5 Great Winter Honeymoon Destinations (PHOTOS)

For those envisioning a more distinctive and perhaps more memorable post-wedding getaway, here is a list of accommodations to suit your against-the-grain needs.
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When one hears the word "honeymoon," images of an island paradise with swaying palms and turquoise waters most likely come to mind. Yet for more adventurous couples, for those envisioning a more distinctive and perhaps more memorable post-wedding getaway, here is a list of accommodations to suit your against-the-grain needs.

Spend your honeymoon in a Finnish igloo, gazing up at the northern lights or head to a luxurious winter oasis tucked away in the French Alps. Hotel price comparison site www.trivago.com has compiled a list of the most enchanting winter hotels for such a special occasion.

Winter Honeymoons
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The magnificent Icehotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden promises visitors a stay they won’t soon forget. Each winter, the hotel is built up anew and each spring it melts away (open only Dec.-April). During the day, treat yourselves to a dogsledding or reindeer-viewing excursion, a snowmobile tour or an ice-sculpting class -- taught by some of the best artists in the biz. In the evening, cuddle up next to your beloved and watch the northern lights paint the sky. The hotel provides (single or double) sleeping bags to those who choose to brave the cold in a room made entirely of ice. Guests are also provided a complimentary morning sauna, breakfast buffet and set of warm winter clothes to ensure maximum comfort. Be sure to check out the breathtaking ice cathedral -- where approximately 150 couples a year tie the knot in freezing temperatures.
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Vigilius Mountain Resort offers romance and luxury at 5,000 feet above sea level, overlooking the Italian Dolomites -- reachable by cable car from the town of Lana. The hotel, built entirely out of environmentally-friendly materials, offers a buffet breakfast prepared with fresh, local produce at no extra cost, as well as yoga and pilates three times daily. The resort also has a stunningly serene spa in which you and your new spouse can appropriately unwind after a day of hiking through the snow-capped mountains. This hotel fits the active, modern couple requiring a break from big city life.
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Kakslauttanen Hotel, located in the village of Saariselka of northern Finland, offers two rooms suitable for newlyweds. The appropriately-named honeymoon suite is made from charming Birchwood logs and offers an intimate, cottage feel. Its bathroom is exquisitely decorated with a Versace-designed tub for two and a ceiling depicting a starry night sky. Exotic glass igloo accommodations offer best views of the northern lights, where the two of you can view the spectacle without leaving the comfort of your bed. Constructed with a special thermal glass, the igloo remains warm and the view clear, even in sub-zero temperatures. The main hotel also organizes weddings -- within the ice-chapel, in the cozy wooden church or on the nearby sacred island of Ukonkivi.
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Les Fermes de Marie Hotel is located in the small alpine village of Megève in the French Alps. From the town center, one reaches this secluded oasis by a short walk through the snow-covered pines. The design of the property is luxurious and refined and at the same time abundantly cozy. It also houses a widely-acclaimed spa that offers treatments featuring products made from local mountain flora. Weddings are easily organized here with the help of a staff that caters to a couple’s every big-day preference.
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Romantik Hotel is located in the center of Zell am See in Austria. Specializing in romantic getaways, it’s an ideal choice for a winter honeymoon in Europe. Here one can combine a day of skiing with an evening of indulgent treatments such as the Romeo & Julia spa package, which comes complete with sparkling wine, an oil massage, a luxurious skin treatment in a double bathtub with floating gold leaves and even private access to a waterbed. The hotel also organizes horse-drawn sleigh rides -- giving you the chance to experience Austria’s breathtaking winter landscape in the arms of your loved one. Weddings onsite are also an option, with several ready-made packages to choose from.

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