Travel Channel Announces Top Honeymoon Destinations

Whether you want to follow the trend or buck it for your honeymoon, knowing the top destinations can be helpful when you're planning your first vacation as a married couple. The Travel Channel's top honeymoon destinations is their list of the most romantic spots.

The first on their list is the Maldives, the Indian Ocean archipelago. They praise it saying that "romance seems to blaze out from each tiki torch that lines the beach." It's not the only island destination, though. Maui, Fiji, and Virgin Gorda also get mentions on the list.

For those looking for something a little less tropical, Italy completes the list. They encourage visits to many of the country's romantic cities including Rome, Venice, and Florence.

Wherever you're thinking about for your most romantic honeymoon spot, and whether it is on the Travel Channel list or not, find out how to plan your getaway with a honeymoon registry!

Honeymoons Even More Popular

The number of couples taking a honeymoon has increased in 2012, according to the Real Weddings Study. The annual survey of brides, conducted by TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com, showed that more than three-quarters of couples took a honeymoon.

As the economy has begun to improve, more couples are going back to this important wedding tradition. Taking time away together as a newly married couple is a way for you to bond, enjoy your new marriage, and have a bit of relaxation after the stress of wedding planning.

Another way that couples have been able to afford to take a honeymoon is through the use of a honeymoon  registry. These are perfect for couples who don't need or want the traditional wedding gifts like toasters and sets of china. Instead, your guests contribute to your honeymoon costs. To find out more about honeymoon registries, click here!

Of course, one of the great things about a honeymoon -- and a honeymoon registry -- is that you get to visit an amazing destination. Whether you want to see Paris in the springtime, the stunning beaches of Thailand, or  the beauty of Bogota, a honeymoon trip can be a way of taking the journey of a lifetime.

An Artistic Honeymoon in Carmel California

The coastal town of Carmel is a perfect honeymoon destination. Located on the California coast, it is easily reachable from San Francisco or Los Angeles.  Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its beautiful beach and arts community. Whether you prefer the performing arts or the visual arts, Carmel has plenty to offer.

It also has plenty of wonderful restaurants to choose from. The top quality ingredients used by many of the restaurants are sourced nearby in California’s agricultural center. You’ll also have the chance to taste the wines the state is known for.

Holman Ranch, Carmel Valley

From Carmel, it’s a short drive into the world famous Monterey. There you can visit Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is known as one of the world’s best.   The region is full of natural wonders, too. Between Carmel and Monterey, you can drive along 17-Mile Drive, a scenic route through some of California’s most beautiful coastal towns.

17-Mile Drive on the Pacific Coast Highway

 

Want your entire Carmel honeymoon paid for?  Click here and register for our online honeymoon registry.

Montreal Honeymoon

Montreal is a great honeymoon spot. With plenty of romantic spots and plenty of old world charm, it is an ideal place to visit. Being within driving distance of some parts of the United States, and an easy flight from the rest, it is quick to get to.

 

Once you arrive in the Quebec capital, you’ll be taken by the truly European feel of it. Though it retains much of the northern beauty shared by all of Canada, it also manages to give the feeling of being in France.

 

You needn’t worry about the language barrier, though, as most things in Montreal are bilingual, and the city’s residents are generally happy to speak to you in English or French.

 

Whether your tastes are in art, music, food, or shopping, Montreal has plenty to offer. In the colder months, you can visit the vast parts of the city that lie underground. Protected from the often very cold weather, you can tour large parts of the city without ever having to battle the elements.  Montreal has long been a tourist destination, and its gorgeous architecture will give you a honeymoon to remember.

Want your Montreal honeymoon paid for?  Why not register for it as a wedding gift by clicking here for our online honeymoon registry.

New Orleans Honeymoon

New Orleans in Louisiana is an amazing place to spend your honeymoon.  It intertwines a laidback vibe, rich culture and history and fantastic cuisine to offer honeymooning couples a carefree and colorful vacation.

photo taken by Jose Villa

 

There are many gorgeous places to stay in the city, particularly in the French Quarter and the Garden District.  The Garden District offers upscale boutique hotels, fine dining, historical homes and antique stores.  If you’re looking for something a little edgier, the French Quarter boasts ghosts, the supernatural and vampires!  New Orleans is famous for its haunted walks, which are an easy way of getting into the swing of things...




