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20 Best Honeymoon Destinations for the Dreamiest Trip You’ll Ever Take

These honeymoon ideas will start your happily ever after with a romantic and exciting trip you'll never forget

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Young Couple On The Roof Of A Building In Santorini Greece
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Magical honeymoon ideas

You’ve said yes to the dress (or suit) and booked a venue, florist and caterer. You’ve navigated tricky budget questions and unsolicited in-law input, and you’ve labored over the seating charts. Now, it’s time to switch gears and plan a well-deserved romantic getaway—the once-in-a-lifetime trip you’ll remember forever. And because you don’t need one more thing to think about, we have the scoop on the best honeymoon destinations in the world.

Of course, the “best” destination means something different for everyone. Maybe your idea of romance is a five-star resort situated on one of the best beaches in the world, where a private butler delivers fruity drinks to your lounge chair. Or maybe your love language involves food, wine and all the culture you can cram into a trip. Just like there’s a perfect person in this world for you, there’s also a perfect honeymoon spot that you’ll both adore.

How we chose the best honeymoon destinations

The world is a big place, itinerary possibilities are endless and the choice of where you travel is personal. I took that into consideration when compiling this list of the best places to travel on your honeymoon, and I have a lot of experience in this arena, since I’ve written about weddings and honeymoons for bridal and travel magazines for the past decade. Of course, I haven’t been everywhere (yet), so I also scoured Tripadvisor reviews and quizzed friends and fellow travel experts for their recommendations.

Ahead, you’ll find a curated list of the 20 best honeymoon destinations for an utterly romantic trip that will seem tailor-made for the two of you.

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Aerial View Of Beach South Nilandhe Atoll Maldives
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The Maldives

Best for: Lovebirds who want to get away from it all

Getting to any of the 1,190 islands (of which 187 are inhabited) that make up this Indian Ocean paradise is a commitment—unless you happen to live in Sri Lanka. If not, your trip will involve one long-haul flight, plus a few short plane trips and possibly even a boat ride. But once you get there, the screensaver views will make you forget about the long journey. Given the remoteness and the fact that most resorts occupy their own island(s), this is agenda-free honeymooning at its finest. So allow yourself to slide into a languorous tempo of lounging, long baths and libations.

What to do: Get on and in the water as often as possible. Kayak, stand-up paddleboard or jet-ski, and don’t miss the incredible snorkel and scuba outings, where you’ll come face to face with rays, reef sharks, turtles and schools of colorful fish. Back on land, local lobster is plentiful enough to serve at every meal of the day.

Where to stay: The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, on the Fari Islands, promises to spoil couples with private plunge pools, floating breakfasts, romantic dinners under the stars and decadent meals served in seven different restaurants. There’s also a Maldivian barbecue party and a scoop shop, foot soaks and massages in one of the most luxurious spas in the world, and an aris meeha (island butler) to cater to your every need.

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White Architecture On Santorini Island Greece
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Santorini, Greece

Best for: Total romantics

High on the steep slopes of this gorgeous Greek island floating in the middle of the Aegean Sea, the sun’s rays shine down and make the iconic whitewashed stone dwellings gleam, bringing out the blue of their equally famous roofs. The island is full of narrow paths where couples can’t help but walk hand-in-hand, and beautiful blooming flowers abound. You’ll also find the most colorful sunsets on the planet in Santorini. Does it get any more romantic than that? And while the best time to visit Santorini may be in September, according to locals, there’s really not a bad time to visit this little slice of heaven on earth.

What to do: Catch that sunset show from land—the city of Oia is your best bet—and from sea by taking a catamaran cruise of the caldera. (The caldera, by the way, is a mostly submerged volcanic crater, and on its rim, you’ll find those steep cliffs and stunning villages.) When the sun’s still high in the sky, make the pilgrimage from Oia to Fira. Along the way, tuck into hushed chapels and tiny boutiques, eat copious amounts of fried cheese and sip local wine on airy patios.

