101 honeymoon ideas

Click on the images to discover 101 great honeymoon ideas personally selected by Jane Anderson, one of the UK's leading honeymoon experts

Try our fun quiz to find the best honeymoon destinations for you. Or visit our chat section.

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  Ulusaba

  All your safari dreams come true at Ulusaba, Sir Richard Branson’s private game reserve in South Africa. Honeymoon packages include champagne, massages and a private dinner. Spectacular weddings are held under an Amarula tree surrounded by flaming torches. Book the new Cliff Lodge which includes a private spa room.
  
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  Sri Lanka and Maldives

  One of you loves culture, the other wants to fly ‘n’ flop. Or perhaps you just want two bites of the honeymoon cherry. Either way, Sri Lanka and the Maldives is a winning combination. And if you’re thinking of marrying overseas, Sri Lanka has everything in place for memorable weddings, with the Maldives the perfect honeymoon escape.
  
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  Corsica

  Corsica has a delicious sophistication and old world charm that only the French could achieve slap bang in the Med. For powder white sand without the long-haul flight, this is the island for you, with beaches like Palombaggia. Throw in dramatic mountains, historic towns and fabulous cuisine, and Napoleon’s birthplace makes perfect sense.
  
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  The Cook Islands

  Robinson Crusoe couples are in for a treat. With just 15 islands over two million square km of Pacific Ocean, The Cook Islands are exquisitely cast away. Head to Rarotonga for a lush island experience; take a scenic flight to the incredible Aitutaki, and write a postcard home from One Foot Island. Combine with New Zealand if you have time.
  
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  Necker Island

  Sir Richard Branson famously bought Necker Island for a song and built it up to be one of the world’s most exclusive private islands. Hire the entire island with friends and family or book a room just for the two of you during a ‘Celebration Week’. Adrenaline junkies will find all the toys from kite surfing to Necker Nymph, a mini-submarine.
  
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  Dive the Cayman Islands

  Sure it’s an offshore banking hub, but it has more flora and fauna than the Galapagos. In-the-know honeymooners board the 40-minute flight from Grand Cayman to Little Cayman for world class diving at Bloody Bay Wall and parties at The Hungry Iguana. Population: 150. Charm: off the scale. It doesn’t get much more laid back than this.
  
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  Iceland

  From walking on glaciers to basking in the midnight sun, a summer honeymoon in Iceland is magical. Or go in winter for the Northern Lights. Stop over in hip Reykjavik before heading to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and the enchanting Hotel Budir with its wooden chapel if you fancy tying the knot Icelandic style.
  
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  Bahamas luxe all-inclusive

  Sandals pioneered luxury all-inclusives, calling them ‘luxury included holidays’. They now boast a spectacular new resort on Great Exuma in The Bahamas. Stay in a beachfront suite with butler service and enjoy fine dining, limitless bubbly, land and watersports – without worrying about a mounting bill on checkout.
  
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  Forte Village, Sardinia

  Forte Village is a winner for active couples who want everything to hand from top tennis coaches to a myriad of fine dining. Book a secluded villa at Villa del Parco or spoil yourselves in the suite with private pool at the Dune. Be sure to experience a floating thalassotherapy couples’ massage in flickering candlelight under a starlit sky.
  
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  Dubrovnik

  Dubrovnik stands sentinel on the southern coast of Croatia and the sparkling Adriatic Sea. Dating back to the 7th century, culture is high on the list here especially if you honeymoon during the Summer Festival. Take a picnic cruise to the Elafiti Islands and explore the Konavle Valley. For hip lodgings, Hotel Bellevue is the only contemporary boutique hotel in town.
  
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  South Beach and the Keys

  There’s much more to Florida than Mickey Mouse. Miami’s South Beach is a funky strip of deliciously cool hotels, great restaurants, bars and shops, all buzzing with beautiful people. Combine it with a gorgeous boutique hideaway in the Keys – the perfect place to kick back and unwind.
  
