This article includes paid placements with Jettly.
Your wedding day is the most important day of your life and the honeymoon is one of the most important trips you will take. It is the first time you travel as a married couple and you are celebrating the start of the rest of your life together!
But where to go and what to do? The options are endless and it all depends on the type of couple you are and how you want to spend your holiday. Do you relax at the spa or by going white water rafting down a river? Perhaps you want to make the most of your time together and this new phase in life and travel and explore a little? Chartering a private jet for instance could be a fantastic to explore different parts of the world you’ve always wanted to. Plus, nowadays, flying via private jet is a lot more affordable than you might think. Whereas in the past, if you wanted to fly on a private jet you needed to invest in fractional ownership jet passengers no longer need to do this to book a private flight. Accordingly, you can learn more about how to book a flight on a private jet by taking a look at some of the resources on the Jettly website. Ultimately, a flight on a private jet could be a fantastic way to make your honeymoon even more memorable.
Here are some of our favourite honeymoon destinations for every couple:
Adventure
Central Amercia
Head to Central America for a big adventure together. You can stay in one place or go on a hunt for some of the most exciting things the area has to offer.
In the Dominican Republic, hike to the top of the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua, then make your way back down through the canyons. This will involve everything from swimming to sliding or jumping down, and drops can be as big as 25 feet.
You can explore Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse places on earth, and spot big cats on the way. While you are in the country, go ziplining in Manuel Antonio National Park.
South Africa
South Africa has a lot to offer and makes it a perfect place for a fun and varied honeymoon.
Make Cape Town your base and explore everything from the local vineyards to cage diving with great white sharks and ‘Big 5’ safaris.
The city has a choice of luxury hotels where you can retreat after a long day and relax at the spa.
For a day alone as a couple – no group tours – climb Table Mountain or Lion’s Head for incredible views of the city. You can take a picnic with you and then walk back – or paraglide down
Culture
Myanmar (no judgement if you had to look it up on a map) is a trip you’ll remember.
Going out and exploring the world together is one of the best ways to start your married life, and Inle Lake in Myanmar is ideal for this.
Get to know the locals and the culture with the houses perched on stilts and the floating gardens.
Take a boat tour of the lake, watch the fishermen at work, and then spend some time exploring the surroundings by bike or horseback ride. You can also enjoy the local wine, see elephants and try the hot springs.
Africa
Another country you may not have thought about in Rwanda. The country has a sad – and very recent – history which you will get to know when you visit. Learning about a genocide may not be your idea of a perfect honeymoon, and rumours about Rwanda are plentiful, but the truth is it is one of the safest countries in Africa and what you will learn from the people is that they made a decision to end the hate and choose love instead (talk of a perfect marriage theme). They are working hard everyday to improve their country and their economy is one of the fastest growing in the world.
But on a lighter note, you can find Silverback Gorillas in the wild – how about that for a once-in-a-lifetime experience?
City
North America
For those of you who need the hustle and bustle of a big city, New York is probably one of your best options. After all, you can stay in a luxury hotel, try some fine dining and mix sightseeing with a quiet carriage ride or picnic in Central Park.
After a long day exploring the Top of the Rock, Ellis Island and the Empire State Building, catch a sunset view of the city from the Staten Island ferry and catch a show on Broadway.
Been to New York and want something different? Check out San Francisco. It is much quieter than the big apple, but you will find some of the most fantastic food!
San Francisco is a foodie city and you can plan your days around restaurants you want to try. Oysters and other seafood are freshly prepared in front of your eyes.
In between meals you can take in the sights, but mostly enjoy the laid-back attitude of the city: Ride up and down in the cable cars, walk through the park and join an impromptu Tango lesson, take a leisurely walk across the bay, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, and take the time to go out to Muir Woods for a beautiful and romantic walk.
Asia
Or head all the way east to Singapore to get both a city and an island.
The city has everything you could want or imagine for your honeymoon: wonderful cuisine, a great and very modern nightlife, an impressive skyline to take in and luxury hotels with spas to relax after a long day.
Don’t know what to expect from the city? Here are a few ideas: the zoo offers a night safari on a Jungle Tram, you can spend a day on the rides at Universal Studios, visit Chinatown, explore Marina Bay and shop for Orchid perfumes.
Romantic
All you want is a bit of time together as a couple in an incredible location?
No problem. Bora Bora and Rangiroa in French Polynesia are ideal locations for this. Stay in your own bungalow on the water which are part of a big resort and you literally have your little corner or heaven to yourselves.
You have your own access to the clear, see-through lagoon from the deck of your over-water bungalow, with tropical fish at your feet and even stingrays, dolphins and black tip sharks nearby. Take a dip together whenever you want, watch the sky change at sunrise and sunset from the comfort of your hut and enjoy warm evenings sipping champagne.
Wellness
Spa and wellness resorts are a great way to relieve the stress of planning a wedding (and your busy everyday life) and you can enjoy many treatments together.
Some of our favourite places include:
Asia
The Chateau Organic Spa & Wellness Resort in Malaysia is – as the name suggests – completely organic. Book yourself into this 5-star hotel and choose spa treatments or packages which go from massages to yoga. The resort has a number of packages available, including the “romantic escape” – if that isn’t ideal for newlyweds, then what is?
Fusion Maia Quy Nhon in Vietnam is located right by the beach so you can eat your breakfast on the beach, listening to the waves, before starting your spa day. You can book an all-inclusive stay and enjoy the “breakfast anywhere, anytime” as well as fresh dining by the pool, fine dining in the restaurant, or enjoy destination dining served in your villa – or even a Floating Tray in your own private pool.
