I’m sure some of you have dreamed about the expression ‘just married!’ You can almost picture the ceremony now; the bride walking into the church with her white dress and veil, the groom admiring his future wife and knowing that his life has changed forever.
Make your honeymoon unforgettable in some of the top honeymoon destinations!
However it’s not just the dream wedding that has to be meticulously planned. The long-awaited honeymoon has to as well, because it’s that time reserved exclusively for the happy couple and will always be a happy memory to look back on. And in case you’re the one who’s looking to plan your wedding soon, your HolidayGuru has put together the best destinations to spend your honeymoon. Maybe you’ll find your dream hotel while you’re at it too!
Honeymoon of your dreams in the Indian Ocean – Mauritius, the Maldives & co.
Honeymoons with a Caribbean flair – the Bahamas, Jamaica, or perhaps Cuba?
From Paris to Las Vegas – alternatives to the beach
Beautiful dream honeymoons in Asia – Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam
Gurutastic Tip
Honeymoon of your dreams in the Indian Ocean – Mauritius, the Maldives & co.
The enchanting islands of the Indian Ocean such as Mauritius, the Maldives and even the Seychelles definitely belong at the top of the list of the prettiest honeymoon destinations. We’ll begin with the island nation of Mauritius in the south west Indian Ocean. For most of us the beautiful imagery immediately comes to mind as soon as we even think about these wonderful holiday islands. Stunning, white sandy beaches, colourful coral reefs and radiant turquoise water…not only will it make for a good holiday, it’ll also be guaranteed to be the perfect honeymoon! In Mauritius there are numerous luxury hotels which leave nothing to be desired. A good example is the excellent Oberoi (5/5 on TripAdvisor, 915 reviews) as well as the luxurious LUX Le Morne (5/5 stars on TripAdvisor, 2,359 reviews).
The Oberoi Mauritius
LUX Le Morne
On the other hand those who have always wanted to travel to the Maldives – an country spread across more than 1,000 tiny islands – can also spend their dream honeymoon here, because on this wonderful little corner of the Earth there are crystal clear waters and heavenly beaches that stretch for kilometres at a time. In particular the mild temperatures, which tend to hover at around 25 – 30ºC, make for perfect conditions to go swimming. The most optimal time of year to travel is between January and April due to there being only 3 to 7 days of rain per month on average. A very popular hotel is the hotel Maafushivaru (5/5 stars on TripAdvisor, 604 reviews) which received a Travellers’ Choice Award this year. This hotel is located in the beautiful surroundings of the South Ari Atoll which boasts a unique marine environment, making it one of the most popular places to go diving. Find more tips for your perfect Maldives holiday here on my blog.
Other idyllic places in the Indian Ocean are without a doubt the Seychelles, Réunion and the Indonesian island of Bali. Not only are there ideal beaches and breathtaking sunsets, but also several exotic species of animals and idyllic rice terraces as well as colourful, ancient temples and numerous other examples of architecture that are just as impressive and full of history. Bali, as well as the Seychelles and Réunion, offers the perfect mix of romance on the beach and a wealth of exciting activities. No wonder then that these dream destinations in the Indian Ocean are the most popular destinations for the perfect honeymoon!
Honeymoons with a Caribbean flair – the Bahamas, Jamaica, or perhaps Cuba?
It’s not just the Indian Ocean which can entice people with its many dream destinations – the Caribbean has all kinds of wonderful destinations in store for you. What about a dream holiday in the Bahamas with its exquisite, snow-white beaches, sapphire waters and first-class hotels? Or in Jamaica too, home of the famous reggae legend Bob Marley? Over here you can simply kick back in a hammock between the palms and enjoy the Caribbean sun on your skin. History buffs will be pleased to hear that there is much to discover on the Bahamas and Jamaica – destinations which are both idyllic and diverse at the same time.
Equally popular is the Caribbean island of Cuba, known in particular for the seaside resort of Varadero. There’s something for everyone in Cuba – whether it’s water sports, sightseeing in the island’s capital or just simply relaxing and having a good time on the beach or at the hotel. Experience the Cuban flair, dance the night away with the locals and try the traditional Cuban dishes – a mix of Spanish, African and Caribbean cuisine. Those who would like to see more of the island’s landscape should definitely hire a car (which you can do for a reasonable price) and discover this enchanting island at your own pace. It’s definitely worth it!
