Heavenly Honeymoons in Belize, Mexico and South Carolina

Featured Location: Heavenly Honeymoons in Belize, New Mexico & South Carolina
By: Linda Taglaferro

You're all set to marry the man of your dreams. You've picked the loveliest, laciest gown and sent out all your invitations. Now it's time to choose the perfect backdrop for your romantic honeymoon. Does your dream destination include a stretch of sugar-white sand alongside turquoise waters? Or do you prefer a sun-drenched desert in the West or a city filled with tradition in the South? Whether you're seeking water sports or the delights of the desert, there's a special place just for you and your new spouse. Here are three fabulous destinations that promise sultry sunsets and romance-filled days for honeymoon memories that will last a lifetime.

Sandy shores, a sprawling barrier reef and mystical Mayan ruins make this destination a hot pick for nature lovers.

Hidden away on the Caribbean coast of Central America, Belize is the only English-speaking country in that part of the world. Its location offers a unique mix of diverse geographical features. The reefs, rainforests and mountains -- all in a relative small area -- offer a wealth of seaside, jungle and mountain adventures with minimal travel time. Boats, short plane rides or automotive excursions on well-paved highways bring visitors to diverse natural wonders.

Belize beckons with its pure white sands and turquoise waters. You'll find spectacular diving in the 170-mile barrier reef, the largest in the Western Hemisphere (only Australia's Great Barrier Reef is larger.) This natural barrier protects some of the outlying Belizean islands like Ambergris Cay, and offers sensational scuba and snorkeling amid multicolored corals and darting fish in calm waters.

You and your husband might opt to climb the Mayan ruins at Altun Ha or Caracol in the morning and then canoe down the Belize River in the afternoon. Catch steel drum or punta rock music at hotels or clubs after the sun sets. Experience the heights of the lush rainforest canopy with an adrenaline-rushing ride on sturdy zip lines, seventy feet above the ground. Choose from horseback riding, kayaking, river cruising, bird watching and even swimming with nurse sharks and stingrays. Culinary choices range from gourmet offerings to native fare.

Belize's hottest property is Turtle Inn, the upscale beachside resort owned and designed by filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. Here, you'll honeymoon in a luxurious thatched roofed cottage boasting Balinese decor, located right on the sprawling sands of a private beach.

For more information visit:
www.travelbelize.org and www.turtleinn.com

New Mexico is called The Land of Enchantment, and much of its magic is concentrated in Taos. Located at an elevation of 7000 feet, the eastern end of this high, dry city is flanked by the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains -- the southern extension of the Rocky Mountains. Broad, sagebrush-filled plains fill this city, and to the west, the Rio Grande River and deep gorge slice through the landscape.

With unique adobe architecture, a traditional Native American community, hot and spicy cuisine, art galleries and year-round outdoor recreation, Taos lures honeymooners to its warm climate and stunning mountain vistas.

For a honeymoon with high adventure, take an awe-inspiring tour of Taos from above in a hot air balloon, and soar high above the desert landscape. If you and your spouse are culture buffs, a must-see is the Taos Pueblo, just a few miles outside of town. Home to the Tiwa Indians, this enclosed area contains multi-level adobe dwellings.

Art museums and galleries abound in Taos. The Millicent Rogers Museum features traditional and contemporary Hispanic art, pottery and paintings as well as exhibits of Zuni and Hopi Kachina figures.

Known as "the Bed & Breakfast Capital of the Southwest," Taos offers many cozy inns and b&b's like the Casa de la Chimeneas, with its colorful, flower-and-herb-filled gardens. Ample breakfasts include culinary delights like shrimp quesadillas, cheese-filled crepes and Mexican chocolate cake. Las Chimeneas also offers soothing spa treatments.

The Touchstone Inn and Spa lies serene and secluded at the edge of Pueblo lands. This peaceful retreat boasts its own outdoor stone labyrinth. Spend quiet evenings under the stars with your spouse, or relax with a soothing hot stone massage at the spa.

For more information visit: www.visittaos.com and www.touchstoneinn.com

Charleston, South Carolina
Southern hospitality and Old World elegance blend in this charming city.

Charleston's architecture will transport you and your husband back to a bygone era, when stately plantations and opulent gardens dotted the southern landscape. Cobblestone streets, palmetto trees and traditional Victorian houses adorn the city, and natural wonders abound just a short ride away.

Take a cozy ride in a horse-drawn carriage, or stroll together through romantic city streets lined with blossoming magnolia trees. Shop in picturesque antique shops, or visit historic museums and art galleries. Miles and miles of shimmering sands beckon beach lovers, and adventurous newlyweds can kayak to some of the outlying barrier islands. Ferry tours offer glimpses of dolphins and migratory birds, and dinner cruises give you the opportunity to taste Lowcountry cuisine while enjoying the sights of the harbor.

Take a short taxi ride to view manicured southern gardens, visit Charleston's fabulous aquarium, or tour countless restored townhouses and plantations, like the carefully preserved Middleton Place Plantation. This National Historic Landmark dating from the 1700s boasts 65 acres of landscaped terraces and ornamental ponds.

Located in the center of the city's historic district, Charleston Place belongs to the prestigious Orient Express Hotel chain. The lavish lobby features fluted columns, stately marble floors and an elegant Venetian glass chandelier. A Georgian double staircase gracefully curves like two open arms, and bouquets of flowers abound. One highlight of the hotel is The Spa at Charleston Place. tropical destination spa treatments

With its lavish massage menu and an opulent pool boasting a retractable roof, the spa is the perfect place to relax. Newlyweds may opt to play tennis on the rooftop court, or venture beyond the hotel to seaside golf courses.