As I am days away from going on my Honeymoon I thought it only fitting to do a post about amazing places to go on your Honeymoon. I love reading destination list posts but I think they are much better when they are from the first-hand experience of people that have.....well, experienced it.
I really struggled to pick our Honeymoon destination, the emphasis on I as Thom was happy with me picking. I opened myself up to anywhere in the world and as we had booked our wedding so far in advance we had time to save for the holiday of a lifetime. It wasn't easy deciding where to go though, I think I googled every tropical island in the whole world as all we knew was we wanted beach, sea and tranquillity. Thom and I are definitely the types of people that can just sit in the sun with a drink in our hand doing absolutely nothing. Some people, however, might hate that idea and want more activities, something totally crazy or even a beautiful UK holiday, that is why I wanted to write this post as you will see some of these are not your conventional honeymoons.
I have enlisted the help of some amazing North East Bloggers to share their Honeymoon destinations and what they loved about it and how it was right for them. If you are in the middle of deciding where to go or just like a noisy at people holiday snaps keep reading.
1. Acorn Glade - North Yorkshire - North East Family Fun
Acorn Glade is a perfect place for couples who may not necessarily have the budget to fly half way around the world to enjoy their honeymoon but still want a memorable and luxurious break. This glamping ‘adults only’ retreat is the most idyllic place to relax and unwind together and enjoy in each others company. Days are spent rowing on the lake, fishing, snuggling by the wood burning stove in your private yurt and simply enjoying a slower pace of life in the beautiful countryside. In the evening you can join other couples by the communal fire pit where you’ll drink wine, share stories and make new friends before retreating to your comfortable double bed under the stars. Prices start at just £150 for two nights and optional extras such as chilled champagne on arrival can be arranged. Visit http://www.acornglade.co.uk/ to find out more. read the full post......
2. New Zealand - Honestly Helen
When we got married in March 2013 we were lucky enough to be able to both secure a month off work for our honeymoon so decided to go as far away as humanly possible in that time and booked a trip to Australia and New Zealand - we may never get the chance again! I'd been to Australia 10 years previously with my family but New Zealand was new to both of us and to do it the justice it deserved we hired a campervan for ten nights (We decided on the South Island as there seemed to be more to see there). Now, I'm a girlie girl so the thought of 'roughing it' particularly on honeymoon didn't appeal but I'm now a campervan convert! The one we had was huge for a start with everything you'd need including a toilet for emergencies and New Zealand is really made for campervanning, there are more campsites than hotels and all had great facilities like swimming pools, massive clean shower blocks, bbq areas etc. The best thing was not really needing a plan, we would just park in whichever town we fancied and leave when we'd seen everything. Main highlights for me was seeing wild penguins on the beach on the east coast of the Island and all the adventure sports we did in Queenstown like Speedboat riding, helicopter rides over the Remarkables (where Lord of the Rings was filmed) and Ziplines. If you have time and can stomach the 17-hour flight I would highly recommend New Zealand as a destination, and even give campervanning a go too!
3. Hayman Island - Weddings Abroad
One&Only Hayman Island Resort located in the Whitsunday Islands at the Great Barrier Reef - an exclusive sanctuary in a private island setting.
There are no airports on Hayman Island. You fly into nearby Hamilton Island - then are warmly greeted by the luxury yacht crew in their pristine white shirts and shorts. Hayman Island Resort operates a fleet of magnificent sleek white cruisers which are beautifully appointed to provide a unique start and finale to the One&Only Hayman experience. Should you wish you can also reserve a helicopter transfer too. Everything is immaculate.
After a breathtaking crossing via the Whitsunday Passage, where refreshments are served on board, you disembark at the private marina to be met by your personal "Island Butler"... then my husband and I were taken to our suite at the private resort (all of 400 metres away) in a Rolls Royce. You now know that Hayman Island will live up to all your expectations.
The iconic Hayman pool is seven times bigger than an Olympic pool, with private cabanas and daybeds. Aquazure pool is the resort's spectacular brand new infinity-edge pool with breathtaking views over the Coral Sea. Hayman Island Resort has seven restaurants plus outdoor island settings for dining. We tried them all, including, seafood extravaganzas, some of the best steaks, salads and desserts we've ever had plus mouth-watering cocktails even a private intimate dinner served on our own balcony.
If what you are after is utter seclusion and perfect peace, in a location off-limits to everyone but the resort staff and a few other guests, then a private island is the only place to go.
