Ernest Hemingway is quoted as saying “Never go on trips with anyone you do not love” and we couldn’t agree more! When the frantic chaos of the wedding day is over, it’s time to get out of town and spend time together. A honeymoon can be as relaxing and indulgent as you wish, but many couples today are seeking an actual travel experience in itself. Here are a few of our slightly more off-the-beaten-track suggestions.
1. Vietnam
Perfect for honeymooners, you can combine the indulgence and relaxation of a beachside resort, with the romance of fading French colonial architecture, amazing shopping, friendly locals and delicious cuisine. For the perfect romantic escape, the Six Senses Hideaway Ninh Vanh Bay is Vietnam’s premier six-star beach resort. You have complete privacy in your spacious villa, and will be delighted by little extras such as your own personal wine cellar!
2. The Maldives
Push the boat out and head for the picture-perfect over-water villas of Coco Bodu Hithi, a mere 40 minutes by speed boat from Male international airport. Suspended on stilts above the lagoon, step out onto your private terrace to lounge on the day bed or take a dip in your private pool, then enjoy a romantic dinner as the sun sets. Palm trees, crystal clear blue waters and delicious cuisine go without saying!
3. Zanzibar
Spicy and exotic says it all. The fascinating island of Zanzibar, just off the coast of Tanzania, has it all – stunning beach resorts for a bit of R&R combined with eclectic history, exotic cuisine and the maze of alleyways and carved wooden doors of the Old Stone Town. Sample fresh seafood at the night market, and enjoy the sunset aboard a traditional Arabian dhow.
4. Lapland
Perfect timing for the NZ wedding season, swap muggy summer days for the frozen wonderland of Swedish Lapland. Stay at the incredible ICEHOTEL in the little village of Jukkasjarvi, about 200km inside the Arctic Circle. Pack your thermals, your room is made of ice blocks, complete with platform beds, thermal sleeping bags and reindeer hides. Picture yourself dog-sledding across snowy landscapes by day, and snuggling up at night to view the spectacular northern lights.
5. Botswana
In the heart of the Okavango Delta, luxurious Jao Camp is set amongst islands fringed with forests and floodplains, home also to prolific wildlife. For a night to remember, spent the night out in this pristine wilderness at the camp’s Star Bed, a luxurious four-poster bed set safely on a raised platform 20 minutes from camp. Complete privacy, the sounds of the Africa bush, and the starriest of skies – what could be more romantic?
Get in touch for more ideas on extraordinary ways to celebrate your new relationship status. Whether a lovestruck honeymooner or just a hopeless romantic, an extraordinary travel experience can create memories for a lifetime.
