Your first trip as a married couple is a big one, you may have traveled together before, but never like this! We know that every couple is different and that there’s no one size fits all destination for honeymoons, so we’ve put together a list of our favorite trending honeymoon destinations for 2020 to help you find your perfect inspiration!
1: One&Only Mandarina
First on our list of trending honeymoon destinations is the One&Only Mandarina. The luxury hotel group behind the always popular One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos opens their second resort in Mexico later this year and it’s a perfect honeymoon location! With its location in the heart of a piece of undeveloped coastline just north of Punta Mita the resort has stunning coastal rainforest on one side and the crystal blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and white sand beaches on the other. This environment inspired the resorts construction and the 104 guestrooms are spread across the property in individual villas, taking advantage of the privacy that space to spread out provides. Our recommendation for the most romantic option, the Ocean Treehouses! These stunning villas are perched in the trees and have stunning views of the waters below! Even better, each room has an expansive private deck with private pools and a dedicated butler!
2: Montenegro
Despite its small size, Montenegro is packed with majestic mountains, breathtaking beaches and lovely locals! This tiny country, known as The Pearl of the Mediterranean, has been a playground of the rich and famous for many years but the rest of the world is finally starting to catch on! No matter what you’re looking for during your honeymoon, Montenegro can deliver! City slickers can wander the streets of Kotor, Tivat and Budva, beach bums have multiple beach areas to choose from and adventure junkies can spend their time hiking, biking, kayaking and more in the country’s mountainous interior. Although there are already several luxury resorts to explore throughout Montenegro, more are coming soon to this trending honeymoon destination. We’re most excited about the brand new One&Only resort on the Bay of Kotor and the first property of Aman’s sister brand Janu. With a winning combination of natural scenic beauty and luxury accommodations, this wonderful country is poised to be the newest hot spot in Europe! If you’re looking for even more Adriatic charm, a trip to Montenegro is easy to combine with Croatia, Greece or even Italy.
3: East Africa + Indian Ocean Islands
East Africa with its extraordinary landscapes, engaging indigenous peoples and myriad of animals, is the Africa that most people dream of. This corner of the world has captivated travelers for years and will continue to do so for many more. You may be asking why this destination is on our list of “Trending” honeymoon destinations as it has been a popular choice for many years, but we’re here to tell you that there’s always something new to explore here! Our personal favorite way to see East Africa is to spend several days on the mainland exploring the Serengeti, Masai Mara and Ngorongoro Crater then head further East to the beautiful blue waters of the Indian Ocean! Whether you want to make the trek to the overwater villas of the Maldives, or you want to stay closer to the mainland and explore places like Zanzibar and the coastal islands of Mozambique, there’s a stunning beach for every honeymoon!
4: Antigua
White sand beaches and emerald jungles surrounded by crystal blue waters; sounds like a perfect honeymoon destination right? With it’s 365 white sandy beaches (one for every day of the year!), the stunning Caribbean island of Antigua has everything a glamourous beach bum could ask for! The turquoise waters of the Caribbean surrounding this island paradise are full of wonderful places to snorkel, scuba dive or to just enjoy an umbrella drink in the surf. Outside of the amazing water sports and beaches though, the island has so much more to explore! With an extensive English Colonial history, the island has all the romance of pirates and buccaneers coupled with the luxury and comforts of the 21st century! Relax and rejuvenate after the wedding at Curtain Bluff Resort or Hermitage Bay on the main island, or truly get away from it all at Jumby Bay, an Oetker Collection resort located on it’s own private island just off the coast.
5: Sicily
Italy is a perennial favorite for honeymooners the world over, but so many stick to the classic trip exploring the major cities of the mainland: Rome, Florence and Venice. There’s so much more to see in this engaging European gem! Located just off the ‘toe’ of Italy’s boot, Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and while you may automatically think of “The Godfather”, there is so much here to fascinate everyone from beach bums and adventure junkies to foodies and history buffs! We recommend spending several days in Taormina at Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo or Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea to explore Mount Etna and the surrounding winelands, then venturing over to Villa Igiea to explore the food and wine of Palermo. After a few days in Palermo, end your trip with several days relaxing at Verdura Resort, a stunning Rocco Forte property located on a 1.8 km private beach, to enjoy some relaxation and pampering before coming home!
