Honeymoon Hotline - The Best Values at the Hottest Spots

The honeymoon may come after the wedding, but don’t make it an after thought! Our WeddingDay travel experts have put together some creative destinations for couples who not only want a romantic getaway but one that stays within the budget. Of course, if you’re interested primarily in luxury, that can be arranged, too. 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa, Jamaica: CARIBBEAN

Exotic luxury and unmatched beauty is how some would describe this all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean. Your ocean view suite will make you and your husband feel like royalty. Talk about something blue – try turquoise water, sky the color of robins’ eggs, a pastel blue villa and who could possibly be blue?   If you like adventure, try scuba diving, snorkeling, boating or swimming in some of the world’s most spectacular waters. The 500-acre retreat also includes a Greg Norman-designed golf course

Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts, Aruba: CARIBBEAN

Aruba, just 15 miles north of Venezuela, is the perfect spot for the environmentally-conscious couple and it’s outside the hurricane belt. The Bucuti & Tara resort is adults-only and has been Green Globe certified, which reflects travel sustainability. The white sand beaches are rated some of the best in the world and the small size of the island – only 70 square miles- make it the perfect place to cruise around in a jeep and explore. The Arikok National Park reflects the arid, desert conditions of this Dutch protectorate. Be aware, it is extremely windy in Aruba and thus the island hosts windsurfing competitions.  May, June and July are the windiest months and September to November is the calmest time to visit. 

Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa, Antigua: CARIBBEAN

There are 365 beaches on Antigua so you could visit a different one every day! Voted the world’s leading honeymoon resort the past three years, this place will wow you. It is the locale of two distinct resorts – The Seaside Garden Oasis Caribbean Grove or the new European-inspired Mediterranean Village. The Mediterranean Village is constructed of the finest materials – Italian floor tiles, Egyptian bedding and handmade Indian rugs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Romance is always in the air in Florence, the capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of the Renaissance. Stroll through the museums, such as the magnificent Uffizi Gallery to admire the city’s incredible collection of art. Outside, walk hand in hand through the picturesque public squares: the Piazza Michelangelo boasts a beautiful terrace where you can sit and enjoy the view of the Arno Valley. At the famed Ponte Veccio bridge you can visit little shops for lace or jewelry. There’s a fine for attaching a padlock to the bridge and tossing the key in the Arno for eternal love, but lots of couples still do this. 

 

The tango, Argentina’s favorite dance, is as passionate and intricate as the city itself. There are wonderful neighborhoods to explore, such as Palermo Vieja, home of hip cafes and browse-worthy antique stores lining its cobblestone streets. San Telmo is a historic district of elegant churches and mansions, some that have been converted into trendy lofts and art galleries. You’ll love the brightly-painted houses of LaBoca, where it’s not unusual to see tango dancers performing on the street. Maybe you’ll be inspired to take a lesson!

 

The incredible natural beauty of the island of Kauai can make even long-married couples feel like young lovers again. The Fern Grotto on the Wailua River is known as the island’s most romantic spot, but many others could qualify for the title. Hanalei Bay’s blue-green water and two miles of beach make it a great place to share a sunrise. After relaxing at the beach, hike the island’s mountainous, waterfall-laced interior by foot or helicopter.

 

If the tropics sound nice to you, but you long to enjoy the best of winter together, look towards Jackson Hole. Just north of town, the gorgeous Teton Range of the Rocky Mountains offers fantastic skiing and snowboarding. Cuddle up on a sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge, take a snowshoe tour, or feel as if you’re flying over the snow behind a team of sled dogs. Back in town, browse through an art gallery or two before enjoying dinner and a glass of wine next to a roaring fire.

 

 

 

 

 

This is a family-friendly resort in the US Virgin Islands. A passport is not required to visit this island, so you can experience an authentically Caribbean island without straying too far from the feel of the US. It is significantly more affordable than Hawaii, which does not offer all-inclusive resort options. 

 

Bolongo Bay Beach Resort is primitive, rather than luxurious. But when you scratch the surface and look a little deeper, the friendly service and family feel of the resort more than make up for the somewhat dated accommodations. The resort delivers on the promise of being a laid-back spot, managed by the owners, and it is a place where everyone knows your name. Honeymoon couples staying seven nights can enjoy a sunset catamaran cruise and snorkeling with sea turtles. 

