Most Popular Honeymoon Destinations | Guest Blog

Here begins a timely series of the top trends in honeymoon destinations full of helpful information to get you started thinking about where you want to spend that special honeymoon.  We’ll start with the top two rated destinations: French Polynesia and Hawaii. Sunshine, soft warm breezes, ocean water, tropical flowers and incredible food. What could be more perfect?

French Polynesia

French Polynesia is truly a romantic paradise destination.  It is closer than you think- only 2 hours more than flying to Hawaii from the west coast.  Did you know that more people visit Hawaii in one week than visit French Polynesia in a YEAR!  It is a wonderful world apart! Most travel starts in Tahiti. You can use this as a first stop or stay in Tahiti.  Tahiti has several nice hotels with great beaches and tours to the rainforests of the interior. The Society Islands are the most popular- specifically Bora Bora and Moorea.  Bora Bora, with gorgeous resorts often on a “motu” (islet), is accessible by a short plane flight. Google an aerial view of Bora Bora to see the unique geography.

Moorea, one of my favorites, is a 25 minute ride on a high speed ferry from Tahiti.  It has more land mass, making it great for driving around the island exploring on your own and soaking in the gorgeous views from Belvedere point. There are several great resorts with private gardens or over-the-water bungalows.  Snorkeling, diving and water sports are fantastic at both locations. Hotels are generally not all-inclusive, but often include breakfast. There are wonderful dinners, one of my favorites being the over-the-water French dinner restaurant featuring crepes at the Hilton Moorea.  From here you can watch the sharks, attracted to the lights, swimming just below you! Another option is to visit the other sets of islands- Marquesas, Tuamotus, Cook Islands and Fiji on the luxurious, all-inclusive Paul Gauguin cruise ship. Holding 300 passengers, it is truly a great way to see the islands.  Windstar Cruises also visits these islands. The 7 hour Air Tahiti Nui flight is actually a pleasure with the lovely colors, great food and service. United is starting service there also.

Hawaii

Hawaii has long been a popular honeymoon destination.  Beautiful islands, multiple flights and no passport needed are all positives for this paradise.  Honolulu, on the island of Oahu can either be your destination or a place to start. Experience the fun of Waikiki Beach with the Friday night fireworks, explore the north side and surfing, see Pearl Harbor and also the Polynesian Cultural Center.  The other islands provide diversity and great choices. Starting from the north, Kauai, the lush garden island, boasts Waimea Canyon and Napali Coast. Helicopter tours to see the waterfalls in the interior are a favorite. Next is Oahu with sunrise at Haleakala crater. South is the island of Maui, famous for the road to Hana.  From here you can also visit the smaller islands of Molokai and Lanai “ the pineapple island”.

The southernmost island is the big island of Hawaii.  It is my favorite with all but two of the 25 geologic zones known to exist.  The Kona side is dry and warm- with black sand beaches, night snorkeling with Manta rays and more. The Hilo side is the wet side with rainforests that lead to Volcano National Park where the Kilauea has been producing lava and enlarging the island for a couple of decades. (There’s been a lot of activity lately. Please join us in keeping the people there in your thoughts and prayers). You can stargaze atop Mauna Kea- the largest mountain in the world (starting from its base in the sea) where you will find snow year-round. Adventure, relaxation and romance abound in Hawaii.  Great food, culture and history are also abundant. To see several islands in a week, try the cruise on Pride of America, a Norwegian Cruise Line ship that goes round trip from Honolulu each Saturday stopping at all of the major islands with overnight stays and great excursions. Having a floating home base is a relaxing way to see more without the hassle of a rental car or multiple plane flights.

Either of these top honeymoon choices will leave you with romantic memories to last a lifetime.  

Next in our series, we will head east: to the Caribbean and even further east to Italy.  

For more information from our land and cruise expert, call Jan at 303-317-6669- Kief Cruise Planners and at [email protected].