World TravellerGuide to travelling the world

There are so many amazing honeymoon destinations which means that choosing the perfect one can be challenging. There are plenty of romantic locations around the world that cater to a variety of different tastes and budgets. In the end, the most romantic honeymoon destination for you and your new spouse is the one that suits both of you and gives you the kind of memories you want to treasure forever. Here are a few of the world’s most romantic honeymoon destinations for you to choose from.

The Greek Isles
Honeymooners looking for a dash of ancient history and a gorgeous, romantic setting opt for the Greek Isles. With over 1,000 islands to choose from, you will have plenty of options for romance. Santorini is a favorite for couples because of its pretty cliffside architecture and grand vistas. Adventurous couples might prefer hiking the jungles of Crete. For a more secluded honeymoon, try island of Amorgos, which tends to be less populated by tourists than many of the other islands in Greece.

Paris
For many couples, visiting Paris is a lifelong dream, and your honeymoon is the perfect time to visit. Visiting romantic sights, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, with the one you love will create memories that last a lifetime. The city also offers some of the world’s best romantic restaurants and hotels, so you and your new spouse can live out your romantic Parisian dreams. Don’t limit yourself to only in-city offerings, though. Take time to get out of town and explore the opulence of Versailles or go explore your playful side at Disneyland Paris.

The San Juan Islands
Located in the stunning Pacific Northwest of the U.S., the San Juan islands offer romance and adventure. Accommodations range from luxurious resorts on towering cliffs overlooking the sea to cozy bed and breakfast inns. Honeymooning couples can book sailing trips out among the islands, go kayaking among pods of orca whales, bike or motorbike around the islands, and count shooting stars in a clear night sky. Local restaurants focus on fresh seafood from the surrounding waters, and there are plenty of quaint shops to explore in the smaller island towns.

The South Pacific
The South Pacific islands are a luxurious and ultra-romantic destination for honeymooners. Fiji and Tahiti are two popular honeymoon destinations, and both offer plenty of private beaches, waterside villas, and romantic floating restaurants for couples to enjoy. For the ultimate romantic honeymoon experience, book a small private island and have the beach all to yourselves.

New Zealand
A honeymoon in New Zealand is a unique option for couples that want stunning scenery, quaint towns, and exotic adventure all rolled into one. Many couples use their honeymoon time in New Zealand to try new things together, such as skydiving, snorkeling, horseback riding, or scuba diving. Other romantic ideas for couples honeymooning in New Zealand include taking a private helicopter ride to a secluded mountaintop meadow for a romantic picnic, visiting wineries, swimming with dolphins, and hiking in a wildlife refuge or national park.

With some of the most famous monuments in the world, Paris is visited by millions of tourists every year. Iconic places such as the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees and the Louvre are huge tourist attractions but there are also many hidden gems that are not in any of the guide books. Many of these sites are located away from the main tourist areas and Paris hotels, but they are well-worth travelling a little further afield to see.

Paris is world-renowned for its fine wine so Le Musee du Vin is a great place to learn more about everyone’s favourite tipple. Showcasing the techniques involved in French winemaking, the museum opened in 1984 and is also home to a restaurant and tasting room. The museum – housed in the former cellars of the Passy Abbey – is both interesting and educational and timing your visit when the restaurant is open is a good tip. Every visitor receives a glass of wine with their entry ticket, as well as the chance to take part in a wine tasting class.

A little known fact about Paris is that the UNESCO World Headquarters are located in the city nearby the Eiffel Tower and several cheap hotels. Tourists looking for a guided tour of the headquarters will need to make arrangements in advance but UNESCO’S Garden of Peace is available to visit at any time. This Japanese-style garden can be viewed in its entirety by standing on a platform in the upper garden but the “Nagasaki Angel” is what makes the garden really special.

Plucked from the bombed ruins of Nagasaki in 1945 after decorating the face of the Urakami Church in the city, this stone angel was presented as a gift to UNESCO in 1976 and placed in the Garden of Peace. It was the only thing left of the church after the atomic bomb was dropped and is seen as a sign of hope.

image from flickr

There are numerous chapels and churches in Paris, but the Chapelle Expiatoire (in the 8th arrondissement) is often overlooked by many tourists. The chapel was a burial site for beheaded members of the French royal family, which were exhumed in 1815. The remains were identified and moved to the French mausoleum at Saint-Denis but the chapel is still a reminder of the former inhabitants of the plots and is an interesting place to visit. The remains of 3,000 people who died during the French Revolution are entombed there today.

image from flickr

With so many unique and wonderful places to visit in Paris it’s hard to get around to seeing them all. Instead of the usual tourist traps why not think outside the box a little and discover some of the amazing hidden gems that the French capital has to offer.