Where to stay: Kivotos Santorini, located in the uber-private town of Imerovigli, stands out from the crowd with its black-and-white exterior and 180-degree views of the caldera and an ancient acropolis. All bedrooms enjoy this view, and the property boasts that the last rays of light each day will land directly on your bed. At this five-star hotel, you’ll also be treated to delectable dinners at its signature restaurant, Mavro, where the six- and eight-course meals are named after the stages of the moon.

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Mexico City Aerial View Of Palacio De Bellas Artes At Sunset
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Mexico City, Mexico

Best for: Culture connoisseurs

Not everybody’s definition of the best honeymoon destinations involves the beach. Mexico City is for lovebirds who are drawn to a dynamic art scene, grand public parks, centuries of history, interesting museums, architecturally significant buildings, sophisticated drinking dens and restaurants so good that they alone justify the plane tickets. There’s never a dull moment in Mexico’s capital city.

What to do: There’s no way to see it all in one trip, but there are a few musts for first-timers—many of which require advance reservations, like the Frida Kahlo Museum (located in the artist’s former home), or notable eateries like Pujol or Quintonil. You should also go for a spin aboard a trajinera in the floating gardens of Xochimilco (a World Heritage Site), book a street-food tour and take a day trip to the Mesoamerican pyramids of Teotihuacán.

Where to stay: One of the coolest neighborhoods in this part of Mexico is the Condesa, with its wide tree-lined streets, trendy shopping and fantastic food and cocktail options. The newly opened Andaz Mexico City Condesa, which is housed in a historic Art Deco building, features a lively rooftop bar and pool, and offers educational experiences like a mezcal tasting and a chocolate class. Honeymooners should splurge on the spacious Terrace Suite, which boasts a private outdoor space where you can sip your morning coffee with your sweetie or toast your newlywed status with champagne late at night.

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Isthmus Between Caribbean Sea On The Left And Atlantic Ocean On The Right Scott's Head Dominica
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Dominica

Best for: Outdoorsy types

Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica is an often overlooked and under-visited Caribbean gem. But the aptly dubbed Nature Island—with its volcanoes, 12 waterfalls, natural coastal hot tubs, secret coves, black-sand beaches, freshwater streams and lush rainforests—deserves serious consideration from outdoorsy couples, especially those who love scuba diving and hiking. Plus, now that American Airlines runs a direct flight from Miami several times a week, it’s even easier to get to this eden on the edge of the Atlantic.

What to do: Dominica has long been home to the region’s longest continuous hike—the 115-mile, 14-segment Waitukubuli Trail—but in 2023, the country introduced a matching 14-segment sea-kayaking trail, which skirts the island’s entire 37-mile west coast. The Soufriere Outdoor Centre can coordinate equipment, guides, lodgings and experience stops (snorkeling, river surfing, etc.), whether couples want to tackle the whole trail or just specific portions.

Where to stay: Coulibri Ridge, an exquisite year-old, 14-suite property on 285 verdant acres, provides all the accoutrements needed to live large on your honeymoon—spacious bi-level suites, private plunge pools, included dance and yoga classes, al fresco spa treatments, organic chef-driven meals and panoramic mountain views everywhere you turn. And it does so while proving that luxury and sustainability can coexist with solar panels, filtered rainwater, an on-site farm, wind turbines and environmentally friendly materials and design.

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Kyoto Sightseeing Symbol In Japan
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Kyoto, Japan

Best for: Cultural explorers

Almost the polar opposite of buzzy neon-lit Tokyo, Kyoto is the cultural and historical beating heart of Japan. It’s a relatively small and peaceful city brimming with elaborate Buddhist temples, 1,000-year-old gingko trees, meditation gardens and babbling brooks that wind through the city. You and your brand-new spouse can visit one of the streetside Shinto shrines to make wishes for lasting love, health and wealth.

What to do: It’s rare to go somewhere that feels so foreign and become so fully immersed in the culture. Attend a tea ceremony at Yuuhisai Koudoukan, or silently wander through gardens and temples. Take a class with an artisan in ancient crafts like ikebana. And eat constantly: egg sandos from konbini (convenience) stores like Lawson, a traditional kaiseki-course feast, crispy eel at Kyouunawa, charcoal-grilled skewers, soba noodles at Kawamichiya, matcha desserts and ice cream made from kinako (soybean powder).