Bienville House

 

Wherever you stay, enjoying the city’s incredible music scene is a must.  Drinking cocktails while listening to an evening of jazz is a great way to take in the nightlife.  During the day, you can visit the city’s art museums or check out its beautiful architecture.  For the more adventurous, there are trips to spot alligators in the Louisiana bayou.  If that’s too much for you, there are lots of more traditional tours that explore the likes of the Mississippi River, the French market and the cocktail culture.  There really is something for everyone.

Mississippi River Dam

 

If you love the thought of spending a romantic time in New Orleans and would like to have it paid for, please click here for our honeymoon registry.

An Idyllic Icelandic Honeymoon

A trip to Iceland is an unusual but unforgettable honeymoon destination.  Its rugged landscape, astonishing volcanoes and impressive glaciers will melt the heart of any couple who appreciate scenery that is out of the ordinary.

Unless you want a real out of the way experience, the best place to stay is the capital of Reykjavik.  It has a huge range of places to stay and you’ll warm to the friendliness of the hotel staff and the people in general.

You don’t have to go far to get a taste of Iceland’s views.  Walking along the bay promenade gives an instant view of the rugged mountains that the country offers or you can take short trip to the Blue Lagoon, where you can bathe in the natural hot springs at any time of the year.  

However, the best way of seeing the country is to book a number of day trips.  There are a wide range of tour operators based in Reykjavik and you can get all the tourist information you need from the hotel lobby or the tourist information office on the main shopping street.  As well as volcanoes and glaciers, you can see geysers, waterfalls and the majestic coasts on guided tours, with plenty of photo opportunities.  There’s no end to the sights that will take your breath away.

If the ruggedness of Iceland is calling to you and you’d like to have it paid for, please click here for our honeymoon registry.

Honeymoon in Victoria Canada

If you’d like a honeymoon abroad but want the convenience of familiar brands and products, you may want to consider Canada.  Of its many glorious places to stay, the gorgeous Victoria combines an old fashioned atmosphere with the glamor of the Vancouver Island experience.

Victoria, Canada Horse & Carriage Ride

Because of its mild climate, Victoria has a luscious green look, with colorful flowers, gardens and parks.  Spend lazy days wandering through them or relax at one of the many beaches or lakes.  If the idea of long, winding beaches appeals to you, opt for a day Saanich’s Gyro Park in Cadboro Bay.  It’s a family friendly place but has the space for couples to chill out under the area’s palm trees.

Victoria also boats a great range of art galleries, theaters and historic buildings for all you culture vultures.  The gothic Christ Church Cathedral is an amazing place to visit, as is the stunning Hatley Park National Historic Site.  If you prefer things to be livelier, try a spot of whale watching, ziplining or cruising around the island.

The nightlife also offers great choices for a honeymooning couple.  There’s a wealth of intimate restaurants or you can shake your stuff at a nightclub in the downtown area.  Add in some sophisticated lounges and wine bars and you’ll feel like a star every night.

If you want to enjoy the delights of Victoria and would like it to be paid for, click here for our honeymoon registry.

Honeymoon in Australia

Those with an adventurous spirit or a backpacker mentality may not be enthusiastic about a traditional honeymoon destination.  In that case, you may want to consider a trip to Western Australia.

The west coast of Australia can offer white beaches, an amazing array of wildflowers and some unforgettable moments.  You can swim with fish, walk through the tallest of woods or scuba dive.  There’s an almost endless choice of activities and a huge landscape to discover.

One option is to base yourself at Margaret River, in the south west of the country.  From here, you can surf, go on long walks and horse ride through the bush and then reward yourself with a trip to one of the local wine producers – making sure that you sample the produce, of course!  The south west allows you to combine outdoor adventure with a choice of superb restaurants and resorts.

However, the north west is equally enticing. You can enjoy the rugged terrain of Karijini National Park or take in the amazing sight of Lake Argyle.  If you really want the outback experience, consider renting a jeep to cover the territory or upscale and take a tourist flight over the impressive rock formations and stunning waterfalls.  And who could resist taking a camel ride across the shimmering sands and clear sea at Cable Beach?

If the adventure of Australia is calling out to you and you’d like to have it paid for, simply click here for our honeymoon registry.