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  Villas for two in Mallorca

  There’s a new cool about Mallorca. Its capital Palma couldn’t get more hip if it tried. Add to that the idyllic beaches, stunning mountains, fabulous local cuisine and some of the best villas in the Med for the ultimate in privacy. We love the beautifully restored farmhouses with private pools in charming spots like Sencelles and Selva.
  
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  Bali spa heaven

  A star of the novel and now film, Eat Pray Love, the spiritual island of Bali is synonymous with rejuvenation and well-being, not to mention romance. Honeymoon at the relatively new Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali and you’ll begin married life with a Discovery Path to ‘balance’, ‘creativity’ or ‘vigour’. All very useful for your new lives together as Mr & Mrs.
  
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  Rent a VW Camper

  So you want to stay in the UK but don’t fancy a hotel or sleeping under canvas. Hire one of these iconic and gorgeously retro VW camper vans and you’re free to drive and sleep just about anywhere. Stock up with fizz, rustle up your favourite foodie treats or plan a route around the UK’s finest gastro pubs and restaurants – the choice is yours.
  
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  Luxury Seychelles

  Known for its provocative coco de mer or love nut and as the original site of the Garden of Eden, you don’t get much more seductive than the Seychelles. Push the boat out and stay on the main island of Mahé at the Banyan Tree Seychelles, then head out to Denis Island for some serious barefoot luxury.
  
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  Authentic Italy

  Italy is an obvious honeymoon choice that ticks all the romance boxes. Less obvious is the region of Le Marche with its gorgeous central stretch of coast and pretty medieval towns. And it’s right next door to Umbria for a great double helping of la dolce vita. Abandon the pre-wedding diet with all that incredible cuisine.
  
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  Namibia

  Namibia’s stark beauty will seduce you: vast sand dunes, endless deserts, the shipwreck-strewn Skeleton Coast and velvety night skies. You can sleep under the stars or in dreamy lodges, while in the game parks you can track rhino, leopard and cheetah. Namibia is clean and safe and flying from the UK there’s no jetlag.
  
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  Edinburgh and the Isles

  If you’re not already in love with Scotland, there’s a good chance that if you honeymoon there, you soon will be. The majestic and very walkable city of Edinburgh gets you off to a cracking start before you jump in a vintage E-Type Jag or Mini Cooper and head out to the Western Isles to explore some of Britain’s most beautiful scenery.
  
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  Villas in Alonissos

  Feel that wedding stress drift away on the Greek island of Alonissos, with its pine forests, olive groves, Tiffany blue sea and easy way of life. With secluded coves for secret picnics, deep-sea caves for snorkelling, pretty villages and rustic beach hideaways like Sea Horse Cottage, you’ll fall in love all over again.
  
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  Western Algarve

  Though just an hour’s drive from Faro Airport, the small fishing port of Sagres feels a million miles away with its rugged surf beaches and vast Costa Vicentina National Park. Be among the first couples to stay in a stylish wooden-clad room at Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel, a funky new address on the Western Algarve.
  
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  Private tour of India

  Northern India and Rajasthan have all the ingredients for an uber-romantic honeymoon. Enjoy an insider’s view of Old and New Delhi, discover the jaw-dropping Pink City of Jaipur and marvel at the Taj Mahal, the world’s greatest monument to love – then unwind with some beach time on the Malabar Coast of Kerala. If India doesn’t work its magic, nothing will.
  
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  Brazil in style

  Havaiana flip-flops at the ready, it’s time to pull out all the stops with an intoxicating Brazilian honeymoon. Follow the jet-set and combine Ipanema beach life with partying in Rio, change pace with an Amazonian riverboat adventure then kick back in trendy Trancoso on the Bahia coast or an exclusive retreat on the Emerald Coast.
  
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  Sweden’s Ice Hotel

  A lesson in how to sleep well at -5c, The Ice Hotel is both hotel and art project, annually carved of snow and ice. Stay in an Art Suite with its ethereal ice sculptures. Honeymooners can snuggle up in thermal sleeping bags on their pod-like frozen bed. Knock back a vodka in the Absolut Icebar and catch the Northern Lights.
  
