The Top 40 Honeymoon Destinations for 2021—And Beyond
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02/07/2021 40 Best Honeymoon Destinations 2021 - Top Places to Go for Honeymoons s u b s c r i b e S I G N I N W e m a y e a r n c o m m i s s i o n f r o m l i n k s o n t h i s p a g e , b u t w e o n l y r e c o m m e n d p r o d u c t s w e l o v e . P r o m i s e . The Top 40 Honeymoon Destinations for 2021—and Beyond W h e r e t o g o , w h e r e t o s t a y , a n d w h a t t o d o f o r y o u r t r i p o f a l i f e t i m e . b y H A N N A H S E L I G S O N a n d L E E N A K I M J U N 3 0 , 2 0 2 1 COURTESY OF COURTESY OF CAPELLA LODGE he honeymoon is one of those high-stakes trips that requires careful, thoughtful planning—and a well- padded budget. After all, the idea is that you'll only do it once, so there is inevitably a bit of—okay, a lot of T —pressure to make this extremely special. And just as weddings have become ever more extravagant over the years, so too have honeymoons—why take one week when you can take off three? And why not multiple stops? Tanzania and Tuscany? Patagonia and Fiji? These past 15 months of forced abstinence have only created even more pent up energy to travel, whether for a honeymoon, a birthday, an anniversary, or simply just because we nally can, for the most part. And for those blessed couples who had to contend with Covid-delayed weddings and last minute plan Bs, well, perhaps you deserve two honeymoons. Here, we break down 40 T&C-approved honeymoon destinations, plus where you should stay in each. Have a thirst for adventure? Consider a 10-day trek across the Serengeti, on foot. Prefer to just sprawl out on pristine sand for a week? We've got the perfect little private island in Australia. Want to stay close to home? Honeymoon a la JFK and Jackie Kennedy in a delightful celebrity's refuge in Santa Barbara. Whatever you choose, do keep in mind that we are still living in a pandemic, and some of these destinations may be open for the immediate future, while others aren't yet. But it never hurts to plan in advance—and cue up the wanderlust—especially for such a once-in-a-lifetime trip. ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/g36886126/best-honeymoon-destination1/ 1/38 02/07/2021 40 Best Honeymoon Destinations 2021 - Top Places to Go for Honeymoons 1 Santa Barbara, California ELVIRA LASKOWSKI / GETTY IMAGES With its charming clay-roofed Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and its balmy Mediterranean climate, Santa Barbara ranks high on the list for romantics who want a city-meets-beach escape that is also convenient to access (y into Santa Barbara airport or make the easy 2-hour drive up from Los Angeles). Plus, for oenophiles, there is picturesque, winery-strewn Santa Ynez Valley, less than an hour away. As for where to stay, there is nothing more romantic than San Ysidro Ranch, the gorgeously landscaped idyllic hideaway where JFK and Jackie spent their honeymoon, and where countless celebrities, from Winston Churchill to John Huston, have sought refuge. San Ysidro Ranch B O O K N O W R E A D R E V I E W S 2 Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/g36886126/best-honeymoon-destination1/ 2/38 02/07/2021 40 Best Honeymoon Destinations 2021 - Top Places to Go for Honeymoons COURTESY OF THE MAUNA KEA BEACH HOTEL Hawaii and honeymoon are rather synonymous, but venture off the beaten path a little bit and head to Big Island, arguably the state's least commercialized—and most authentic—island. Adventures include helicopter tours, nighttime snorkeling to see manta rays, and, of course, the geological marvels of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Stay at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, a mid-century, open oor plan masterpiece from Laurance S. Rockefeller that features cantilevered stairways, a museum-worthy collection of Asian Pacic Art, and a pretty slice of beach with sand as smooth as silk. