Beach, tick. City, tick. Honeymoon of a lifetime, DOUBLE TICK. Why choose between a sandy beach or the fast-paced thrill of the urban jungle when you can combine the two? Here are four perfect honeymoon destinations, all set beside the sea.
Cape Town, South Africa
Although it’s a 12-hour flight away, lovebirds shouldn’t dismiss migrating to this jewel on the South African coast. You'll find warm sands framed by an iconic mountain, delicious braai and stunning wildlife.
The iconic Table Mountain shoots above the city and from its summit offers panoramic views over the city bowl, Victoria & Albert waterfront and Robben Island, the one time home of Nelson Mandela.
Meanwhile the mighty Twelve Apostles are best viewed from the posh party area of Camps Bay, where the beach runs parallel to the main strip. It's packed with restaurants, clubs, bars and chic boutiques making it the perfect hangout, night or day.
• For more information, visit CapeTown.Travel
Miami, Florida
Hugging the glittering waters of the mid-Atlantic, Miami, on Florida’s south eastern coast, is a fluorescent magnet of a city; filled with striking art deco architecture and home to the iconic South Beach and a vibrant Cuban community.
The sun glows its warmth here throughout the year, making the aptly-named Sunshine State the perfect choice for newlyweds whenever you decide to get married. It's a party town, but it does have a luxe side, found in hotels such as the Mondrian. Beyond Miami there's loads to do - ogle the 'gators at Everglades National Park, unleash your inner child on Orlando’s rollercoasters or gaze at the stars at the Kennedy Space Centre.
Or point your compass further south and island-hop down to Key West, the southernmost tip of the US. Treat yourselves to a slice of genuine Key Lime Pie and visit the house where Ernest Hemingway wrote some of his best known novels.
• For more info, log onto VisitFlorida.com
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Become the Girl from Ipanema with a romantic sojourn in one of South America’s most glamorous cities. Decorated with handsome mountains, vast ocean and slices of rainforest and beach, Rio radiates playfulness and passion; the perfect duo for a newlywed break.
Cocoon yourselves in a luxurious suite in the thriving heart of the town, or head to the peaks of Sugar Mountain and Corcovado Mountain, from which Christ the Redeemer stretches his embrace to the citizens below.
Lazy days are made for lounging on the warm sands of Copacabana or Ipanema, before nestling into a boutique bar for a sundown Caipirinha, a dangerously delectable concoction made with Cachaça, sugar and lime.
Add a touch of majesty with a trip to the utterly spectacular Iguazu Falls, two hours south on an internal flight. Mightier than Niagara, these cascades thunder over the Brazil/Argentina border and offer an awe-inspiring backdrop for treasured Honeymoon snaps.
• Plan your trip to Rio and beyond VBRATA.org
Santorini, Greece
Greek mythology swells with stories of legendary love; from the antics of Eros to the beauty of Aphroditie the tales have been immortalised through the ages. The Greeks honour love and cherish romance, so where else to head for a romantic break than the crescent-shaped island of Santorini in the Aegean Sea?
Forged by a volcanic eruption many thousands of years ago, it’s among the most sought-after destinations in the world for an intimate escape. Newlyweds can swim in clear waters that guard the lost kingdom of Atlantis, or soak up the Mediterranean sun in the unparalleled beauty of the town.
• www.gracehotels.com/santorini