatic meal overlooking the Tuscan hills. Book a guided tour to visit places like Brunelleschi Dome, Piazza del Duomo, the Museum of the Treasury, and more.
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Mexico City, Mexico
If colorful artwork, live music, and street fare are your preferences, then Mexico City is the perfect place to explore on your honeymoon. Indulge in a food tour of the best taquerias and churrerías in town, then soak in some art with a visit to Frida Kahlo’s home or a stop at the Museo Jumex and Museo Soumaya.
Love the idea of being in such an ancient Aztec city? Explore one of the most in-depth collections of artifacts at the National Museum of Anthropology or drive to Teotihuacán and sit atop the Pyramid of the Sun. Enjoy a mezcal tasting and delicious meal while a mariachi band plays, join a lively crowd at a Lucha libre match in Arena México, or visit a local artisan market. This vibrant city is sure to leave a lasting impression on you both.
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Napa & Sonoma, California
America’s greatest wine regions have made a big come-back for 2022 with newly opened hotels like the Four Seasons Napa Valley. Not only does it offer fantastic tours of wineries like Domaine Chandon or Pine Ridge Vineyards and culinary explorations of Californian cuisine, but the views from the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) are unparalleled.
Chill out in downtown Napa, where you can find bold murals in the Rail Arts District, check out a jazz show, take in an art walk, or spend the day at a museum or art gallery. Turn your honeymoon into a road trip by visiting nearby Big Sur, Pebble Beach, or Carmel-by-the-Sea. Take in the incredible views at the Point Sur Lighthouse, Bixby Creek Bridge, Hearst Castle, and many more stops along each mile of the iconic PCH.
Photo Credit: Daniel Gorostieta, Pexels
Paris, France
Paris is the epitome of romance. Beyond the infamous Eiffel Tower, there are plenty of historical hotspots and trendy restaurants to fill your mind and body with the best that the City of Lights has to offer. Start your honeymoon with a romantic picnic at the Ile de la Cité, then explore the art at the Louvre, and bask in the talent of street performers along the banks of the Seine.
Take a tour of the Hall of Mirrors at Château de Versailles or a sunset cruise of the city. Enjoy dinner at restaurants like Forest in the Paris Museum of Art, Le Comptoir at Ritz Paris, or Brasserie Dubillot, where art, food, and culture converge.
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Craving an Adventure? Travel to these Exhilarating Honeymoon Spots
Tanzania
Welcome champagne, complimentary couple massages, and rose petals scattered in your room are the norm at Tanzania’s luxury boutique camps and lodges. Experience blazing red sunsets like you’ve never seen before and intimate dinners under a star-filled sky.
Break out your Timberlands for the safari adventure of a lifetime filled with guaranteed Big 5 sightings and exotic wildlife. Stay at well-known sites like Serengeti National Park or the Ngorongoro Crater to have your own real-life “Lion King” experience. Or check into a luxury lodge like the Sayari Camp featuring enormous, tented suites and egg-shaped bathtubs overlooking the plains.
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Belize
Soak up the sun surrounded by the natural wonders of sensational white sand beaches and the refreshing mists of incredible waterfalls in Belize. Your real-life jungle cruise adventure is here, and you’ll be spotting wildcats and jaguars along with other wildlife among the scenic mountains.
Take a boat to the Ambergris Caye, a favorite for honeymooners, and don’t miss out on some of the world’s best snorkeling along the Belize Barrier Reef. Explore the Mayan ruins and caves in the Cayo District, the temples of Altun Ha, and the rainforest of Belize City. There are also plenty of budget-minded options and all-inclusive resorts available for a memorable yet affordable honeymoon.
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The Galapagos Islands
Journey to the unforgettable Galapagos Islands, full of dramatic scenery with exotic marine and wildlife. Made famous by Charles Darwin, it is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Experience the molten heat of volcanic scenery and cool down underwater while swimming with sharks and penguins.
Splurge on an ecologically conscious luxury cruise with the Silver Origin, featuring guided hikes, kayaking, and snorkeling. Not only is it a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it’s also the only ship in the region to offer luxury amenities like butler service for all passengers.
Photo Credit: Simon Berger, Unsplash
Iceland
Iceland might not be the first place that comes to mind for a romantic getaway. But you won’t think twice about this decision as you stare in awe at the glow of the Northern Lights, warm up in the steam of a geothermal pool, or go scuba diving under the ice during summer’s endless daylight.
Get your adrenaline pumping with a snowmobile ride across the tundra and a trek through the ice fields. Fly over Iceland’s many volcanoes in a helicopter or take an excursion to the caves and glaciers. Then venture to the Golden Circle, including Thingvellir National Park, Strokkur geyser, and the Gullfoss Waterfall.
When you’re ready to unwind, plan a luxury day trip to the Blue Lagoon Resort, where the romance will burn hot at their iconic spa built into a lava field.
Photo Credit: Balazs Busznyak, Unsplash