Where to stay: Divide your stay to appreciate both sides of Kyoto. Start in the thick of it at the new Hilton Garden Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma, an affordable hotel with upscale details (pajamas, Toto toilets with heated seats and design representative of Japanese crafts) that’s within walking distance of must-see attractions like the Kyoto Tower and Nishiki Market. Then head to the greener outskirts of town beneath the postcard-worthy Takagamine mountains to the posh Roku Kyoto. An LXR resort on 28.6 acres, it includes an outdoor natural onsen thermal pool, a French restaurant, soap butlers, an elegant tea house and hands-on workshops that teach guests to make washi paper or repair pottery using kintsugi.

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Black Sand Beach Waianapanapa State Park Maui Hawaii USA
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Maui, Hawaii

Best for: Honeymoon traditionalists

As far as the best honeymoon destinations in the United States are concerned, you can’t go wrong with any of the Hawaiian islands. But Maui offers a varied arsenal of vacation draws including lush rainforests, powerful waterfalls, a volcano to hike at Haleakala National Park, pristine beaches and whale watching (November to May). You’ll also find restaurants run by Top Chef contestants and celebrity chefs, as well as over-the-top resorts that anticipate guests’ every need.

What to do: Spend at least a day driving the breathtaking road to Hana. Rent a convertible, get an early start and allocate enough time to make frequent stops and do some hiking. Take a dip at Hamoa Beach or the black-sand Honokalani, grab healthy nibbles at the Huelo Lookout Fruit Stand or Hana Farms, and find out how branch-to-bar chocolate is made at Hana Gold.

Where to stay: Many of the best Maui accommodations are part of the Wailea Resort Association, including Hotel Wailea, the only adults-only luxury resort in Hawaii, and the design-forward Andaz. But I’m partial to the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, the OG White Lotus hotel (no, there is no Pineapple Suite!), which recently introduced its newest Unforgettable Experience perfect for star-crossed lovers. You’ll get to take a three-hour private sail on a luxury catamaran, complete with an incredibly knowledgeable guide and a delectable meal prepared by the resort’s chef and wine director.

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Beautiful Cove With Crystal Clear Water Next To Horseshoe Bay Beach Bermuda
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Bermuda

Best for: Beach lovers looking for an Instagram-worthy setting

We’re pretty sure Barbie would pull up stakes in Malibu and buy another dream house in this island nation with its signature pink sand. Straddling the border where the Atlantic ends and the Caribbean begins (which means it’s not as hot and sticky as its far-south Caribbean counterparts), Bermuda blends British traditions, flamboyant festivals, a deep love of sailing, a diverse population and almost-translucent waters populated by shipwrecks and coral reefs. But it’s the sensational sand and sense of luxury that puts it in a league of its own.

What to do: Try the two tipples invented here. First, there’s the Rum Swizzle, created in the early 1900s and now the national drink. Legend has it that Swizzles were invented at the Swizzle Inn, which is still open for drinking and dining. The second is the Dark ‘n’ Stormy, a boozy concoction of local Black Seal rum (which tastes like molasses) and Barritt’s ginger beer. Both cocktails make great third wheels while hanging out at the beach, playing pickleball, taking a sunset sail or getting a closer look at a sunken ship on a glass-bottom boat.

I also recommend booking a Cooper’s Island foraging tour with Wild Herbs N Plants. As you wander around a former military base turned nature preserve, a local healer and vegan chef will find a botanical cure for whatever ails you and then treat you to homemade sips and nibbles made from plants commonly found along the path and on the island.

Where to stay: Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa, which celebrated its 100th year in business in 2023 with a full renovation, is also pretty in pink. Opt for privacy and excellent sunset-viewing at the rosy pool cottages. Or, if moonrise is more your thing, get an al fresco table at the main restaurant. The resort has also added the first outpost of New York’s Sunken Harbor Club—a tiny bar with big city energy.

