What Makes a Perfect Honeymoon?

One of the great parts after the big wedding is the awesome honeymoon that follows. One thing cruise lines and resorts have come to recognize is that more and more newlyweds want exclusive honeymoon packages designed just for them. What is certain is that honeymooners are on the lookout for the perfect place to relax, reinvigorate and share intimate moments. Here are some of the top destinations to share those first moments as a wedded couple.

So, your true love has swept you off your feet and you're preparing your story-book wedding followed, of course, by the honeymoon of your dreams.The extensive US, from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans, has a range of destination possibilities for all honeymooners whether they’re into mountain climbing, kayaking, skiing, or sightseeing.

California has some of the most recognized sites worldwide, from the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, to the gigantic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles.

New York City's savvy innkeepers understand how to host honeymoon couples and other romantics in exemplary fashion.

So, get out from under the bed linens to experience the sites and sounds of the Big Apple.

Hawaii’s beautiful beaches and hidden coves; world-class hotels; fresh, creative cuisine; water sports galore; extraordinary natural beauty; and perfect weather make it one of the world’s top-notch honeymoon destinations.

Florida has much more to offer than Disney World and other impressive theme parks; it also has beaches in abundance and spectacular sunsets.

And don’t dismiss Las Vegas. Its bright lights and 24-hour excitement make it the ideal destination for newlyweds who prefer late-night fun over lazing around on a beach.

If you and your new spouse are into culture, quality food and beautiful shores, Europe is a great honeymoon spot.

Paris, dubbed the City of Love, is pretty much the perfect backdrop for a romantic honeymoon: snuggling in a cozy bistro by day and walking under the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower by night.

Find your way over to Italy and enjoy its many wonders, from its historical marvels, delectable food, and well-known fashion, to name just a few.

Retreat to Tuscany for its idyllic vistas, a taste of the region's well-know Chianti wine, its charming little towns as well as its cities steeped in art and history. Venice, often referred to as the City of Water, is famed for its crooning gondolieri filling the Grand Canal and the recognizable masks adorning the faces of those who participate in its famous Carnival.

Austria is filled with charming little towns and historic cities starting with Vienna. An ideal destination for couples wanting to expand their cultural horizons, this magnificent cityis the ideal place to do it because of its numerous art-and music-focused sights.

Salzburg, considered one of Austria’s most charming cities, is well known for its divine chocolate “Sachertorte”, impressive architecture and tranquil settings, not to mention its being the backdrop for the “Sound of Music”.

The choice of places to visit in Spain run the gamut from the historic, the natural wonder, to the sunny coasts and party islands.

The sophisticated architectural design and folklore infusing Seville make this Spanish city an ideal place for couples to discover together. By day, you can wander through its opulent palaces and parks. The ‘mandatory’ daytime siesta is the perfect segue to the late-night dancing that follows.

The azure waters and recognizable whitewashed backgrounds of Greece make for excellent pictures to show back home. Its delicious ouzo is the perfect accompaniment to a delicious meal of super fresh seafood and other delicacies.

Honeymooning in the South Pacific will leave newlyweds with memories to cherish forever.

Two of the world’s best honeymoon spots include the South Pacific islands of Fiji and Tahiti. Both islands boast miles and miles of peaceful, breathtaking shores as well as some really fantastic living arrangements. And who wouldn’t want to watch tropical fish swimming under the coffee table at one of the many resorts boasting over-water suites.

Due to its compact size, in one single trip to New Zealand honeymooners can experience its many natural wonders from its stunning alpine peaks, quiet beaches, sparkling lakes to its expansive vineyards.

Perhaps you're both looking for a more authentic experience; the stand-alone “bush lodges” are the perfect choice as they not only offer you magnificent vistas but also include a number of creature comforts such as deluxe bed linens, separate living spaces, and private decks.

If you’re seeking a place where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, then a honeymoon in Central America is right for you.

From trails through lush jungles to beach -side sanctuaries, there are chic, green possibilities from which to choose. In Costa Rica you can unwind on a comfortable hammock and watch native critters like monkeys swing from tree to tree.

Escape the cold US temperatures and travel down to Mexico for its warm temperatures and beautiful shores. While there be sure to visit some the country's spectacular Mayan ruins such as those in Tulum and Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

Honeymooners looking for a combination of beauty, beaches, and unique culture all in a single place will find that Southeast Asia and Indonesia check off all the boxes. Expect to find over-water bungalows resting above crystal-clear waters, cozy daybeds to snuggle, along with private decks, the perfect place to spring into the warm ocean. Traditional woods, thatched roofs as well as elegantly appointed rooms with modern amenities are what sets these accommodations apart from other luxury lodgings.

Or investigate the Dark Continent: Africa.

If you’re searching a true adventure, then a honeymoon in Africa is just what you're looking for, from long safari american express travel cruises walks, remarkable fishing, or exciting canoe trips, or maybe just a good read in front of a hippo-filled river. Share an romantic moment with your loved one under the star-studded sky and to the sounds of the African bush, occasionally accompanied by the roar of a lion.

The “Real Africa”, as Zambia is often called, is a place to explore authentic wilderness without the disruption of big crowds.Honeymooners looking for adventure and a chance to enjoy nature up close have turned into it a popular destination. Home to many of the most isolated and untainted wildlife areas in Africa, there is no end to the amazing sunsets and instances of harmony and tranquility.

The entirety of South Africa includes its beautiful Cape Town, Big 5 game reserves, scenic wine routes, unblemished beaches and beautiful mountain ranges, all of which make it an an ideal honeymoon destination. The numerous distinctive cultures which together make up this nation have made it known as the “Rainbow Nation”.

One of the world’s most popular honeymoon destinations, Mauritius is an island located 1,200 miles off the southeast coast of Africa. This island on the Indian Ocean, with its year-round good weather and palm-fringed sandy beaches, ticks of all the boxes as an paradisiacal, romantic retreat. Honeymooners will find that Mauritius offers a blend of activity, loads of chances to just lay back and relax, deluxe lodgings and the personal service they look for for such a momentous time.

Enjoy your own private villa on the small island of Seychelles before traveling on to the grandeur of a Dubai hotel.

The Seychelles is a tropical island haven in the Indian Ocean complete with exclusive resorts as well as private islands. In addition to Seychelles’ beautiful shores and spectacular natural landscapes, there are other activities you may also enjoy such as canoing, snorkeling, or getting a soothing spa treatment. And don’t overlook the importance of pleasing your palate on your honeymoon. You will relish the combination of Indian, European and Creole influences which make Seychelle's cuisine so appetizing.

Dubai is nothing if not opulent and progressive in contrast to the peaceful and relaxing nature of Seychelles.The blend of western and eastern influences has made it the oasis it is today.

There is no lack of things to do in Dubai among them popping into the Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping centers, or ascending to 124th floor at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, or schussing down the slopes of Ski Dubai, the Middle East’s first indoor ski center, just to name a few. Dubai, with its combination of adventure, mystifying Arabian touch and absolute extravagance, make it the perfect destination for inquisitive honeymooners. Regardless of its sleek image, it is still a spot with deeply rooted customs, so keep your kissing to more private settings.