Honeymoon Budget Battle

In this corner, we have a fabulous destination that will not break the bank,  giving you everything you need to celebrate your beautiful union.

In the other corner, we have its luxurious cousin, a destination with a similar vibe that allows you to amp up the experiences with luxurious add-ons.


Round 1

Cancun for Budget

  • Stay in trendy beachfront hotels for every budget.

  • Find authentic Mexican fare away from tourist-friendly areas.

  • Discover shopping and nightlife options for all tastes.

  • Visit local Maya ruins that cost less than major sites hours away.

The Maldives for Luxe

  • Stay in an underwater villa 16 feet below the surface of the ocean.

  • Explore the Maldives' UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in a personal submarine.

  • Rent a private yacht and go deep-sea fishing.

  • Take a scenic flight over the islands.


Round 2

Alaska for Budget

  • Take a cruise where everything you need is included in the ticket price.

  • Fly off on a flightseeing tour — they’re more affordable than you might think.

  • Hike on public trails that take you over glaciers.

  • Explore Alaska’s National Parks, most of which don’t charge an entrance fee.

Hawaii for Luxe

  • Cruise around the scenic highways of Maui in a 1957 Porsche Speedster.

  • Charter a private boat and go whale watching.

  • Take a thrilling helicopter tour over the jagged cliffs and remote valleys of the Napali Coast.

  • Feed, train and create close bonds with dolphins with an actual trainer.


Round 3

Thailand for Budget

  • Browse the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar to find the best souvenirs.

  • Help protect rescued pachyderms at the Elephant Nature Park.

  • Find delicious Thai food at street markets for less than $2 a plate.

  • Rent a motorbike and explore the area in search of private beaches and hidden coves.

Japan for Luxe

  • Soak in a private onsen, a Japanese hot spring.

  • Spend the evening with a sake expert in Tokyo.

  • Stay in a hotel with a view of Mount Fuji.

  • Dine on Kobe beef, the caviar of meat.


Round 4

The Bahamas for Budget

  • Take a free tour and sample local rum at John Watling’s Distillery.

  • Feast on inexpensive fresh fish at Arawak Cay, aka the Fish Fry.

  • Visit the Queen’s Staircase and pay a local for a history lesson.

  • Enjoy a free visit to Fort Fincastle, a limestone fortress built in 1793.

St. Lucia for Luxe

  • Stay in a luxury resort without a wall, giving you endless views.

  • Enjoy a private romantic dinner while stargazing on the rooftop Celestial Terrace.

  • Explore the Pitons with a private guide.

  • Tour a volcano’s caldera and then finish with a mud bath in the sulfur springs.


Round 5

Barcelona for Budget

  • People-watch while snacking on street food on the pedestrian avenue La Rambla.

  • Stroll the expansive grounds of Gaudí’s Park Güell for free.

  • See the city from atop Barcelona Cathedral for just a few dollars.

  • Get cultured at the Picasso Museum, which is free for a few hours every Sunday.

Paris for Luxe

  • Skip the lines on private tours of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay.

  • Gain a new perspective of the city on a romantic, private boat ride down the Seine.

  • Put on your fanciest clothes for a night out at the Paris Opera.

  • Circle Paris in a hot air balloon, champagne included.

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