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  Boutique Bali

  Corny as it may sound, Bali offers both a spiritual and hedonistic honeymoon. You’ll fall head over heels for this Indonesian island where local women wander down the road with religious offerings of flowers and fruit; where cutting edge architecture rises from lush river valleys and honeymooners are treated like royalty.
  
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  Les Pavillons, Mauritius

  With Morne Brabant mountain to one side and the idyllic beaches of this southwest peninsula to the other, Les Pavillons certainly has location on its side. After a £21m refurbishment, it’s one of Mauritius’ most sought after five-stars with its superb Nymphea Spa and gourmet Thai restaurant. Newlyweds are spoilt rotten.
  
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  Go wild in Wales

  As Welsh hideaways go, this place is pretty special and it comes with a twist. Graham and Bre Carrington-Sykes have added safari-style canvas lodges with giant leather beds, roll top baths and outdoor hot tubs. Wow factor romance plus outstanding natural beauty on your doorstep. If you can’t afford a flash safari, here’s the solution. Out of Africa into Wales.
  
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  Rome, Florence and Siena

  Just a two-hour flight away, it’s easy to forget just how outrageously romantic the classic Italian cities are. Take in the glory of Rome, the sheer romance of Florence and wander the streets of Siena. Whether you’re culture vultures, followers of fashion or simply hopeless romantics, this Italian trilogy delivers.
  
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  Luxury Argentina

  Calling all wannabee gauchos! Argentina is one of the hottest honeymoon spots around and great value for money to boot. Bright lights and adventure are assured when one moment you can be partying in Buenos Aires, the next standing hand in hand atop a Patagonian glacier. With meandering vineyards, breathtaking lakes and cutting-edge hotels, what’s not to like?
  
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  Mauritius on a budget

  For an island that doesn’t really do boutique hideaways, Veranda Paul et Virginie on Mauritius is an affordable find. Named after the young couple immortalised by the French author Bernardin de St Pierre in his novel, this classy three-star-plus is all about kicking back in your hammock and chilling out at the spa. Heaven!
  
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  Château de la Chèvre D’Or

  For a fairytale honeymoon, Château de la Chèvre D’Or is one of those magical places that you can hardly believe is real. Thirty rooms and six suites are scattered around the heart of the medieval city of Eze on the dreamy and very accessible Côte d’Azur. The views are jaw-dropping and foodies will be in heaven. A great minimoon option.
  
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  Elegant Tunisia

  You won’t find greater value for money in the Med than the northern shore of Tunisia. With great historic cities like Carthage and Tunis, rich Phoenician history, sunrises over the Sahara and bargains in the souks, you’ll wonder why this destination isn’t on more wish lists. Stay at The Residence Tunis for its luxurious suites and top spa.
  
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  Stylish Jamaica

  It’s no fluke that Modern Bride magazine named Jamaica Inn the number one place to say ‘I do’. This classy hideaway has retained all the glamour of Jamaica in the ‘50s when the likes of Noel Coward frequented. All 47 suites overlook the Caribbean, dining is alfresco and the indigenous spa is perched on a cliff.
  
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  The Lugger

  Nestling around Portloe waterfront, The Lugger is one of Cornwall’s most romantic hideaways. A new Cottage Suite sits up on the pathway from the main building with Atlantic views and a sun-drenched private patio. Inside there’s a large bedroom, a lounge with cosy log burner and kitchen, so you can hole up in wedded bliss.
  
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  Scottish Highlands

  Listed in Tatler’s Top 100 places, Alladale Wilderness Reserve offers majestic Highland scenery and your very own bothy – a basic shelter turned on its head at the high-spec Ghillie’s Rest Lodge. Think deer antler chandeliers and wood-burning stoves. Adrenalin junkies will love 4×4 safaris and stalking. Oh so royal and ancient.
  
