From cultural city breaks to incredible adventures in urban jungle and endless afternoons on sandy beaches with nothing to do but drink in the view (and the cocktails), the world is your oyster when choosing your honeymoon escape.
Wherever you decide to go, timing is essential to ensuring you have the best holiday of your life, so we went to the ends of the Earth to bring you the most luxurious honeymoon destinations the planet has to offer.
January - Bora Bora
The start of the year may be a grey and drizzly affair in the UK, but halfway around the globe in the southern Pacific exists a world of bright technicolour. ?With water so startlingly blue it induces euphoria and clusters of palm trees waving hello, it’s no exaggeration to describe Bora Bora as heaven on Earth.
And where to shack up on this tropical paradise? Check into the love hut of your dreams at Four Seasons, the benchmark hotelier in luxurious travel, who has a sprawling resort on the island offering 360° views of unparalelled beauty in wonderfully chic surroundings.
The resort offers spacious hideaways nestled around the coral reef-edged lagoon while bungalows perched on stilts above the turquoise lagoon overlook the stunning panorama of majestic Mount Otemanu. On-shore villas stretch along a semi-private beach, and are complete with private pools ensuring total privacy and seclusion.
• www.FourSeasons.com/BoraBora
February - Seychelles
You’d be hard pushed to find anywhere quite as postcard perfect as the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. ?The archipelago of 115 islands is a sumptuous feast for the senses and makes an idyllic retreat for any newlywed couple. From the clear waters teeming with ocean life, to powder-soft sandy beaches and lush green mountaintops, the Seychelles looks as if someone Photoshopped real life.?Ensconce yourselves in tropical bliss by checking into a beachfront villa at Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa for days spent lazing on the beach and nights dining under a star-strewn sky. ?This is paradise, in every sense of the word.
• www.HiltonSeychellesLabriz.com
March - Australia
A playground on the other side of the world, Australia offers plenty to see and do for honeymooners on the hunt for an adventure of a lifetime. Hit the ground running in Sydney and marvel at the exquisite Opera House and beautiful bodies on Bondi Beach before heading into the untouched Outback to the ancient landscape of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The lack of light pollution here allows you to witness the speckled splendour of the Milky Way in all its cosmic glory. Plan your voyage Down Under at:
• www.australia.com
April - Vietnam
From the exotic beaches in the south to the World Heritage-listed Halong Bay (above) in the north east, honeymooning in Vietnam is for intrepid explorers ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Delve into the addictive chaos of the capital, Ho?Chi Minh City, before journeying up the astonishingly beautiful countryside to sample the wonders of the northern regions. Travel in style with Inside Vietnam, who can create a personalised honeymoon travel itinerary for two.
• www.insidevietnamtours.com
May - Tokyo
If you want to know what the future has in store, head east to the hi-tech gadgets and non-stop neon energy of Tokyo, Japan. One of the most exhilarating places on Earth, Tokyo is a mega-metropolis of contrasts; you’ll find everything from Harajuku fashionistas, bewildering robot restaurants and peaceful temples squeezed into a city of 13.35 million people. ?Get an inside look at this utterly fascinating city by letting Inside Japan’s guides show you around Tokyo’s best-known landmarks as well as its hidden gems. But be warned, you’ll lose your heart to Tokyo.
• www.insidejapantours.com
June - Tanzania
Unleash your wild side on a safari in Tanzania and watch magnificent wildlife from a distance in their natural habitat. Home to both untouched parks and idyllic beaches, a June honeymoon break in this stunning country allows you to explore the region during its long dry season. ?With a population of more than four million wild game, including zebras, elephants, giraffes and antelopes, the best way to get up close and personal is to hire a private safari tour with one of the many specialist luxury resorts in the area. From beasts to the beach, Tanzania’s coastline is among the most picturesque on the continent. Retreat before or after your safari adventure for the quintessential African adventure.
