September 17, 2023 | Awake & Dreaming

Bali, Indonesia

From the traditional Buddhist temples to the iconic green rice paddies, volcanic mountain ranges, and beaches, Bali exudes so much romance and beauty, it’s no wonder the island has remained a popular honeymoon destination for decades. Particularly romantic for couples is the Hoshinoya Bali, featuring iron treehouses suspended within the Balinese forest (where you’ll enjoy your breakfast in the morning), rooms featuring exquisite Japanese design, and one of the most impressive resort pools on the island.

Paris, France

Some romantic destinations are cliché for a reason. And here’s the truth: You simply cannot go wrong with a Parisian honeymoon. Between the food, the wine, and the sheer beauty of the city, it’s a perfect couple’s destination. Enjoy wine on the idyllic patio at The Hoxton, Paris, and dine at Septime or at The Ritz-Carlton, Paris’ restaurant, Le Comptoir. Stay on the luxe Rue Saint-Honoré amidst Haussman buildings at Mandarin Oriental, Paris, known for their phenomenal suites and elegant atmosphere right by Place Vendôme.

Santorino, Greece

It doesn’t get much better than a honeymoon in Imerovigli, Santorini, where you can take in some of the best sunsets in the world at Andronis Concept Wellness Resort and Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection. Imerovigli offers a more secluded experience, but the quintessential town of Oia is also worth visiting while on Santorini. After hiding away in Imerovigli, venture over to Andronis Luxury Suites, which are carved into the Santorini cliffside. With breathtaking caldera views and white-and-blue houses in every direction, your room will be one of the most romantic spots on the Aegean.

Napa Valley, USA

From Napa Valley to Sonoma and everywhere in between, a trip to Northern California’s venerable wine region is guaranteed to tick all the boxes on any food and wine lover’s honeymoon list. Whether it’s a ride on the region’s famous wine train or trying a multi-course tasting menu at Single Thread Farms, the three-Michelin-star reservation everyone’s after, you really can’t go wrong. For phenomenally romantic accommodations in wine country, stay at Auberge du Soleil, which overlooks picturesque rolling hills and feels reminiscent of the South of France. Then, hop over to Calistoga, where you’ll find wine tasting at the forever-hip Tank Garage Winery, mud treatments at the spa within Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection, and a number of incredible restaurants.

Lankanfushi Island, The Maldives

Sometimes, all you need is your own private villa and miles of gin-clear ocean at your fingertips. Home to 45 overwater villas, Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is the place for a far-flung getaway. There are a number of activities to choose from, including windsurfing and sunrise yoga, plus a variety of massages and treatments at Meera Spa.

Bali, Indonesia

Maui, Hawaii

Hawaii has long been a popular honeymoon spot, thanks to its tropical weather, beautiful beaches, and, most conveniently, no passport requirement. Situated on 15 acres of tropical hillside heaven, Hotel Wailea is designed for couples seeking relaxation and a sense of refuge from the beachfront crowds.

Niagara Falls, Ontario

It’s a miraculous “unofficial” world wonder. Niagara Falls, which runs along the Niagara River, flows into New York and the Canadian border and is a beautiful spot for a minimoon or road trip honeymoon. The Niagara Region is home to some of the best wineries in the world, beautiful hiking trails, tourist attractions, and unique experiences all year round. While there are a variety of ways to view the falls up close, our Niagara Falls honeymoon guide will help you experience the best the region has to offer.

Is Social Media Making Us More Narcissistic?

Yes to an extent. With a free service like Instagram for example young girls and women especially are really becoming very narcissistic indeed. Lots of young men as well but I think in this regard women outnumber the males by quite a large margin. Because social media, particularly Facebook and Instagram, focus on sharing (and sometimes oversharing) one’s own image and opinions, young adults who use these platforms frequently are prone to narcissism. Research shows that higher amounts of social media use predict higher levels of grandiose narcissism.

All the young women I know aged 20 and above – these are women I know from work – all seem to have very active Instagram accounts where they upload a lot of variously posed and thought out pics. Bathroom pics, selfies, group selfies, pics taken with makeup touched up in between, the usual poses, getting your friends to take the pics for you, buying outfits for the sole purpose of taking reels and pics in them etc. Am I missing something? Dare I say it, I also see a few of them sharing a few revealing images/reels.

In a 2018 study, researchers tracked 74 participants aged 18–34 over four months and used the NPI to quantify their narcissistic traits. Hence, they found that participants who posted large quantities of photos and selfies showed a 25 percent increase in narcissism. Specifically, those who used Facebook and other platforms that focus on images rather than words became more narcissistic over time. Now I am not saying all of them are narcissistic but a lot of them are bordering on them and a lot are positively narcissistic.

Prompt from Over 1,000 Writing Prompts for Students at The New York Times Learning Network