Full of firsts and pinch-me moments, your honeymoon will be a holiday like no other. To make it memorable and magical, it’s only apt then to curate a travel itinerary that you have not tried before. Of course, the planning starts with budgeting. Know your budget and allocate funds for your honeymoon accordingly. Get on the same page as your partner about interests. Shared tastes and preferences will take centre stage when narrowing the location down. Talk about how you’d like to spend your days on the honeymoon—laying on the beach with a cocktail, getting some much-needed R&R at a spa-cation, trying your hand at a few adventure sports or painting the town red by going club hopping. This will help you include the location, from tropical island to historical town.
Move on to discussing that dream destination which has always been on your bucket list. Do you want to travel overseas? Or is a local place more up your alley? Here, budget will play a crucial role. Then, choose the type of landscape you’re interested in, be it lush greenery, barefoot luxury, stately affair or city life. Another important aspects are the timing, duration, and distance of your honeymoon. Much like your wedding celebrations, you’ll want to put in the same amount of consideration into your vacation as well. A private island honeymoon may sound like a dream but multiple flights and logistics to get there might cut your trip short. Or if you’re planning multi-destinations for your honeymoon.
Sure, these tips will come handy but committing can be tough. That’s why we’ve put together this guide full of inspiration and ideas to make your escape as unique as you are. From exploring ancient civilisations to catching zzz’s under the stars, there’s something for every kind of couple and every kind of honeymoon.
Ancient Civilisations
Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Incas, built in 1450, is one of the world’s greatest wonders and mysteries. Experience it best by hiking the 26-mile Inca Trail. Visit in October for the finest weather. Couples honeymooning over Valentine’s, beware – the trail closes every February for repairs.
Beaches
So you’ve dreamed of lying on a golden beach for months. And we wouldn’t complain about that daydream, why not kick it up a gear by visiting some of the world’s most striking coastlines? Thanks to its volcanoes, you can find black beaches in Hawaii, while the Bahamas is famed for pink sands, made from surf-battered coral and seashells. Closer to home, you’ll find the jaw- dropping Bengali Sea Cave in the Algarve. Just don’t forget the SPF!
Cruises
If the closest you’ve ever come to considering a cruise is watching Titanic (without the ending, obvs), now’s the time to get on board with the idea of a cruise honeymoon. Gourmet restaurants, luxe spas and a sparkling new destination to explore every few days – bliss! Oceania Cruises offers the ultimate in nautical luxury on its fleet of cruise ships.
Desert
Petra, Jordan: Remember those pinch-me moments we talked about? Jordan is full of those. For centuries it’s been the crossroads of the Middle East so naturally, there are some spectacular sights for adventurous newlyweds to discover. The approach to Petra Treasury alone is something to tell the grandkids; accessed through a narrow gorge whose walls soar 200m, the facade is carved straight into the rock face. Breathtakingly magnificent.
Eco-friendly
If you want to protect the world as well as explore it, an eco-minded honeymoon could be the perfect option for you. We are swooning over Six Senses Vana in Dehradun, India. A wellness haven, it’s surely going to make your stay a relaxing one.
Festivals
With bijou camping, luxe facilities and the world’s biggest acts, festivals are perfect for hedonistic newlyweds. Coachella, the US’ slickest offering, is split over two weekends with a line-up as diverse as Bastille and New Order. Electro dance more your bag? Head to Tomorrowland in Belgium for a memorable music fix.
Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle is the perfect introduction to India. Start in Delhi and see the Red Fort before heading to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal. Then it’s on to the royal pink city of Jaipur for palaces and shopping. There’s plenty of ways to get from A to B, but we love the sound of the Palace On Wheels the most. The luxury train, decked in opulent Rajasthani style, is the most luxurious way to travel to the sights.
Hot Air Ballooning
Cappadocia in central Turkey has to be seen to be believed. The UNESCO World Heritage site is an otherworldly maze of fairy chimneys, caves and ancient nooks, and the best way to see it all is from the basket of a hot air balloon. There are dozens of operators offering airborne adventures with sunrise flights by far the most popular. There’s nothing quite like sailing silently and smoothly into sun-woken skies as the landscape magically unfurls below. Prefer somewhere further afield? Other ballooning hot spots include Burma, Cambodia, Morocco… the list endless. And many companies offer private flights made for two with personalised service, and strawberries and champagne. Love is in the air!
