Italy Ranks First in Modern Bride Honeymoon Poll

Italy has nudged Hawaii away as the number-one honeymoon destination in Modern Bride’s annual “World’s Best Honeymoon” survey, ending the Aloha state’s decade-long reign. The 11th annual survey asked 6,000 luxury travel agents for their 50 favorite honeymoon spots.

The results appear in the magazine’s August/September issue. This is the first time Italy has ranked first on the honeymoon survey. Last year, it came in third.

Hawaii’s popularity as a honeymoon destination has dipped in the past few years. The number of honeymooners to Hawaii dropped 1.2 percent in the first half of this year vs. last year, according to statistics from the Hawaii Dept. of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. That follows a 0.7 percent decline in 2006 vs. 2005.

Other “bests” on the list were Caneel Bay, St. John, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, for resort with the best beach; the Four Seasons in Chiang Mai, Thailand, for resort with the best spa; and the Mandarin Oriental in San Francisco, for most luxurious bathrooms. Cited for having the “ultimate honeymoon suite” was the St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, for its Premier Overwater Villa.

Mexico, Las Vegas and the Dominican Republic were named most affordable honeymoon destinations, and Costa Rica, South African and New Zealand were named best for adventure.