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  Trou Aux Biches, Mauritius

  You’ll be among the first to experience this tropical village style resort after its £60m rebuild. Trou Aux Biches was one of the original hotels in Mauritius, and sits on the island’s finest beach. Go for a Beach Front Suite with private pool and views of burning sunsets. Couples can tie the knot in a chapel in the branches of a Banyan tree.
  
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  Tall ships cruise

  It’s all aboard Star Clippers’ handsome vessels for a ship-shape honeymoon evoking the era of Captain Cook. Whether you want to laze on deck under fluttering white sails or help with the rigging, you’ll feel like you’re discovering new worlds as you stop at intimate ports of call which the big cruise liners simply can’t reach.
  
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  Alila Villas in the Maldives

  It’s new, environmentally aware and on a barely touched atoll in the Maldives. If you’re honeymooning with a conscience but can’t resist the lure of the big azure, Alila Villas is for you. Dock your iPod in your ultra cool villa, relax at the spa and take advantage of free experiences such as a reef exploration. This is boutique Maldives with bells on.
  
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  Magical Kerala

  Honeymoon in Kerala, India’s sublime southern state, and a tingle will run up your spine every time you reminisce. Boutique hotels here are like miniature works of art with their soaring individuality. Combine with a voyage on your very own houseboat for two around the exotic backwaters and you’ll understand what all the fuss is about.
  
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  The K Club

  Be pampered silly in a grand setting at the K Club which combines fine Irish hospitality with five-star living and a gorgeous spa. Golfers are in heaven with two championship courses and there’s fly-fishing on the Liffey, horse-riding and clay-pigeon shooting. Phew! A great way to kick off a romantic tour of Ireland or pack in a memorable minimoon.
  
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  Sexy Santorini

  Don’t be fooled by the twee sugar cube dwellings that adorn Santorini. This is the most sought after of the Cyclades Islands. Behind the cobbled streets and blue domes lies a world of Greek chic. For short-haul honeymoon heaven, this Aegean idyll delivers with infinity-pooled hideaways, sexy tavernas and swoon-inducing views.
  
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  Cuba

  Mojitos and fat Cohiba cigars at the ready when you honeymoon in Cuba, the Caribbean’s most colourful and vibrant country. From the delights of Old Havana with its jazz clubs and historic hotels where the likes of Hemingway checked in, to the colonial town of Trinidad, now a Unesco World Heritage Site, Cuba boasts great beach retreats and eco lodges.
  
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  Beach, spa and tequila

  Even when Carrie Bradshaw was jilted at the altar and had to honeymoon in Mexico with the girls, she still managed to enjoy herself. Orient Express Hotels’ Maroma is one of the most beguiling resorts in the land. I recommend a Sian Nah (Mayan for House of Heaven) suite with private plunge pool and indoor and outdoor showers. Divine.
  
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  Pangkor Laut

  Want to feel like you’re a million miles from anywhere? The private island resort of Pangkor Laut set in Malaysia’s Straits of Malacca celebrates that delicious sense of remoteness. Add incredible over-water villas, one of the world’s top spas and a luxury yacht. Twin with the colonial style Cameron Highlands Resort set amid tea plantations and rolling hills.
  
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  South Africa and Mauritius

  What an incredible way to start married life. The buzz of Cape Town with its iconic Table Mountain and nearby winelands contrasts wonderfully with the adventure of spotting the Big Five on safari. And what better place to unwind than Mauritius, renowned for its pampering hospitality. An odyssey that’s bound to cement your vows.
  
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  Stunning Québec

  Just seven hours from the UK, the Canadian province of Québec is a winter wonderland. It offers soaring wilderness packed with adventures, romantic hideaways like Sacacomie and Canada’s very own ice hotel plus the cosmopolitan cities of Québec and Montréal with everything from jazz to jetboating.
  
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  Heavenly Bhutan

  The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is a honeymoon for adventurers. With snow tipped ranges and blue pine-clad valleys, it’s remote, rugged and utterly riveting. Uma Paro is one of the world’s most incredible hotels, melding the work of Bhutanese artisans with clean-lined modernism. Relax by your own traditional Bukhari woodburning stove and private spa treatment area.
  