Island Hopping
Maui, Hawaii: Maui is all about nature; parks, waterfalls, a volcano (yes, really!) and 30 miles of beautiful beaches. It’s one of eight islands so if you want to visit the others, just hop aboard an internal flight. But, really, once you arrive why would you ever want to leave? Stay at Maui’s Four Seasons resort, among the most luxurious in the state.
Phang-nga, Thailand: Phang Nga, one of Thailand’s southern provinces, sits on the shores of the Andaman Sea and Phang Nga Bay. From here, you can reach James Bond Island in Phang Nga National Park, itself a playground of paradisiacal bliss.
Krabi, Thailand: Some of the secret of Krabi’s beauty lies in the 100+ islands freckled along its coast. There are some beautiful archipelagos to explore, including the Phi Phi islands where The Beach was filmed. Sand jump pics obligatory.
Jungle
India is often referred to as the ultimate destination with topography as diverse as its species. For there is plenty to enjoy; resplendent palm-fringed beaches, fragrant spice gardens, lush tea plantations, wild tangles of jungle and that’s just for starters. Travel over winter, when heat and humidity is more forgiving.
Kayaking
Grey whales visit the coast of Baja California in Mexico to mate and give birth between January and April every year. You can jump on a tour boat and see these majestic creatures from afar, or you could get within touching distance from the seat of a sea kayak. We know which one we’d rather do.
Lakes
Travel to the beautiful lakes for views straight out of a fairytale. From the southern tip of the Chilean Andes, to the vast open spaces of Canada and Italian mountain-framed vistas, the world is full of honeymoon-worthy lakeside destinations. Even the most indoorsy types will find it tough to refuse such breathtaking panoramas, especially when viewed in comfort through the windows of luxe resorts. Located within Torres del Paine National Park, Explora Patagonia offers all-inclusive packages amid the mirror-like waters of Pehoe Lake. Closer to home, Italy’s lakes are well served by chalets and hotels.
Mosques
Sultanhamet: Don’t let the crowds put you off visiting one of Istanbul’s highlights. Known as the ‘Blue Mosque’ it was built in the 17th Century and is still an active mosque, so it’s advisable to plan your visit outside worship times unless, of course, you plan to pray.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Considered the main site of worship for Abu Dhabians, this is a structure of truly epic proportions, covering more than 30 acres and welcoming up to 40,000 worshippers for Eid prayers. Honeymooning in Dubai? Get here in as little as 60 min by taxi.
Jama Masjid: The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built this vast mosque in Delhi in the mid 1600s. It’s a marble and red-sandstone oasis amid the chaos of Old Delhi and Chor Bazaar. Certainly worth a visit as part of any Indian honeymoon voyage.
Northern Lights
It’s possibly the closest thing we have to magic. Witnessing the dancing colours of the Aurora Borealis under an inky black sky is among life’s Big Ticks. So why not do it with your new partner-in-crime in tow? First, the science bit: the northern lights appear when solar wind particles collide with air molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere, transferring their energy into light.
Now, the luxe bit: there are plenty of cosy hideaways in the Arctic circle from which to witness nature’s greatest lightshow. Best known is the IceHotel Sweden (see below) but design geeks will also adore Sweden’s Tree Hotels which include the MirrorCube, camouflaged against the trees of its woodland setting.
Outdoors
Consider a hiking trip with your beloved. From local to international, there are a plethora of options to choose from. Mount Everest retains its spot as one of the most thrilling treks for adventure junkies.
Palaces
Rajmahal Palace: Home to the Maharaja of Jaipur, this exquisite royal palace is a world of design delights. Inside it’s pink shell, you’ll find sublime interiors, from the restaurants and spa to the suites. To call it India’s most beautiful hotel is no exaggeration.
Taj Lake Palace: Built for Maharana Jagat Singh II, Taj’s Lake Palace in Udaipur is one of the most romantic hotels we’ve ever seen. From the moment you enter, you’ll be treated like royalty; expect a shower of rose petals on arrival and candlelit dinners for two.