• www.tanzaniatouristboard.com
July - Miami & The Keys
Pack your bikini and head to the non-stop sun, sea and cocktail hour that is Miami, Florida. Sprawled along the glittering waters of the Atlantic, the city enjoys year-round sunhine and is a fluorescent hub of Cuban flavour, beautiful people and stunning Art Deco architecture. And thanks to its excellent air, sea and land travel connections, you can explore even more of the aptly-named Sunshine State. Point your compass south and island-hop to Key West, the southernmost point of mainland USA, or embrace your inner child on the rollercoasters of Universal Studios in Orlando. However you choose to spend your honeymoon, you’ll be in a Sunshine state of mind.
• www.sunny.org
August - Cinque Terre
A UNESCO World Heritage site, visiting Cinque Terre in Italy’s Liguria region feels like stepping into the past. The region is made up of five villages and a national park hugging clifftops that slope dramatically down to sea level bring to life the old-world Italian charm of yesteryear.
Houses painted the same pastel hues as the delicious local gelato sit on top of each other like a giant game of architectural Jenga, while the winding cobbled streets are lined with chattering townsfolk enjoying tiny cups of Italian espresso.
A charming little train connecting the towns makes visiting all five (Riomaggiore, Manarola - pictured above - Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso) a breeze, but linger a little longer in Vernazza to sample the gastronomic delights of the region.
• www.turismoinliguria.it
September - San Francisco
Brimming with culture, history and fantastic cuisine, San Francisco is a jewel of a city on America’s west coast.
The notoriously hilly metropolis is a haven for foodies and music lovers with a well-established jazz scene and plenty of world-renowned restaurants serving the country’s best wines, thanks to its proximity to the Sonoma and Napa Valleys just two hours north. It’s home to one of the US’s biggest Chinatowns, while a vibrant Mexican and Vietnamese community means there’s plenty to try on the menu.
Go in September for the best weather as you zip to and from ‘Frisco’s greatest sights on the iconic vintage cable cars. A trip to the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the trendy Bay area and Mission district are musts.
Where better to begin the first few days of married life than in the city that gave birth to the Summer of Love
• www.timeout.com/san-francisco
October - Scandinavia
A frozen world in the north, Scandinavia is completely underestimated as a honeymoon location, but a trip to the Nordic countries is could be among the best experiences of your life.
Go in summer to witness the marvel of the Midnight Sun, when the skies stay light until as late as 11pm thanks to the Earth’s tilted axis, or take in the otherworldly beauty of the Aurora Borealis (a.k.a the Northern Lights) in late September to early October.
The bewitching Lights are a natural phenomenon caused by the Earth’s atmosphere, but knowing the science behind it doesn’t diminish its magic one iota. Once seen, it’s never forgotten. It’s worth braving the cold to see the Scandinavian mountains and lakes in all their glory. Plan your majestic Scandinavian getaway at:
• www.swede.se
November - Las Vegas
There's far more to Vegas than gambling; in fact there’s as much pleasure to be found away from the casino floor as on it. Enjoy a helicopter flight over the iconic Strip, have Elvis marry you in a second wedding at Graceland Wedding Chapel and indulge in unlimited gourmet buffets, which are available, much like everything in this city, around the clock. Should you find time for some shut-eye, the Bellagio casino makes a glitzy honeymoon hideout with its legendary fountains, state-of-the-art suites and a Cirque du Soleil residency. Las Vegas is the city of the perpetual weekend where real life checks out as soon as you check in.
• www.lasvegas.com
December - India
From the majestic foothills of the Himalayas to the laid back charms of Kerala, India has enough to explore over a lifetime of honeymoons. With so much to see, do (and eat!), the Golden Triangle offers a perfect introduction to this incredible country.
Connected by excellent road and rail links, dive into the frenetic rush of Delhi before making the pilgrimage to Agra’s Taj Mahal (above) and finish in the shadows of Jaipur’s magnificent palaces. After all that history and culture, catch a flight to the silken sands of Goa or Kerala for beachside bliss.
• www.incredibleindia.org