Many holidays are described as “once in a lifetime” but if there’s one vacation that really deserves that tag, it’s your honeymoon. A trip that’s all about the two of you spending lots of quality romantic time together, somewhere magical. The timeless classics – Italy, Greece, Fiji, and Bali – have lost none of their sparkle, but here is our selection of top honeymoon destinations for 2018.
Costa Rica
The eco-paradise of Costa Rica feels a world away from everyday life, but it’s easily reached with short haul direct flights from major US hubs. Take deep breaths of pure air as you indulge in pristine mountain and ocean views, and reconnect with Nature by hiking through the Monteverde Cloud Forest, riding to the La Fortuna Waterfall or soaking up the atmosphere at the Tabacón Hot Springs.
Remote, picture-perfect beaches like Manuel Antonio or Guanacaste invite you to kick off your shoes and run hand-in-hand into the surf, and if you really want to hide away, where better than the mountains of Perez Zeledon?
Costa Rica is justly renowned for its amazing biodiversity, and a trek through Corcovado National Park promises sightings of endangered scarlet macaws, tapirs, and tiny squirrel monkeys.
Why it’s perfect for your honeymoon
Abundant natural beauty and a relaxed pace of life will help you chill out and focus only on what’s important. Having a sunset beach to yourselves is an unforgettable experience, and as you explore the volcanoes and rainforests, you’ll be creating precious shared memories.
South Africa
You may not find a pot of gold in the “Rainbow Nation”, but you will find a honeymoon destination that effortlessly combines luxurious accommodation with breath-taking scenery and memorable wildlife encounters.
If the way to your heart is through your stomach, then South Africa is the perfect place to begin a lifelong love story. Cape Town is one of the world’s top foodie destinations, and its surrounded by the Cape Winelands. It’s all about the pairing!
Once you’ve had your fill of the city, head to the bush for a romantic safari experience. Created in the elegant style of a bygone era, the lodges in the private reserves adjacent to Kruger National Park are the last word in exclusivity, and offer unique experiences such as sleeping out in a raised star bed or enjoying a private candlelit bush dinner.
Why it’s perfect for your honeymoon
Learn to say, “I love you” in at least some of South Africa’s 11 official languages, and be energized by the vibe of a country that’s rediscovering itself. Indulge in superb meals in impossibly romantic and dramatic locations. South Africa can easily be combined with Botswana for more safari action or Mozambique for a desert island hideaway.
Tanzania
The drama of the Great Wildebeest Migration across the plains of the Serengeti is unmissable and is bound to set your pulse racing. Experience heart-in-mouth moments as the antelope cross rivers and run the gauntlet of predators.
Try to join hands around the trunk of one of the baobabs in Tarangire, or descend into the mysterious Ngorongoro Crater in search of rare black rhino. Soar over the endless savannah in a hot air balloon before landing for a private champagne breakfast, or take your love to new heights by hiking to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Visit the Spice Islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, where heady scents are carried on ocean breezes are certain to stir you and ancient doorways give glimpses into Swahili culture.
Take the plunge and swim with whale sharks as they pass by, or go a little deeper and stay in an underwater hotel room at Pemba Island.
Why it’s perfect for your honeymoon
Tanzania is the Africa you’ve always dreamed of, and the ideal backdrop to make all your wildest dreams come true (yes, we’re thinking that Taylor Swift video!). You’ll have all the space you need to dream and plan together as you begin your shared future.
Croatia
We love the fact that the beautiful nation of Croatia is best explored by private yacht. This gives you the option of calling in at coastal towns along the way or finding hidden beaches and caves (try the Elafiti Islands) where you can picnic, and swim in the crystal-clear, warm waters.
Croatia is blessed with both dramatic scenery and fascinating human history. The almost overpowering lavender fields of Hvar will bring your senses to life, and pressing your hand against a sun-warmed stone wall in an ancient village will give you a deep sense of peace.
If you’ve ever wondered why truffles are considered such a delicacy, savor a truffle dinner and you’ll soon be raising a glass of Malvazija to the keen noses of the pigs that find this buried treasure!
The medieval city of Dubrovnik and the Roman ruins of Pula positively ooze history, and more ancient wonders are within easy reach in Italy or Greece.
Why it’s perfect for your honeymoon
Croatia offers all the beauty of the Mediterranean, without the crowds. The combination of glittering seas, secluded islands and the gentle rocking motion of your private yacht are sure to induce a feeling of profound relaxation and wellbeing.
New Zealand
New Zealand is very definitely worth the journey! The “land of the long white cloud” contains so much unspoiled natural beauty that it was chosen for the Middle Earth scenes in the “Lord of the Rings” movies. It’s a country you’ll love exploring together.
Give your shoulder muscles a work out on a sea kayak tour of the beaches, caves, and blowholes of the Coromandel, or cruise the waters of Milford Sound in search of dolphins, fur seals and penguins (a reminder of just how far south you’ve come).
Back on land, your choices are almost endless. Watching the sunrise at the Red Crater Summit demands an early start and a bit of a hike, but the views and the mountaintop breakfast will make you glad you did it.
Things could get a little steamy in Wai-O-Tapu where thousands of years of volcanic activity have created an otherworldly geothermal scene of hot red and green lakes.
These are just a few of the many highlights of New Zealand – and you still have the option of combining with Australia or French Polynesia.
Why it’s perfect for your honeymoon
New Zealand has a timeless quality where feelings and experiences are far more important than schedules and deadlines. Exploring landscapes that were millions of years in the making seems particularly fitting as you celebrate your never-ending love.
Want to chat about your honeymoon plans? Contact us for a complimentary consultation.