Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations

The word honeymoon dates all the way back to ancient times when friends and family of the newlyweds would give enough mead, a wine made from fermented honey and water to the couple to last for a month bringing fertility and happiness. Although we no longer drink wine for a month straight, the honeymoon is still an important part of the wedding ceremony. It is a time for the bride and groom to go away with each other and celebrate the start of their new life together.

After the vows have been exchanged, the cake cut and the bouquet tossed, take off with your sweetheart on a trip you'll never forget. Whether your honeymoon is short or long, simple or extravagant, you will always remember your first days as husband and wife.

Many couples spend so much time and energy planning the wedding that they run out of steam by the time they start to plan the honeymoon. If you're one of those couples, don't fret, below are the top 10 honeymoon destinations to jump start your imagination.

1. Hawaii

   Hawaii is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations. Its wonderful warm weather and laid back atmosphere is the perfect place for love birds to visit. By day, you can bath in the sun, snorkel, visit volcanoes, hike through rainforests, shop or just lounge around the pool. By night, you can try fabulous restaurants, enjoy a luau or simply sit under the stars. There are plenty of things to do and experience with your true love.

2. South Pacific

   If you're looking for a more secluded tropical experience, you may want to hit the beaches in Tahiti or Bora-Bora. Tahiti's palm filled landscapes, coconut plantations, vanilla farms and relatively few tourists make this island a romantic place for two. Put a fragrant white tiare, Tahiti's national bloom, behind your left ear (that means you're taken) and you'll fit in perfectly among the deep green valleys, waterfalls and fields of flowers. Bora-Bora's sugary sands and clear, aquamarine waters are just as magical. Explore lagoons and even stay in your very own hut built on stilts right on the water.

3. United States & Canada

   While you wouldn't think of the US or Canada as being the most exotic destinations for a honeymoon, there are so many places to visit, it's difficult not to mention at least a few. Among the most popular is New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Couples who want to cut loose after a year of wedding planning head to this destination for some wild partying. For the epicureans, taste thousands of gourmet wines and some of the world's finest food in Napa Valley, California. After a winter wedding, ski world famous slopes in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Swim with dolphins in Florida after your summer nuptials. In New York alone you can view the amazing Niagara Falls, shop fabulous couture stores and check out glitzy Broadway shows. Canada, with its amazing scenery in Montreal and vivacious nightlife in Vancouver, are wonderful ways to share time together. And you can't forget Disneyland! Visit multiple states to get a taste of everything!

4. Caribbean

   With over 20 islands to choose from, taking a honeymoon to the Caribbean will surely be a treat! While on St. Vincent and the Grenadines, enjoy bathing in waterfalls, watching six different types of dolphins and napping in hammocks. Get lost in Bermuda and experience the wonderful coral reefs and shipwrecks which gave this place the nickname, "Isle of Devils" and breathe in the aroma of freesia, bougainvillea and passion flowers. For fun-loving couples, try out Jamaica, mon! Being the third largest island, Jamaica has extravagant nightlife, six mountain ranges and over 200 miles of beach. If you like to stay close to the US while still experiencing the tropical atmosphere, then Puerto Rico is perfect for you. Filled with stunning high-rises and nature reserves, this island is a cinch to navigate and the US dollar is the national currency.

5. Mexico

   Carved out of the jungle, Cancun sits at the tip of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula with large resorts and exciting nightlife as well as ancient Mayan ruins and palm fringed beaches. Enjoy your days on the beach and hiking through the jungle and your nights enjoying fabulous food and dancing the hours away! Unlike Cancun, Cozumel is relatively quiet-only 3% has been developed. Its beautiful reefs are called "the land of the swallows" and offer clear turquoise waters and white sand beaches stretching for miles. With more than 30 charted reefs, this island is perfect for the couple who wants to experience nature in a quieter setting. Perhaps exciting Acapulco is more your style. 130 foot cliffs tower above the ocean and you can view professional divers taking the plunge into its foamy depths. Or you can strap on a parasail for a birds eye view of the bay.

6. South America

   For the adventurous, you can explore the "Lost City of the Incas" in Machu Picchu, Peru. Stand beneath the walls and temples of ancient times and walk through the ruins for a once in a lifetime experience. In Cusco, the old capital of the Incan empire, you can stroll along cobblestone streets lined with museums, markets and cafes. And don't forget to take the uphill trip to the city of Machu Picchu and be prepared to be amazed! There are few cities you can travel that have a more stunning view than Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With mountains on one side and the ocean on the other, this exotic setting exudes drama and romance.

7. Europe

   Honeymooning in Europe is perfect for a mix of old world exploring and modern luxuries. Athens, Greece is one of the oldest cities in the world. The remainders of past civilizations are scattered throughout the land in the Acropolis, Plaka and in museums. Sicily, Italy has played host to a wide variety of cultures including the ancient Greeks, Romans, Normans and Moors. And because Italy is located in the center of the Mediterranean, it is blessed with numerous warm beaches and seaside resort towns. For a city with European charm, world-class shopping and must see museums, London, England is the city for you. Its architecture, parks and pubs are perfect for romance. And who could leave Europe without visiting the City of Lights, Paris, France! Its boutiques, street-side cafes and grand avenues seem to cast a spell on this enchanting city.

8. Africa

   South Africa has been called "A World in One Country". Towering mountains rise over trendy Cape Town; ostrich-dotted grasslands stretch across the country; and monkey-filled forests line the gorgeous beaches of Natal. South Africa is also filled with stunning landscapes and wildlife preserves featuring lions, giraffes and crocodiles just to name a few. Just off of the southern African coast and east of Madagascar lies the island of Mauritius. The sway of sweet-smelling sugarcane fields is offset by the dramatic mountains and soft beaches. Because it is located below the equator, Mauritius enjoys seasons opposite those of the United States so you can experience winter in the US and two days later, summer in Africa.

9. Asia

   Native Thais call Thailand sanuk which means "fun" because Thailand's tropical terrain is the epitome of the word. Pulsing with gilded palaces, rich coral reefs, rhythms of Buddhist mantras and spicy cuisine, Thailand is perfect for newlyweds to have a rich cultural experience. Tokyo, Japan has culture, cuisine and customs of its own. Japan can easily become overwhelming so be prepared before you travel for the trip of a lifetime. Beijing, China is home to the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China, one of the seven worldly wonders. While you're here, maker sure not only to see the famous sites, but to visit the teahouses, shop the markets and check out water villages like Tongli.

10. Australia

    Australians call their country Oz and it's a bit like it. Allow time to visit the "Big Three" (Sydney, Great Barrier Reef, and Ayers Rock/Uluru) or delve into the countryside for a true experience. Bushwalking is a popular way to explore Australia. Play around on the shore or take a trip to Kangaroo Island for a honeymoon you'll not soon forget. And just two hours outside of Sydney lays Hunter Valley and well over 100 vineyards and tasting rooms perfect for a day trip. Wherever you choose to honeymoon, be sure to choose a destination that will allow you to relax, unwind and appreciate each other as husband and wife.