Stay Close To Home

Honeymoon & Anniversary Destinations

May 27, 2020

Current events may have put a brake on international travel, but these do not have to impact your honeymoon or anniversary plans. We have gathered some of our favorite honeymoon and anniversary destinations close to home, where you will find the perfect amount of social distancing, some of the best properties, and unique experiences. And because we have sent guests to all these lovely destinations, Art In Voyage is uniquely positioned to create your exclusive escape.

British Virgin Islands, by Art In Voyage
British Virgin Islands, by Art In Voyage
British Virgin Islands, by Art In Voyage
British Virgin Islands, by Art In Voyage
British Virgin Islands, by Art In Voyage

The British Virgin Islands

The perfect destination for couples who want to learn the basics of sailing and spend their nights at a private-island resort. Or newlyweds with enough experience beneath the mast to sail off on their own bareboat charter honeymoon. These islands are really for those who want peace and quiet with their tropical paradise, and there are no 24/7 parties happening there.

One of our favorite things to do is to spend a day alone on Anegada, a coral atoll, where there’s always an empty beach and an offshore wreck waiting to be explored by scuba divers or snorkelers.

Not sailing? The BVI is famous for posh resorts. But one of the archipelago’s most romantic places is the almost legendary Sandcastle Hotel, on secluded Jost Van Dyke island. This is the Caribbean straight out of Jimmy Buffett — hammocks strung between coconut palms, cool breezes, cold beer, cottages draped in bougainvillea and hibiscus, and a bar packed with people from all around the world telling seafaring yarns. The islands do boast a half-dozen private-island resorts, including the renowned Peter Island and the famous Necker Island (Richard Branson’s private castaway) which can be rented entirely, or by the room.

Ready to have us create your own experience there? Let’s Get Started

Santa Lucia, by Art In Voyage
Santa Lucia, by Art In Voyage
Santa Lucia, by Art In Voyage
Santa Lucia, by Art In Voyage
Santa Lucia, by Art In Voyage

Santa Lucia

If you enjoy soft-adventure excursions, then St. Lucia will not disappoint. Located between the French island of Martinique and Barbados, it boasts incredible jungles and white sand beaches, while remaining fairly less visited than its counterparts in the Caribbean. The town of Soufriëre has some of the best spots for viewing the island’s coral reefs. While you’re in the area, you can also hike the Fond Gens Libre Nature Trail. The island has remained relatively underdeveloped, so the roads are bumpy, and even the most upscale resorts feel remote. So if you do enjoy socializing and being close to larger city centers, this may not be for you.
Try a jungle-biking tour at the Anse Chastanet Resort, in Soufrière. Along the way, you’ll pass mango, coconut, and cocoa trees as well as an 18th-century sugar mill.

Stay at Ti Kaye Resort & Spa, a secluded beachfront hotel on Anse Cochon. While this is not the top 5-star property you may be accustomed to, it is truly unique (Rooms have private outdoor showers). Another favorite, and just as nature-friendly, is The Ladera Resort, on a hillside in Soufriëre. Rooms include unobstructed access to a romantic plunge pool.

Ready to have us create your own experience there? Let’s Get Started

Lapa Rios Costa Rica, by Art In Voyage
Costa Rica Wellness, by Art In Voyage
Costa Rica Wellness, by Art In Voyage
Costa Rica, by Art In Voyage
Lapa Rios, Costa Rica: Journey of Renewal, by Art in Voyage

Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s dedication to ecotourism and conservation makes for a truly original honeymoon destination; a whopping 24% of its land is protected in National Parks meaning it is a place of quite staggering diversity. And for honeymooners, the perfect place from which to soak up all this biodiversity (and ramp up the romance) is Pacuare Jungle Lodge in the Central Valley. It is one of our favorite eco-lodges and featured in several of our curated journeys to Costa Rica.

Escape the memories of stressful wedmin and detox from technology in a thatched bungalow with a private veranda, alfresco shower (also private, thankfully), and panoramic rainforest views. It’s all about the great outdoors here; enjoy rainforest canopy tours, walking trails, and, if you’re feeling really adventurous, white water rafting.
If a two-pronged trip is on the cards, combine Pacuare Jungle Lodge with the stunning Kura Design Villas, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Simply laze by the immaculate pool or inject some adventure with whale watching, snorkeling, and surfing.

