Top 2019 Honeymoon Destinations To Put On Your Radar
We’re doing a little happy dance over here because today we get to talk to you about one of the most exciting events in a lifetime, beyond your wedding day itself… THE HONEYMOON! There are a million and one places out there you can start your search for the perfect destination, but trust me, it can be a major rabbit hole. The good kind of rabbit hole, but also the kind that might lose you sleep, focus and sanity trying to choose between all the great options. So we’ve done a little digging ourselves to share those top honeymoon destinations to put on your radar in 2019.
Shall we, friend?
Photo by Luxury Travel Expert
Udaipur, India
The often acclaimed “Venice of the East” is chock full of cultural marvels, from the jaw-droppping architecture to the romantic glistening lakes. The urban luxe vibes throughout the region give it the sense you’re wandering through a real-life fairytale, minus the bad guys. There’s nothing but tranquility here!
Photo by Oberoi Udaivilas
Things to do
- Take a boat ride along Lake Pichola
- Spend a day sailing through Jaisamand Lake – a dreamy oasis encompassing three islands and exotic wildlife to boot!
- Treat your tastebuds at Surya Mahal and Chandni
- Take in the wonder of museums + historically preserved sites like Bagore Ki Haveli, City Palace Udaipur, Lake Palace Udaipur, Jag Mandir Palace, and Maharana Pratap Memoria
- Indulge in holistic spa treatements at the luxurious Leela Palace
- Have lunch on an intimate Shikari ride – India’s answer to gondolas!
- Witness an epic orange-colored sky from Sunset Terrace at Fateh Prakash Palace
- Cross camel safari off your bucket list
Where to stay:
Best time to visit : September to March
Morocco
South of France
Imagine that opening scene of Beauty and the Beast where Belle wanders amidst the colorful half-timbered houses, cobblestoned streets filled with intricately carved fountains, fresh loaves of bread piled high in market baskets and fresh cut flowers everywhere you turn… This is the South of France. We couldn’t pick one village alone because let’s face it, the best way to explore this fairytale region of the world is to see it all. Stay in chalets with butter yellow patinas or quaint b&b’s with garden views like a Monet, and then level up to Monte Carlo the next day. Every small town has its own unique culture, so why not throw up your hands and experience it all?
Photo by Gal Meets Glam
Things to do:
- Visit Aix-En-Provence on a market day – be sure to grab a woven market basket and fill it with local treasures, antiques, flowers, local delicacies as you explore each canvas stall. Then follow your nose to one of the cafes along the promenade where you can sit in the sun, people watch, and consume the most delicious meal of your life.
- Stroll along the palm-lined La Croisette promenade in Cannes, then basque in the sun under one of those famous striped umbrellas!
- Spend a day in the French Riviera town of Saint Tropez, and take leisurely self-guided tasting tour. Such delicacies as truffle-filled cheese, fresh charcuterie and locally-made honey can be found all over this region
- Hike to some of the secret pebbled beaches of The Calanques – I’d start in the seaside town of Cassis, making the few hour hike to En Vau. Be sure to bring lots of water and wear breathable clothes… it may be a challenging hike along limestone hills, but you also get the most rewarding view at the end
- Visit the medieval village of Bordeaux – aka the Capital of Wine
- Take a romantic stroll through the lavender fields of Provence, and marvel at over 450 varieties of this fragrant bloom
- Explore Saint Remy on a Wednesday, which is market day, and set up a picnic with chilled rosé + cheeses topped with herbs + flowers
- Go antiquing in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – do the visual merchandisers at Anthro shop here for their displays?
Where to stay:
Best time to visit: March to May and September to November
Croatia
Photo by Alamy
A majestic land any Game of Thrones fan would recognize in a heartbeat, Croatia is overflowing with the most breathtaking views along the Adriatic Sea. Sparkling blue waters, layers of natural greenery, 4th-century Roman ruins and total Eastern European paradise puts Croatia at the top of our list for 2019. Many couples will opt for the sailboat or yacht mode of transportation as they ride from village to village, exploring the hidden treasures within each. You’d be hard-pressed to find a prettier place in the world to be kissed by the sun!
Things to do:
- Walk the medieval fort wall in Dubrovnik, and admire the famous views of sandstone buildings with faded red shingles as the Adriatic Sea crashes beneath you.
- Hike along scenic lakes and waterfalls in Hvar, then rent a bike to explore the neighboring towns and lavender fields
- Experience unique olive oil infusions at Uje Oil Bar
- Explore the 1700-year-old Palace of Diocletian after people-watching along the palm-fringed port in Split
- Enjoy some Dalmatian comfort food at Nautika Restaurant
- Explore underwater caves just south of Pula, near Cape Kamenjak
- Visit Krka National Park to witness lush landscapes that are otherworldly
- Relax the day away at Bacvice beach and take a dip beneath the gleaming sun
Where to stay:
Best time to visit: May to October
Iceland
Have you ever seen nature so stunning, you just started crying? Not to be dramatic, but the mystical beauty of Iceland will bring me to tears every time. No matter what time of year you go, there is something magical waiting for you. In the summer, you might find rich green landscapes, puffins along cliffs, volcanoes waiting to be explored and an ethereal midnight sun, while winter boasts such bucket list opportunities as snowmobiling, dog sledding, night tours to see the Aurora Borealis. The good news is, their waterfalls ooze splendor all times of year, and I’d go for that reason alone.
Photo by Matthew Hahnel
Things to do:
- Drive along the Golden Circle and explore different villages and natural wonders along the way. Glaciers, volcanoes, ice caps, waterfalls, colorful hillside towns and Icelandic horses are just a few of the things you’ll pass en route. You could spend about 1-2 weeks driving along this single road route which parallels the entire country’s coastline!
- Experience total tranquility at dozens of hidden hot springs + geothermal lagoons like The Secret Lagoon, Mývatn Nature Baths, Landmannalaugar – of course the famous Blue Lagoon just outside of Reykjavik is a MUST too!
- Try your luck at glimpsing the Northern Lights! Electromagnetic forces create romantic curtains in the sky, but you’ll need to get far from any lights to actually see them. Jökulsárlón is a popular place to camp out for such a view, and the best time of year to try to spot them is from September to early April. Remember, spottings are kind of a hit or miss, so give yourself some flexibility in your evening schedule to try and try again. You can regularly check the forecast here!
- Go waterfall hopping to see some of the most majestic views in the world. Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Skógafoss are a few of the ones you can take a day trip to from Reykjavik!
- Get adventurous with activities like snowmobiling along a glacier, skiing at one of the Northern resorts, or dog-sledding at sunrise (on snow or dry land!)
- Head to the top of Hallgrimskirkja Church for the best view of Reykjavik, then go window shopping along their famous colorful streets, Skólavödustígur and Laugavegur
- Go whale watching in Akureyri, the “Capital of the North”
- Ride the adorably fuzzy and plump Icelandic horses through the rugged countryside or black sand beaches
Where to stay:
Best time to visit: Like some relationship statuses… it’s complicated. Check out this comprehensive guide here which helps you figure out the best time for you based on your priorities!
I’d be willing to bet you’re on your way to your favorite airlines’ sites right now to start mapping out your dates 😉 Truth be told, you can’t go wrong with any of these destinations. And if you’re a travel aficionado like us, you might as well peruse our list from last year as well – see our top summer honeymoon destinations for 2018 here!