Umaid Bhawan: Perched high above the desert capital of Jodhpur sprawls the majestic Umaid Bhawan Palace. All 22 rooms and 42 suites overlook the gardens and beyond, the city of Jodhpur. The palace is still the residence of Jodhpur’s royal family, so who knows who you might bump into at the Trophy Bar.
Quaffing
Love a bottle of vino? Then you May enjoy the idea of a wine-tasting honeymoon, Where you can tour vineyards around the world. Hot spot include (of course) Champagne in France, California’s Napa Valley and South Africa’s Garden Route. Quaffing a glass in one of the most beautiful places on Earth? We’ll toast to that.
Rail
There’s a romance to rail that’s unmatchable with other modes of transport; watching the scenery flash past as you dine on four-course gourmet dinners, curling up in luxury cabins and pulling into a new landscape every few days. It’s a slow burn that lets you relish every moment.
With a rail honeymoon the journey really is as important, and enjoyable, as the destination. The Orient Express offers journeys from Paris to Istanbul over three nights. For awe-inspiring scenes, try The Rocky Mountaineer, which offers four routes through British Columbia, Alberta, and Washington state or cut a trail through Alpine snow on the Rhaetian Railway.
Safari
Ice safari: Iceland’s population is just under half a million but if you counted the Arctic foxes, puffins, reindeer, whales and seals (plus the very odd polar bear) who also live on the island, those numbers would shoot right up. Say hello to non-human locals on an ice safari honeymoon in Iceland.
Only in Africa: With more than four million wild game, including zebras, elephants, giraffes and antelopes, unleash your wild side and watch magnificent beasts on a quintessential African safari.
Textbook Honeymoon
The Maldives: Fall head over heels into a world of mesmerising blue. Vivanta By Taj – Coral Reef, Maldives has exotic ocean views and dramatic sunsets, best viewed from the deck of a private water villa.
Uncle Sam
If you’ve always wanted to explore the continental US but never had the time, your honeymoon is gives you the perfect excuse to road-trip across this fascinating country.
Drive from Vegas to L.A, Fear and Loathing-style, or slow the pace on a coastal trip from Miami to Key West. The south-west is littered with bonkers (but brilliant) roadside attractions as well as abandoned gold-rush towns. The archetypal road-trip? Route 66, of course. Buckle up!
Volcanoes
Simply uttering ‘Hawaii’ evokes so many mental images. Perfect beaches, swaying palm trees and… volcanoes? Yep, there are three active volcanoes in the US state; in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park you’ll find Maunaloa and Kilauea, which has been continuously erupting since 1983. But if you don’t fancy being in the path of molten lava, you can still claim to have conquered a volcano by hiking up Diamond Head, a volcanic crater in Honolulu. Other visit-worthy active volcanoes include Mount Etna in Sicily, Bali’s Mount Batur and Whakaari (White Island) in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
Water Sports
Off the shores of Grand Cayman in the Caribbean, you can find a mermaid. Well, a mermaid statue to be precise, 9 feet tall and 600lbs, created by sculptor Simon Morris. She’s Amphitrite, the wife of Poseidon in Greek mythology. Join hundreds of divers who visit her every year by enrolling in one of the island’s dive schools.
The Great Barrier Reef: Visible from space, the Great Barrier Reef is one of mankind’s greatest natural treasures. See nature’s incredible beauty up close by bedding down at One & Only’s Hayman Island resort, which sits in the centre of Australia’s greatest natural wonder. Check into the Beach Villas for a unique view point.
X-tra
Your honeymoon is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Don’t hold back is going all out with the luxuries that the world has to offer. Be it the most expensive suite, that plush hotel or sunset cruise, we suggest go the extra mile.
Yoga
Snow, yoga and wilderness; seems an unlikely combination, but at Huzur Vadisi Yoga Retreats, it’s a reality. Expect a luxury yoga retreat set in the spellbinding snowy forests of Norway. Another celebrity-endorsed yoga retreat is Ananda In The Himalayas.
Zzz Under The Stars
A tent, a bottle of champagne and the stars. Sometimes it’s the simplest things that create epic memories. If camping’s not your thing, there are plenty of glamping sites from America to India that blend the splendour of the outdoors with luxe hotel living.
