Destination Weddings and Honeymoons

This gem in the French West Indies is a culturally diverse nation where you can order croissants and café au lait for breakfast (in French, s'il vous plait -- it's the island's official language), then laze the day away beside the vibrant blue Caribbean Sea. But there's more to do here than sunbathe. The capital city Fort de France blends Parisian chic (shops are stocked with French imports from designer clothing to perfume) with laid-back Creole charm. Don't miss a visit to the ruins of the former capital Saint-Pierre, which was wiped out by the eruption of Mount Pelée in 1902.

Two-thirds of Martinique is designated as a "Regional Nature Park," with overflowing public gardens and natural reserves. You can learn more about the island's plantation past at the charming Banana Museum, or spend the night in a restored plantation-turned-inn. Sailing fans flock to Le Marin in the south, home to the island's largest marina; this region is also home to some of the island's best white sand beaches. As you might expect from a French-owned island, cuisine here is top-notch, fusing classic French dishes with locally sourced fish and produce and traditional Caribbean spices. Consider it a two-for-one honeymoon locale, conveniently close to home.