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel B O O K N O W R E A D R E V I E W S ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW NOUVEAU Mode jusqu'à -70% ASOS 3 Big Sur, California https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/g36886126/best-honeymoon-destination1/ 3/38 02/07/2021 40 Best Honeymoon Destinations 2021 - Top Places to Go for Honeymoons COURTESY OF VENTANA BIG SUR / 123 A land of sweeping views known for its mind-body-soul getaways and retreats, Big Sur has towering redwoods, whimsical meadows, and the most dramatic vistas of the Pacic coastline. To indulge in the quintessential (and romantic) Big Sur experience, head to the Ventana Big Sur, for its innity-edge hot tub, clothing-optional Mountain pool, and adjacent Japanese hot baths. Ventana Big Sur B O O K N O W R E A D R E V I E W S 4 Punta Mita, Mexico COURTESY OF THE FOUR SEASONS PUNTA MITA https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/g36886126/best-honeymoon-destination1/ 4/38 02/07/2021 40 Best Honeymoon Destinations 2021 - Top Places to Go for Honeymoons This 1,500-acre coastal peninsula in the Riveria Nayarit region is an oasis of wellness and indulgence. Located on the west coast of Mexico, there are surf villages, plenty of whale watching opportunities, and tons of biodiversity, all topped off with a wild and untamed feel—it's barefoot luxury at its nest. The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita has unique spiritual activities like a chakra balancing ritual, meditation, and yoga on top of a rock, along with other honeymoon-worthy things like private sunset yacht tours and secluded dinners on a cliffside facing the setting sun. Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita B O O K N O W R E A D R E V I E W S ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW -30% De Bijenkorf - Femme deBijenkorf.fr 5 Lake Como, Italy LEPRETRE PIERRE / GETTY IMAGES https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/g36886126/best-honeymoon-destination1/ 5/38 02/07/2021 40 Best Honeymoon Destinations 2021 - Top Places to Go for Honeymoons Riva cruises, delicious pasta, ambling strolls through postcard perfect villages, lounging by a fresh saltwater pool that oats in the lake... Isn't this what a honeymoon is supposed to be? Set against the dramatic scenery of the Alps, Lake Como and its picturesque towns (Cernobbio, Bellagio, Varenna among them) have long been a chic, polished refuge for Milanese elite (and George Clooney). For the most quintessential dolce vita experience, head to the grandest dame here: the majestic, historic, and exquisitely manicured Villa d'Este. Villa d'Este B O O K N O W R E A D R E V I E W S 6 Maui, Hawaii COURTESY OF HOTEL WAILEA They sure know how to do honeymoons on Maui. The island has a polished, but relaxed feel, with enough fantastic culinary options to eat at a different restaurant every night. Add in gorgeous beaches, rain forests, and whale watching during certain times of year. Soak it all in at Hotel Wailea, an adult- only, all-suite property overlooking three Hawaii islands. Hotel Wailea B O O K N O W R E A D R E V I E W S ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/g36886126/best-honeymoon-destination1/ 6/38 02/07/2021 40 Best Honeymoon Destinations 2021 - Top Places to Go for Honeymoons 7 Pacific Harbor, Fiji COURTESY OF NANUKU, AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION Remote, tranquil, and surrounded by crystal clear water, Fiji is the ultimate place to decompress post-wedding. It's also a haven of luxury properties, many with their own private island—could there be anything more romantic than being alone in the middle of nowhere? Nanuku, an Auberge Resort, offers guests the option of renting out its exclusive two-acre private island, located a 25-minute boat ride away from the main property. Nanuku, Auberge Resorts Collection B O O K N O W 8 Bora Bora, French Polynesia https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/g36886126/best-honeymoon-destination1/ 7/38 02/07/2021 40 Best Honeymoon Destinations 2021 - Top Places to Go for Honeymoons ADAM BRUZZONE Known for its scuba diving and protected coral reefs, Bora Bora in French Polynesia is another remote, castaway type destination for honeymooners who want to get away from it all—and who are up for a big splurge. The Conrad, located on a private cove on the island of Motu To'opua, boasts the longest stretch of white sand beach in Bora Bora and possibly the most legendary sunsets. Conrad Bora Bora Nui B O O K N O W R E A D R E V I E W S ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW 9 Peninsula Papagayo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/g36886126/best-honeymoon-destination1/ 8/38 02/07/2021 40 Best Honeymoon Destinations 2021 - Top Places to Go for Honeymoons ALLEN KENNEDY PHOTOGRAPHY This 1,400-acre eco-luxury resort and residential community in northwest Costa Rica is home to exotic wildlife and white-sand beaches, and is the ideal jumping off point for exploring Costa Rica’s awe-inspiring nature with your other half.