Honeymoon destinations, from secluded retreats to culturally rich adventures

It’s not just about getting away. It’s about getting together. After all, you both survived the chaos of wedding planning, the onslaught of relatives, and the butterflies in your stomach during that walk down the aisle—now you deserve to be king and queen for a day . . . or a week . . . or more. Seeking out ideal honeymoon destinations can be the most fun of all the planning events for weddings. A rich array of travel choices beckons you to picture your ideal Shangri-la and, incredibly, set a date to immerse yourself in it. Consider all the honeymoon ideas and romantic holidays you can think of. Will you elect to spend your special time on a sandy, secluded Pacific island? Will you go for a scuba-diving eco-holiday at a major 5-star resort? Will your emphasis be on spa treatments or adventuring in a rain forest? There are so many heavenly honeymoon destinations that it will surely be difficult to select just one.

When the two of you have nothing to do but spend the time together, you’ll play like children and laugh like you haven’t in years. You’ll cavort, you’ll gambol, you’ll bask. Whether you enjoy the sunrise with a brisk yoga session, the afternoon with a surfboard, or the evening with a fine wine and picturesque sunset, the beaches of a five-star island resort  will embrace you. Nature lovers can not help but fall in love with romantic getaways where swimming alongside dolphins is a favorite spontaneous treat. They’ll gasp at the sight of wild tropical birds festooned with glorious plumage, and giggle at the antics of monkeys that step right out of a verdant jungle to put on a show.

The scents and sights of unspoiled natural wonders never cease to amaze couples of any age or background, and there is no better place to find such hidden treasures than in the world’s top honeymoon destinations. These locations have been carefully chosen in wondrous preserves such as those found in Fiji, the Maldives, Mauritius, the Caribbean, and Thailand. Island honeymoons often take place in World Heritage sites, whose unique landscapes and perfectly preserved undersea worlds enjoy international honor and prestige. No wonder they are consistently rated as top 10 honeymoon destinations.

Picture venerated Michelin chefs preparing such delicacies as coconut-chile shrimp, chicken vindaloo, and hearts-of-palm salad just for you. Now imagine it all being delivered to the blanket on the beach where you and your lover lounge in seaside splendor. After you have consumed the meal and are enjoying the sunset in each other’s arms, imagine the tuxedo-clad butler who quietly whisks in with a surprise of truffles and champagne. That’s five-star service. That’s a romantic vacation. But more than anything, that is the epitome of luxury honeymoon holidays. The best honeymoon destinations offer these luxuries and more. They strive to serve every whim and fancy of their enamored guests and to serve in such as way as to promote romance and help the new couple in strengthening a lifelong bond.

Imagine reading off the names of such exotic travel destinations as Raiatea Hawaiki, Koh Samui, and Hulhule Island, knowing that for a short but memorable time you may call one of these secret, splendid corners of the world home. Though far from the usual, these romantic getaways and honeymoon islands still provide everything you need for the ultimate in civilized entertainment. Dress to the nines for an eight-course dinner in exotic Bangkok, isolated Bora Bora, or exciting Kingston. Don a fluffy robe and little else for spa treatments that rejuvinate both skin and soul  in Thailand’s Phi Phi Island, Fiji’s Coral Coast,  or the Grande Bay of Mauritius. Throw a sarong over that bikini and venture off the beach to shop until you drop in the superb boutiques of some of the world’s best luxury hotels and resorts. With their extraordinary offerings including ideally preserved wildness as well as unabashed decadence, today’s luxury honeymoon destinations provide nothing short of the perfect vacation for couples.

Nature’s perfect playground, the seaside reminds one of eternity. Ephemeral tides and endless views encourage getting cozy in a hammock, beach blanket, or over-water cabana, while you and your new spouse contemplate life together. Inevitably, someone will say, “Let’s try to keep life always like this. This perfect. This simple.”