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Aerial View Of The Stunning Amalfi Coast With Road And The Atrani Town With Arched Road In Italy
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Amalfi Coast, Italy

Best for: A picture-perfect Italian beach vacation

Europe’s boot is loaded with bucket-list destinations that make for great honeymoon destinations, but perhaps the dreamiest of them all is the stretch of primo coastline between the Bay of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno. Thirteen hamlets (each quainter and prettier than the next) and pristine swimming grottos and vista points are linked by the famously curvy SS163 highway, which is worth braving for what you’ll get in return. We’re talking morning garden strolls followed by breakfast cake and espressos in a piazza, Aperol spritz­–laden afternoons spent under striped umbrellas with a great beach read, and sunset boat trips that will give you a different perspective on the pastel hamlets.

What to do: Aside from the suggestions above, learn a few tricks in a cooking class. (You’ll be able to take them home with you and relive your honeymoon every time you make a meal!) I highly recommend traipsing around the terraced countryside with Gastronomic Trekking and then taking foraged ingredients back to the kitchen to make a multi-course meal.

Where to stay: Reserve a room at Casa Angelina in Praiano, which will be less crowded than Positano. This boutique hotel has 37 chic, beachy white rooms, but the most unique are the converted fishermen’s cabins built directly into the rocky hillside above La Gavitella, the only Amalfi beach where you can enjoy sunsets from beginning to end. Couples can also hop aboard the hotel’s own boat, which can be hired for half- or full-day adventures.

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Turks And Caicos Grand Turk Island
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Turks and Caicos

Best for: A quick East Coast jaunt to a Caribbean paradise

Looking for white, sugary sand, crystal-clear water teeming with fish, and a reggae band jam at a beachside bar? Then you’ll love Turks & Caicos, a British Overseas territory consisting of roughly 40 Caribbean islands and cays (only eight of which are inhabited) and more than 230 miles of beaches and coral reefs. And paradise is easier to get to than you might think: Multiple airlines jet here from East Coast and Southern cities every day, and it’s just a little over three hours from New York.

What to do: A trip to this archipelago wouldn’t be complete without a boat trip. Caicos Dream Tours offers a variety of excursions, including snorkel trips, fishing outings and sunset sails. Charter a watercraft all to yourself to make a stop at Half Moon Bay, a sand bar that grew into a long, gorgeous beach and became a home for the endangered Turks and Caicos rock iguana. And don’t forget to eat your fill of conch fritters splashed with PeppaJoy hot sauce at Da Conch Shack.

Where to stay: We’d recommend any one of these top-notch Turks and Caicos resorts and almost anything on Grace Bay Beach, which is consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the world. Two of my absolute favorites, however, are The Palms, with its superior spa offering treatments, and the remote Rock House, which boasts rooms carved into the limestone cliffs, a 130-foot jetty for oceanfront dining and the largest infinity pool on the island.

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Eiffel Tower Aerial View Paris
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Paris, France

Best for: Art aficionados

They say Paris is always a good idea, and that is especially true when it comes to romantic getaways like honeymoons. The City of Lights is sophisticated, stimulating, sexy and chic, whether you’re shopping on the Champs-Élysées, sightseeing at the Eiffel Tower or Versailles, strolling along the Seine or through Tuileries, or seeing a show at the Moulin Rouge. And, of course, art lovers won’t want to miss visiting the city’s myriad museums, many of which offer skip-the-line, private or after-dark tours. The thought of avoiding the crowds at the Louvre would make even Mona Lisa smile.

What to do: Fondation Louis Vuitton is one of the newest venues to ogle modern art. The building itself, designed by Frank Gehry, is yet another masterpiece. And since museums can get expensive, you should also check out the free exhibitions in the galleries of Haut Marais, the lower level of the Drawing Hotel, Hotel de Ville (aka Paris city hall) and the artist collective 59 Rivoli. After taking in the masters, make your own art at a graffiti workshop, craft a chapeau with Lady Gaga’s hatmaker or take a photography walk; you’ll find tons of artsy options on Viator.com.

