Unique Honeymoon Destinations We Absolutely Love

So you’ve tied the knot (or you’re going to soon), and now it’s time to plan your escape for a week or two of some fun. While there are many popular honeymoon destinations throughout the world, it can be easy to get lost (literally) in the crowd of people who had the same place in mind.

For a unique honeymoon destination that checks the box of adventurous, iconic travel without that of too many fellow sightseers, keep reading!

Discover 4 unique honeymoon destinations we love:

1. Lesser-known islands.

Before you book your ticket to Hawaii or Bali, try these hidden gems.

• Cook Islands. You’ll find miles-long coral lagoons, crystal clear waters and white-sand beaches. Laying around in the sand not your thing? There are dozens and dozens of activities to choose from, including 4-wheeling, fishing charters, night clubs, and even tours of burial caves.

• If you’re keen on diving, try Utila, Honduras, where there are 60 diving sites and a small village bounding with locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. Oh, and you can snorkel with whale sharks, swim with dolphins, and even dive in the dark.

• Tsarabanjina Island, Madagascar, offers white sand beaches and just 25 villas, ensuring a quiet (but mesmerizing) honeymoon destination. “We honestly would not change a thing about our honeymoon (expect staying longer) and we are already plotting our next trip!” a Tripadvisor review reads.

2. France — and not the touristy part!

Famed for, of course, the City of Light (and love), the French Riviera, wine, architecture, history, and food, among other things, France usually ranks high on the list of popular honeymoon destinations. In Paris, catch a glimpse of the regulars: the Iron Lady, Notre Dame, the Champs Élysées, and all of the city’s other iconic monuments. But, try the brocantes (flea markets), covered arcades, bistros, and food shops of the 2nd and 9th arrondissements; and the bars and restaurants of the 10th and 11th.

Elsewhere, see the Burgundy region — and not just Dijon! Small and delightful towns, like Beaune, Cluny, and Cormatin, abound as they do in the south. While Nice, Roussillon, Aix-en-Provence, Saint Paul de Vence, and the like have stellar reputations, it’s hard to go wrong. There’s the bread museum in the small mountain town of Bonnieux; antiques and winding streets in L’Isle-sur-la-sorgue; and peaceful beaches and stellar architecture in Beaulieu-sur-mer.

3. Italian Villages.

Once the seat of the West, Italy isn’t too shabby. With Rome, Venice, Florence, and the likes extremely well-known, as well as The Amalfi Coast, it’s easy to be drawn to these cities, and for a good reason. They’re rich in history and culture … but also wildly popular.

For a different (but still charming) experience, head to Sperlonga, an incredible village in Lazio with serene beaches, majestic palaces, and gardens. It’s no wonder the Borghi Italia Tourist Network named it one of “the most beautiful villages of Italy.”

Ascoli Piceno in Le Marche, which is east of Umbria, offers stunning landscapes, hamlets, sparkling waters, and a lot to do, such as wine tours, cooking classes and guided hikes. And for a taste of Tuscany without the hordes in Florence or Sienna, head to Monteriggioni, a medieval walled town

4. Underappreciated areas in the United States.

The country itself is ginormous, but can be broken up into regions: West Coast, East Coast, Midwest, and the South. Explore the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico; road trip through all the New England states; wind your way up the Pacific Coast Highway; or follow the fabled Route 66. Admire the view from the secluded Bound Brook Island Beach on Cape Cod. Wander through the vast Presidio in San Francisco. Explore the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa, built in the style of an Italian Renaissance mansion. Meander down Portland’s (Maine) charming cobbled streets. Take in the architecture of the country’s (supposedly) oldest city: St. Augustine, Florida.

UP NEXT: Here’s how much you should budget for your honeymoon.