Two Tickets to Paradise

John Clarken knows that honeymoon destinations like beaches in Mexico are classics for a reason. The airfare is usually a reasonable price. The flights from Denver are nonstop. Throw in all-inclusive perks, and many couples are sold.

“Mexico will probably always reign supreme, especially if there is a budget in mind,” says Clarken, vice president of New Horizons Travel in Fort Collins.

At the same time, more couples are ditching common destinations for vacations that are more aligned with their lifestyle, says Erin Whittington, who owns LuxAller Travel in Timnath.

“I don’t think honeymoons are the cookie-cutter experience they used to be,” she says.

Whittington recently had clients who went on a skydiving trip in New Zealand, a self-drive tour around Ireland and a cruise through the United Kingdom instead of the Caribbean.

Resorts and other destinations around the world, even the traditional ones, are responding with more diverse offerings. For example, overwater bungalows—structures built on stilts directly over the ocean—are cropping up at resorts in Mexico and beyond, Whittington says. That means more options than ever for recently married couples who hope to get away.

Cape Town, South Africa

For culture lovers

One way to find a unique honeymoon destination is to build around the shared love of a cultural staple, like food or wine. Mexico has plenty of tequila and mezcal tastings, but South Africa has exploded in popularity in recent years for its scenic drives and award-winning wineries, Clarken says.

For couples who want to immerse themselves in a culture that is completely different, he suggests they look to the East. Singapore is an exotic urban location with indoor gardens that rival a jungle in addition to its boutique shops, a state-of-the-art mall and Michelin-starred street food, he says.

Similarly, Japan has both megatropolis cities and quiet shrines in the countryside. The cultural difference alone is something to consider when choosing Japan or another international honeymoon destination, Clarken says.

“Even something simple like the bullet trains are kind of an experience in itself,” he says.

Places known for an event offer another chance to build a unique honeymoon. Clarken’s own honeymoon consisted of visiting Christmas markets in Hungary, Austria and Germany via a river cruise on the Danube. He says domestic options in the same vein would be the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival or a trip to Manhattan for New Year’s Eve.

 

El Dorado Royale in Cancún, Mexico.
Photo by Melissa Ovsanik, vacation specialist at Dream Vacations, Windsor.

Ultimate luxury

One location above all others comes to Whittington’s mind when thinking about luxury. Couples willing to travel to the south Pacific Ocean will be rewarded with “pure paradise” in Bora Bora, she says. The volcanic island boasts a number of resorts with overwater bungalows and lagoons that are perfect for snorkeling.

“It’s for if you just want privacy and romance and stunning water,“ Whittington says. “In my opinion, it’s the most beautiful water in the world.”

Other popular destinations for beach bungalows and resorts are the Maldives and the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. But closer to home, the more traditional (and cheaper) options such as Jamaica and Cancún have begun to offer comparable resort options, says Jonathan Talan, vacation specialist at Dream Vacations in Windsor.

“Nowadays, everyone has bungalows over water,” Talan says. “You don’t even have to worry about going to the Maldives to get that kind of experience.”

Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

No passport? No problem!

Expired passport? Last-minute getaway? If an international destination just isn’t in the cards, couples still have plenty of options that feel just as special.

The U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico don’t require a passport for entry but still have great beaches and resorts, Whittington says. Cruises that start and end in the same port in the U.S. don’t require a passport, so a Caribbean cruise is also on the table (so is Alaska, though that doesn’t require a passport either way).

A rare all-inclusive resort recently opened on U.S. soil: Bungalows Key Largo in Florida. Whittington recommends the resort to her clients in addition to bougie options in the Florida Keys.

Alternative transportation methods, such as renting an RV or taking a train, can also make a domestic trip feel unique. Amtrak has a route that goes from Denver to Moab and back on a train for a cruise-like experience, Talan says.

Clarken adds that his agency has one person solely dedicated to trips to Disney resorts—an option that speaks for itself.

Saint Catherine’s Chapel on the Rock near Estes Park

Consider the mini-moon

Inflation and other financial pressures have more couples considering smaller, shorter honeymoons, Talan says. The mini-moon can either serve as a short rest that couples take after the arduous task of planning a wedding or simply a smaller honeymoon that is more aligned with their lifestyle and budget.

Las Vegas was made for this kind of thing, but Northern Colorado residents also have plenty of options for a mini-moon just a few hours away. Black Hawk could serve as a fun gambling weekend if Vegas is too much of a stretch, Talan says.

Depending on the weather, he says ski towns such as Aspen and Breckenridge can make for scenic summer trips—plus, many have hot springs. Glenwood Springs is an affordable destination with all of the above. If couples have several days, they can string together an itinerary with spa time plus other mountain activities.

Chichén Itzá, Mexico

Finding adventure

While many Mexico resorts are best known for lounging on the beach, Clarken says adventure lovers should keep in mind that those destinations offer a plethora of other activities. Sport fishing, whale watching, scuba diving, kayaking, surfing and world-class golfing are often the norm.

Talan often suggests Costa Rica or Panama for more active couples, as they can explore volcanoes and rainforests while ziplining, water rafting and kayaking. For hiking and backpacking, he tells couples to look no further than the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. and Canada. Estes Park is a good fit for those who want to stay close to home.

Whittington adds that a high-budget option is an African safari, which has also grown in popularity for those who love both adventure and luxury.

 

Know Before You Go

Once you’ve narrowed down your destination preferences, experts say you should ask yourself these questions:

When does your passport expire? This is the big one. Passports are valid for 10 years, but some countries require that your passport has at least six months of validity beyond the dates of your trip, according to the U.S. Department of State. It takes up to six weeks to get or renew a passport.

Are you okay with the amount of time you will spend traveling? An international destination is exciting and exotic, but it often takes longer to arrive. Many destinations will require one or more layovers. The more remote the location, the longer the travel.

What insurance coverage do you need? Another international consideration is life and health insurance. Couples should check with their providers to see what kind of coverage they would get if something were to happen abroad, especially if they’re going on an adventure trip that involves activities like ziplining or skydiving.

Does Uber work there? How will you get around? Be sure you have a plan for transportation.

Do they speak your language? Language barriers can be a problem. Decide whether you’ll use Google Translate or another communication method.

Will you enjoy the culture of the place you’re visiting? This is a strange one worth considering. Caribbean islands work on island time, while many European hotels often don’t have the same amenities as a Hilton. Are those going to be deal-breakers?