When you are done with planning your wedding, you get to move on to the fun of planning your honeymoon! Lots of people say that the wedding is for your friends and your family, while the honeymoon is for you and your significant other.
Take some time and think about where you want to go and what you want to do. If you are having trouble deciding, below you will find the 12 most romantic honeymoon locations from around the world.
With a nickname like the City of Lights and some of the most iconic architecture in the world, it would be remiss not to start this list off with Paris. Paris is the largest city in France, and some of the older portions of the city are magical in terms of elegance and charm. Go to the Eiffle Tower to have your picture taken or enjoy the fresh food served at the traditional restaurants. Paris is a fantastic city for foodies, architecture buffs, and history fans.
Located at the gateway between East and West, Istanbul’s past has merged with its present to a gorgeous effect. Enjoy all the fancy shopping of London or New York while trying plenty of traditional Turkish delicacies. Istanbul is a walker’s city, and you’ll find that you can simply absorb the sights and the sounds by walking near your hotel. Istanbul is a perfect choice when you want a little bit of everything.
If you come from a cold climate or even if you are just craving some sun, pack your bags and head for the island of Santorini, also known as Thira. This island is located in the Aegean sea, and it is known for its pristine beaches and its old world charm. Like other islands in the area, it does the most business in the summer but it remains relatively mild all year round. Go during the winter to take advantage of the fantastic rates.
Located in northern Italy, Florence is famous for its art, its canals and its unparalleled reputation for romance. It is certainly not a cheap location, but if you are willing to spend the cash, you can enjoy your romance in one of the gems of the European cities. Florence is the place to go if you love busy, beautiful cities, and it is a great location for couples who love the urban experience. Florence is a wonderful place for romantic walks and gondola rides.
If you can’t get enough of the cold weather and you don’t want to do anything besides head north, pack your ski gear and head to Banff in Canada. Located in the Alberta province, Banff is perfect for the outdoorsy couple. Reconnect after a hectic wedding by heading out to Banff’s famous slopes, and enjoy the vivid and entertaining nightlife that this town has to offer. While Banff is not for everyone, the right couple can fall in love all over again on its snowy slopes.
If you are someone who loves to test your luck, why not round off your wedding with a trip to Las Vegas? Las Vegas is all about making your trip a memorable one and if you and your lover are both risk-takers, this might be the most romantic vacation spot for you. Whether you play the slots or just explore the strip, Las Vegas is perfect for high rolling couples. If you get tired of neon lights, head out for some prime desert hiking just a few miles outside of town.
Vancouver is a perfect place to simply sit and relax after your wedding, and if you and your significant other are more interested in something laid back, this can be the place you go to do it. Vancouver is a coastal city, so go enjoy some terrific seafood, take a boat tour and go back to your hotel room to enjoy each other’s company. If you love the idea of simply being with your loved one without a lot of pressure, see what Vancouver has to offer you.
As the place where tango was brought to its current state, Buenos Aires is a perfect choice for the couple who loves to dance. There are plenty of tango bars and exhibitions to see, and the city is a perfect mix bustle and old-world charm. Roam the city streets and try some of the unique Argentinian food, which blends Spanish, Italian and Arabian flavors with some fantastic local ingredients. This is a good place for any pair of world travelers to come to rest.
When you can’t get enough of tropical climates and beautiful natural vistas, head to Honolulu. Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii — it has sunny days, warm nights, and plenty of things to experience. Stay in town and enjoy the sweet fruit and Hawaiian cuisine or head a short ways out to the beach or to one of the nearby nature preserves. Honolulu will give any honeymooning couple a vacation to remember.
If you want to experience plenty of history and culture without ever leaving the hustle of a modern, thriving city, head to Madrid in Spain. Madrid has plenty of museums to offer the cultural visitor as well as lots of architectural charm for anyone who wants beautiful photo opportunities. Madrid has a wonderfully temperate climate and whether you want to lounge around in bed all day or you want to stay out all night, you stay relatively comfortable.
For the couple who can’t make up their mind, there’s always London. London is a historian’s city, but as one of the largest, most populous cities on the planet, you can bet that there are things for everyone. Check out the museums or the gardens and then at night, go out dancing or enjoy some of the most varied food in the world. London is a wonderful place and works well for a short honeymoon or a longer one.
Florida is a place that is sunk in natural wonders, and Key West is one of the best places to explore it. Key West has a beautifully tropical climate, which you can enjoy at a number of gorgeous nature preserves as well as an active nightlife that can sweep you up the moment you step outside the door. Head to the beach for swimming or for any other fun watersports, or stay in and a leisurely nap during the heat of the day.
Remember romance and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so choose a location that is going to sing to your heart and that of your beloved new bride or groom.
Featured image courtesy of John Pozadzides via Creative Commons.
I used to work at the State Department, and only after many years realized that I got much more joy from making elaborate doodles in meetings and designing the flyer for the office holiday party than I did doing my actual job. Inspired by my idea for a new form of printing called Letterpress Light, Digby & Rose Personalized Wedding Invitations, a design and print studio located in Washington DC, specializing in wedding invitations such as Spark Impress Luxury Wedding Invitations designed for Letterpress and Letterpress Light was born.
I had mine in Kaui, Hawaii. That was one of the most memorable trips of mine. Kauai is blessed with an abundance of tropical beauty and great sandy beaches. The South Shore of Kauai is truly a lovers' haven and as the ultimate honeymoon destination. My fav is the Poipu beach: sunny and magical :)
Strange as it may seem, I disagree with only one on this list: Las Vegas. Fun? Yes. Romantic? Meh, not so much, unless you can be romantic while intoxicated.
Wow! I was engaged in #1 and honeymooned in #3. I wouldn't have done anything differently and I love this post, Heather!
I have only been to a couple of these destinations. Since this is the second post I've read that mentioned Venice - perhaps it is a sign ;)?
#1, #3, #4 and #10 are high on our list! And London for Wimbledon...
LAKE TAHOE, Nevada is way more romantic than LAS VEGAS and has the same advantages and gambling ingredient, but with breath taking scenery and some fabulous facilities like Thunderbird Lodge.
