With so many amazing places in the world to travel with your loved one, choosing a honeymoon can be just about as easy as dealing with your overly critical mother-in-law. To help you with the selection process, we’ve put together a list of our top places to honeymoon in 2017. Whether your idea of the perfect getaway is laying on a beach sipping on Mai Tais or hiking through the Himalayas, we’ve got something for every couple.
Most Romantic
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
WHY GO: This is the stuff honeymoon dreams are made of. White sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and colourful reefs filled with exotic fish. If your ideal honeymoon includes walking hand-in-hand along the beach and staring deeply into the eyes of your loved one, then this little gem should definitely be on your list. But don’t just take it from us, Bora Bora was recently voted one of the best islands in the world.
WHAT TO DO: Take your honeymoon to new heights by chartering a helicopter to fly you around stunning Mount Otemanu, then land on a neighbouring island for a tour of a black pearl or vanilla bean farm.
Paris, France
WHY GO: The romance capital of the world, there was no way this one would miss our list. Just thinking about strolling with your lover down cobble-stone streets with baguettes and croissants in hand will make you feel like you’ve stepped right onto the set of a romance movie.
WHAT TO DO: Galleries, museums, flourishing gardens, markets brimming with fresh cheese and wine, what more could you possibly want? Walk along the Seine, see a show at the Moulin Rouge and eat more pastries than you probably should – go on, it’s your honeymoon!
Bali, Indonesia
WHY GO: There’s a reason its nicknamed the ‘Isle of the Gods’, even before its swoon-worthy beaches, mountain vistas and exotic temples made it to the big screen in Eat Pray Love.
WHAT TO DO: Avoid the party-plagued Kuta and instead head to the lesser visited Ubud, Nusa Dua and Gilly Island. Wake up in a bungalow overlooking a rainforest, practice yoga on the beach, eat sumptuous local Gado Gado and sip on cocktails as you watch the sunset. Repeat.
Sonoma, California
WHY GO: This one may seem like a bit of a wild card, but trust us, once you’ve seen the rolling hills, sampled the delicious local wine and strolled amongst the vineyards, you’ll wish you’d thought of it sooner.
WHAT TO DO: Picnic in the lush Botanical Gardens, bike tour through sprawling vineyards, take a cooking class at a world-class culinary school, sail over green fields in a hot air balloon and, of course, visit award-winning wineries.
Best Beaches
Koh Tao, Thailand
WHY GO: A breathtaking beach is good, but why settle for just one when you could have a dozen? If your idea of the perfect honeymoon involves laying on a beach towel and soaking up the sun for two weeks, then you can’t go past this little Thailand island.
WHAT TO DO: Swim, snorkel, sip Mai Tais and watch the sun set over the horizon. The perfect antidote to the stress that no doubt built up leading to the wedding.
Fiji
WHY GO: As an archipelago of more than 300 islands, you can bet there’ll be more than one or two beautiful beaches. Surrounded by coral reefs brimming with exotic coral and fluorescent fish, Fiji offers the perfect location to meander along sandy shores and wade through warm lagoons.
WHAT TO DO: Spectacular views await those who wander along the numerous nature trails, try your hand at paddle boarding and immerse yourself in the rich islander culture.
Maui, Hawaii
WHY GO: While Hawaii may seem like the holiday destination of the 80s, rest assured this buzzing beach haven is having a moment. The islands clear blue waters, lush rainforest and stunning sunsets make Hawaii a no brainer as a honeymoon destination. With the rise in popularity, a plethora of new resorts have popped up all over Maui, meaning you can spend your honeymoon in true beach-side bliss.
WHAT TO DO: Tackle the hike up to the top of Haleakala Crater, go horse riding along the beach, snorkel around beautiful reefs or just enjoy that tropical sunset together. Instant romance achieved.
Cultural
Kyoto, Japan
WHY GO: With hundreds of temples, shrines, palaces, museums and Japanese gardens to visit, there’s more than enough in this beautiful city to keep a cultured couple occupied.
WHAT TO DO: The best time to visit is during spring, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. Amble along the canal, learn the art of tea ceremony and sample some of the countries finest delicacies.
Berlin, Germany
WHY GO: For some serious culture with a side of city grunge, you can’t go past Germany’s great capital city. With streets steeped in history, not to mention local graffiti, Berlin has an enormous amount to explore when it comes to historical sights, museums and architecture.
WHAT TO DO: Check out the Berlin Cathedral and learn about its rich history, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Museum Island, pop over to the East Side Gallery in one of the trendiest areas of the city and don’t miss seeing the Reichstag, one of the city’s most famous landmarks.
Greek Islands
WHY GO: Pristine white villas, azure blue ocean and postcard-ready sunsets await you as you sail from island to island. Hire a scooter once you’ve reached dry land to help you explore the many ancient sites with ease.
WHAT TO DO: Peruse local boutiques, hike amongst the hills, sample fresh kebab from a white-washed cafe and make the most of those stunning island beaches.
Adventure
Machu Picchu Pueblo, Peru
WHY GO: If it’s adventure you seek, then look no further. Home to some of the worlds greatest sites, including the Andes, Clouds Forest, and the Machu Picchu Citadel, this really is the trip of a lifetime for you and your partner.
WHAT TO DO: Whether or not your an early bird, a morning treck is definitely worth the effort. Get in before the buses of tourists and see the remains of mysterious ancient cities covered in morning mist.
Queenstown, New Zealand
WHY GO: This is truly one for the thrill seeking couple, who love to get their blood pumping. Drawing people from all over the world, Queenstown is known as the beating heart of New Zealand’s adventure activities.
WHAT TO DO: While many will laugh in the face of fear and plummet 420 feet towards the ground attached to a bungee cord, this may not be everyone’s idea of a good time. But not to worry, there’s an enormous amount of activities for you and your loved one to undertake in this beautiful city. From white water rafting to hiking and jet boating, there won’t be any time to get bored on this honeymoon.
Australia
Hobart and surrounds, Tasmania
WHY GO: Just because you’re staying in Australia, doesn’t mean your honeymoon should be boring. Taking a trip on the Spirit of Tasmania will make you feel like you’re still having a getaway and once you arrive at your destination you won’t question Australia’s most humble state as the ideal honeymoon location.
WHAT TO DO: Hobart has fast become a highly regarded foodie destination, so make the most of it: wander through Salamanca Market, eat your way through the degustation at renowned Franklin restaurant and cosy up with a coffee in one of the cities many cafes. To burn off all those (very necessary) calories, work up a sweat with one of the spectacular hikes you can undertake all over Tasmania, which range from day walks to full blown five night trecks.
Barossa Valley, South Australia
WHY GO: This is the perfect place for the foodie couple. Made up of a patch work of beautiful villages, vineyards and farm houses, the Barossa Valley is the perfect place to relax, unwind and feast of some of the best produce and wine Australia has to offer.
WHAT TO DO: With more than 150 vineyards dotted around the picturesque countryside, winery tours and cellar door tastings are a definite must. Soak up some of the local culture with a visit to Barossa Chateau and the Barossa Regional Gallery before settling down to a sumptuous meal at Hently Farm, which uses the best produce the region has to offer.
