Dreaming longingly of canceled honeymoons & vacations that were to be this Spring & Summer? Us, too. Jack and I were supposed to be in Hawaii right now. My bestie reunion spa trip to Napa? DIY face masks over FaceTime.
While there are so many worse outcomes of this Coronavirus crisis – tragic losses of family & friends, and in our industry canceled weddings & a disastrous season for small wedding businesses – it's absolutely okay to outwardly mourn the loss of travel & honeymoons, too.
Hopefully, you managed to get refunds for your flights & hotels like we did (thank you Alaska Airlines!) and you can save a bit of that refund for a future trip whenever it's safe to travel again. With certain regions hit harder than others & some destinations opening sooner than others it may be time to brainstorm a new dream honeymoon – which is right up our alley!
We've put together the 10 places we'd go on honeymoon based on when they might reopen, safety & ease of travel & general wanderlust we've been experiencing during shutdown…
1. Iceland
One of the least hit nations of Europe, Iceland has remained relatively open for business and is already considering plans to reopen to foreign travelers (EU citizens are currently allowed to enter the country). If things continue to go well for the gorgeous & mystic Nordic island, we suspect Iceland may be one of the earliest international honeymoons couples can consider.
You'll want to book a hotel with a lenient cancelation policy, of course, and we have our hearts set on Thingvellir National Park's ION Adventure Hotel which boasts modern, Nordic design & a luxurious spa underneath the glimmering Northern Lights.
2. Palm Springs
Staying domestic might be a more stress-free approach for honeymooning Fall & Winter 2020. We can't help but recommend honeymooning at the hip & artsy Ace Hotel & Swim Club or the stylish boutique Villa Royale in Palm Springs, California. Read all about why we love both in our Ultimate Palm Springs Wedding Planning Guide.
You can book with relative ease with fully refundable reservations on Booking.com & Kayak.com indicates which flights are refundable or offer free changes due to Coronavirus.
3. Scotland
For our UK brides & grooms, a domestic trip may bring you to Scotland – a favorite stop along Jack & I's yearlong honeymoon last year. It's a great destination for social distancing with endless space to hike, nature watch & drink in the fresh air.
You'll want to start your trip in historic Edinburgh at the immaculate & best located Prestonfield House. Spend your mornings hiking up Arthur's Seat (just outside your hotel room door!) and afternoons enjoying traditional a High Tea. The grounds' Highland Cattle will likely inspired you to take a trek to the Scottish Highlands so be sure to live a few nights as royalty at Inverlochy Castle Hotel.
4. Sicily
You may have already seen the news that the Sicilian government plans to offer to pay for half of flight costs, one in every three nights of accommodation & gift vouchers for a variety of historical & touristic attractions for tourists who wish to visit Sicily later this year.
It may seem dubious to travel to Italy given what happened this Spring, but with the assurance that things are improving & given this unprecedented offer, we have no problem social distancing beside Mt. Etna and lounging aside a pool in this gorgeous, private villa with a bottle of Occhipinti.
5. Hawai'i
For Americans weary of international travel but looking to get as far away from the mainland as possible: Greetings From Hawai'i. Jack and I will be rebooking our trip to the Big Island the moment it's safe to do so, with plans to hike Polulu valley, ride horses through Kohala, explore Volcanos National Park & bask in the sun on black sand beaches.
Our dream accommodation would be Frank Lloyd Wright's own Waimea masterpiece. But with smaller budgets than that, you'll find us splitting time between Kohala Lodge in the North and Kalapana Beach Haven in the volcanic South.
6. The Wild American West
As avid travelers, we predict that Post Coronavirus Travel will be the era of road tripping. There will likely be no better time to explore the expanses of the American West than 2020 & 2021. Stock up on the best camping gear (after all, you're saving so much money on hotel fees!) and when hotels do reopen, book at least a night or two at Utah's mesmerizing Amangiri Resort.
7. South Africa
Hands down our favorite leg of our honeymoon were the five weeks we spent in South Africa. You'll have no trouble finding empty space on your road trip across the Cape. Start your visit swimming with wild African Penguins in Cape Town, drinking wine at Babylonstoren, whale watching in Hermanus and beach hopping the Garden Route all the way to Bukela Lodge for your five star, luxury tented safari stay.
8. Vietnam
It's hard to believe that the China-bordering nation of Vietnam has accomplished what they have – with no Coronavirus related deaths reported, there's no doubt in our minds Vietnam will be a beacon of travel once borders reopen.
Our home for three whole months in 2019, East West Villas offers luxurious suites, breakfast in bed, massages & bicycles all for an enviable price in the quaint historic beach town of Hoi An. Find our full Vietnam honeymoon guide here.
9. New Zealand
Another beacon of hope through this crisis, New Zealand has announced a three-step plan to reopen the country & its borders. First for neighbors in Australia, and later for other foreign nationals as things improve, we predict that the island nation will reopen in time for the Southern Hemisphere's Spring & Summer, making up for our lost Summer up North.
Azur Lodge offers the privacy, luxury & views a New Zealand honeymoon requires & Solitaire Lodge offers the solace & serenity to forget all about the first half of 2020.
10. Patagonia
A bucket-list destination for so many adventure travelers, we suspect Patagonia will be a popular region when travel prospects improve in late 2020. Book your trip for Argentina's Spring & Summer and you'll enjoy gorgeous weather as you explore Patagonia's mountains and glacial flow.
You'll want a soak & massage after all that trekking so book a suite & spa day at Llao Llao Resort just below the majestic Cerro Lopez & Tronador mountain peaks.
Need more honeymoon inspiration? Here are the best places to travel any month of the year for sunny honeymoon weather. Has Coronavirus affected your wedding planning? Follow all of our COVID-19 related coverage for expert tips & ideas to get through it all.