Product pricing and earnings updated August 30, 2007
Honeymoons don't have to be over the top to be memorable. Some of the best honeymoon stories we have heard are simple, restful, and a time for couples to reconnect after a year of wedding planning. On the other hand, some couples do want to make their honeymoon the trip of a lifetime, knowing that a new home, career, family obligations, and life may prohibit travel flexibility in the future. Here are the top choices for honeymoon travel—where do you want to go?
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#1 Hawaii
Miles of sugar-white beaches. Delicious, exotic cuisine. Near-perfect weather. Dazzling scenery. The question should probably be, “Why NOT Hawaii?” With its abundance of beauty and diverse activities, Hawaii is a natural for honeymooners. Whether you want an action-packed honeymoon or a more intimate getaway, Hawaii has a much-deserved reputation as home to world-class resorts and hotels, and Hawaiians know how to cater to couples on their honeymoon. It can be overwhelming to select which islands best suit your style. From the volcano and many activities on the Big Island of Hawaii to the pristine beaches of Kauai to serenely exotic Maui, your honeymoon to Hawaii is certain to leave you wanting more. Read more about Hawaii and Waikiki in our top 5 favorite beaches article.
#2 Mexico
Dreaming of a romantic honeymoon in a trendy, exotic locale? Before you set your sights on some far-flung destination that can only be reached by a very tiny airplane, think a little closer to home. Just south of the border is a honeymoon paradise! Mexico has it all: fascinating history and traditions, breathtaking beaches, stunning desert vistas, mouthwatering cuisine, world-class resorts and the magic and excitement of a foreign country. Best of all, you won't have to spend hours and hours on an exhausting international flight to some obscure tropical isle.
#3 Bahamas
The islands of the Bahamas are among the Caribbean 's most popular destinations—and a favorite of honeymooners. Come here to enjoy the sun, the slots and the sea-life. My top hotel pick: the Atlantis Hotel has it all— 35+ restaurants/bars, a glittering casino, incredible spa, beautiful swimming areas and beach, and the world's largest aquarium. Pick your room class based on your budget. The Cove Atlantis is an all-suite luxury resort, but you can enjoy the Atlantis amenities at the more reasonably-priced Atlantis Paradise Island Beach Towers as well.
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#4 U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
No passport? Not a problem if your destination is Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Enjoy duty-free shopping and gorgeous beaches. Magens Bay Beach in St. Thomas is one of the most spectacular beaches in the world and on all the top ten lists- including National Geographic's. And Old San Juan in Puerto Rico has amazing outlet shopping as well as trendy restaurants. My top hotel pick in Puerto Rico —the Ritz Carlton San Juan Hotel, Spa, and Casino. It's beautiful beach and luxurious rooms make it a favorite with celebrities. During my stay, I spotted Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones. Want an option that won't hurt your wallet? My budget pick in St. Thomas is the Bolongo Bay Beach Resort.
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#5 Bermuda
Known as “the Island Made for Two,” Bermuda is popular with honeymooners for its pink sand beaches, British charm and world-class golfing. Its convenient location also adds to the island's popularity as it is less than a 2 hour flight from New York and most eastern U.S. cities. Located on private pink sand beach and nestled amidst 50 acres of botanical gardens, Elbow Beach is my top luxury hotel pick for honeymooners. Elbow Beach is part of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel chain, which is renowned for its Asian-inspired spa services. For a more secluded getaway, try the Ariel Sands Beach Club — a favorite of Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas.
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#6 Orlando
Orlando is one of the most popular travel destinations in the U.S. , but honeymooning in the “Happiest Place on Earth” is surprisingly popular. Orlando 's a top choice for newlyweds who want to indulge their inner-child and enjoy some sunny weather. My top hotel pick for honeymooners is Universal's Portofino Bay Hotel, an upscale re-creation of a seaside village in Italy. Take a dip in zero-entry beach pool, luxuriate at the Mandara Spa, sample the nightlife at the nearby Universal CityWalk, and cut the theme-park lines with complimentary Universal Express access. Read our article on weekend getaways to Orlando.
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#7 Las Vegas
Internationally-renowned for its gambling, nightlife and luxury shopping, Vegas has become a major culinary destination. Indulge yourself at a sumptuous buffet or a trendy bistro. Vegas rivals Broadway and the West End as a theatre destination—take in a Cirque del Soleil show or a Tony Award winning musical like Spamalot. My top luxury hotel pick for honeymooners is the Wynn Hotel for its Tom Fazio-designed golf course. The MGM Grand is my choice for honeymooners-on-a-budget who want a hotel with style and tons of amenities. Read our article on weekend getaways to Las Vegas.
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#8 Jamaica
For the true island experience, Jamaica is it. From the legendary Jamaican jerk cuisine and Reggae musical influences, dreadlocks and that all too potent Jamaican rum, most of us have experienced Jamaica, even if we've never traveled there. And it is exactly as you would imagine. From the mountains to the shimmering aqua blue waters below, Jamaica is stunning and very, very “laid back” in it's approach to life and time. In Ocho Rios, swim with the dolphins, experience the magnificent Dunns River Falls and Beach, take a romantic horseback ride along the shore, or visit Bob Marley's birthplace. In Montego Bay, it's nightlife, water sports, markets, and gourmet food. Negril offers cliffs set against sparkling white beaches. No matter where you go, there are plenty of all-inclusive or luxury resorts waiting to spoil you Jamaican style, man. Read about the beaches on Negril and our other favorite beaches.
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#9 Tahiti and Fiji
Besides being the ultimate beach paradise for honeymooners, Tahiti and Fiji both offer adventure seekers world-class thrills. Fiji has golden sand beaches, year-round warm weather, high waves for surfing, and spectacular reefs for diving. In Taveuni, considered the best of Fiji 's 333 islands that make up its archipelago, you'll find dense rainforests, huge coconut plantations, breathtaking waterfalls and English speaking locals determined to make your stay authentic and memorable. Only eight hours from L.A., Tahiti offers many of the same natural wonders as Fiji, but the beaches are white and the waters, if possible, are an even richer turquoise surrounding isolated lagoons with pristine beaches. October through March, the waves swell, bringing surfers from around the globe to Tahiti 's shores.
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#10 Rome
The breathtaking beauty of The Eternal City makes it one of the best places for a romantic honeymoon. Culture, fine dining, picturesque views— Rome has it all. Must-see sites include the Vatican , Sistine Chapel, Pantheon, Coliseum and Forum. When you're tired of touring, relax over a glass of wine in one of Rome 's many cafes. My top luxury hotel pick for honeymooners is the Westin Excelsior, a historic building on the Via Veneto. My favorite reasonably-priced hotel in Rome is the Franklin Feel the Sound Hotel, a smoke-free music-themed boutique hotel just a 15-minute walk from the Vatican.
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