Where to stay: Le Meurice, the original palace hotel that dates back to 1835, overlooks Tuileries’s manicured hedges, statues and magnolia-blossom sprays. It has been a favorite of creatives such as Tolstoy, Dalí (who made it his second home), Picasso, Tchaikovsky, Coco Chanel, and Beyoncé and Jay-Z for more than a century. The hotel recently underwent a pricey renovation, so you’ll get to enjoy the splendor of the past while luxuriating in modern amenities. Opt for a simple yet pretty room, go one step up with a suite with chandeliers and a private balcony, or splurge on a truly over-the-top suite that you’ll wish you never had to leave.

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Vineyard Okanagan Valley Mcintyre Bluff Vasuex Lake
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The Okanagan, British Columbia

Best for: Wine enthusiasts

Sure, you can visit the best wineries in the United States for your honeymoon, but wouldn’t it be more fun (not to mention more of a flex on Instagram) to go to a far-flung, lesser-known wine country? The Okanagan Valley, aka the Wine Capital of Canada, boasts more than 175 licensed wineries, many of which have been family-run for decades. You’ll find Bordeaux blends, beautiful lakes, big mountains, delicious farm-to-fork restaurants and part of the BC Ale Trail.

What to do: Eat, drink, repeat. Mission Hill pairs renowned reserves and light bites within view of a Chagall tapestry. Both Quail’s Gate and Cedar Creek have tours, tastings and full-service fine dining in their on-site restaurants. And District Wine Village in Oliver brings 12 vintners (including North America’s first Indigenous-owned winery, Nk’Mip Cellars), one brewery, a distillery and a restaurant to one convenient location. Work it off by biking through the decommissioned trestles and tunnels of the Kettle Valley Railway rail trail.

Where to stay: Constructed 115 years ago by a businessman known for throwing big society bashes, the Naramata Inn is one of those “if these walls could talk” properties. It manages to maintain the quaint mission-style charm of its past (a wide veranda, clawfoot tubs, a lobby phone booth) while providing the modern conveniences guests have become accustomed to. Plus, there’s easy lake access, a stellar restaurant and an on-site wine bar. Make sure to book early, though, because there are only 12 rooms.

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Santa Fe New Mexico USA
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Santa Fe, New Mexico

Best for: Couples who want both a small town and a bustling city

It could be classified as a small big city or a big small city, but either way, this artsy desert- and mountain-adjacent town in New Mexico, known as “The City Different,” has been sparking creativity, cuddling and cravings for centuries. You’ll fall in love with its narrow walkways, marvelous adobe architecture, tiny churches, vast landscapes, bustling plazas, spicy chile-laced fare and cocktails, and flickering kiva fireplaces. There’s also a Georgia O’Keeffe museum to enjoy, as well as cacao aphrodisiacs at Kakawa Chocolate House.

What to do: Soak up the various cultures that call the city home, cook up some picante treats in a cooking class and shop the many independent boutiques and galleries (there are more than 80 lining Canyon Road). Then, head out of town to see O’Keeffe’s color palette come to life across painted canyons and mountains, and enjoy some of the darkest skies in the world for stargazing. When you work up a thirst, return to the city limits to tipple along the Margarita Trail, which now has 45 participants. If that’s not a reason to re-create this honeymoon annually, what is?

Where to stay: The vibrant Inn of the Five Graces is located in the heart of downtown, which also encompasses the oldest continuously inhabited neighborhood in the United States. And between its Silk Road decor and adobe exterior, it is the perfect honeymoon destination for those looking for a cool yet utterly romantic vibe.

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Flowers At Varenna Lake Como Italy
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Lake Como, Italy

Best for: A Hollywood-style honeymoon

Italy has no shortage of incredible honeymoon destinations within its borders. But this stunning Alpine lake is surrounded by palatial villas, including one owned by actor George Clooney, as well as charming villages, lovely foothills and several filming locations you can visit. A manageable hour’s drive from Milan, Lake Como has a magical, timeless appeal and an air of sophistication.

