Plan a honeymoon off the well beaten path. There’s no question that Hawaii and Cabo are incredible places, but if you want an unusual honeymoon destination, you might have to dig a little deeper. First, check out our list…
Spain
San Sebastian
At the very northern tip of spain, on the Bay of Biscay, is San Sebastian. A city so amazing that I had to go twice! Imagine a tropical beach, with all the architectural beauty of a european city. There is a lot to take in. San Sebastian is well known for it’s fine dining, and the famous Basque Cider, poured from about ten feet above your glass. Don’t forget to check out the fantastic museums while you’re there!
United States of America
New Orleans
The music… The FOOD! New Orleans can make even a funeral fashionable, imagine what it can do for your honeymoon… Tennessee Williams quotes, “America has only three great cities. New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans. Everything else is Cleveland.” New Orleans is just alive. I loved walking through the city and checking out the antique shops, drooling over the houses in the Garden District, and walking through the lush parks and gardens. Mardi Gras isn’t my scene. But New Orleans has so much more to offer than a raucous party a few days out of the year. If you head two hours west of NOLA, you can spend some time checking out Lake Martin in the everglades. There is nothing more hauntingly beautiful than the vegetation of the everglades.
Switzerland
Zermatt
I affectionately refer to Zermatt as ‘Aspen, Colorado on crack’. This town is so charming, it almost looks like a set from a play about a swiss village. Fun fact, there are no cars in Zermatt. Everybody walks or takes a golf cart around. Even though the temperature is blistery cold, the town feels warm, and there’s always a shop or a cafe to duck into to warm up. I suggest taking the train up to the ski lodges. The views cannot be described. Seeing the Matterhorn in real life took my breath away.
Belize
Cay Caulker
Cay Caulker will have you operating on ‘island time’ in NO time. So hopefully you’re not in a hurry. Take a lovely ferry ride from Belize City to the island of Caye Caulker. It’s a quaint town, small enough that there are no cars on the entire island. When laying around on a hammock gets old, there is always something to do. There are volleyball courts, music, open air bars, trails, swimming, and plenty of tourist excursions to keep you occupied. The food is great, and the locals are welcoming. It’s a perfect place for a low key honeymoon.
Argentina
Bariloche
Right at the base of the Andes mountain range, at the edge of Rio Negro, is San Carlos De Bariloche, Argentina. It’s a south american mountain town with a swiss alpine feel. Known for it’s chocolate and steak. Bariloche and the Patagonia area is about the same degree south as the Pacific Northwest is north, so the climate feels very familiar for us PNW residents. The hiking is breathtaking, especially if you make it to the glaciers. But even without hiking, the mountain views make it an ideal honeymoon destination.
Ireland
Dublin
Dublin has got too be, hands down, my favorite city, and not just because I blend in there! Just as green and lush as every photo you’ve ever seen. The university grounds are very beautiful, and the night life is vibrant. If you go to Ireland, you cannot miss the countryside! I could hop in a car and just drive for hours and hours and never get tired of the beauty of Dublin.
Myanmar
Bagan
Every day at dawn, hundreds upon hundreds of hot air balloons launch in Bagan. I’m sure that if you play your cards right, you could be on one of them. I haven’t been on the hot air balloon, but I bet the view is second to none. Bagan is home to about two thousand Buddhist monuments that tower over green plains. It has an ancient feel, which would make sense because it is an archaeological destination. Bagan is an inexpensive option if you want a luxury honeymoon on a budget.
Africa
Tanzania
Tanzania is a once in a lifetime kind of event (unless you go twice!). Where else can you see Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti, and witness The Great Migration? Tanzania has tropical beaches, lush jungles, and rolling deserts, all teeming with the most impressive wildlife on earth. I would recommend the balloon safari, to view the animals from hot air balloon. If your idea of a great honeymoon is romance and adventure together, this is your destination.
Canada
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is a paradox between sweeping, elegant mountain and ocean views, mixed with quaint coastal town feel. The star shaped citadel is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Nova Scotia has amazing opportunities to observe wildlife. Whales, seals, and penguins.
If you have a day, take the ferry to check out Sable Island. It’s a tiny, moon shaped island that is home to hundreds of wild horses.
Czech Republic
Prague
Prague might be the most romantic city on my list. The architecture is unbelievable. I could spend a week just exploring the castles and cathedrals. If you find yourself at a high vantage point around late afternoon, the way the sun hits the orange rooftops might make you cry. The Vltava river flows right through Prague, and it’s lined with bridges that are pieces of art in and of themselves. Friendly swans gather on the banks hoping for handouts, and it only adds to the romance of the city. A honeymoon in Prague is nothing short of perfect.