As it was our honeymoon, we chartered a seaplane to take in the magnificent views, of tiny coral atolls fringed with sugary white sand and turquoise blue seas, dreams came true when we found our paradise right here in the Great Barrier Reef. Landing alongside our chartered glass bottomed boat in the centre of the reef, with only my husband and I and our pilot in hundreds of square miles of azure blue ocean, where we indulged in a once in a lifetime experience of snorkelling amongst the vivid coral gardens and the multi-coloured tropical fish.
Deep sea Black Marlin fishing was next on the bucket list, where we a caught our dinner of Yellowfin Tuna, which was cooked for us by our chef back at the resort. Several times we sailed to sun-soaked deserted island beaches nearby and enjoyed luxury hampers prepared by our chef. We went hiking along a trail which circles the island, past a number of secluded bays and craggy points and taking advantage of various outlooks on the way taking in the spectacular views of the oceans and islands.
Hayman Island is, without a doubt, an amazing, luxurious destination, which will always hold a special place in our hearts and certainly one we'll return to.
4. Pattaya, Thailand - GingerRox
My husband and I spent our honeymoon I Pattaya, Thailand. It isn't paradise, in fact, it's more like the Blackpool of Thailand! But we know a lot of people there and the locals are amazing. Bartering for your goods and eating fresh unusual food is the most enjoyable here, not to mention the cost of living means you can holiday like a King and Queen! We were greeted at the hotel with a honeymoon cake and a welcome message and when we weren't eating, drinking, shopping or sunbathing, we spent a lot of time with orphaned animals due to poachers and donated an optional pledge to a few of the foundations for these animals. I would recommend the Thai Island like Phuket or Koh Samui if you want paradise but Pattaya can really feel like a home from home and there is so much to keep you entertained.
5. Sri Lanka - Chow At Home
We originally wanted to go to India but couldn't fly there in the Summer school holidays due to it being Monsoon season. We chose Sri Lanka as it seemed similar to India. It took over 24 hours to get there and was non-stop for about 2 weeks from landing.
If you're considering Sri Lanka, I can recommend the 11-day tour package with a 5-day beach stay at the end that some travel operators do. We had our own private driver/guide Ranjith who escorted us around the country, who was excellent. We were at a different destination/hotel every couple of days. We saw and did so much. There's no way we could have planned and done it all ourselves.
We started off in Colombo (the capital city), climbed up 'Lion Rock' at Sigirya and walked around Polonnaruwa (second most ancient kingdom in Sri Lanka).
We stayed in Kandy where we were honoured to watch the highly revered Esala Perahera (Festival of the tooth) procession. I went saree shopping and wore the saree on several evenings during the honeymoon. I got to ride an elephant, which was wonderful. Elephants are beautiful creatures. I'd never been so close to one before and learnt a lot about them. Definitely one of the honeymoon highlights for me. We also walked around the luscious Royal Botanic Gardens in Kandy.
Other destinations include Dambulla, where we visited the rock temple, spice garden and a Batik painting workshop. Nuwara Eliya (also known as 'Little England' as the climate is similar to England) is high up in the mountains, where all the tea factories and plantations are. We walked around one and learnt about Ceylon tea. We love tea and bought loads back home.
We also stayed at Yala National Park, where we went on safaris and visited an elephant sanctuary in Pinnawala. Then we visited a fortress in Galle on the way to the final destination.
The honeymoon ended with a beach stay in Bentota for 5 days. I had treatments at the Ayurvedic Spa. It was time to relax after all the sightseeing and before the long journey home back to reality!
Sri Lanka is one of those once in a lifetime holidays. It is a stunning and striking country with so much culture and history.
6. Cyprus - Rock and Roll Pussy Cat
Our honeymoon was a bit different, it tagged along at the end of our wedding in Cyprus. We spent the run up and aftermath of our wedding in the rather swanky Elysium hotel in Paphos, eating, drinking and baking ourselves in the Cypriot sun. When we weren’t relaxing, we spent time partying and quad bike riding across the stunning and undeveloped landscape around Paphos. Our honeymoon was pretty fab, we spent time with friends and family, visited some great places and came back with a little Cyprus baby cooking in my tummy.
7. Peru - Gavin Forster Photography
After much debate, we took the chance to venture to deepest Peru. From the Stunning 7 hour trip to get to our lodge in the middle of the Tambopata Nature reserve seeing wild macaws and capybara was totally a chance of a lifetime. This followed by Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo and Tipon to the one and only Macchu Picchu the whole trip was breathtaking and awe-inspiring from the moment we landed at Lima. A must for every adventurer.
This will be my last post before I get married on Saturday, eeeek I am so excited
Let me know in the comments below where you went on your honeymoon or what your dream destination would be.
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