2021 promises the busiest wedding season in decades, according to The Knot’s 2020 Real Wedding Study. And of course, a busy honeymoon season is sure to follow.
With all of knot-tying going on, couples are on the hunt for ideal honeymoon vacation spots to celebrate their new status of matrimony. For those prepping to take a trip after taking the plunge, here are the top three honeymoon vacation ideas for 2021.
1. Adventuring in Alaska
After months of being indoors, no destination showcases the beauty and awe of the outdoors like America’s 49th state. An Alaska cruise vacation offers couples landscape views of crystal blue seas and majestic glaciers rising like ice castles on the horizon, close encounters with the unbridled wildlife, and submergence into fascinating indigenous cultures.
A 7-day voyage through the Great Land like those offered through Holland America Line Cruises usually depart from Seattle and stop off in Sitka, Juneau, and Ketchikan, plus a tour of the pristine Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. An Alaskan cruise is ideal for couples who crave adventure and appreciate natural beauty.
2. Prospecting in Peru
For the newlywed pair looking for a truly unique, physically challenging and spiritually satisfying honeymoon experience, look no further than Machu Picchu in Peru’s Sacred Valley. This Incan artifact and popular destination is as lovely as it is perplexing. Though some scholars date the ancient dwellings carved into the peak to be from the 15th century, others argue that female remains excavated from the site in 1912 suggest it to be the sacred location of the Incan Virgins of the Sun.
Newlywed couples yearning for a challenge are welcome to scale the intimidatingly steep Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain peaks for a closer look at the ruins in this region. A stay in Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba means bike riding, kayaking, treks with llamas, and your choice of horseback or quadbike riding to examine the Maras salt mines. It’s the ideal locale for a duo in search of intrigue and thrills after taking their vows.
3. Venturing in Venice
Long heralded as one of the most romantic locations in the world, the Floating City is a perfect destination for couples with a passion for class and tradition. The capital of the Veneto region, Venice actually consists of nearly 120 small islands stitched together with 150 canals. (4) Instead of Ubers or taxi cabs, Venice offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience of gondola rides through its many scenic canals.
If the transportation system isn’t enough to set the romantic mood for you and your beloved, the Renaissance and Gothic architecture surrounding you will soften even the most cynical heart. Add to the experience the aroma of simmering Italian delicacies wafting through St. Mark’s Square where local vendors proudly offer their authentic dishes and handmade goods (5) and you and your partner will never want to leave this robust city.
Taking the Plunge
If you plan to make up for lost time with your dream honeymoon this year, whether you cruise through the U.S.’s most naturally impressive landscapes, delve into the mysterious depths of Machu Picchu, or float through Venice’s romantic channels, these insights will help you and your betrothed feel eager and confident about planning your fun, romantic and adventurous honeymoon in 2021.