Best honeymoon destinations and ideas: From the Maldives to Tanzania and India

By
Travelmail Reporter

UPDATED:

06:41 EST, 10 September 2013

Planning a honeymoon? Or just in the mood for romance. Look no further than one of these amorous breaks…

Loved up in India

Leti, in the Himalayas, is a dreamy snuggle during the snowy winter months. Better still, it’s hard to find. Catch an overnight train from Delhi, and after a long drive through gorgeous landscape and an hour’s walk along a goat track, you’ll find a plateau surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

Here’s why: Lounge about on sheepskin rugs alongside roaring fires in your stone cottage. Read, meditate, take walks ending in surprise picnics in mountain temples and bask in the warm hospitality.

Love potion: Champagne in hand, watch the setting sun bathe the Himalayas a rosy pink.

Five nights at Shakti’s 360-degree Leti (full board and drinks), plus two nights at the Imperial Hotel Delhi (BB) and two nights on overnight train, private transfers and international flights on Jet Airways, from £2,751pp, with Cazenove+Loyd (020 7384 2332, www.cazloyd.com).

Couple on beach

Arm in arm: It doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day for a romantic break

Passionate Peru

Inkaterra la Casona, in the heart of the Inca capital of Cusco, is in the cobbly square of Plaza Nazarenas. This 16-century hotel was once the palace of one of Christopher Columbus’s conquistadors. It has been expertly restored and each suite is different. Some still have with traces of original frescoes. When booking, ask for the room overlooking the Church of San Antonio.

Here’s why: Wander in the town. It’s a miasma of colonial buildings, museums, Inca remains and colourfully-clad women from the hills. From Cusco, the Hiram Bingham train will take you to the citadel of Machu Picchu, where you can stay at Inkaterra’s sister property among the birds and orchids of the cloud forest.

Love potion: Stroll around Cusco’s colonnaded Plaza de Armas by moonlight.

Five nights at Inkaterra La Casona (BB), plus two nights at Inkaterra Machu Picchu (half-board), inclusive of all flights, transfers, private tour of Machu Picchu and one-way on the Hiram Bingham train, from £3,589pp with Last Frontiers (01296 653000, www.lastfrontiers.com).

Spanish seduction

La Hacienda de San Rafael, half way between Seville and Jerez, set within the wheatfields of Andalusia, where two brothers have converted their grandfather’s former hunting lodge and olive oil farm into a rustic retreat.

Here’s why: Retire to the drawing room fire for a pre-dinner drink. Opt for one of the three thatched casitas, which have their own pool.

Love potion: Head for Seville’s Barrio de Santa Cruz, dine in view of the Giralda tower and listen to impromptu flamenco into the small hours.

Five nights in a casita at the Hacienda San Rafael, plus two nights at the Corral del Rey (BB), flights, transfers and five days’ car hire, from £1,610pp with Original Travel (020 7978 7333, www.originaltravel.co.uk).

Get it on in Greece

Mykonos Blu, Greece’s party island. This is packed in the summer months, but perched above the azure Mediterranean on one of the island’s famous sand beaches, you can watch the sleek yachts moored in the bay from the private pool of your elegant villa.

Here’s why: Gorge yourself on meze. The bar of Blu has a imaginative selection and you can idle away the rest of the afternoon in the sun, or work it off shopping around the old harbour.

Love potion: Take a private guide and boat trip to see the ruins of the sacred island of Delos, birthplace of Artemis and Apollo. Divine.

Seven nights on BB basis, flight with Aegean Airways and private transfers, from £4,425 pp, with Elegant Resorts (01244 897538, www.elegantresorts.co.uk).

Mykonos Blu, Mykonos

Pool your resources: Mykonos Blu is a chic hideaway on Greece’s party island

Tempted by Tanzania

Greystokes, Mahale. An isolated cove on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The Mahale mountains behind camp are home to 850 long-haired chimpanzees.

Here’s why: Hack your way through jungle with expert guides and watch these chimps at play. You can swim in the lake (but beware of electric catfish). Fishing from the camp’s converted dhow is equally enjoyable and rather less hazardous.

Love potion: A dhow cruise to the sounds of the jungle, the sight of the setting sun and the lilac hills of the distant DR Congo.

Seven days at Greystokes Mahale, international and internal flights, transfers, park fees and chimp trekking permits from £5,990pp (£4,740pp if booked before end March) full-board, with Black Tomato (020 7426 9888, www.blacktomato.co.uk).

Caribbean cosy

Laluna, Grenada. Simple dwellings dotted vertiginously on the hillside amid frangipani. An Italian model is behind the scheme so it’s no surprise that celebrities are frequent guests. Don’t miss the cocktails in the bar, only a step from the beach.

Here’s why: Explore the island. With national parks, waterfalls, spice estates, rum distilleries, forts and the capital of St George’s, there’s plenty to whet your appetite.

Love potion: Cool your toes in the water over a lobster lunch at the Beach House, a short walk from Laluna.

Seven nights for the price of six at Laluna (room only), flights and private transfers, from £1,565pp (saving £165, offer valid June 25 to September 30), with ITC Classics (01244 355 527, www.itcclassics.co.uk).

Tantalising Thailand

The Four Seasons tented camp in the world-renowned Golden Triangle. Tents are strung like pearls above the Ruak River.

Here’s why: Take a mahout (elephant driver) course on one of the camp’s pampered pachyderms. Visit the hill tribes and the opium museum.

Love potion: Loll along the Mekong river in a special teak and brass long boat.

Five nights at the Four Seasons Golden Triangle (full-board and drinks, including spa session, elephant-riding lesson, Mekong cruise, plus two nights at the Four Seasons Bangkok (bamp;b), inclusive of all flights and private transfers, from pound;5,230pp with Original Travel (020 7978 7333, www.originaltravel.co.uk).

Soneva Fushi, Maldives

Maldivian marvel: Soneva Fushi is an iconic hotel where thatched bungalows are the order of the day

Meet me in the Maldives

Soneva Fushi. This iconic Maldivian hotel, set on its own small island, is a 45-minute seaplane ride from Male. Thatched villas range from tree houses to spa suites, and all have their own stretch of white sand beach.

Here’s why: Dive by day. Swim with an array of fish, turtles and sharks. Then, at night, stargaze in the observatory.

Love potion: A romantic castaway barbecue and night under canvas on your own sandbank, in the ocean.

Seven nights for the price of five at Soneva Fushi in a Crusoe Villa (BB) from £2,660pp (saving £655pp), flights and private transfers, with Carrier (0161 491 7630, www.carrier.co.uk). Offer valid May 12 to Oct 11, 2010.

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You forgot Bali. What a truly romantic destination. It has everything, fabulous scenery, wonderful people who celebrate their religion in the most charming way with offerings and processions practically on a daily basis. There is plenty to do and see on the island, and the shopping is to die for. It makes me want to get married all over again just thinking of it!

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Isi
,

Rochester Kent,
09/3/2010 14:35

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Isi
,

Rochester Kent,
09/3/2010 14:34

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