Your honeymoon is a wonderful time to celebrate the life you’re embarking on with your significant other. It’s going to provide many memorable moments if you do it right!
This once-in-a-lifetime getaway will be the relaxation and fun you need after the stress and intensity of the wedding and all the planning that went into it. Splurging a little can really pay off in the long run and there are so many options for the two of you to choose from. Plan something that really speaks to both your interests and ensure that the first few weeks of married life are as amazing as the years to come.
These once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon destinations tick all the right boxes for newlyweds who want to splash out.
Around the World and Home Again
There are ready-made round-the-world routes available at many travel agencies but you could also curate your own multi-destination trip. A multi-destination international trip is a great option if you have a lot of time to spend together as you’ll need to spend at least a few days at each point of your journey.
Are you and your partner foodies? Plan a culinary travel-themed honeymoon where you sample the cuisine in countries famous for their delicious food. Think Tripas à Moda do Porto in Portugal, königsberger klopse in Germany, vermouth and bombas in Spain, Nordic ciders in Denmark, and salt cod in Italy.
Or you could double down on the romance factor and take in cities known for their charm for lovers. Spend some time exploring the cobbled streets of Paris hand-in-hand with your new partner. Attend the opera at Teatro dell’Opera di Roma in Rome and take in some of the most beautiful Baroque architecture in the world in Vilnius, Lithuania. Serenade your lover as you explore Venice by gondola and kiss under the cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Japan.
Explore the African Beach and Bush
Change up the traditional safari holiday by spending some time at one of the many beaches the African continent has to offer. South Africa is a wonderful option in this regard, with the best of both worlds and 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites to explore along the way.
The wildlife reserves in South Africa are legendary, with options ranging from bare-bones camping sites to luxurious resorts that cater to your every need between game drives. If you and your new spouse enjoy 4X4 trails, bird watching, canoeing, fishing, game viewing, and swimming, this type of honeymoon will be right up your alley.
The flourishing winelands in this country serve up some of the finest wine in the world and tasting tours are incredibly popular. Take in the gorgeous settings of working wine farms like Babylonstoren, Jordan Wine Estate, Tokara Wine Estate, Rust en Vrede Wine Estate, and Warwick Wine Estate.
When it’s time to hit the beach you’ll have plenty of options to choose from around the country. Grab something to eat and drink on the strip in Camps Bay, a popular Cape Town beach, or before you hit the water or scuba at Thonga Beach in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Stroll down the Gonubie boardwalk in East London or go for a romantic horseback ride down by the sea shore at Coffee Bay on the Wild Coast.
Fabulous French Polynesia
After being around your friends and family during your wedding festivities, the privacy of a five-star bungalow or beachfront villa can be just what the doctor ordered. Relax and enjoy the clear water, lush tropics, and opulent accommodations until you’re feeling yourself again.
If you’ve got an adventurous spirit there are 4WD tours, hiking, lava tube exploring, spelunking, and waterfall climbing activities to enjoy on the pristine islands that make up this region.
A Private Island in the Caribbean
If your idea of heaven is being away from the prying eyes of strangers, then a tiny Caribbean island may be exactly what you’re looking for. The bigger islands attract a lot of tourists, but there are thousands of smaller ones, many of which are totally uninhabited.
Peter Island is home to an American family-owned resort that’s famous for its privacy and accommodates 150 people at most. You can spend some time in the bars, Deadman’s Bay beach, and restaurants, and enjoy the seclusion this private island offers.
Then there’s Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island which is only accessible by helicopter or boat. With a 26-guest maximum, there are several accommodation options available on the island, including Celebration Weeks that run from August to October. During these weeks you can book an individual room, with the Love Temple and Temple House being a favorite for honeymooners. It’s easy to see why when you get a glimpse of the panoramic views, open-air lounge, and infinity-edge pool.
Gorgeous Greece
With an incredibly rich history, fabulous food, and jaw-droppingly beautiful landscapes, Greece is an ideal honeymoon destination. Santorini, although on the more expensive side, is a must-see, with its cerulean seas perfectly paired with the many white-walled houses making for unforgettable walks through the island.
Tantalizing traditional food is available at most of the restaurants and bars in Santorini. The most popular options include fava me koukia, keftes, moussaka, saganaki, and tomatokeftedes. This island also has a buzzing nightlife, with clubs aplenty that cater to all tastes. Many of these clubs give you the chance to take your cocktail from the bar onto the beach and sip it as you walk hand in hand along the sand admiring the moon.
Incredible Indonesia
If you choose to spend your honeymoon in Indonesia, you can opt to spend your time having adventures or relaxing and getting to know each other. There are 10 000+ tropical islands of varying sizes here and the white sandy coastline seems to stretch to infinity. Then there are dense rain forests filled with fascinating wildlife, ancient temples to explore, grand mountain views to take in, and breathtaking volcanoes to see.
Komodo Island is very popular thanks to its Pink Beach and the magical marine beauty of the corals. Dive at Babu Bolong, Merah Beach, and Tatawa Island and take a trip back in time when you visit the Komodo National Park. Up to 10 foot long and weighing in at 300+ pounds, Komodo dragons are the heaviest lizards on earth and among the oldest. Many fossils found in Eastern Australia dated from 300 000 years ago to roughly four million years ago have been compared to bones of modern-day Komodo dragons. They were found to be identical!
Take a Trip to Thailand
Thailand, like the rest of the Far East, is imbued with a deep spirituality and mysticism that your frazzled post-wedding soul may sorely need. Experience the energy of the capital, Bangkok, when you visit Chatuchak Weekend Market, Jim Thompson House, Wat Arun, Wat Phra Chetuphon, and Wat Phra Kaew.
Then, head to the rolling hills of Chiang Mia and make a beeline for the Bua Tong Waterfalls, or Sticky Waterfalls. The emerald forest provides the perfect backdrop for the calcium carbonate-rich water pouring over cream-colored rocks straight from the Seven Colors Spring. This mineral makes the rock surface non-slip, so climbing the falls is easy and you don’t need any experience.
Tour by Train
Trains and stations are international symbols of romance, perhaps because they’re where countless greetings and farewells have occurred over many years. This is why train trips are a great pick for honeymooners intent on spending some time together in almost unimaginable luxury.
The Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will take you from Paris to Istanbul in carriages restored to all their Gilded Age glamor. You can sit back and relax in absolute comfort, and enjoy watching the scenery glide by.
The Rocky Mountaineer provides outstanding views of the Canadian Rockies, wildlife, and waterfalls as you wind through Western Canada and Washington. Afternoon wine and cheese, a bi-level glass dome for viewing, gourmet meals, sparkling wine, and specialty desserts are all part of the package.
The Belmond Hiram Bingham may be a short train ride at just three hours, but it’s an exceptionally palatial way to reach Peru. Start off with champagne at the station and enjoy Pisco Sours and Peruvian wines as you ride the rails. Multi-course meals include grilled trout and corn cheesecake and are served on quality silverware while Peruvian music sets the tone in the 1920s Pullman-style carriages.
Treat Yourselves With Love
As exciting as weddings and planning can be, they’re exhausting. The chances are that you and your spouse didn’t get to spend much quality time together in the lead-up to your big day. This is why enjoying a romantic honeymoon is so important! Plan yours so that it’s relaxing and a good fit for your style and desires as a couple.
Curate your honeymoon by considering your bucket list, your wants and desires as a new couple, and the time of year you’re going to travel. When you’ve decided on all of this, all you need to do is book your ticket and get ready to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime getaway that will be worth every cent.
