When it comes to honeymoon choices, the opportunities are endless. There is a honeymoon for every couple out there. Do you dream of a trip of a lifetime to climb Mount Everest? Perhaps you've always wanted to undergo the great American road trip and see the grand vistas of Glacier National Park? Maybe your one of those newlywed couples that want to sit back on a gorgeous beach, with a pina colada in hand, and let your worries float away?
A honeymoon should be memorable and iconic. It is a trip that encapsulates that feeling of je ne sais quoi – moments of romance, relaxation, uniqueness, and adventure. The cynic in me believes that the movies built up the idea of a "perfect honeymoon" to make us feel letdown. After the wedding festivities, it is time to start your future together. So how do you plan an epic trip that is the catalyst to the rest of your life? The first step in honeymoon planning is to narrow down your travel style. I've created a guide to the most common types of honeymoons. This guide will help you determine what type of honeymooners you are.
City Honeymoon
Stroll down the Champs-Élysées hand in hand, take a carriage ride through Hyde Park, or head to Broadway for an evening performance of "Hamilton." A city honeymoon has infinite possibilities: museums, history, shopping, fine dining, and big-budget shows. Choose an iconic city that you both have dreamed of exploring.
Practical Tip for City Honeymoons
Big cities often come with busy streets and crowds. It's also easy to overschedule yourselves in a city. There is so much to see and do; you can feel like you are running from site to site. Make sure you schedule lots of downtimes.
Fun in the Sun Honeymoon
Do you worship the sun? A beach honeymoon is the epitome of a relaxing trip. Most couples choose a typical beach resort destinations such as Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. If you want exotic shores, you should jet off to the far-flung beaches of Phuket, Tahiti, Fiji, Australia, or Bali. White sand, waves, sun, and ice-cold adult beverages? Need I say more.
Practical Tip for Beach Honeymoons
A superb beach honeymoon is almost entirely dependent on choosing the perfect resort for you. Resort quality varies greatly, so do your research. Don't settle for a hotel that doesn't fit you. If you want to learn more about picking the right resort, check out my How to Pick Your All-Inclusive Honeymoon Resort.
Adventure Honeymoon
Are you both adrenalin junkies? If yes, lying on a beach all week will not work for you. You will desire a honeymoon that keeps your heart pumping. Perhaps a trek across the Sahara Desert, hiking to Machu Picchu, or delving into the Amazon rain forest. Adventure honeymoons can provide you with stories to last a lifetime.
Practical Tip for Adventure Honeymoons
Exotic destinations tend to include long flights and necessitate lengthier trips. Adventure trips also are more labor-intensive. Make sure you give yourselves a day or two when you get home so you can relax before you have to head back to work.
Theme Park Honeymoon
As an admitted Harry Potter fanatic, I completely understand the desire to bring a little child-like wonder into your trip. A honeymoon to Orlando or Anaheim is the perfect way to relive your childhood. A carnival-like atmosphere will keep both of you laughing and loving married life. If you need a break from the roller coaster, Anaheim and Orlando are within driving distance of a beach. Another option is a split honeymoon 3 or 4 nights at a theme park and then fly off to a gorgeous Caribbean Island for the last part of your trip. It's the best of both worlds.
Practical Tip for Theme Park Honeymoons
Theme parks are great fun, but there will likely be long lines, sweltering temperatures, and screaming kiddos if you go in the wrong season.
Old School Romantic Honeymoon
Does the sight of thousands of candles, rose petals on the bed, and bottles of champagne make your heart melt? Then it is a safe bet that you are a hopeless romantic. The ideal honeymoon for you probably includes an old-world fairytale. Set the perfect mood for love by staying in a medieval castle or strolling down cobblestone streets while nibbling on gelato. France, Italy, and Spain top the list of old school romantic destinations.
Practical Tip for Old School Romantic Honeymoons
Smaller villages in Europe have fewer options in regards to things to do and places to dine. So you will want to do your research before deciding on a final destination to ensure that there is enough to see and do for you.
Food & Wine Honeymoon
From Chardonnay to Gouda, immersing yourself in culinary culture will give you a honeymoon to remember. Head to California to explore 4,000 local wineries or jet off to Europe's old-growth wine regions. A vineyard honeymoon is both informative and entertaining at a carefree pace. Besides, you can partake of nearby attractions and cities.
Practical Tip for Food & Wine Honeymoons
Visiting multiple wineries necessitate frequent car rides, navigating small back roads, and naps due to imbibing too much wine! Get a private driver to whisk you from vineyard to vineyard so that you can enjoy your honeymoon at a leisurely pace.
Road Trip Honeymoon
Are you a spontaneous couple? Do enjoy having the top down and feeling the wind in your hair, and seeing the horizon in the rearview mirror? Then maybe renting a convertible and hitting the open road is the perfect honeymoon for you. Hitting the asphalt to find greener pastures can lead to honeymoon bliss.
Practical Tip for Road Trip Honeymoon
Pre-plan your honeymoon route! You can leave lots of free time for adventure, but you don't want to wing your trip. Nothing is less romantic than getting lost or not finding a hotel in the middle of the night.
Cruise Honeymoon
Cruise honeymoons are ideal for couples with different travel styles. My husband likes to relax on our balcony with a cold beer. You will find me up on deck learning how to tango, playing mini-golf, or making towel animals. A cruise is an attractive option if you want a taste of multiple destinations without having to unpack. Prepare to be pampered! And enjoy the gourmet culinary scene, broadway-style shows, casino, full-service bars, and unique itineraries.
Practical Tip for a Cruise Honeymoon
I love to cruise, so I am aware of everything that can ruin a romantic trip, like tiny staterooms, huge crowds, long lines, or no time to explore your favorite port properly. You can avoid these problems by using better cruise lines. I suggest moving up to a premium line (like Celebrity or Princess) or a luxury line (like Silverseas or Crystal). These have larger rooms, fewer guests, and more exciting itineraries.
Winter Wonderland Honeymoon
If you fantasize about spending your days together tearing down the slopes at breakneck speeds and your nights snuggled up in front of a roaring fire, you will want to head to a winter wonderland—the famous ski areas of Aspen, Vail, or Park City would be perfect for you. Maybe you desire something a little more exotic? Head further afield to Switzerland, Norway, or Sweden. Have you ever wanted to watch the Northern Lights dance above your head? Choose an Igloo hotel with panoramic views!
Practical Tip for Winter Honeymoons
Cold fingers and toes are bound to be your constant companions. Bundle up and snuggle up to keep frostbite at bay.
So, where do you fit on the honeymoon spectrum? I am somewhere between old-school romantic and food & wine lover. You can (and should) tailor your trip to fit your desires. You only get one honeymoon, and it should as close to your dream as possible!