Five Destinations that Make Couples Feel Like Celebrities

Couples who wonder what it would like to wed or honeymoon like a celebrity need look no further than these international hotspots.Destination weddings and honeymoons are a time when couples want to feel like royalty or celebrities. Where should they go? The top five international destinations encompass areas within Mexico and the Caribbean, according to a recent group survey by Travel Leaders Associates. Since these are once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many couples want the VIP treatment afforded to royalty or celebrities, making them open to alternative destinations that are just as romantic or adventuresome. With that in mind, Travel Leaders travel agents suggest the following locales:Venice, Italy—The famous canals of Venice were the backdrop for George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin’s wedding. Couples can be whisked away on a romantic gondola ride as they begin to make memories together as a married couple. Gondola rides are one of the must-have elements. “I strongly suggest a daytime gondola ride, which will allow couples to see the beautiful scenery,” says Rey Alton, Travel Leaders, Houston, Texas, who enjoyed his own honeymoon there. “The best time for couples to visit Venice is in May or September, as the weather is cooler and you miss the start and end of the tourist season. During this time, they also can take advantage of better rates on hotels and airfare.”Provence, France—Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt made it official in this southeastern French town, which extends along the lower Rhone River. This is a perfect location for a river cruise, states Jo Ann Buening of Travel Leaders in La Crosse, Wis., who enjoyed the journey herself. “As we cruised the Saône and Rhône Rivers through the South of France, we couldn’t help but think, ‘this type of travel would be great for our honeymoon clients who may enjoy traveling in Europe, but don’t want to have to pack and unpack,” she says. “Like traditional ocean cruising, your vessel is your floating hotel with meals and accommodations included, except instead of ‘island’ or ‘country’ ports of call, you visit cities along the river; usually with daily tours included.”Florence, Italy—Florence is #8 on Travel Leaders Group’s 2016 Top International Destinations list. The city is also where Kim Kardashian and Kanye West spent millions on their wedding. The good news is that couples don’t have to spend anywhere near that much, as the panoramic views from a hillside in the capital of Tuscany will have them feeling like a million bucks. “Florence has a subtle beauty,” notes Missy Skoog of Travel Leaders in Blaine, Minn. “Florence gave birth to the Renaissance and changed the way we see the world. It is home to the world’s finest repository of Italian Renaissance art and an immensely romantic location for a memorable honeymoon.”St. Lucia, Caribbean—Matt Damon and his wife Luciana renewed their vows on this Caribbean island. “This is a wonderful destination for romance with its incredible views of Piton,” says Paula Demmer of Travel Leaders in Lakewood, Wash. “It is also a great island for active couples, as it has fabulous scuba diving, zip lining, and mountain biking.” Demmer notes that St. Lucia has also been a romantic backdrop on many seasons of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” television series. Jade Mountain was the site of the proposal at the end of Season 14 of “The Bachelor.”Havana, Cuba—Usher and his bride, Grace Miguel, honeymooned in Havana, and it’s also the top ranked “up-and-coming” luxury destination according to a recent Travel Leaders Group survey. Houston-based Travel Leaders travel agent Michelle Weller, who visited Cuba on a Travel Leaders’ people-to-people cultural exchange, explains, “There’s a lot of fascination with Cuba. The hotels are already jam-packed and the demand is super high right now, but you have to book Cuba through a travel agent if you want to get in.” However, Americans still face certain travel restrictions in visiting Cuba, she says, and they cannot merely hop on a plane to lay on a beach. However, there are ways to include relaxation and romance in Cuba. Weller recommends considering a cruise with the intent of having a cultural experience through a land tour. “This is a great experience for couples who just want to experience culture.” WPM