Worlds best honeymoon destinations
MALDIVES
WHY – This is easy, you just have to look at the photos of stunning tropical islands fringed by white sand beaches and crystal clear lagoons. The Maldives is also home to an unbeatable selection of luxury island resorts. Plus the Worlds most romantic accommodations, from beach villas with private pools to amazing overwater villas that sit directly over the crystal clear waters. Most of the Maldives hotels sit on their own tropical island and offer exceptional luxury and World class facilities including luxury spas, water sports and fine dining. Romantic candelit dinners on the beach are a must for honeymooners..
WHERE – Indian Ocean – direct flights are around 11 hours.
WHEN – You will find beautiful tropical sunshine most of the year, just avoid Monsoon from May-Octoctober
STAY – There are so many fantastic luxury resorts its hard to pick one out. The Soneva Jani is definitely one of the best – This is a fairly new addition and has overwater villas with slides from your bedroom into the lagoon.
COMBINE – Add a stopover in Dubai, or maybe a tour around Sri Lanka.
SEYCHELLES
WHY – Like the Maldives this is another premium tropical destination that has been popular with honeymooners for years. This really is a tropical paradise of stunning scenery, amazing beaches and tropical sunshine. You don’t get the overwater villas so much here but there are still some exceptional luxury hotels and more places to explore than the Maldives. So if you like to take a bike ride or explore rainforests and jungles you will love the Seychelles. The Seychelles is also a Zika free country so worth considering if you are pregnant
WHERE – Indian Ocean, with direct flights taking around 10 hours
WHEN – Avoid the rainy months of December and January and you will have hot tropical sunshine
STAY – Six Senses Zil Payson is a great choice in a spectacular setting and caters really well for honeymooners.
COMBINE – Combine a Dubai stopover or maybe a Safari in South Africa or a beach stay in Mauritius
THAILAND
WHY – There are lots of reasons to pick Thailand for your honeymoon. You will find some of the Worlds most amazing beaches and lots of intimate tropical islands. My personal favourite is Railay beach just outside Krabi, where there are perfect white sand beaches and crystal clear waters surrounded by lush forest and impressive limestone rock formations. There are so many choices, whether you want a bit of nightlife, lots of things to do and see or just a idyllic hideaway. If beaches aren’t your thing then head up North to the beautiful forest covered mountains where you can explore traditional hilltribe villages and visit elephant sanctuaries. A stop in exciting Bangkok is a great addition where you can shop till you drop, visit temples and palaces and enjoy cocktails in one of the amazing rooftop bars. Wherever you go you will find friendly people and the most amazing food (best street food in the World) plus lots of history and culture and of course, those beaches! Thailand also has some of the best hotels in Asia and prices are also pretty good value
WHERE – South East Asia. Direct flights to Bangkok take just over 11 hours.
WHEN – It is hot all year but try to avoid monsoon season. Monsoon is May-Oct in Phuket and Krabi and September to end of November in Koh Samui and the East.
STAY – So many options but I the Treehouse villas on Koh Yao Noi is a great honeymoon option. Check out Thailand’s best hotels.
COMBINE – Add a city stop in Bangkok and maybe a trip up North to see the hilltribes and elephants.
BALI
WHY – Bali, like Thailand has some amazing beaches and plenty of other things to do and see, It is a very diverse island for its small size, with amazing beaches, rugged coastlines, lush countryside full of rice paddies and forests and impressive mountains and active volcanoes. The island is home to some of the most amazing hotels in the World, particularly the spa and wellbeing resorts. Lots of the best luxury hotels offer villas with private pools which are popular with honeymooners looking for that extra bit of privacy. I would recommend combining one of the luxurious beachfront resorts with a few nights in a jungle spa retreat in Ubud so you get the best of both Worlds. There is plenty on the island to keep the most active visitors happy, with lots of watersports, hiking, cycling and more. If you like culture and history the island is dotted with interesting temples and traditional villages to explore.
WHERE – South East Asia. There are no direct flights so the indirect flights will take at least 16 hours so you might want to add a stopover.
WHEN – Weather is hot and generally sunny all year although the rainy season is November to February
STAY – The Hanging Gardens of Bali in Ubud has one of the Worlds most spectacular pools and amazing jungle views
COMBINE – A stopover in Singapore or Dubai. Split your time in Bali between the beach and jungle.