What to do: To truly appreciate its allure, take a ride aboard a vintage wood boat on a sunny day, and glide across glassy waters to pop in and out of enchanting towns like Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio. And don’t miss the opportunity to see a production at the magnificently preserved 1813 opera house, Teatro Sociale, in the city.

Where to stay: Grand Hotel Tremezzo has been offering a sublime slice of lakeside Art Nouveau grandeur since 1910. It’s the kind of grand dame that would make Wes Anderson grab his camera. It will be hard to choose your favorite element of your stay, between the pool that floats and moves with the lake, the panoramic views from the corner suites’ private terraces and hot tubs, and the long walks in the manicured gardens.

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Houses Of Parliament (westminster Palace) And Big Ben Tower London UK
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London, England

Best for: City fun for cheeky couples

Although all-inclusive resorts and warm-water beaches tend to be the most popular types of honeymoons, consider crossing the pond to play in another cosmopolitan capital. You’ll find tons of history, museums, good restaurants and a theater scene second only to Broadway, as well as romantic castles to tour, sprawling parks to picnic in, and bucolic countryside and cobblestoned hamlets you can reach via train. Personally, we think jolly old London gives Paris a run for its money in the honeymoon department!

What to do: Book a Cupid Pod on the London Eye, the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel, to see sweeping views of the whole city without having to jockey for space. The package includes a private pod, Pommery Rosé Champagne, a box of Hotel Chocolat truffles and priority boarding. It may just be the most romantic thing you do in London—or anywhere else.

Where to stay: Conveniently located near Covent Garden and the West End, Middle Eight is themed around the building’s former life as the prestigious concert venue, Kingsway Hall. After late-night dancing and drinks in its energetic underground speakeasy, QT, retire to the hotel’s giant bathtubs and beds in one of the spacious suites named after songs. Many started as dark meeting rooms, but they’ve been smartly converted with interior garden patios, living walls and skylights for a chic yet airy vibe.

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Aerial view of a fleet of hot air balloons, in Cappadocia, Turkey
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Cappadocia, Turkey

Best for: A fairy-tale-style romantic trip

In a land far, far away (the eastern part of the country) lies a landscape unlike any other in the world. Ancient frescoed churches and modern hotels are carved deep inside mountain caves, rock formations called fairy chimneys spiral up from the ground by the hundreds, sunrises and sunsets bathe craggy cliffs in mystical light and vast valleys hide underground cities. And yes, it’s as magical as it sounds.

What to do: Some say the best way to see this stunning setting worthy of a storybook romance is by hot-air balloon. Catch a ride on one, and catch another picture-perfect moment in the process—dozens fill the sky daily, from the village of Göreme. Even more perfect? You’ll pass over the aptly named Love Valley. That said, there’s a bit of a debate about the best way to see this UNESCO World Heritage site, since some visitors say the views are just as appealing from the back of a horse.

Where to stay: A Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice winner eight years running, Kayakapi Premium Caves offers five different honeymoon packages—all of which sound equally swoonworthy. You’ll also get to indulge in a spa with a cavernous hammam (Turkish bath) and a sauna with a view of the city of Urgup down below, a wine cellar that stores only local vintages and some rocky rooms/burrows that boast floodlit private plunges for swimming sans suits.

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Aerial View Of Coastline Of Grand Cayman Cayman Islands
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Cayman Islands

Best for: Diving enthusiasts

Travelers with scuba-diving certification have been keen for years on this three-island chain in the Caribbean and its mix of cosmopolitan trappings, laid-back lifestyle and close-to-shore shipwrecks. And if you time your honeymoon right, you can attend an annual food-and-wine festival spearheaded by famed chef Eric Ripert. Bonus: Cayman Airways recently introduced nonstop flights from Los Angeles and Denver, a real rarity when it comes to flights beyond the East Coast to the Caribbean.

