Image courtesy of Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence
Italy, Hawai‘i, Jamaica—they’re classic honeymoon destinations for good reason. But if you’re drawn to the vibe of an iconic escape, but want someplace a little more surprising, consider this your cheat sheet.
We asked our Fora Advisors for tips on doing the classic honeymoon destinations right. But we also challenged them to suggest an unexpected alternative that channels the same energy in a fresh way.
The classic: Italy
Image courtesy of Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco
From food to sites from the start of Western Civilization, Italy is full of showstopping attractions.
A quick stop in Florence promises days filled with romantic classics—the Uffuzi, the David, and the Duomo—and evenings spent wandering cobblestoned piazzas. Dig into a tagliere (charcuterie platter) filled with regional cured meats at any local trattoria and you won’t be disappointed. At Il Santo Bevitore, savor the classic papa al pomodoro (a hearty tomato-and-bread soup), exquisite risotto, and wonderful local wines. ‘A Patuca Fireze has pizza that’s downright life-changing. Book into The Hoxton Florence for a totally modern vibe housed in an ancient palazzo. Or splurge on Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence, reopening this spring after a meticulous renovation.
Next, a farm stay in Tuscany, featuring storybook views, a slower pace, and exceptional eating. The idyllic Castiglion del Bosco, a Rosewood Hotel is actually a 900-year-old borgo (village) with a series of stone buildings housing villa guest rooms, a winery, a decadent spa, and more. Adventures on offer include truffle hunting and foraging, cooking classes, golfing, and painting classes paired with local wines.
Cap off your Italian itinerary at the country’s hottest destination of the moment—the Dolomites. At FORESTIS, every suite looks out on the mountains, making you feel a part of the landscape. Spa treatments embrace regional elements—wood, stone, water—or enjoy the indoor-outdoor pool and saunas overlooking snow-capped peaks.
The twist: Northern California
Image courtesy of Auberge du Soleil
It may not scream “classic honeymoon,” but NoCal’s wealth of outstanding eateries, cultural offerings, and magnificent natural attractions make the perfect ingredients for a romantic vacation.
Napa Valley is famous for a reason—hundreds of wineries dot the photogenic hillsides, along with welcoming restaurants, hotels, and wellness centers. Stay at Auberge du Soleil, a Relais & Châteaux property with cinematic vineyard views of Napa Valley, Michelin-starred cuisine, and couples spa treatments that are so pampering you may think you’ve floated into another state of being. Of course regional wine tastings can be arranged, as can bike tours and foraging outings.
For rugged coastal scenery head south to Big Sur. The Post Ranch Inn, a collection of eco-friendly timber and glass cottages tucked into wooded cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, may be one of the most romantic properties on the planet. Outdoor soaking tubs, an epic infinity pool, and the gorgeous landscape all fire up the vibes.
The classic: Jamaica
Image courtesy of GoldenEye
The island of “One Love” is scripted for happily ever after, filled with golden beaches, rum punches, and reggae.
GoldenEye, owned by the founder of Island Records, is an unfussy outpost of villas, cottages, and beach huts that dot the landscape around Ian Fleming’s former estate. Hot tip: Book the Lagoon Villa for the ultimate romantic retreat with a private overwater deck and outdoor shower. Or stay a few nights at Strawberry Hill, GoldenEye’s sister property set high in the Blue Mountains. This intimate hotel with a series of wood-framed cottages has the best views on the island, stretching nearly 40 miles from the infinity pool.
Jamaica is famous for jerk, and it’s nearly impossible to find a bad option. Scotchies in Rose Hall by the airport is a favorite outpost for both locals and visitors (tip: order the roasted breadfruit, too) and a great option to make a snack stop on your way to your hotel.
Many visitors don’t make it into Kingston, but there’s plenty to see, including the Bob Marley Museum; Shaare Shalom Synagogue, one of the world’s only remaining sand-floor synagogues; and murals and street art downtown. More traditional excursions include cliff jumping into sparkling waters followed by fruity cocktails at Rick’s Cafe in Negril or trekking up the 600-foot Dunn’s River Falls (warning: it’s wildly popular, so go early or late). For a more intimate experience, take a romantic river raft ride.
