Ranking: US News’ Best Honeymoon Destinations of 2016-2017
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20. Madrid
This city is one of the art capitals of the world, so don’t miss the Mueso del Prado museum. Enjoy some tapas at the Plaza Mayor where you can enjoy sightseeing and enjoy some live music on the weekends.
20. Madrid
This city is one of the art capitals of the world, so don’t miss the Mueso del Prado museum. Enjoy some tapas at the Plaza Mayor where you can enjoy sightseeing and enjoy some live music on the
… more
Photo: Sylvain Sonnet/Getty Images
19. Costa Rica
Serene waters are beautiful, but the white-water rafting here is one of the star attractions. After a day of exploring volcanoes and enjoying the hot springs, enjoy a South Caribbean coastal dinner.
19. Costa Rica
Serene waters are beautiful, but the white-water rafting here is one of the star attractions. After a day of exploring volcanoes and enjoying the hot springs, enjoy a South Caribbean coastal
… more
Photo: Sean Caffrey/Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images
18. St. Martin
French, Dutch and Caribbean cultures blend at this tropical paradise. Check out the butterfly farm La Ferme des Papillons and sample the produce at Marigot Market.
18. St. Martin
French, Dutch and Caribbean cultures blend at this tropical paradise. Check out the butterfly farm La Ferme des Papillons and sample the produce at Marigot Market.
Photo: Photo ?Tan Yilmaz/Getty Images
17. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
This chain of islands offers secluded beaches for those who want to escape tourist traps. Nature lovers should check out the Old Heff Turtle Sanctuary.
17. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
This chain of islands offers secluded beaches for those who want to escape tourist traps. Nature lovers should check out the Old Heff Turtle Sanctuary.
Photo: Walter Bibikow/Getty Images/AWL Images RM
16. Turks Caicos
White-sand beaches and turquoise waters are the big draw here, along with the calm waters at the Chalk Sound National Park. For a look at where conch comes from, which you should try here, visit the Caicos Conch Farm.
16. Turks Caicos
White-sand beaches and turquoise waters are the big draw here, along with the calm waters at the Chalk Sound National Park. For a look at where conch comes from, which you should try
… more
Photo: Jennifer Broadus/Getty Images
15. Martinique
Learn about the history of this paradise at the ruins scattered around the mountainous island. A must-see is the semi-active volcano Mont Pelée on the northern side of Martinique.
15. Martinique
Learn about the history of this paradise at the ruins scattered around the mountainous island. A must-see is the semi-active volcano Mont Pelée on the northern side of Martinique.
Photo: Tuul / Robertharding/Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery
14. Seychelles
For unparalleled flora and fauna, visit the Vallée de Mai park, where wildlife coexists with tourists. Of course, Seychelles is well known, too, for diving and snorkeling.
14. Seychelles
For unparalleled flora and fauna, visit the Vallée de Mai park, where wildlife coexists with tourists. Of course, Seychelles is well known, too, for diving and snorkeling.
Photo: Jon Arnold/Getty Images/AWL Images RM
13. Crete
History buffs will enjoy the sights on Greece’s largest island. Beyond beautiful beaches, Crete is known for its ruins, some of which are noted in Greek mythology. See the raw, unreconstructed city ruins at Phaestos, which offers mystery and great views.
13. Crete
History buffs will enjoy the sights on Greece’s largest island. Beyond beautiful beaches, Crete is known for its ruins, some of which are noted in Greek mythology. See the raw, unreconstructed city
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Photo: Www.christophefaugere.com/Getty Images
12. Paris
No romantic travel list would be complete without Paris. While you can’t secure your love lock at the Pont des Arts anymore, couples can still enjoy a cruise on the Seine and a selfie at the Eiffel Tower. For couples who enjoy the macabre, head to Les Catacombes: underground ossuaries that hold the remains of millions.
12. Paris
No romantic travel list would be complete without Paris. While you can’t secure your love lock at the Pont des Arts anymore, couples can still enjoy a cruise on the Seine and a selfie at the
… more
Photo: Lepretre Pierre/Getty Images
11. Kauai
Between waterfalls and beaches, there’s no shortage of gorgeous, stunning sights to take in here. For a spiritual experience, take your spouse to Kauaʻi’s Hindu Monastery, which has verdant gardens and the Kadavul Temple.
11. Kauai
Between waterfalls and beaches, there’s no shortage of gorgeous, stunning sights to take in here. For a spiritual experience, take your spouse to Kauaʻi’s Hindu Monastery, which has verdant
… more
Photo: Monica Michael Sweet/Getty Images/Perspectives
10. Venice
Dinner on the Grand Canal with a view of the Rialto Bridge, as well as a gondola ride, are musts here. Take a stroll through the cathedrals and plazas. For something a little out of the way that’s worth it, take a boat ride to Murano and visit the Murano Glass Factory.
10. Venice
Dinner on the Grand Canal with a view of the Rialto Bridge, as well as a gondola ride, are musts here. Take a stroll through the cathedrals and plazas. For something a little out of the way that’s
… more
Photo: Travelstock44 / LOOK-foto/Getty Images/LOOK
9. Florence
Thank the Medici Family for the expansive art collections here, including the Uffizi Gallery, which houses some of the world’s best-known works. Take photos at the Duomo — the most famous landmark here — and see the Basilica di Santa Croce and the Medieval bridge Ponte Vecchio.