At Como Shambhala in Bali you get your own luxury villa (with infinity pool!) and the retreat includes fresh spring pools in the 9-acre grounds as well as hidden water gardens. The estate takes a holistic approach to wellness, with a yoga teacher and resident dietician on site as well as offering signature massages, treatments and outdoor activities such as hiking. Try out the Ayurveda therapy or the hydrotherapy pool or join one of the daily activities.
Africa
Escape from the UK and head to the Indian Ocean, to Mauritius. One & Only Le Saint Geran is located right on the coral reef on a private peninsula with white sand around. Look out over the ocean and sugarcane covered mountains and relax.
View this post on InstagramHealthy start of the day! Photo credit: @maryjane_sidambe #oonlyhere #oolesaintgeran #feelmauritius
The spa offers treatments inspired by local Mauritian traditions, techniques and ingredients.
You have a choice of four restaurants, each with its own style and menu, as well as a bakery and coffee shop.
But the best place to enjoy a glass of champagne is still in your room or suite overlooking the ocean or the gardens.
Sporty
Australasia
If you want to start your marriage the way you hope to spend the rest of your life together – with action packed adventures and challenges – then welcome to your perfect honeymoon: Hayman Island.
The InterContinental on this private island in the Whitsundays is at the heart of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The luxury resort is a great place to enjoy the first few days as a married couple, relaxing by the water, enjoying the spa, but also to go scuba diving or even doing the PADI course together, snorkelling, or trying any of the other activities: hiking, bird walks, feeding Barramundi and other giant fish, stand up paddle, sea kayaking, jet skis and sea scooters, sailing tours, helicopter and sea plane tours above the Great Barrier Reef.
If you prefer winter sports, then head to the mountains. No, not the alps, but to Hokkaido, an island in the north of Japan. In winter it becomes a brilliant ski resort with consistent snowfall. This is seasonal, so plan your honeymoon in winter to early spring. January to March is ideal.
The Niseko Northern Resort is ideal for honeymooners. It offers great activities as well as wonderful dining, a spa and even natural hot springs.
Unique
Antartica
You need time and a fairly big budget, but it will most certainly be the trip of your lifetime. Fly down to Buenos Aires (or Ushaia) and take a cruise to Antarctica.
It takes 11 to 18 days but it’s worth the time. The journey time from mainland South America to your first trip on a zodiac are ideal for a bit of alone time and recovering from the stress of planning the wedding (and the long-haul flight to South America). Then you spend your days going on boat and land tours, seeing thousands of penguins and whales, seeing impressive nature, and on the way back have a couple of days to take in everything you have lived together already in your short time as a married couple.
South America
For a slightly less expensive option, look for unique things near your dream destination. In Puerto Rico for example, you can kayak at night in a bioluminescent bay. Go on a kayak tour in Fajardo and you will see something incredible: As soon as you move your paddle, the bay it lit up by dinoflagellates which are tiny animals which glow in the dark.
Europe
In Iceland, head to Selfoss. You can scuba dive right where two tectonic plates meet. How many people can say they have done this? Plus, of course, Iceland is full of experiences such as lava fields, hot springs, glaciers, waterfalls… oh and the Northern Lights of course!
Magical
North America
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is THE place for a winter wonderland feeling most of the year.
You know the pictures of someone in a canoe on a turquoise lake surrounded by mountains? That’s where your honeymoon will take you. Not just in the vicinity, but straight to the lakeshore. The year-round luxury mountain resort with a spa and rooms overlooking the lake and Banff National Park.
You can make your honeymoon in Canada as relaxing or active as you want by trying out some of the outdoor activities: canoeing, river rafting, horseback riding, snowboarding, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating and even horse-drawn sleigh rides in the winter.
Or you can go for a little walk and come back to try the more than 20 spa treatments available.
At the end of the day, you come back to your suite to take in the impressive view of the Rocky Mountains.
Around the world
If you prefer warmer weather, plan a Disney Cruise!
Not only is the “happiest place on earth” ideal to relax after the happiest day of your life, but the cruise will allow you to relax, explore, and spend time together.
Being on a boat means plenty of quality time as a couple, doing all the things you hardly have time for in your everyday life (especially when you just planned a wedding).
Together you can dine “out” every night, go to the cinema, go to clubs, sunbathe or go on the waterslides while you sail to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Hawai’i or the Caribbean with many stops on the way (including Disney’s private island retreat).
Choose your perfect destination and itinerary and off you go for a bit of Disney Magic!
Budget
You may not have the time to fly across the world (or the budget, considering you just had a wedding), but you will want a little trip to commemorate your big day.
There are “budget” options, which are no less luxurious or exciting, just closer.
Europe
Just fly over to the continent and visit a city you both don’t know, or a city you love and want to share with your partner.
Some of the most beautiful and most romantic cities you can visit in Europe are Vienna, Venice, Florence or Paris, of course.
View this post on InstagramTravel brings power and love back into your life. ?: @lika_romanko #LetsMakeItObispo
It may be cliché, but it is a cliché for a reason: There is nothing quite like taking a tour of Vienna in a horse-drawn carriage, walking along the Seine, exploring the canals of Vienna or watch a sunset over the Arno in Florence.
If you want to escape the city, relax on a Greek Island or head to Turkey for a magical hot air balloon ride. Go to the Anatolia region, Cappadocia, a local town, is a World Heritage site and it offers hot air balloon rides at sunrise. You could be at the heart of this Instagram moment and watch from the ground on another day to see all the balloons taking off.