In recent years I’ve seen a lot of my friends getting engaged and planning their weddings. These otherwise lovely ladies have turned into bridezillas at times, and the biggest thing stressing them out? Nope, it’s not the seating plan, the table decorations, the first dance, or even their dress… no, they’re getting all worked up over where to go on their honeymoon!
I’m not married or even engaged at the moment, but with a clear head, free from all the other stresses associated with marriage, I’ve done a bit of research into some of the most exotic and also unique and adventurous honeymoon destinations out there, and I present to you my top 5:
South Africa
Not an obvious choice for some but South Africa as a country has so much to offer! It is home to over 21 National Parks, eight World Heritage Sites, and 3500 kilometers of gorgeous coastline. For a taste of everything that South Africa has to offer its recommended that you seek out one of the many packages which incorporate a stay in luxury accommodation in Cape Town along the beautiful coastline; then onto Johannesburg for a great insight into metropolitan life in SA and its rich history and heritage; and round off your trip with a safari in Kruger National Park, famed for its ‘Big 5’ safaris which bring you close to lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes! If you get hold of some AR-15 upper receivers there, you can even go hunting.
South-Africa-Honeymoon (source: www.honeymoonlane.com)
Thailand
Commonly thought of as a haven for backpackers, this beautiful part of South East Asia is becoming increasingly popular with honeymooners. Some friends of mine spent their honeymoon in Koh Samui last year and couldn’t rate it high enough! The idyllic island is starting to move away from its hippy, backpacker’s paradise roots and these days cheap bungalows are hard to come by, a lot of the accommodation has moved into mid to high-end beachfront properties with beautifully decorated rooms, crisp white sheets, luscious green gardens and lavish pools to relax by. Or for a more city-based luxury honeymoon in Thailand check out Chiang Mai or Bangkok full of amazing street food to try and intricate temples to visit!
thailand-honeymoon (source: http://www.honeymoonholiday-s.com/)
The Galapagos Islands
Again, not the most obvious choice when you think of honeymoon destinations but I’m trying to help you think outside the box a bit here! There are plenty of packages which incorporate a stay in Quito, Ecuador, allowing you to explore the mainland, with excursions to the Galapagos Islands. This relatively untouched and remote part of the world where nature still rules the roost is the perfect place for newlyweds to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and immerse themselves in making fantastic memories to start their married life. And if you’re particularly interested in an Eco-friendly honeymoon, Galapagos is the perfect place to get involved and give something back to the island by volunteering!
Galapagos-islands-honeymoon (source: http://www.honeymiles.net/)
Italy
The language, the culture, the scenery, the food; everything about Italy simply screams romance! There’s so many beautiful places to visit it’s hard to know where to start, so I’ve picked out a few to help you. You could maybe start off in Rome, immerse yourself in its history with a visit to Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel, the Coliseum, the Pantheon… then move on to the Amalfi Coast to relax in luxury overlooking the Mediterranean in one of the more quiet, secluded places in Italy. Or if wine is your thing then Sena or Tuscany will be perfect for you, with a plethora of vineyards and an incredibly relaxed pace of life to help you shrug off the stress after your big day!
italy-honeymoon (source: www.italy-honeymoon.com)
Patagonia
For a slightly less relaxing honeymoon try Patagonia, you won’t get much chance to relax by the pool but you’ll be having your first amazing adventures as newlyweds! After all the indulgences on your wedding day – champagne, 3 course meal, cake, more champagne – what better way to burn off those calories and clear some cobwebs than hiking across glaciers and trekking in the Andes! The accommodation will be pretty rustic, about a million miles away from a luxury all inclusive beach front Thai hotel, but hey who needs all those mod cons when you’re loved up and on a wedding-high?! If you want to try extreme adventure and enjoy the view at the same time, try skydiving. You will enjoy the view more as you skydive.
patagonia-honeymoon (source: www. nymag.com)
So hopefully this short list has given you something to think about, choosing the right honeymoon can be daunting as you’re spending a lot of money on what you hope will be the holiday of a lifetime… My main tip is to think about your usual holiday tastes and what you want to get from your honeymoon – do you want to relax and be pampered? Do you want to try something new? Do you want to get your adrenaline pumping? Once you know what you want from your honeymoon you can set about finding the perfect place to cater for your needs! Speak to people, get recommendations, but above all go with your gut and have the honeymoon YOU want because after your wedding day you deserve it!
Tags: exotic destination for honeymoon, exotic honeymoon, exotic honeymoon destination
