Some honeymoons are really a search for the right beach. A travel guide to the best places for newlyweds ranks the Maldives first and calls it the “undisputed #1 desired honeymoon destination in the world.” Beaches dominate the list, it says, though a few picks have nothing to do with sand.
Sun and sea
The Maldives pitch is the one you expect: a luxury beachfront resort, maybe an overwater bungalow, with massages by the shore, glass-bottom boat tours and snorkeling over reefs full of marine life. The guide suggests a boat trip to Vaadhoo Island, where bioluminescence lights the water in what it calls the “Sea of Stars.” The Maldives is a Muslim country, so alcohol is only allowed at private resorts, where most honeymooners stay. The best weather runs from January to April, dry and warm.
St. Lucia suits couples who do not want a packed schedule. The Piton mountains rise behind white sand beaches, coral reefs ring the island and temperatures sit between 84F and 88F. All-inclusive resorts offer private pools and beaches. The guide recommends mid-April to June, with little rain and smaller crowds, and points to the volcanic mud baths and sulphur springs near the Soufriere Volcano on the western coast.
Hawaii works best split between two islands. Oahu has the nightlife, shopping and dining, with Waikiki as the main resort area and surfing on the North Shore. Kauai is quieter and more secluded. The guide suggests ending on Kauai, where you can snorkel at Ke’e, tour the Napali Coast and visit Waimea Canyon State Park. Rent a car, it advises.
Islands and old towns
Greece offers unspoiled beaches, ruins and nightlife that ranges from sleepy to lively. The guide names Santorini, Crete, Corfu, Milos and Sifnos. Santorini comes with a sunset over the Oia caldera and villas with their own plunge pools. Milos, Crete and Sifnos are lighter on nightlife and heavier on beaches. Since flights go through Athens, the guide suggests a stop to see the Parthenon.
The Italian Riviera pairs Portofino, which the guide calls upscale and exclusive and places two hours south of Milan, with the five villages of Cinque Terre: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. From Portofino a footpath leads around the cliffs to the 16th-century Castello Brown.
Paris brings gardens, the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre and the Louvre, plus Michelin-starred dining. The guide says to choose a base carefully. The 1st and 2nd arrondissements are the heart of the city, close to the Louvre and Sainte-Chapelle, while the Marais in the 3rd and 4th has brunch spots, cafes and nightlife.
For the adventurous
Costa Rica is the guide’s pick for couples who want zip-lining through the Monteverde Cloud Forest, surfing at Jaco Beach on the Pacific coast, or the black sand beaches of Cahuita on the Caribbean side. The Pacific side is more developed. The Caribbean side is more laid-back and cheaper.
