UNDERRATED (BUT STILL SUPER ROMANTIC) DESTINATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF HONEYMOONER
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The world is filled to the brim with wondrous, romantic destinations for the just-marrieds who want a rendezvous to remember. And those typical honeymoon hotspots — Greece, Italy, Hawaii, Bali, Bora Bora, St. Lucia...you know the ones — are always sure to please.
But there’s something to be said for the unique, slightly-underrated-yet-still-very-romantic locations that turn out to be just as perfect for relaxing, adventuring, and being in love.
for the once-in-a-lifetime adventurers
patagonia, chile + argentina
Want to knock out a bucket-list experience and ultimate honeymoon adventure all at once? Head to the “end of the world”: stunning, jaw-droppingly beautiful Patagonia.
Hike across rugged mountain ranges, lakes, and forests in the Andes. Marvel at giant glaciers, ice fields, and jagged fjords. Kayak to marble caves and boat down craggy coastlines. Drive through expansive deserts, grasslands, and uninhabited lands brimming with wildlife.
Because is there anything more rugged, remote, and romantic than exploring the end of the world together?
for the hopeless romantics
bruges, belgium
Bruges is one of the most charming, picturesque cities in all of Europe; it’s dreamy and nostalgic and bursting at the seams with romance...all without trying too hard.
Walk the cobblestone streets and alleyways lined with enchanting medieval buildings. Float down beautiful canals to take in the city’s history. Dine at intimate restaurants. Kiss on “Lovers Bridge” to be promised everlasting love, while swans swim by below on the “Lake of Love” — it literally doesn’t get more love-birdy than that.
Just remember to pinch yourself every once in a while, because a honeymoon in Bruges *might* feel like a fairytale.
for the outdoorsy types
banff, canada
If ‘the great outdoors’ calls you, Banff is a great way to answer.
Stay in charming, chateau-style hotels in a spirited mountain village. Ski the beautiful Canadian Rockies in the winter or hike them in the summer. Explore the vast parkland and catch sight of the wildlife that calls it home. Soak in the steaming hot springs. Take a scenic drive to nearby Lake Louise, a turquoise glacial lake surrounded by high peaks that are almost too pretty to be true.
Marriage is where you two become one; this is where you two become one with nature.
for the low-key couple
nantucket, massachusetts
This quaint New England island off of Cape Cod is the perfect location for keeping it low-key: relaxing and easy, yet secluded and sophisticated.
Rent bikes and explore the island, from its shop-lined streets to distinctive lighthouses. Nap on the wide, dune-filled beaches. Visit the 80-year-old Whaling Museum. Have a casual, delicious dinner in town. Take to the water and sail the Nantucket Sound.
As much or as little as you do, charming Nantucket is idyllic for those honeymooners who just want to enjoy being together in a perfectly lovely place.
for the foodies
san sebastián, spain
If food is the way to your heart, San Sebastián brings a lot to the table. Not only is it an absolutely gorgeous resort town on the coast of Spain, but it’s world-renowned for its culinary scene and restaurants.
Dine at any of the 11 (yes, 11!) Michelin-star restaurants, three of which have the highest honor of three stars. Enjoy some of the best, freshest seafood in the world, from baked spider crab to fried cod to baby squid. Discover Basque’s version of tapas, called pintxos, at countless pintxos bars throughout the city. Check out some of the most high-quality food markets you’ll ever visit and try the amazing local wine and cider.
Everything you eat will be fresh, seasonal, and of top-notch caliber for a honeymoon your tastebuds will never forget.
for the culture-lovers
kyoto, japan
When it comes to culture, Japan truly has it all: rich history and celebrated tradition, unique architecture, and distinct and acclaimed cuisine. And as the country’s cultural center, Kyoto is the ideal spot for xenophiles.
Stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese-style inn with private hot spring baths. Visit one of the city’s many beautiful temples, shrines, palaces, or gardens to take in its history. Partake in a tea ceremony or wander the streets of the Geisha districts. Taste Japan’s unbelievable cuisine at a street food market or one of the city’s Michelin-star restaurants (with more per capita than anywhere else in the world, this city’s for you, too, foodies)!
In Kyoto, you’re guaranteed a peaceful, romantic honeymoon where you can completely immerse yourself in everything that makes Japan special.
for the island girls + guys
palawan, philippines
Looking for that secluded-island, off-the-grid, overwater-bungalow kind of honeymoon? Palawan is your place.
Lay on the pristine white sand beaches, swim in the shockingly turquoise waters and explore beautiful coral reefs. Go island hopping through the iconic limestone rock formations and lagoons that create the unreal seascapes of the Philippines. Tour the amazing underground river that winds through a series of vast caves. Watch the dolphins and sea turtles swim just offshore.
Whether you want to discover every inch of the island or you’d rather lay on the beach all day sipping cocktails, Palawan is one of the closest things to paradise you’ll find for a heavenly honeymoon that you’ll never want to end.
by Carly Weaver
Carly, a New-Jersey-native-turned-Los-Angeles-local, has worked in digital marketing for the past decade doing everything from copywriting to creative production to brand strategy. But she’s always had three great loves: food, travel, and writing. That’s where Ogden Pacific comes in.
All-time favorite travel story? That time she slept in a drawer in a Florence hospital. All-time favorite meal? Well, as a decidedly unemotional person she’s been moved to tears by a single bite of food more than once...so let’s not even go there right now. All-time favorite destinations? The Jersey Shore for Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream and pure nostalgia. The British Virgin Islands for endless crystal clear seas and some of the nicest people on earth. Montana for that clean, crisp, mountain air and $2 Moose Drools enjoyed over dive bar shuffleboard. And Italy for literally...every...single...thing. Including that bite of burrata she cried over.
She’s here to help inform you, guide you, entertain you, and inspire you to find your next all-time favorite trip. (And also to help make sure you don’t end up in a drawer while you’re there.)