What to do: Any first-time visitor should go to Stingray City, a group of shallow sandbars in the North Sound where the slippery sea creatures have been peacefully hanging out with humans for decades. Avoid the crowds with the help of Five Star Charters and its fancy boat filled with both the basics and fun toys like a jet ski. After you kiss a ray for years of good luck, the crew will likely take you to Starfish Point for hors d’oeuvres and rum punches.

Where to stay: The Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa sits on Seven Mile Beach, known for its calm water, silky sand and ideal conditions for water sports. After trying stand-up paddleboarding, clean up in one of six chic beachfront bungalows before heading to the chef’s bar for a tapas-style tasting at Avecita. For drinks, check out Coccoloba, where you’ll find possibly the best frozen piña coladas anywhere on the planet. If you overindulge, no judgment—just head to the 8,500-square-foot spa to sweat out your hangover in the island’s only hammam.

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Palm Springs Welcome Sign On The Edge Of Town
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Palm Springs, California

Best for: West Coast honeymooners looking for a quick getaway

Since the 1920s, this Southern California desert playground less than three hours from Los Angeles has been attracting the entertainment world’s glitterati—everyone from the Rat Pack, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis (who honeymooned here) to Leonardo DiCaprio and Harry Styles. And it’s easy to see why, with its winter warmth, 300-plus days of sun each year, dozens of champion-level golf courses, high-end hotels, pampering spas, cinematic expanses and groovy tiki bars. Plus, there’s just something special about walking out of a midcentury-modern masterpiece, martini in hand, to go for a swim as the purple-hued dusk light envelops the towering mountains that jut almost straight up from the city streets.

What to do: Spend a whole day at the just-opened Spa at Sec-he, a 73,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art day spa centered around the mineral hot springs that gave the city its name. Beyond the standard treatments, you can also utilize float tanks, cryotherapy chambers, 22 private mineral baths, halotherapy salt rooms, tranquility rooms with zero-gravity chairs and meditation audio programs. Or venture farther out in the valley to join a pickleball tournament, go bouldering in Joshua Tree National Park or do some birdwatching at the Salton Sea.

Where to stay: The Colony Palms, an elegant Spanish colonial hideaway built in the 1930s but updated in the last few years, blends a scandalous mobster past and an Art Deco aesthetic. On the grounds, you’ll find immaculate greens dotted with intimate alcoves and fire pits, a photogenic courtyard pool and seductive room details like outdoor tubs, balconies and fireplaces.

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A River Runs Calmly Through A Valley In Glacier National Park Of Montana
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Greenough, Montana

Best for: Yellowstone fans

If you’re Dutton diehards who think Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone is one of the best TV shows ever made, toasting your recent nuptials in Big Sky Country is in order. Take in the awe-inspiring beauty of wide-open spaces, tall peaks, churning rivers and healthy forests, and punctuate your nature appreciation with huckleberry-flavored anything, visits to award-winning craft breweries and lively tap rooms, and a self-guided driving tour of real-life locations used in the show. Ruby’s Café, Garlington Building, Missoula County Courthouse, Glen’s Café, Community Medical Center and Gray Wolf Peak Casino are all in or near Missoula, while the ranch is a couple hours away, outside Darby. To get a closer look at the series’s main setting, you’ll have to book a night in Lee Dutton’s cabin or Rip Wheeler’s residence, as stays are the only way to get on the property for a tour.

What to do: Tack on a few extra days to roam around Yellowstone National Park looking at its gaggle of geysers, abundant wildlife (May and June are the best months to see baby bison and bears) and deep canyons. Also make sure to check out Paradise Valley, the stunning area just outside the park where the Duttons are said to reside and ranch.

Where to stay: While there are a number of dude ranches and resorts in the area, I’m partial to the Green O, an adults-only compound of mini high-design homes and treehouses tucked away in a corner of the much larger Resort at Paws Up. It finds a happy medium between luxury stay and outdoorsy utopia: You can indulge in eight-course menus, bubbly hot tubs and roaring fires, as well as sign up for horseback riding, fly fishing, horse whispering and working a cattle drive.