From Paris to Las Vegas – alternatives to the beach
Some may find the typical destinations a little monotonous or even boring – this will definitely be more your kind of thing. After all, not every newly-wed couple is required to spend their honeymoon at the beach. What about a romantic break in the city of love? Paris is not just famous for the Eiffel Tower but also for the romantic boat trips down the Seine as well as the many petit cafés et restaurants where you can order a glass of wine or a delicious meal by candlelight.
If you would rather pay a visit the wonderful Italian region of Veneto then I highly recommend Venice and Verona, but cities in Tuscany such as Florence and Pisa are also beautiful places to spend a wonderful relaxing honeymoon.
Want things to be a little louder and more exciting – and venture outside of Europe while you’re at it? Las Vegas is exactly what you’re looking for. For years this destination has been famous not just for stag parties (think: The Hangover), but also for honeymoons that offer a little more excitement. Marvel at the impressive and glistening architecture of Las Vegas, try your luck at the casinos and visit the famous Grand Canyon. You can even visit Paris and Venice while you’re there – albeit on a smaller, replicated scale.
Alternatively while you’re there, why not got to New York? You can experience everything from shopping and sightseeing to all sorts of parties. A perfect destination for a happy, newly wed couple on the hunt for adventure. You’ll be guaranteed to have a great time in both of these places!
Holidayguru Tip: Want to spend your honeymoon in the US but unsure that one city will be enough? I recommend the legendary Route 66 – this journey is something special. And who else can say they’ve spent their honeymoon cruising along Route 66? Not many, that’s for sure. Inn of the Five Graces (5/ 5 stars on TripAdvisor, 426 reviews) in Santa Fe not only doubles up as a nice stopover, but has also been chosen as one of the best honeymoon hotels in the world.
Beautiful dream honeymoons in Asia – Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam
If typical honeymoon destinations such as Mauritius or the Seychelles are too expensive for you then I of course have other beach holidays which make for a great alternative – there’s nothing to say a bargain can’t make for a successful honeymoon! We’ll first start with Thailand. Whether it’s Koh Samui, the wonderful island of Phuket or even Khao Lak, you’ll be simply thrilled by the idyllic beaches, the enchanting landscape and the locals and their culinary delicacies. This area is excellently suited to having a good time at the beach, planning small excursions, and even just enjoying each other’s company.
Another destination in Asia which has seldom been named as a destination for honeymoons but is nonetheless becoming more and more popular is the beautiful country of Malaysia. Here there are heavenly beaches and wonderful luxury resorts which are made for unforgettable honeymoons as well as diverse excursions bringing you closer to the history of Malaysia. You can also visit the vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur, which will offer you a variety of modern but also traditional buildings as well as all sorts of art, culture and shopping.
You should definitely consider Vietnam as a destination for your honeymoon if you haven’t been there already. Not only can you take a journey of discovery through the country’s centuries of history, but you can also spend relaxing days at the many luxurious honeymoon hotels. One of these hotels is the 5 star Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa (4.5 out of 5 on TripAdvisor + Certificate of Excellence, 804 reviews) in the holiday resort of Nha Trang, which forms the centre of tourism in Vietnam. Vietnam is a country known for being the perfect destination for culture and history buffs as well as the beach-goers and nature lovers and can cater for both chilled out and also diverse honeymoons.
To the north of the country is the capital Hanoi with its monumental temples, museums and other sights which are sure to impress, and you could even go on a pleasant boat ride around the famous Halong Bay.
Gurutastic Tip: Save the honeymoon for a few months after the wedding
Here’s a tip for all cloud nine walkers and newlyweds among you: most couples get married during the summer months, which means for many long-haul destinations that it is monsoon season. I know it’s hard to resist, but just wait couple of months after your wedding before you go on your honeymoon to avoid monsoon seasons. That way you have something to look forward to after your wedding. :)
One last thing: If you’re having trouble finding suitable accommodation at your destination of choice I recommend taking a look at Trivago. Where ever it is you’re going, whether it’s Bali, Phuket or New York you’ll find amazing accommodation in places you could only dream of and they’ll make for an outstanding honeymoon – from reasonable to luxurious there’s something for everyone!
You should also think about visas if you’re travelling to a country outside of the EU. You should have a look at gov.ie which has information on entry requirements which must be met before travelling to your destination. So, I hope my selection of destinations have given you a little inspiration and help in creating the perfect honeymoon. I wish all of the lovebirds among you who are getting stuck in with planning the best for the future and of course a wonderful honeymoon!
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