The twist: A small-ship Caribbean cruise
Image courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Small-ship cruises have a natural honeymoon appeal: unhurried days on the water, stunning island views, and the ease of unpacking once while waking up somewhere new nearly every day.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection brings the brand’s signature polish and pampering to the small-ship cruising experience. Expect sun-soaked decks lined with loungers and a private terrace for every suite, made for slow mornings at sea, all with the intimacy of a yacht rather than a mega-ship. A roundtrip seven-night Caribbean itinerary starts in the Puerto Rican capital of San Juan, where you’ll want to spend at least a night—we love Hotel El Convento in the Old Town for its access to historic sites and live music.
Ports along the way might include Bridgetown on Barbados, a wind-swept island with gleaming white-sand beaches on the west coast and great surf conditions on the east; Virgin Gorda, known for its protected lands the Baths—a series of boulders and rocks forming grottos, caves, and tidal pools; and Gustavia on St. Barths, a glittering jewel offering restaurants, shops, and people watching. Book a catamaran and snorkel adventure at least one of the stops.
The classic: Hawai‘i
Image courtesy of Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort
Thanks to deep cultural identity, fiercely protected landscapes, an endless supply of top-notch accommodations, and islands each with a distinct flavor, topography, and even climate, Hawai‘i reigns as the perennial most popular honeymoon destination.
O‘ahu, the capital island, is where most flights from the mainland arrive. A few days here is well worth it, especially when you book into the pink palace The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki, which has been spreading the spirit of aloha to visitors since 1927. Take a surf lesson at Waikiki Beach, the spot where the sport was invented. Dash to nearby Teddy’s for super delicious and local-favored burgers, or check out the famous plate lunch at Rainbow Drive-In, a classic that’s been in the same family for 60 years.
Luaus and Hawai‘i are synonymous and the one at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection on the Big Island is one of the state’s most revered. See the roasted pig being unearthed from its pit by men in traditional dress, then watch them and other dancers perform hula and fire combos while you savor the meal and the spectacular sunset. The hotel itself is a classic that recently underwent an enormous renovation.
Conclude your Hawaiian honeymoon with a totally different experience at the Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort, tucked away on the tiny pineapple island of Lana‘i off the coast of Maui. Guest rooms are serene in palette and materials (think: woods, screens, and gentle sunlight) and private spa hales (house in Hawai‘ian) are scattered amid lush tropical gardens.
The twist: New Zealand
Image courtesy of The George Christchurch
On the opposite end of the Polynesian triangle, New Zealand is an increasingly popular honeymoon destination, thanks to its unbeatable natural wonders and welcoming people.
Start your adventure in Christchurch, known as the “Garden City” for its green spaces and public gardens. Hop on a historic tram for an overview of the city sights or get a 360-degree look from above on the Christchurch Gondola. Check into The George, set on the Avon River, for easy access to Cathedral Square, area galleries, and the botanical gardens. For a memorable meal with city views, reserve a table at ROCA—don’t miss the smoked fish and salmon small plates.
Then it’s off to The Lindis Lodge, an ultra-romantic hideaway in the rugged Ahuriri Valley. With only eight guest accommodations (it’s hard to pick a favorite, but the mirrored pods are the ultimate in privacy), two Michelin keys, locally sourced modern cuisine, and star-laden skies at night, this is the definition of honeymoon perfect. Excursion options include guided fly fishing, horseback riding, river rafting, and romantic picnics.
Finally, Queenstown is the perfect base for classic New Zealand experiences. You’ll want to move into the gorgeous new ROKI Collection Queenstown, but try to tear yourself away to explore Glenorchy, surrounded by epic mountain peaks. Helicopter excursions are a New Zealand must-do and the one to nearby Earnslaw Burn—an otherworldly expanse of glacial topography robust with waterfalls and latticed with hiking trails—is downright jaw-dropping. Wine tasting is another must. Hire a driver to truly experience the best; Kincross is a standout.