SANTORINI
WHY – A little closer to home. For people who want a romantic European honeymoon without the long flight. Santorini is Greece’s most romantic island and has long been a favourite of honeymooners. It is also one of the most picturesque spots in Europe where pretty whitewashed villages cling to the side of steep cliffs that drop into the deep blue waters of the Med far below. There are plenty of really lovely boutique hotels options on the island and many of them offer spectacular views from the terrace or private plunge pool. If you can tear yourself away from your private pool and those views you could hire a car and explore the island. Take a stroll around the cobbled streets of Fira the islands quaint capital and treat yourself to some amazing food in a local taverna. You could just chill on one of the islands beaches or on the deck of a sailboat that will take you round the island. If you feel a bit more adventurous you could hike up the volcano or along the dramatic clifftops before taking in the Mediterranean sunset over Oia. This is one of the least family friendly islands which is great for honeymooners. No screaming kids to ruin the tranquillity.
WHERE – It is in the Southern Aegean. Direct flights take just under 4 hours from the UK
WHEN – May to October will offer lots of dry sunny weather. July & August will be hot with temperatures in the 30’s
STAY- Canaves Oia is a lovely boutique hotel perched on the cliffs in Oia, Santorini’s prettiest village.
COMBINE – Why not incorporate Santorini in a Greek island hop – Mykonos and Naxos are nearby and easily accessible by ferry.
BORA BORA
WHY – Bora Bora has to be one of the most beautiful locations in the World. This tiny island paradise sits in a crystal clear turquoise lagoon, surrounded by pristine coral reefs and home to powder soft white sand beaches, surrounded by lush tropical mountains. Romantic luxury resorts dot the islands, with overwater villas and thatched roofed beach bungalows amongst the swaying palms. All this has made Bora Bora a go to place for honeymooners looking for the ultimate romantic hideaway away from the crowds.
WHERE – In French Polynesia in the middle of the Pacific ocean. It is not easy to get to from the UK as you need to change planes twice en-route but its worth it when you get there. If you don’t break up the journey in the U.S you are looking at about a 30 hour travel each way.
WHEN – Expect hot tropical sunshine most of the year. The rainy season runs from mid November to the end of February.
STAY– The St Regis is a stunning 5star resort with some of the best overwater villas around and has an amazing lagoonarium where you can snorkel with tropical fish.
COMBINE – Flights will stop in San Francisco or Los Angeles, where I recommend a night or two to explore or at least break up the journey.
ANTIGUA
WHY – I had to include a Caribbean island in this list but there are so many it was a tricky choice. I finally picked Antigua as it is one of the Caribbeans driest islands with the best climate. It is also one of the most picturesque, with lush hills and valleys, lots of pretty coves and beautiful white sand beaches. Antigua is a small island with a friendly and laid back vibe. There are some really amazing luxury hotels on the island and they are really geared up from honeymoons
WHERE– In the Caribbean with plenty of direct flight options from the UK. Flight time is approx. 9 hours
WHEN – Antigua has a good climate and less rain than most other Caribbean islands, although try to avoid rainy season – September & October
STAY – Hermitage Bay sits on a secluded beach in a quiet and beautiful location with great views over the Caribbean from the hillside villas, where some have private plunge pools.
COMBINE – Fly via the U.S and include a Miami or New York stay, or visit some other Caribbean islands.
VENICE
WHY– This is arguable Europe’s most romantic city. Venice is a truly magical city that seems to float on the shimmering waters of the bay. First time visitors will find it hard not to be impressed as they get their first glimpse at the sheer beauty of this unique city, as they arrive by boat. There are no cars which despite the throngs of people give the place a relaxed and tranquil feel. It is a great place to just wander and get lost in the myriad of cobbled lanes and alleyways. You could enjoy the amazing historical architecture, visit the sumptuous palaces and take a romantic gondola ride down the Grand canal. As you would imagine as this is Italy there are amazing restaurants at every turn and some of the most luxurious hotels in Europe. Make sure you get one with a canal view for that extra romantic touch. A lot of people don’t know but there is a beach in Venice and its pretty good too. Just take the 5 minute boat to Lido island to spend a day on the long sandy beach. Venice is a great option for a short honeymoon. It is also the last stop on the Orient Express, for those who want to combine the iconic train journey.
WHERE – In Norther Italy on the Mediterranean coast, just over 2 hours direct flight from UK
WHEN – in Summer it gets hot and a bit smelly. April/May or September/October are best. Famous Carnival is in February.
STAY – The newly renovated St Regis is a stunning 5star hotel in an unbeatable position right on the Grand canal.
COMBINE – Take the Orient Express to Venice or combine some other European cities like Paris or Istanbul.