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View On The Volcanic Landscape Of Bartolome Island With Famous Pinnacle Rock And Golden Beach Galapagos Islands Ecuador
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The Galápagos Islands

Best for: Animal lovers

If you want your first trip as a married couple to be legendary, make like Darwin and take the most epic of all bucket-list trips. Now a part of Ecuador, the Galápagos allows you to get up close and personal with creatures big (the giant tortoise) and small (finches) and blue-footed (boobies) in the remote reaches of the Pacific Ocean. Every day will feel like you’re walking through a zoo without fences in the most breathtaking landscape. Some of the islands have imposing volcanoes, while others have sandy beaches covered in seals or thick patches of jungle, but they all have one thing in common: unspoiled natural beauty that never feels crowded.

What to do: On-land stays are few and far between here, and they’re not the best way to see this varied and spread-out archipelago, so most people opt to take an adventure-oriented expedition cruise. That means your itinerary will be planned by the company you book with. Make sure it includes dropping in at the Charles Darwin Research Station and breeding center on Santa Cruz Island. Then, figure out which animals you are most interested in seeing, as some are seasonal or live only on specific islands. For example, you can only see the waved albatross between April and November; your best bet for seeing big-eyed sea lion pups is in August and September; and the green turtles show up en masse to lay eggs at the start of the year.

Certain activities are also more rewarding at specific times of year. Snorkeling and diving are better during the warmer, wetter season (December through May) because the water is calmer and clearer.

Where to stay: Reserve a cabin on one of Ecoventura’s three ships. The yachts hold just 20 passengers, and the service and accommodations meet the exacting Relais & Chateaux standards. With such a small capacity, you’ll never have to fight for the naturalist’s attention (or the instructor’s during photography-themed voyages) on outings.

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Thai Traditional Wooden Longtail Boat And Beautiful Sand Railay Beach In Krabi Province Ao Nang Thailand
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Thailand

Best for: Enlightened adventurers

You just might reach honeymoon nirvana bopping around Southeast Asia. This destination is filled with giant Buddhas, bustling night markets, glittering temples, lush jungles, elephant sanctuaries, limestone pinnacles dotting cerulean bays, oodles of drunken noodles and so much more. As the geography and experiences are so varied—busy urban centers with cat cafes and karaoke tuktuk tours are the polar opposite of tiny mountain hamlets, where the mist hangs on treetops, and laidback beach resorts of Koh Samui—this trip is best tackled by couples who have at least two weeks, don’t mind taking short domestic flights between regions and love trying new things.

What to do: To come down from the stressful high of wedding planning, start in someplace slow and peaceful like the Golden Triangle, where you can join elephants in a pond bath, boat across the river to shop in Laos or send wishes for a happy, long life into the universe via a paper lantern. Then trek back to Bangkok and dive headfirst into long days, late nights and packed schedules. Food tours and temple visits are a must, as are particularly Thai pastimes like Qi Gong in Lumpini Park, muay Thai boxing and praying with chanting monks.

And no matter where you touch down in Thailand, get a massage or two (or eight). From streetside stalls that are a steal to full-service spas that spoil every inch of your body with indulgent treatments like six-handed massages, there’s no excuse for leaving the country in knots.

Where to stay: You can’t go wrong at one of the country’s four Four Seasons, including the Bangkok outpost, which has a Michelin-starred restaurant and new 26,900-square-foot wellness center. Another excellent honeymoon destination is the Aleenta Phuket. Based in secluded Phang Nga near alluring Natai Beach and six golf courses, it’s on the sunset side of the Andaman Sea—so make sure to book a room with a private pool to watch it from.

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Carrie Bell
Carrie Bell brings more than 20 years of experience writing about entertainment, pop culture, travel and lifestyle topics for national magazines, newspapers and websites to RD.com, where her coverage runs the gamut from road trip guides to Star Wars locations you can visit in real life, best crime shows to infamous awards show scandals. She has a journalism degree, two spoiled cats, a wicked snow globe collection and a desire to visit all 50 U.S. states by age 50 (she just hit No. 41).