6: Maldives
This stunning chain of islands located just south of India are a honeymooner’s dream. Picture waking up to a gorgeous sunrise, strolling out to the edge of your overwater bungalows terrace and diving right into the clear blue tropical waters where you’re surrounded by sea life. Later that day, after spending the afternoon out on the water sailing or at the resorts amazing spa, you enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner on the sandy beach. Ah bliss. While the Maldives has always been a top destination for honeymoons, recent and upcoming luxury hotel openings from brands like Waldorf Astoria, Raffles and Capella have brought this destination even more to the forefront.
7: Japan
Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun, and the sun has definitely been rising on this destination over the last couple of years. City lovers should head to Tokyo, where the crowded streets, shining skyscrapers, and tons of restaurants and cultural sights will keep you occupied for days. For culture lovers and history buffs, Kyoto is the place to be. This former capital of Japan still retains its importance as the historical heart of the country and has some of the most historically important sites within its boundaries. For those who enjoy the outdoors and adventure, explore Mount Fuji during the day and enjoy the local hot springs in the evening in Hakone or enjoy some of the best skiing on this side of the world in Hokkaido. These are just a small sampling of the destinations available across the islands of Japan, and with these and many others, this island country is sure to be a trending honeymoon spot for years to come.
8: Puglia
Earlier in our list we discussed the ‘toe’ of Italy’s boot, now let’s head to the east and the ‘heel’. Puglia encompasses all the things that make Italy a top honeymoon spot to visit: history, architecture, culture, and great food. The cherry on top? It is surrounded by the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, bestowing the beaches along the coast with blue waters that rival anything you could find in the Greek Islands. We recommend staying at Masseria Torre Maizza or Borgo Egnazia in the northern portion of Puglia near Bari. From here you can explore the stunning beaches as well as several UNESCO World Heritage towns located across the peninsula.
9: Argentina
Argentina is a land of many sights, sounds, and adventures. From the streets of Buenos Aires where tango music ripples through the air, to the thundering majesty of Iguazu Falls and the intense quiet of Patagonia and the southern plains, this massive South American country offers so much to explore. We recommend starting off with a few days to explore Buenos Aires from your home base at the Palacio Duhau by Park Hyatt or the Four Seasons. Spend a few days enjoying the culture and city life – there’s a reason this enchanting city is called the Paris of South America! Then head out of town to the rich wine country, Mendoza. Spend a few days at The Vines Resort & Spa, a laid back but still luxe resort from where you can explore the local vineyards. Finally, head off to explore some of the natural wonders of Argentina! Iguazu Falls and a stay at the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas (where you can access the park before opening) is a great option. You can also head south to EOLO and the plains of southern Patagonia. This stunning luxury property is close enough to Los Glaciares National Park that you can explore there, but you’ll still have an incredible sense of being at the end of the world due to it’s location dead center in a 10,000 acre ranch.
10: Australia
Island. Continent. Country. Australia is many things, and the best word to describe this vast island is unexpected. From the red dirt alien world of the Outback and Uluru to the shining blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia is packed with diverse sights to explore. Any trip should start off with a few days to explore Sydney and it’s iconic sights like Harbor Bridge and the Opera House. We recommend the Park Hyatt for stunning harbor views and amazing service. For those who want to get away from it all and explore, we recommend a tour of the Luxury Lodges of Australia. Start off with a visit to One & Only Wolgan Valley in the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney. Then venture south to the island of Tasmania and Saffire in Freycinet National Park before venturing to central Australia and exploring Uluru and the Outback from Longitude 131. End your trip with a luxurious and relaxing stay at Qualia in the Hamilton Islands. This amazing property offers a great home base from which to explore the Great Barrier Reef and coast.
Start Planning your Honeymoon to a Trending Destination!
Did our roundup of trending honeymoon destinations leave you inspired? Ready to start planning your own honeymoon? Reach out today to see how our expert team of travel advisors can work with you to make sure that your “I do’s” don’t leave you thinking “I don’t” want to plan my perfect honeymoon. Leave all the stress of planning to our Houston travel agency and get ready to celebrate starting your new life together!