Ready to have us create your own experience there? Let’s Get Started

British Virgin Islands, by Art In Voyage
British Virgin Islands, by Art In Voyage
British Virgin Islands, by Art In Voyage
British Virgin Islands, by Art In Voyage
British Virgin Islands, by Art In Voyage

The U.S. Virgin Islands

The perfect spot if you enjoy sailing, consider escaping on a different kind of honeymoon. Think private catamaran (barefoot or crewed), giving you more freedom and time to see more. The calm waters and soft breezes around the USVI make it easy and fun to explore tiny islands that dot the bays. Spots such as Mingo, Lovano, and Whistling cays are incredible and must-dos on your honeymoon there. Along the way. you will drop anchor to take guided snorkeling trips.
This destination is not suited for local artisan and arts/crafts shopping, so if that’s your thing, skip to a different one.
One of our favorites is Drake’s Seat. Travelers flock to this scenic lookout during the day, but the best time to take in the panoramic view of crystal-blue Magens Bay and the British Virgin Islands is at sunset when the crowds are gone and the two of you can have it all to yourselves.

Looking for something more quiet? Favor St John then, and stay at the beautiful

Ready to have us create your own experience there? Let’s Get Started

New England, by Art In Voyage
New England, by Art In Voyage
New England, by Art In Voyage
New England, by Art In Voyage
New England, by Art In Voyage

New England


For this destination, we have a 3-way tie. Here they are:

Southern Vermont: The quaint towns and rolling mountains of southern Vermont make a picturesque background for any honeymoon. While there’s plenty to induce you to stay in and enjoy your sweetheart’s company, there’s also a lot to tempt you outside, whether it’s to kayak on one of many ponds, go shopping in Manchester, or admire the view from a mountain top (take a lift or gondola if you don’t want to hike). We recommend: Make Manchester, Vermont, your home base — beautiful Vermont inns abound in this historic resort town. It’s easy to get to many of southern Vermont’s attractions, like hiking, fly fishing, and skiing, and there are a number of restaurants, great shopping and art galleries

Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket, MA: That these Massachusetts islands made it onto our best honeymoons list is no surprise — they have long been popular with travelers of all sorts for their natural beauty, sandy beaches, and fresher-than-fresh seafood. Take a bike or moped to popular sights on Martha’s Vineyard or seek out the quiet beaches of Nantucket — just make time for a stop at Heavenly Hash Ice Cream on the Vineyard. You may also check out our curated journey to the area for inspiration – click here

Southern Maine Beaches: Our guests often rave about the romantic potential of the seacoast of southern Maine, and especially mentioned the town of Ogunquit, ME for honeymoons. The three miles of sandy beach, the beautiful Marginal Way coastal walk, vibrant nightlife, and award-winning restaurants are some of the highlights of the town. With so many beautiful beaches in southern Maine, your perfect honeymoon destination is right at your fingertips.

Ready to have us create your own experience there? Let’s Get Started

Oregon, by Art In Voyage
Oregon, by Art In Voyage
Oregon, by Art In Voyage
Oregon, by Art In Voyage
Oregon, by Art In Voyage

Oregon

If you’re thinking about honeymooning in Oregon, you probably already know that this beautiful and underrated state has a lot to offer. Some people call it an outdoor playground and they’re definitely right. Rugged coastlines that stretch for 363 miles, scenic mountains, sandy deserts, hot springs, waterfalls and old forests that feel like you’ve stepped back in time are all waiting for you in Oregon. Another great thing about the state is that it doesn’t take an entire day’s drive to make it from rough coastlines to pretty mountains. Art In Voyage has created many customized itinerary for its guests, all focusing on specific preferences and interest. From Portland and its food scene, to the northern state national parks, Cannon beach and Willamette wine region, you may just need to come back for your 10th anniversary to cover it all.

Ready to have us create your own experience there? Let’s Get Started

Big Sur, by Art In Voyage
Big Sur, by Art In Voyage
Big Sur, by Art In Voyage
Big Sur, by Art In Voyage
Big Sur, by Art In Voyage

Big Sur

For nature-loving newlyweds who want to celebrate their new marriage with a journey through some of Mother Nature’s most beautiful creations, a Big Sur honeymoon checks all of the boxes. Especially since many years of construction on highway one have come to an end, lovers who choose to head west will be fascinated by the creations of the earth as they drive through California’s central coast. Sandwiched between San Simeon and Carmel, with the Santa Lucia Mountains on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, this romantic excursion is meant to be experience by car and by foot. As you make your way through various towns, tour through countless beaches and gasp in awe of the jagged cliff sides and winding roads, you’ll fall in love with the planet and of course, with one another.

Do it in class and drive one of our favorite classic cars from the 1960s or 1970s. And to top it off, stay at one of our two very unique and impressive properties: Post Ranch Inn or Ventana Big Sur.

Ready to have us create your own experience there? Let’s Get Started