Stay here: Get a feel for the city’s more modern side by staying at the sleek Crowne Plaza Budapest, an IHG Hotel, where you’ll find spacious guest rooms, each with a bathtub. Several major attractions are just minutes away on public transit and for a bit of retail therapy, the property is next door to Westend, one of the city’s biggest shopping malls.
A sweeping view of coral reef inside Akumal Bay in Quintana Roo, MexicoGetty
Quintana Roo, Mexico
“The Riviera Maya has gotten pricey, but if you use the Cancun airport as a jumping-off point for some of the lesser-known destinations such as Bacalar and Isla Holbox, there are great options for honeymooners seeking more secluded and romantic properties at a more affordable price point,” says Henley Vazquez, co-founder of Fora travel agency.
Without the crowds and higher prices, these alternative destinations still showcase what makes this region of Mexico so special: delectable cuisine fueled by fresh seafood, great weather year-round (just watch out for peak hurricane season in September and October), and plenty of opportunities to relax on the beach—or by a tranquil lagoon in the case of Bacalar.
Stay here: Vazquez recommends wellness-focused property Habitas Bacalar for the couple who wants to go off the grid and spend their days by the beautiful lagoon. For “a stunning beach, cool vibe, and a place for boating, summer diving with the whale migration, and generally relaxing on island time,” Vazquez sends clients to Nomade Holbox.
Rows of gleaming white houses in Naxos, an island in Greece’s CycladesGetty
Greek Islands
Savvy travelers know they can enjoy all the perks of Santorini and Mykonos—jaw-dropping landscapes, crystal clear beaches, and quaint villages with whitewashed, blue-accented buildings—for a fraction of the price if they opt for a romantic getaway to some of the lesser-known Greek islands. These islands boast a fraction of the crowds, too. Check out Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades islands, for a mixture of adventure, archaeological history, and, of course, stunning beaches. Lefkada is an especially budget-friendly Greek island with surprisingly bright turquoise waters.