The Top 5 international honeymoon destinations booked by travel agents at Travel Leaders Associates – America’s top retail travel agency brand – encompass areas within Mexico and the Caribbean, according to a recent Travel Leaders Group survey. But because of the once-in-a-lifetime importance associated with the type of trip, many honeymooners aspire to receive the VIP treatment afforded to royalty or celebrities, making them open to alternative destinations that are just as romantic or adventuresome. With that in mind, Travel Leaders travel agents are providing their insights on honeymooning in some of the most talked about celebrity wedding and honeymoon locales, where anyone could feel like a superstar with their new spouse.
Venice, Italy – The famous canals of Venice were the backdrop for George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin’s wedding. You, too, can be whisked away on a romantic gondola ride as you begin to make memories together as a married couple. “Honeymooners cannot leave Venice without taking a romantic ride on a gondola. I strongly suggest a daytime gondola ride, which will allow you to see the beautiful scenery,” advised Rey Alton, of a Travel Leaders location in Houston, Texas, who enjoyed his own honeymoon there. “The best time for couples to visit Venice is in May or September, as the weather is cooler and you miss the start and end of the tourist season. During this time you will also be able to take advantage of better rates on hotels and airfare.”
Provence, France – Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt made it official in this southeastern French town, which extends along the lower Rhone River. This is a perfect location for a river cruise, stated Jo Ann Buening of Travel Leaders in La Crosse, Wisconsin, who enjoyed the journey herself. “As we cruised the Saône and Rhône Rivers through the South of France, we couldn’t help but think, ‘this type of travel would be great for our honeymoon clients who may enjoy traveling in Europe, but don’t want to have to pack and unpack,” she said. “Like traditional ocean cruising, your vessel is your floating hotel with meals and accommodations included, except instead of ‘island’ or ‘country’ ports of call, you visit cities along the river; usually with daily tours included. What a magnificent and relaxing way to spend your honeymoon.”
Florence, Italy – Florence is #8 on Travel Leaders Group’s 2016 Top International Destinations list. The city is also where Kim Kardashian and Kanye West spent millions on their wedding. The good news is that you don’t have to spend anywhere near that much – as the panoramic views from a hillside in the capital of Tuscany will have you feeling like a million bucks. “Florence has a subtle beauty,” noted Missy Skoog of Travel Leaders in Blaine, Minnesota. “Florence gave birth to the Renaissance and changed the way we see the world. It is home to the world’s finest repository of Italian Renaissance art and an immensely romantic location for a memorable honeymoon.”
St. Lucia, Caribbean – Matt Damon and his wife Luciana renewed their vows on this Caribbean island. “This is a wonderful destination for romance with its incredible views of Piton,” stated Paula Demmer of Travel Leaders in Lakewood, Washington. “It is also a great island for active couples, as it has fabulous scuba diving, zip lining, and mountain biking.” Demmer noted that St. Lucia has also been a romantic backdrop on many seasons of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” television series. Jade Mountain was the site of the proposal at the end of Season 14 of “The Bachelor.”
Havana, Cuba – Usher and his bride, Grace Miguel, honeymooned in Havana, and it’s also the top ranked “up-and-coming” luxury destination according to a recent Travel Leaders Group survey. Houston-based Travel Leaders travel agent Michelle Weller, who visited Cuba on a Travel Leaders’ people-to-people cultural exchange, explained, “There’s a lot of fascination with Cuba. The hotels are already jammed pack and the demand is super high right now, but you have to book Cuba through a travel agent if you want to get in.”
Weller added that Americans still face certain travel restrictions in visiting Cuba and cannot merely hop on a plane to lay on a beach for their honeymoon. However, there are ways to include relaxation and romance on your honeymoon to Cuba. Weller recommends considering a cruise with the intent of having a cultural experience through a land tour. “This is a great experience for couples who just want to experience culture.”
Also, read Travel Leaders’ “Seven Quick Tips to Easy Your Honeymoon Travel Planning.”
“Travel Better” with Travel Leaders. To easily find a Travel Leaders travel agent specializing in Honeymoon travel or any specific destination or niche, consumers can use “Agent Profiler.” As part of Travelleaders.com, the special geo-located online service promises to match the most appropriate Travel Leaders travel agent with each individual traveler, based on the consumer’s own unique criteria and needs. Or to find the Travel Leaders location nearest you, visit Travelleaders.com or call 800-335-TRIP (8747).
