Ten Honeymoon spots for ten types of couples
Honeymooners look for that special place to create life-long memories after tying the knot. But when it comes to destinations, not everyone is on the same page. For each type of couple, there is a locale to suit their distinguishing tastes. Here are some destinations that fit 10 different types of couples, each with something special to offer newlyweds.
SHAWN MOKSVOLD 18/06/2017
The foodies: Budapest
Eastern European gastronomy has been stepping up its game. Hungarian chefs are flaunting their inventive haute cuisine skills with exquisite cold soups, variants of goulashes, deep red with Kalocsa paprika and creatively filled crepes. Budapest is perfect for meandering strolls for couples, hand in hand, amongst neoclassical façades, looking for warm, cinnamon and coconut “chimney snacks” served from street carts. A rising star in the European foodie scene, Budapest is a refreshing alternative to the go-to foodie destinations of Italy and France.
SHAWN MOKSVOLD 18/06/2017
The outdoorsy couple: Yucatan Peninsula
While there are plenty of ways to see the land of the Mayans without much walking, many couples come to the Riviera Maya and Nayarit to experience nature first-hand. The sublime coastline, with its picture perfect beaches and relaxed tropical atmosphere mix well with no nonsense, rugged out-door experiences. For nature-loving sweethearts, the choices abound. There is seemingly unlimited hiking amongst ancient pyramids, jungle canopy zip lines, whale watching trips, romantic sailing excursions, scuba diving and snorkeling, surfing, kite surfing and paddle boarding.
SHAWN MOKSVOLD 18/06/2017
The adventure-seekers: Cape Verde Islands
Nothing says adventure like a colonial archipelago off the African coast. The seeking couple will find ample opportunities to whet their appetite for novelty, with plenty to discover on rugged Boa Vista Island and in the Creole culture of Sal Rei. Adventure is well supplied with secluded beaches, shipwrecks, vast sand dune landscapes, and hard to access places best traversed by 4x4. The laid-back locals welcome couples looking for a secluded intimacy that feels like an expedition.
SHAWN MOKSVOLD 18/06/2017
The beach addicts: Dominican Republic
Couples that gravitate to the coasts at the first opportunity will find almost 800 miles of world-renowned sandy paradise in the Dominican Republic. In Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, some of the most famous Caribbean sunsets and warm ocean breezes complement romantic moments in manicured resort areas with lush tropical vegetation and plenty of celebratory cocktails to mark the occasion of a new marriage. In Bayahibe, honeymooners find a quieter, quaint beach paradise.
SHAWN MOKSVOLD 18/06/2017
The culturally engaged: New York City
New Yorkers ceaselessly maintain their city’s reputation as the capital of the world. And for good reason. Newly married couples that look to share a love of art, literature and philosophy meander the bustling streets of New York City. It’s richly international attitude solidifies it as the place to be for Broadway shows, countless important art exhibitions, the latest in haute cuisine and street food, opera and symphony, and sophisticated night clubs, venues and restaurants for any taste.
SHAWN MOKSVOLD 18/06/2017
The neophiles: Cuba
For a generation, political squabbles and complex international relations have held our neighbor to the south out of bounds. As the country opens up, the diversity of Cuban culture and its natural beauty are now within the sights of honeymooners with a flare for the new. Frozen in time in many ways, Cuba is a discovery of the genuinely vintage. Set in the Caribbean sea, the scene is ideal for romance: palm trees, classic convertible cars and white sand beaches, as well as world-class rum cocktails, decadent art nouveau and art deco architecture.
SHAWN MOKSVOLD 18/06/2017
The romantic couple: Bulgaria
The small Balkan nation is a melting pot of Persian, Greek, Slavic and Ottoman culture, rich in myth and ancient history. The romance of a honeymoon is complemented by the Renaissance architecture and charming antiquity of Plovdiv, and by the ravishing beauty of the Seven Lakes, which folklore says are filled with the tears of a lady giant crying for her love. The sunny Black Sea coast beckons couples with its palapa-covered beachfront with soft sand and luxury catamaran cruises along the coast.
SHAWN MOKSVOLD 18/06/2017
The eco-tourists: The Amazon
The government of Brazil has put considerable effort into protecting the largest rainforest on earth. The Amazon covers around 2.6 million square miles, around 44% of which is protected. After years of devastating deforestation and slash and burn, the attitude seems to have seen a sea change. Tour operators cater to eco-tourists who care about conservation issues, as well as those freshly hitched couples that want the romance of sailing down the Amazon River amongst pink dolphins, jaguars and the wild sounds of the jungle.
SHAWN MOKSVOLD 18/06/2017
The partiers: The Balearic Islands
If your idea of celebrating the love of your life includes being surrounded by revelers under the Mediterranean sun, Ibiza is still one of the world epicenters of summer carousing. Majorca’s seaside clubs and bars are second-to-none, and Ranging from all-out hedonistic dance parties that last weekends, to beachside gatherings set to the latest in ambient electronic and tiki torches, the islands maintain a well-earned reputation, yet with a sense of style and restraint that also lets couples enjoy each other’s company away from the hustle-bustle.
SHAWN MOKSVOLD 18/06/2017
The glamorous jet set: Marrakech, Morocco
Morocco has long been enticing romantic travelers and celebrities with the haunting sounds of the muezzin and its hopping markets and French colonial fascination. Well accustomed to catering to diverse international tastes, the locals know that it’s their own culture and fare that is the essence of the appeal, with their bustling markets filled with fabrics, spices, North African textiles and artisan goods. Glamorous couples easily find their niche pacing the paths of the garden haunt of Yves Saint-Laurent, or rubbing elbows with the glitterati at posh poolside bars.
SHAWN MOKSVOLD 18/06/2017
Photography by Cordon Press
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