Bali offers countless opportunities to enlighten and enhance your chi. (Photos: Courtesy of The Ritz Carlton)
Marriage commemorates the beginning of all kinds of new experiences together. So why not infuse your honeymoon with that same spirit of adventure? You can lie on a beach anytime, but for this special, once-in-a-lifetime occasion, take an exotic, far-flung journey to celebrate your new nuptials.
1. Wild and Exotic Bali
There are few places on the planet more magical than Bali, and The Ritz-Carlton, Bali offers countless opportunities to enlighten and enhance your chi. From daily yoga and stretching classes to temple tours to aqua tai chi and the opportunity to learn the art — and meditative aspects — of Balinese weaving, there are many ways to feed your soul and nourish your spirit. The spa, which is surrounded by a lush traditional Balinese garden, blends local culture, nature and tradition into its distinct wellness program, combining ancient methods with modern techniques.
2. The Beauty of the Desert
There isn’t anything quite like the expanse and wildness of the desert. And the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona is as wild as it gets — yet with an uncanny ability to quietly nourish the soul. The tranquility of a morning hike, with leisurely stops to bird watch and spot wildlife, followed by a night sky unlike any you’ve ever seen. The stargazing in a clear, cloudless sky inspires a breathlessness that promises to restore, refresh and ready you for your lifetime together.
3. Tropical Thrills in Puerto Rico
Put on your walking shoes and enter the natural treasure that is Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Home to the historic Rockefeller Nature Trail, which provides the perfect way to marvel at the paradise that is Puerto Rico. The 11-mile trail winds through forests, beaches and secret coves, enhancing what you’ll come to know about the eco-resort’s many wonders, including an open-air spa that extends into the treetops. Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program offers unique opportunities to see and experience the best of land and sea, such as snorkeling, hiking and an archeological site that exists on the property.
4. Ski-in, Ski-out
You haven’t really skied until you’ve skied in Lake Tahoe, California. The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is the perfect perch from which to begin the supreme ski honeymoon and adventure. Personal mountain concierges are there to guide you from your suite to the trails, providing the ultimate room service anywhere. If you want a break from skiing but don’t want to miss any fun, activities such as ice skating, snowmobiling, dogsledding, snowshoe full moon hiking and so much more is readily available.
5. Aquatic Adventures in the Caribbean
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is perfectly situated between St. John and the British Virgin Islands, and a sail on Lady Lynsey, a luxury, 53-foot catamaran, enables guests to see it all. Island hop to your heart’s content, then take some time to picnic onboard, snorkel in the turquoise waters, and pop over to St. John for a romantic dinner before returning to your home base in the Caribbean.
6. Thailand’s Treasures
Yoga by candlelight and acoustic musical concerts at sunset are the perfect complements to daytime kayaking voyages across the Andaman Sea or a jungle exploration through a National Park that culminates in a trip to the top of Naga Mountain. Steal away for a day to Hong Island, one of the best-kept secrets in the region, for a visit to its lagoons and incredible sightseeing — far from any crowd. The natural beauty and unadulterated charm of Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will remain imprinted on your body, mind and soul for a lifetime, providing the perfect mixture of peace and discovery.
7. Southern California Sun and Fun
The surf is always inviting at California, where it’s always a good time to relish and revel in the seemingly endless days of sunshine. The seaside artistic haven of Laguna Niguel offers a wonderland full of sandy coves, which are part of a seven-mile stretch of coastline that is ripe for discovery. From surfing to whale-watching to eco-adventures that bring nature up close and personal, this intimate escape is an experience you’ll remember forever.
8. The Romance of Rural Europe
For honeymooning couples, it can be hard to resist the romance of the countryside. Penha Longa Resort in Portugal offers outdoor adventure with a dash European charm. Situated on a national nature reserve near Lisbon, this former monastery and royal retreat is now a bucolic outdoor playground with a 27-hole golf course, miles of gardens and countless hiking opportunities. Craving a little a beach time? Sun and sand are just 30 minutes away.
9. Polynesian Adventures
10. A Mountainside Escape
Few locations in the world offer top-notch, year-round activities quite like the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. From seemingly limitless cross-country and downhill skiing options all winter long, to hiking, biking, rafting, fly-fishing and every warmer-weather activity you can think of, there is no finer place to push yourselves to the limit of pleasure and enjoyment. This exclusive area of Beaver Creek Mountain is the perfect launch pad for any outdoors activity under the sun, and, the best part is you get to experience it together.
11. Grand Cayman’s Sporty Side
Take a private sail for just the two of you in the translucent waters of the Caribbean; challenge each other to a round of golf on the Greg Norman-designed, nine-hole course; or play a match of singles on one of the tennis courts with programs designed by the premier tennis coach Nick Bollettieri. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman offers it all, and allows you to reconnect in a private, poolside cabana or indulge yourselves at La Prairie Spa, where signature treatments include the Caviar Massage and Island Dream Body Treatment.
This article originally appeared in Journey Into the Ritz-Carlton.
Related Articles
