The Most Romantic Honeymoon Destinations in the World

Courtesy Emma Lambert (https://www.instagram.com/luxefamilytravel/)

​The one thing many (all?) newlyweds want during their honeymoon is romance. 

Just imagine… the two of you holding hands, walking down a beach with the perfect sunset happening in front of you. Shut your eyes for a second and imagine that.

Whatever it is that you thought of, whether it was a specific location or just some random beach in your head, that scenario can actually happen to you if you visit many of the places on this list. Some of these places are landlocked, but most of the places I have on this list are surrounded by water.

I should also mention, many of these places are not budget destinations at all. Of course, at risk of sounding like a broken record (if you're a regular), you can save quite a bit by using points and miles but some of the more high end locations could still set you back.

With that said, here are the most romantic honeymoon destinations in the world:

​Most romantic destinations - half a world away

Seychelles

Arguably home to some of the nicest, most exclusive hotels and resorts on earth, the Seychelles cater to honeymooners looking for equal parts romance and luxury. The islands are located off the east coast of Africa and are as pristine as pristine can be.
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Places like Bora Bora and the Maldives are nice but you won’t find members of the Royal Family - for example - vacationing there. You will find them, along with other celebrities, in the Seychelles.


Venice, Italy (and Italy in general)

From taking a gondola ride through the Grand Canal to a picturesque dining experience at one of the restaurants that overlooks the canals, Venice knows romance. The Italian city is located on the eastern side of the "boot."
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And I’ll tell you what, if Venice doesn’t strike your fancy (or you just want… amore) (oh c’mon, it wasn’t that bad!), other cities in Italy may do the trick. The country has long been a popular destination for newlyweds.


Santorini, Greece

Not only are the sunsets breathtaking but there’s a lot more to do than you’d think on Santorini - a popular island located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea. If a wine tasting in the middle of a tropical island sounds like fun, then Santorini may be the place for you.
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​From what I’ve read, the best times to visit (for honeymooners) is late May or early June, or mid-to-late September and into October.

I'm gonna leave this destination on the list, but be forewarned: I have a post coming up on "overtourism" and this is a place that suffers from that.


Maldives

Located in the middle of the vast Indian Ocean, the resorts in the Maldives are known for the privacy (I’m told you can skinny-dip pretty easily with the amount of privacy you have) and exclusivity.
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Many resort stays come with your own butler, have extremely upscale restaurants, and plenty of things to do (if lounging by the ocean becomes tedious) to do like diving, snorkeling, cruises, surfing, and more.


Bruges, Belgium

A city that’s off the beaten path, but that’s kind of the point. Like Venice, it has its share of canals to explore. Unlike Venice, you don’t have to fight the crowds to explore them. If you’re looking for a romantic getaway without someone else photobombing your every selfie, this little town is for you.
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And believe it or not, Bruges may be even more romantic during the winter, where you can indulge in some Belgian hot chocolate, (or better yet a Belgian beer!) while snuggling fireside, or go on a carriage ride through Bruges.


Paris, France

Yes, Paris is romantic. But everyone knew that already. There’s a reason Paris has the nickname the City of Love. Of course, everyone knows of the Eiffel Tower. But there is much more than that for honeymooners to do in and around Paris.
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For example, you can spend the day going to some of Paris’ popular museums - like the Louvre - and spend the evening having a picnic at the Luxembourg Gardens. And the Loire Valley - where the wine flows and the castles are abundant - is most certainly worth a daytrip!


Most romantic destinations - America

Sonoma, California

Speaking of flowing wine, there’s plenty of that in Sonoma. Just west of Napa, Sonoma gives you a completely different feel. While Napa is more of the ‘Las Vegas’ of wine, Sonoma is more or a relaxed-country feel. In addition to the world-class wine that comes out of the region, the landscape is about as picturesque as it gets.
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Newlyweds will absolutely love spending a week in the area. AND if you decide you want to head to the ‘Vegas’ part of wine country, you can easily do that too.


Hawaii

It’s no mistake Hawaii is one of the most popular destinations for honeymooners. The island chain has some of the best beaches in the world for those that would prefer to relax, and topography that has created absolutely amazing waterfalls and jungles for those who prefer a little adventure.
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You can’t go wrong, whether you decide to go to Maui, Kauai or one of the other islands. There’s no question, if romance is what you’re looking for, you’ll certainly find it in Hawaii.


Bottom line

After planning a grueling and (hopefully) fun wedding, it’s important to put a little romance back in your relationship. The places listed above will most certainly be able to do that - even if it’s a once-in-a-lifetime splurge! If you’re not sure where to start, this article, on taking advantage of travel rewards while planning a wedding is a great place to start. If you’re only considering beaches, this article on the best beach destinations out there is also worth a read. If, on the other hand, you just don’t have any clue where the two of you want to go, then this post will help you narrow the options down.

Finally, if you’re just beginning to learn about miles and points and would love to learn more, my book, Cracking the Code to Travel Hacking, is a great tool to educate yourself. To help make your decision (to buy it, of course) a little easier, I’m giving you access to a free chapter of my book. Sign up on the form below and you’ll not only get that free chapter, but a library of other free information to make your life easier before you go on that next vacation of yours.