Honeymoon Hot Destinations

Author: Heather Greene

Ahh, the honeymoon, whether it be a trip to Vegas or a quiet beach hideaway it will always be remembered as one of the best and most important vacations you've ever gone on. Here's the Wedding Wonderful hotlist of great honeymoons.

NORTH AMERICA AND CARRIBBEAN

Las Vegas, Neveda-- Las Vegas is like nothing else in this world. The lights, the gambling, the shows, the $4.99 prime rib, you'll find it all here in Las Vegas like nowhere else. For the couple who enjoys gambling, seeing shows, and the night life this is the perfect trip.

Orlando, Florida-- Orlando is not just for kids, Walt Disney World and the newer Universal Studios rank as one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world. Not only does Central Florida have the draw of the theme parks, but also plenty of beaches and other attractions. This is the perfect trip for the couple who enjoys roller coaster fun in the sun.

Niagara Falls, New York/ Canada-- Once the classic honeymoon destination, Niagara Falls is still a great choice for couples interested in sightseeing rather than laying on the beach. Both the American and Canadian sides are great, but most of the action, including gambling, occurs on the Canadian side and you have a better view of the falls.

Hawaii-- The main destination of choice for today's honeymooners, Hawaii offers the perfect combination of sightseeing and beach fun. We selected the Big Island of Hawaii for a place on our top ten honeymoon beaches list, but Maui, Oahu, and Molokai are great options too.

New York City-- The everything capitol of the world. New York is full of exciting cultural and sightseeing opportunities. Our pick for the most romantic NYC activity? A moonlight horse and buggy ride in Central Park.

Hilton Head, South Carolina-- Long known for being a golfing mecca, Hilton Head is quickly developing into one of the biggest northeast honeymoon destinations. The Old South is alive and kicking here both architecturally and in terms of hospitality and the white sand beaches are some of the prettiest you'll find in this part of the country.

Poconos, Pennsylvania--Nothing screams heart shaped hot tub more than the Poconos. This once premiere honeymoon destination is still a wonderful choice for couples who want to relax and enjoy the great outdoors mountain style.

Puerto Rico-- Puerto Rico has long been a hot spot for beach loving couples and buffs of history. San Juan is the oldest US-owned capitol city and the whole island is rich in Spanish culture. Nightlife including dancing and casinos abounds.

The Bahamas-- The Bahamas is a string of 700 islands, the most popular of which are located just off the coast of Florida. Nassau, the capitol and any of the beaches on Grand Bahamas Island or Paradise Island are popular with honeymooners. Our Bahamas beach pick? Pink Sands.

Bermuda-- The island of Bermuda and it's infamous "triangle" are located about 500 miles off the coast of North Carolina. This string of 150 islands is famous for it's pink sand beaches and unique pastel architecture. St. George is the main honeymoon destination.

Caymen Islands-- The Caymens are located about 430 miles south of Miami and although these islands have become popular lately, they are much less commercialized than many other Caribbean destinations. This is the perfect trip for the couple who prefers quiet days in the sand and snorkeling to a wild nightlife. Grand Caymen Island is the most popular island.

Jamaica--Jamaica is famous for it's white sand beaches and waterfalls as well as it's regee culture. Although it is not quiet as popular as some other Caribbean destinations due to concern about crime this is still a great vacation for those who enjoy a tropical setting. Nergil Jamaica made our list as one of the top ten honeymoon beach sites.

The Virgin Islands-- Half US owned and half British owned, the most popular Virgin Island destinations include St. John, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and Tortola. St. Thomas and St. Croix, both US owned are huge tourist destinations while St. John and Tortola are popular but less touristy. We picked the island of St. John as one of the ten best honeymoon beaches in the world.

Mexico-- The beaches of Mexico are said to be some of the best in the world and like many of the Caribbean islands very snorkeling and SCUBA diving friendly. The most popular honeymoon spots include Acapulco, Cancun, and Puerto Vallarta. Acapulco made our list of the top ten honeymoon beaches in the world.

EUROPE

Italy-- Italy has long been the world center for romance and Italy is generally one of the most popular Europen honeymoon destinations. Want romance? Spoleto, Bellagio, and Todi are recommended by Frommer's. For historical sites we recommend the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, Pompeii, the Vatican Museums, and the Academy Galley art museum.

France-- Whether it's hitting the beach at the French Rivera or seeing Paris from the Eiffel Tower, France offers a great deal of romance. For history buffs, Château de Versailles is said to be the most opulent palace in the world and the Louvre contains some of the world's most famous artwork. The vineyards of Bordeaux and the French Alps are terrific options for couples looking for a more serene scene.

London, England-- London offers the cosmopolitan couple almost everything they could want in a honeymoon destination-- culture, history, scenery, and a kicking nightlife. Westminster Abby, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the Houses of Parliament are must sees.

Prague, Czech Republic-- A piece of the Old World in modern Europe, Prague is an exotic and deeply historical city. This is the place where Mozart lived (the movie Amadeusreally was primarily shot in Prague) and is famous for it's hundreds of spires. Romantic ideas include visiting the Prague castles and taking your own dinghie for a row at night on the Vltava.