Whether you’re tying the knot for the first time, or taking a trip down the aisle again, one of the big decisions for a couple to make is where to take a honeymoon. There are many destinations across the globe to choose from, each with their own special qualities, but here’s our favourite top five to consider for a lineup of good reasons.
Tahiti
It’s a region that’s inspired generations of artists and writers, and even after just a day or two in this tropical paradise, it’s easy to see why. Perfect blue lagoons, colourful reefs, volcanic mountains, bright flowers and a real atmosphere of tranquility combine to create a huge, natural water colour illustration that typifies the tropical idyll. Tahiti is actually the main island among five separate archipelagoes in French Polynesia, and the whole region is often referred to as “Tahiti” which is a little simplistic given there are 118 islands spread over an area just a little smaller than Europe. It’s widely regarded as the ultimate honeymoon destination as French Polynesia is famous for its overwater bungalows at five-star resorts, with cocktail time under a palm tree as an outrageous sunset develops over a coral reef lagoon. Bora Bora and Moorea are the two islands which are perhaps the best equipped to deliver this romantic clichè, and this part of the world is a real life tropical fantasy.
Fiji
With more than 300 islands, a third of which are inhabited, and another 500 or so islets, Fiji is the type of place where remote beaches can be found, with no footprints in the sand, and the local people greet visitors with the all-encompassing welcome of “bula” and introduce their family to visitors on their island. The main island of Viti Levu is the political and geographical hub of Fiji and is worthy of a couple of days of exploration, but in truth it lacks the sheer beauty, classic beaches, and traditional culture of some of the outer island groups including the Mamanucas and the Yasawas. Above water, and the islands blend white sand beaches, tropical forests, waterfalls and a proud and vibrant culture, and underwater is a world of beautiful corals and an abundance of tropical fish which make Fiji a divers’ and snorkellers’ paradise. And if you just feeling like lounging back in a hammock, then there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that either.
Paris
The "City of Light" is a place that's exhausted every possible superlative description and for this reason it remains one of the most loved destinations in the world. A honeymoon in the French capital can involve major landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elysées and the Louvre. But Paris is more than just a city with grand icons. Down at street level is where the magic happens. The avenues and alleys reveal the romance of Paris and this is where you’ll find in-love couples snatching a refined lunch, elegant ladies walking tiny dogs and delivery drivers discussing politics over a glass of wine. Each of the 18 districts, or arrondissements, has its own personality which makes it the type of place that demands you return. And each time you come back to a place like Paris, it reveals a little more of its intriguing personality.
Prague
Very few cities in the world can match the sheer architectural charm of Prague, but there’s more to this ancient city than perfectly preserved medieval and historical buildings. The Czech capital is now as much defined by its buzzing nightlife and restaurant scene as it is by its superbly preserved architecture which spans almost 700 years. Wandering the city streets, a common scene is impromptu performances on a cobbled corner or in a warm cafè, and readings on a medieval bridge. Centuries-old churches adorn many corners with even older back streets, baroque bridges and cobbled streets. It seems like a conspiracy to convince visitors they’re in an epic movie set, yet this is a real working city. It gets likened to Paris a lot, but the cold hard truth is that for all the grandeur of the French capital, it lacks the welcoming charm and sheer beauty of Prague.
The Whitsundays
It’s been widely described as “the most beautiful place on Earth”, and for the romantics the natural beauty of the area and the sunsets will leave a lifelong impression. Think for a minute about what would constitute the perfect tropical island getaway: warm weather, impossibly azure, calm waters, blinding white sand beaches, colourful marine life and corals, and hammocks overlooking the water. Throw in cocktail bars, unreal sunsets, sailing and all manner of water sports and you have the Whitsunday Islands in a nutshell - a 74-island group in North Queensland which epitomises the tropical getaway cliché. The islands are actually the tips of mountains which have been submerged and many are fringed by coral reefs and set in among impossibly blue water. It’s this colour which is the most striking aspect of the Whitsundays. It’s blue, blue, blue with the odd splash of green and white to mark the location of one of the islands. For sheer natural beauty, it’s pretty hard to beat, and if you’re on honeymoon, you have to do a Whitehaven Beach helicopter flight with picnic and champagne - it doesn’t get any more romantic than this.
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