Yes, planning your wedding is fun, but planning your honeymoon can be much more exciting! There are less details, less people to worry about, and ultimately you are planning what will be one of the greatest trips of your lives with your new husband!

In the last few years I have been lucky enough to travel to some pretty amazing spots around the world that I think would make for some seriously amazing honeymoons, without having to spend too much of your hard earned cash.

Coastal Cascais

I was lucky enough to be completely surprised with a trip to Portugal for my 30^th birthday by my wonderful fiance. Boy, does that man know how to pick a place. Cascais, Portugal sits on the coast of the Atlantic ocean with golden sand, gorgeous mountains and some of the best food I have ever had. Now if you are looking for a more adventurous honeymoon, Cascais might not be the spot for you but if you are looking for a relaxing, scenic, historic, and utterly romantic honeymoon then you better start booking. Surrounded by old castles, lighthouses, impeccably tiled walkways, mountains, and fantastic restaurants boasting some of the freshest and tastiest seafood I have ever had, Cascais will leave you with a smile on your face and money to spare still in your pocket. Another bonus of Cascais is that Lisbon is only a 30-minute train ride away, in case you are craving more of the Portuguese culture, and of course, those famous Portuguese tarts!

If big cities aren’t really your thing, simply rent a car or a motorbike and take a day trip up to Sintra, a little town on top of a mountain with an amazing view and a beautiful castle to explore. No matter what you do, Cascais, Portugal is a beautifully European way to kick off married life. And take it from me, make sure you order the champagne Sangria!

Thai’ing One On
Koh Tao, Thailand is a tiny little island close to the Gulf of Thailand, that is 21km in size, a popular spot for scuba diving, and quite possibly my most favorite island on Earth. From the friendly people to the crystal clear water, the cheap price of nearly everything to the laid back beach vibe, this island has everything you could possibly want to either kick back and relax, or get a little adventurous with your hubby.

Popular activities on the island include diving, zip lining, boat cruising, hiking, rock climbing, and some of the best snorkeling I have ever done. Of course there are also luxurious massages, to the tune of about $15/hour, gourmet restaurants, and lots of beach front bars complete with fire twirlers who put on a show you have to see to believe. And did I mention it’s nice and cheap there? Well let me say that again for all you ladies who like to plan on a budget. Not only is Koh Tao one of the most beautiful spots I’ve ever seen, but it is also the cheapest I have ever been to. Our 2-bedroom hotel room overlooking the ocean and another neighboring island was only $100 a night and that included a full breakfast!
So not only do you get to honeymoon like royalty, but you get to do it on the cheap, surrounded by crystal clear turquoise water, beautiful sunsets, and 2-for-1 happy hour drinks. Now THAT is a honeymoon.

God’s Country.
I never understood why New Zealand was referred to as God’s Country, until I landed on the South Island. From the moment I stepped off the plane in Queenstown, New Zealand, I was surrounded by bright blue glacier lakes, soaring mountains, waterfalls, green pastures, mountaintop glaciers, and of course, sheep. From the dramatic beauty to the wine regions, adventure sports to the friendly locals, the South Island of New Zealand makes for one hell of a honeymoon destination at the bottom of the world. I even bungy-jumped while I was there!

In addition to bungy-jumping and wine touring there is also: skydiving, helicopter riding, swinging on the world’s largest swing, skiing, snowboarding, Lord Of The Rings sight-seeing, rafting, hiking, biking, surfing, boat cruising, hot pooling, kayaking, diving, parasailing, top notch dining, and exploring the local towns and cities. Essentially, the South Island of New Zealand is an adult’s playground and a honeymoon destination you will never forget.

Your honeymoon is your time to celebrate the two of you. It is supposed to be a trip of a lifetime, so get to planning, get to googling, mix it up, and start planning your dream honeymoon to a destination you may have never considered before.

About the Author

Jill is the chief bridal bloggin’ babe for A Bride’s Wedding Guide where she dishes about all things bridal, including wedding registry tips . The best part of her job? She gets to indulge her girly side each and every day.