 

This resort is offering a tremendous value now for butler-level suites. Located in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Sandals Grande Riviera is one of the largest Sandals resorts. Adult only, these all-inclusive resorts provide a romantic escape perfect for honeymoons or destination weddings without children. The Grande Riviera is two resorts in one – a beach resort with all the amenities plus a section across the street nestled in the hillside offering dozens of semi-private villas with shared pools in a lush and tropical setting along with even more restaurants, bars and gift shops. Sandals recently re-categorized many of the hillside villas with butler service, but the pricing has not changed significantly.

 

This is an all-inclusive adults-only resort that is a top choice among honeymoon couples desiring maximum value without sacrificing luxury. While many fear that Mexico is unsafe, the tourist areas, particularly the Mayan Riviera, are quite safe and friendly and offer a lot of selection among dozens of excellent resorts. 

 

Some top picks are any of the three El Dorado Resorts in the area. They market themselves as “gourmet exclusive” which means food, service and presentation are the main focus. Voted one of the top resorts on the planet, couples enjoying Seaside Suites can enjoy the beach just steps away or opt for a swim-up suite where they can walk from their room’s patio right to a pool. 

 

Belize is becoming a popular choice for honeymoon couples wanting something different off the beaten path, but not too far off the radar. It has a reputation as a great laid-back spot for scuba diving or snorkeling at the world’s second largest barrier reef. This is a great destination for relaxing and enjoying the unspoiled beauty. A great Belize honeymoon includes a few nights at the beach with a few nights in the interior to experience Mayan ruins archeological tours. This is a Central American eco-paradise. Another bonus is the official language is English.

 

With about a third of this country protected by national parks, a Costa Rican honeymoon could involve an adventure to the Arenal Volcano (an active one, at that) or a trip to the Monteverde Cloud Force. Hiking, horseback riding, zip lining and other adventure activities abound for the couple not as interested in a beach vacation, although there are a handful of all-inclusive beach resorts. For the most part, this is a destination more conducive to enjoying a smaller luxury inn tucked in a secluded area. 

 

 

 

 

 

Just off the coast of Puerto Rico, this island offers beautiful, white sand beaches and lots of seclusion. And there’s no need for passports as this is part of US territory. See nature at its finest with tropical vegetation, crystal clear waters and one of the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world. Experience some serious pampering at the W Retreat & Spa, an exclusive beach resort where you can be thrilled by adventure and eco-activities during the day and be wined and dined at night. Named one of Condé Nast Traveler’s Hot List and Travel & Leisure List in 2011, it is a tranquil retreat where you can forget the stress and worry of the “real world” and concentrate on the romance and adventure of your honeymoon.

 

A long favorite for honeymoons and destination weddings, St. Lucia is known as the Hawaii of the Caribbean. The dramatic volcano formations, powder white beaches, waterfalls, green valleys and pristine ecological conditions are reminiscent of Kauai. It became quite popular after the TV show “The Bachelor’ showcased two episodes there in 2010. It is home to three Sandals couples-only inclusive resorts located on the northeast portion of the island near the town of Castries. The Grande St. Lucian offers a mile-long beach with the calmest waters on St. Lucia. This resort boasts five fresh water pools, eight international restaurants, four whirlpools, golf, butler service and a Red Lane Spa. 

 

Mexico has always offered amazing values for price-conscious clientele as well as natural beauty in a country known for its hospitality. Cancun is an easy-to-get-to destination when flying out of the Midwest and one of the most recommended honeymoon locations within the Riviera Maya – which runs just south of Cancun to Playa del Carmen. One of the newest five-star resorts in the area, the luxurious Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla, is designed just for adults. What makes this world-class resort is its attention to detail in the areas of international cuisine, life-enriching experiences and elegant, seaside suites with state of the art amenities. Who wouldn’t love starting their life together at an ocean-front room surrounded by mangoes and an amazing view of Cozumel Island?

 

For more details about these and other honeymoon ideas, visit www.eztravelpad.com, 

www.IndyTravelLeaders.com, www.carmeltravelcompany.com and www.kstravel.jurni.net