Weddingbee Blog

I can think of no better time to dream of a tropical getaway than in the middle of yet another snowstorm. The snow is just pouring down, but our thoughts are on planning the honeymoon.

When Mr. P asked what sort of trip I wanted to take, my only requirement was “warm and beachy.” After the stress and exhaustion of planning and hosting a wedding, I don’t think we’ll be game for anything more strenuous than reaching for margaritas and guacamole.

Warm and beachy is a good place to start. Our ideal destination wouldn’t take more than six hours to reach, and the airfare shouldn’t eat into the room-and-board budget too much…ideally. There are a handful of destinations below for which we may be willing to bend the rules a bit. Without further delay, I present the “Could you be our honeymoon?” contestants:

Anguilla: Simply sand, sun, and surf

• Best beaches, upscale laid-back vibe, food
• Seven-hour flight from NYC ($750)

Belize: Adventure awaits (sources: 1 & 2)

• Beaches, adventure (jungles, ruins, cave tubing), culture, authenticity
• Five-hour flight from NYC ($580)

British Virgin Islands (BVI): Boater’s delight

• Beaches, sailing, natural beauty, culture
• Four-and-a-half-hour flight from NYC ($599)

Fiji: Polynesian paradise

• Beaches, seclusion, exotic, adventure
• 16-hour flight from NYC ($1,400)

French Polynesia: South Pacific splendor

• Beaches, culture, exotic, seclusion
• 14-hour flight from NYC ($1,600) (Tahiti is closest, Bora Bora farthest.)

Guadeloupe: France meets the Caribbean

• Beaches, laid-back authentic vibe, seclusion, adventure (rain forest, volcanoes)
• Seven-hour flight from NYC ($800)

Hawaii: An island for everyone

• Beaches, adventure, culture, food
• 11-hour flight from NYC ($600)

Maldives: Dreamy and jet-lagged

• Beaches, seclusion, exotic, adventure (scuba, snorkel, jungle)
• 11-hour flight from London! ($1,900)

Mexico: Two coasts of fun

• Culture, adventure, beaches
• Three-and-a-half-hour flight to Cancun ($320), seven-hour flight to Puerto Vallarta ($530), both from NYC

Puerto Rico: No passport required

Vieques Island, Puerto Rico: Unspoiled and wild

• Culture, adventure, beaches, nightlife
• Four-hour flight from NYC ($300)

Seychelles: Nirvana

• Beaches, scenery, seclusion
• Insane flight time

St. Vincent & The Grenadines: Natural glamour

• Best beaches, seclusion, adventure (volcanoes, snorkeling)
• Eight-hour flight from NYC

St. Lucia: Exotic on a budget

• Beaches, adventure (volcanoes, rain forest)
• Seven-hour flight from NYC ($700)

Turks & Caicos: Upscale seclusion

• Underwater sights, best beaches (highly-rated Grace Bay), culture
• Four-hour flight from NYC ($550)

Any destinations jumping out at you? Would you trade a day of travel time for a gloriously exotic location?