Where to Go on Your Minimoon Now and Honeymoon Later

The cake has been cut, the fancy clothes returned to their hangers, the guests bid farewell. The party’s over, and now the trip for two can begin. 

But whether you’re short on vacation days or just sapped of celebratory stamina, a blowout getaway might not be in the cards right away. The solution? A one-two punch. Take a luxe but easy trip with all the opulence and none of the overnight flights, and a far-flung adventure later, once you’ve refilled your coffers and reupped your appetites.

3 Minimoons That Deliver Big Romance

Santa Barbara, California

The Old Mission Santa Barbara.

Sun on your face, salt in the air, Spanish Colonial Revival architecture at every turn—Santa Barbara’s got it all. Check in to El Encanto, a century-old hideaway in the foothills with crisp transitional-style rooms and ocean vistas. Rent paddleboards to splash around the harbor together, then toss back oysters at Santa Barbara Shellfish Company. Or stop at Silvers Omakase, where lobes of uni and otoro feel sacramental. Wine country is a must: Book a horseback-riding and wine-tasting tour, and toast to marital bliss with a glass of pinot at a Santa Ynez estate.

Aspen, Colorado

Aspen in winter is a no-brainer: slopes, après, repeat.

For a light dose of adventure paired with ample indulgence, Aspen’s your place—and specifically The Little Nell, a ski-in, ski-out fantasyland where every staffer knows your name and your gear magically materializes each morning. Winter is a no-brainer—slopes, après, repeat. In warmer weather, book a historic tour, or blend local lore and hiking on a guided excursion through Aspen’s East End and Hunter Creek Trail. The tasting menu at the moody, intimate Bosq is the ultimate table in town; or crank up the cozy ambience at the French Alpine Bistro—nothing says romance like a molten blanket of raclette.

Saint Martin

La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel, St. Martin.

Saint Martin feels like a world away, with the rare, coveted combo of white-sand beaches and Paris-worthy patisseries just a three-hour hop from Miami. There’s no finer stay than La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel, St. Martin, a secluded spot on Baie Longue with quintessentially Caribbean style: airy white rooms, rattan accents, pale blue ombré drapes. Resist the temptation to spend your whole trip parked beneath a beach cabana. An electric buggy tour to sights like Maho Beach is a blast; but for core-memory material, take a catamaran sailing and snorkeling excursion to spot parrotfish and stingrays beneath the waves.

3 All-Out Honeymoons Worth Waiting For

The Scottish Highlands

The Gleneagles estate. (Photo courtesy of The Gleneagles Hotel)

A grand adventure in the Highlands means flying into Edinburgh, so stick around to acclimatize to the Scottish brogue and the time change. Toast with rare whiskeys in the city's underground vaults and check in to The Balmoral, a grande dame done up in silvery blues and soft tartans—or, if your vibe leans more eclectic, opt for Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, where classicism meets quirk. As a Virgin Hotels property and member of The Edit, it's a stay where eligible cardmembers can stack one of their two annual $250 The Edit credits and your $250 credit for select hotels, together covering up to $500 when you book a prepaid two-night-minimum stay through Chase Travel.

Your ultimate destination is the 850-acre Gleneagles estate, steeped in cozy grandeur that hits just right after a day wandering the moors. The staff can plan day trips around the wilds of Perthshire, horseback riding through forest glades and salmon fishing on the River Tay, plus dinners or cocktails à deux in any of the nine bars and restaurants.

New Zealand

Flockhill, in the Craigieburn Valley. (Photo courtesy of Flockhill)

For this trip, go deep, not broad. Most flights take you to Auckland, on the North Island, where you’ll check in to Park Hyatt Auckland to recover from the journey (and squeeze in a sail on Waitemata Harbor) before jumping to the South Island. Start at the plush Blanket Bay, on Lake Wakatipu, and venture to Milford Sound for a sightseeing flight and fjord cruise.

Drive northeast, making a pit stop at Lake Tekapo and the snow-dusted Mount Cook before landing at Flockhill, a still-new property set on 36,000 acres in the Craigieburn Valley. Take the scenic route back and land at Oaks Queenstown Shores Resort before flying home. If you’ve got more than two weeks, tack on some additional North Island exploration, with Huka Lodge as your way station between bustling Auckland and Wellington, where you can indulge in a food tour and wine tastings.

Vietnam

Six Senses Con Dao.

With rambling jungles to the north, pristine beaches to the south and vibrant night markets in between, Vietnam is always a good idea. Start at Capella Hanoi in the Old Quarter and take a motorbike food tour. Next up: InterContinental Halong Bay Resort, set within a heritage site and another opportunity to stack your credits for The Edit and select hotels. Then head south to visit the ruins at Mỹ Sơn before snorkeling at Six Senses Con Dao, a perfect honeymoon capstone.