An effective honeymoon is the best way to keep the afterglow of a lovely wedding alive! Choosing the right destination is important, as romance means different things to different couples, which leads to a diverse range of honeymoon offerings.
Own your honeymoon plan and don’t make it your traditional getaways. This is your chance to design an extraordinary trip packed with a mix of relaxation, celebration and fun activities. However, between wedding fittings and floral proposals, how can you possibly get time to decide your getaway plan?
It’s tough. Hence, I have asked my contacts (travel pros) to suggest destinations that would give honeymoon a new meaning altogether.
So here’s my bucket list for newlywed-friendly getaways that are full of appeal, from an escape to nights out in the big city, to the fail-safe secluded beach. Here are our picks of best honeymoon destinations, each with something extra to offer, that would help you decide on your priceless escapade.
FOR BEACH LOVERS
Amazing weather and great cool cocktails: that’s what you would like, after spending innumerable hours planning your wedding. Beaches are gorgeous, the food exotic, and the surroundings picture-perfect.
KOH TAO, THAILAND
This destination is surrounded by spectacular coral reefs and is renowned as the best dive location in the Gulf of Thailand. Scattered in and around Koh Tao are several picturesque beaches. Rent a motorbike and search for your favorite with your partner.
Learn to dive, with several dive centers offering PADI open water diving courses. Enjoy activities like sailing, rock climbing, abseiling, cliff jumping and even paint-ball games. For an insight into local culture, sign up for a Thai massage and cooking course
MAUI, HAWAII
Hawaii, without doubt, is for a romantic getaway with island’s clear waters, tropical sunsets and lush greenery. Shout ‘aloha’ to Maui – Hawaii’s number one honeymoon destination. This island is blessed with white-sand beaches, lush tropical rainforest, stunning waterfalls, rugged volcanic peaks and fabulous honeymoon resorts, the ‘Valley Island’ of Maui offers all the ingredients you need for a truly magical honeymoon experience and romantic getaway.
Watch the sunrise while wrapped in a blanket at the top of Haleakala Crater, or gaze at the sunset as you cruise along the Kihei coastline.
FOR ADVENTUROUS MEMORIES
If you would go somewhere none of your friends have been to experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip, then a honeymoon is a great excuse! The hottest honeymoon trends are exotic and adventurous trips.
CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY
The surreal landscape of Cappadocia and its unique cave hotels, gives a romantic feeling of history surrounding them. The hotels have combined their architecture style with all the modern cons and facilities that a honeymooning couple would want. Jacuzzi baths, indoor pools, mountain views, king size beds, exotic cuisine; whatever you want, just name it and a hotel provides it.
Whether it’s high up in a hot air balloon or on foot or horseback, there is a ton of ways to explore Cappadocia’s magical valleys full of caves and rock formations or “fairy chimneys.”
MALDIVES
This remote Indian Ocean archipelago greets honeymooners with white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, atolls and secluded resorts.
Join the resort’s resident marine biologist and explore the underwater world during a nighttime snorkel tour. As the sun sets, you’ll observe feeding corals catching plankton and see the micro marine life glow in the dark.
FOR CRUISE FANS
A cruise honeymoon is like the all-inclusive resort of the sea. Your itinerary is all planned from food to entertainment and visit to several destinations without having to pack and unpack your bags.
HALONG BAY, VIETNAM
A truly memorable experience awaits you on a cruise through delightful Halong Bay. Revel in the tranquility as you escape the hustle and bustle. Explore remote fishing villages to view the daily lives of the fisher folk, Kayak unspoiled lagoons, sliding past deserted white sand beaches and awesome limestone karst formations. Enjoy divine culinary experience, take in beauty of the Bay by night then retire to your plush cabin.
A cruise on Ha Long Bay or the Bay of the Descending Dragon – both mystical and magnificent – would be an incredible feat of nature that almost never fails to impress.
FIJI
Best known as a diver’s paradise, Fiji’s reefs are teeming with an underwater parade of hammerheads, turtles. But you don’t have to be certified to get in on the action: shallow depths mean snorkelers can also take in the same amazing sights, like coral in every color of the rainbow. For an ultra-romantic topside escapade, stay in a beachfront bare bungalow, at private-island resorts, visit the nearby village and immerse yourself in the rich culture and explore ancient sites.
The islands that make-up Fiji are surrounded by coral reefs resulting in warm lagoons and beautiful coral beaches.
FOR SOMETHING AFFORDABLE
After the wedding, the cash flow might be a little low, but that doesn’t mean you have to skip the trip altogether. Celebrate instead with a two or three-night “mini-moon” – a popular alternative for busy, budget-conscious newlyweds. Then save the big trip for a later date, like your one-year anniversary. But don’t be disappointed; we can explore our own county with just the right kind of budget we might want to spend at this time.
MURREE
The perfect spot for honeymoon is our very own Murree, surrounded with gorgeous hill spots, waterfalls and lush green fields and top hotels to stay in Murree, as well as a plethora of things to do. Close to Murree, one could find Patriata, NathiaGali, Ayubia and other touristy destinations where couples can take day trips to keep themselves busy. All these locations are breathtaking, and surrounded by mountains making them romantic destinations – perfect for a honeymoon.
NARAN AND KAGHAN VALLEY
Beautiful valleys of Naran and Kaghan are full of picturesque views. There are a lot of things to do around the areas as well, such as visit to Lake Saif ul Malook, Lalazar, Shogran, Kunhar River and of course a famous trout meal.
SKARDU
An awe-striking destination in Gilgit is Skardu; the land that is encircled with grey mountains, and a trio of beautiful lakes (upper Kachura Lake, lower Kachura Lake and Sadpara Lake). Interesting activities around the area include high altitude trekking, to Baltoro Glacier, K2 Base Camp and Concordia.
From the beaches of Hawaii to cliff jumping in Koh Tao, each of these non-traditional honeymoon escapes will have you buying tickets and packing your bags ASAP.
Besides these destinations there are many wonderful places; Heli-hiking in New Zealand (a helicopter drops you in a remote location to hike somewhere only few in the world have seen), shark feeding in Bora Bora, and elephant-riding in Chiang Mai. Popular now are short luxury cruises with boutique lines like Paul Gauguin in Tahiti, and Windstar Cruises in Europe.
Trips anywhere around the world make it easier with the help of your local travel agents. Early bird offers/package deals are available with many tour operators e.g. Booking.com also has some amazing offers.
Plan well, and make sure your special day is complete by having the honeymoon of a lifetime!