9. Florence
Thank the Medici Family for the expansive art collections here, including the Uffizi Gallery, which houses some of the world’s best-known works. Take photos at the Duomo — the most famous landmark
… more
Photo: FilippoBacci/Getty Images
8. British Virgin Islands
Those who enjoy spirits will want to visit the Callwood Rum Distillery, where you can sample and see how it’s made. A must-do here is seeing the towering boulders at The Baths.
8. British Virgin Islands
Those who enjoy spirits will want to visit the Callwood Rum Distillery, where you can sample and see how it’s made. A must-do here is seeing the towering boulders at The
… more
Photo: M Swiet Productions/Getty Images
7. Bali
Lounge and enjoy massages on the beautiful beaches here. Then learn about Balinese culture and art at Museum Puri Lukisan before monkeying around at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
7. Bali
Lounge and enjoy massages on the beautiful beaches here. Then learn about Balinese culture and art at Museum Puri Lukisan before monkeying around at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
Photo: Matthew Wakem/Getty Images
6. Fiji
Surfing and diving are musts here, but you can’t leave without visiting Navala, a beautiful village of thatched-roof homes.
6. Fiji
Surfing and diving are musts here, but you can’t leave without visiting Navala, a beautiful village of thatched-roof homes.
Photo: Greg Vaughn/Getty Images/Perspectives
5. Maui
A courthouse might not sound like a vacation destination, but the Old Lahaina Courthouse houses art and information about Maui’s culture. After the culturally enriching experience, paddle to the Molokini Crater for diving.
5. Maui
A courthouse might not sound like a vacation destination, but the Old Lahaina Courthouse houses art and information about Maui’s culture. After the culturally enriching experience, paddle to the
… more
Photo: Thinkstock/Getty Images
4. Maldives
Architecture lovers will want to see the impressive Old Friday Mosque, which dates back to 1656 and is made mostly from coral stone. Get close to the sharks at Hammerhead Point, where you can observe schools of hammerheads.
4. Maldives
Architecture lovers will want to see the impressive Old Friday Mosque, which dates back to 1656 and is made mostly from coral stone. Get close to the sharks at Hammerhead Point, where you
… more
Photo: Peter Cade/Getty Images
3. Tahiti
French Polynesia’s largest island has stunning blue waters and something many other locales on this list don’t: black sand. Papenoo Beach has dark shores that contrast with blue waves.
3. Tahiti
French Polynesia’s largest island has stunning blue waters and something many other locales on this list don’t: black sand. Papenoo Beach has dark shores that contrast with blue waves.
Photo: Levente Bodo/Getty Images
2. Santorini
Striking stark-white building create a dramatic backdrop for the deep-blue waters of the Aegean. After exploring historic sights and taking in the views, sample some spanakopita with a cold beer from the Santorini Brewery Company.
2. Santorini
Striking stark-white building create a dramatic backdrop for the deep-blue waters of the Aegean. After exploring historic sights and taking in the views, sample some spanakopita with a cold
… more
Photo: Matteo Colombo/Getty Images
1. Bora Bora
Couples can choose from a number of world-class resorts and tour beaches that range from lively to secluded. The waters here come in nearly indescribable shades of blue, so you’ll want to spend sometime exploring the beaches. For something more offbeat, check out the model ships at the Musée de la Marine.
1. Bora Bora
Couples can choose from a number of world-class resorts and tour beaches that range from lively to secluded. The waters here come in nearly indescribable shades of blue, so you’ll want to spend
… more
Photo: Image Source/Getty Images/Image Source
Honeymooners seeking over-the-top accommodations and exotic locales have a new list to peruse.
The U.S. News World Report’s Best Honeymoon Destinations of 2016-2017 ranking was just released, and it offers 20 destinations that range from secluded beaches to romantic cities.
That publication considered user votes and expert opinions when determining the best places for couples to see together now.
RELATED: How much the average wedding cost in 2015, item-by-item
Not surprisingly, there were several tropical getaways and European landmarks in the mix.
It contrasts with a recent Westin Hotels Resorts study, which revealed that U.S. residents aren’t venturing far from home for their honeymoon as often. That same report also showed that honeymooners now care more about health and wellness, even when on their romantic trip.
“One of the most surprising things about the study was how many people went running on their honeymoon,” Bob Jacobs, vice president of brand management for Westin Hotels Resorts, told Skift. “Forty percent [of honeymooners] in the last five years went on at least one run during their honeymoon and they are using it as a way to decompress, disconnect, and be a tourist at the same time.”
SEE ALSO: Wedding faux pas; what not to do if you’re a guest
Wherever honemooners end up traveling, or what they do when they’re there, the more pressing issue is that they go somewhere. A study reported that couples who have a honeymoon are 41 percent less likely to get a divorce.
So go ahead and take that trip to Madrid, or to one of the other 19 places the U.S. News World report suggests.
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