My cousin is getting married in a few weeks.

She’s in the throes of the worst of the ocean of details that fill that last month before her big day. It takes me back to the days and weeks before our wedding, and I remember what that felt like as a new bride, the anticipation mixed with the exhaustion of the culmination of many months of hard work. Sadly, our honeymoon plans were pre-empted by back surgery, but the result was a long tradition of annual honeymoons! In the end, I think it was a win! 

In honor of my sweet cousin and her intended, I’d like to suggest four fabulous honeymoon escapes guaranteed to recharge your batteries after the big party, or rekindle the fire year after year.

Four Seasons, Hualalai, Hawaii

Go big, or go home!! If time and money were no obstacle, this is where I would send you on your honeymoon, and you’d stay a whole month! We had the blessing of spending four days here in 2003 and it was, hands down, the best place we’ve ever stayed. Of course, with rooms ranging from about $500-$3000 a night, it better be! 

The ammenities: outdoor showers, a salt water pool stocked with tropical fish that you can snorkel in, a cultural center with interactive programs and seven swimming pools and a gorgeous private beach, you may never leave the resort. There’s also a worldclass golf course and a spa… ahhhhh. 

My favourite moment at this resort: sitting next to a giant green sea turtle on the sand and talking about life with him.

Lago de Atitlan, Guatemala

Getting here can be a bit of an adventure, but once you’re here, you’ll wish you could stay forever. A honeymoon in my favourite place in the world (so far) could be as luxurious, or adventurous as you want. The best hotel in Guatemala is on the lago, but there are lots of hole in the wall places to stay that would make perfect honeymoon hide outs. 

Ride horses, hike, take rainforest canopy tours, kayak, swim, learn spanish, or just hide from the world for a while. The Lago didn’t become Guatemala’s biggest draw for nothing! If you want luxury, try Casa Polopo, outside Santa Cruz. If you want value and perhaps a waterfall in your room, try Hotel Aaculaax, in San Marcos. 

For the same amount you’d spend on a week’s holiday at the Four Seasons in Hualalai you could easily spend six months of newly-wed bliss on the lake by renting a little casita and going local. A six month honeymoon? Dreamy.

Rhine River Valley, Germany

It’s not tropical, but lined with castles, you’d be hard pressed to find a more romantic destination. One of the very best weeks we spent in Europe was on the Rhine river. Hop a river boat and cruise through shadows of the middle ages. 

If we ever go back, we’d love to do one of the packages that allow you to sleep on a riverboat by night and by day cycle through the villages, stopping at bakeries and coffee shops as we go. 

Other options: stay in a castle, take a week long winery tour, visit local breweries, or, if you’re budget minded and more adventurous it’s easy to hostel hop, or  even camp your way down the river. 

Grand Bahama, Bahamas

If you’re in the eastern USA this one is so easy, and often very inexpensive. There are often cheap flights to florida and then it’s a quick half day cruise from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale to the Bahamas. This was the very first “annual honeymoon” we took and it was the perfect blend of adventure, comfort and logistical ease, with a package that rolled our hotel and transportation to and from the island into one. 

The close proximity of the Bahamas makes it perfect for a long weekend getaway, if a longer honeymoon is impossible, and its affordability makes it perfect for those who’ve spent all their money on the wedding but still want to escape someplace exotic!

Where did you take your honeymoon? 

Elena Lang works with the finest jewelry at Primestyle. She sells engagement rings at a low cost and helps women find the perfect wedding sets.