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  Jersey

  Once known for cream teas and coach tours, Jersey is attracting a new generation of visitors to its wild unspoilt beaches and thrilling activities such as blokarting and sea kayaking. It also has excellent luxury hotels and fine dining; The Atlantic, on St Ouen’s Bay, ticks all the boxes. Ideal for couples looking to honeymoon close to home.
  
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  Dominican Republic

  One of the most under-rated Caribbean islands, the Dominican Republic is bursting with rainforest, culture and beautiful beaches. New British Airways flights to Punta Cana in the east, with its impressive new array of sophisticated resorts, are a sign of the high quality you can expect. Secrets Sanctuary offers gold standards at silver prices in Spanish colonial style.
  
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  Orient-Express to Venice

  Experience the golden age of travel as you set foot in your vintage carriage on board the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Fine dining, intimate ornate cabins, sublime scenery and Venice at the end of the line without the hassle of flying. What more could you wish for? And extra points for taking the green option of train travel.
  
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  Mystical Oman

  With none of the glitz of neighbouring Dubai, Oman is perfect for adventurous couples in search of the real Arabia – and great beaches. From smooching in a romantic tent under a star-strewn desert sky to gawping at the eight-tonne crystal chandelier in the Grand Mosque, Oman delivers.
  
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  Japan

  In amongst the excitement of Tokyo and Kyoto, riding the Silver Bullet train and exploring the tropical islands of Okinawa, honeymooners owe it to themselves to experience Japan’s hot springs. Slip into a yukata robe and split-toe tabi socks for an array of traditional treatments, and let that wedding stress drift away.
  
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  Koh Phangan

  The Thai island of Koh Phangan is the sort of place you might have visited when you were younger, wilder and single. But if you go back now, you’ll find a new generation of small luxury hotels like Rasananda on superb hideaway beaches. And if you want adventure, check out a Full Moon Party.
  
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  Luxury camps in India

  India always makes an impression, but these contrasting desert/jungle camps really rise to the occasion. The Serai is the first tented camp to be set up in the bathed-in-honey land of Jaisalmer, known as Rajasthan’s ‘Golden City’. Sher Bagh is the ultimate jungle camp in Ranthambhore National Park, one of the world’s top places to see wild tigers.
  
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  Madeira Quintas

  Madeira has cast off its fuddy-duddy image and offers everything from extreme sports to extreme natural beauty. Quintas are Madeiran manor houses converted into boutique hotels in a garden setting. Expect spa treatments, horse riding, golf, levada walks and whale watching. A great short-haul option with year-round sunshine.
  
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  Cyprus in style

  Two hotels in Cyprus offer the very best for weddings and honeymoons. Big sister Anassa is your classic five-star grand dame with one of the best spas in the world and a pretty wedding chapel. Almyra is her funky, more contemporary little sister where honeymooners can live it up in a Kyma suite with private rooftop dinners à deux.
  
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  Northumberland coast

  Swathes of golden sand, pretty fishing villages, ancient castles and bijou hideaways. No this isn’t the Med, it’s Northumberland, the UK’s most under-rated coast. Local entrepreneur Fiona McKeith has long recognized its potential and offers top-notch self-catering gems like Coral Cottage and The Studio. Magical.
  
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  Cycling in Italy

  Couples that play together, stay together. If you share a love of cycling, Headwater has come up with inspiring routes, some off-road. Romantic itineraries include gastronomic routes in Piedmont and Chianti. And the best thing is, your bags are taken from hotel to hotel for you. They’ll even get the wine orders in.
  
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  Boutique Barbados

  The Atlantis is a breath of fresh air in the Barbados hotel scene. Set on the island’s dramatic east coast, it offers Atlantic breakers, an uncompromising boutique philosophy and old-style Bajan dishes such as pepperpot stew. Try to book Glen Bernie or Three Boys’ oceanfront suites with their draped four-poster beds.
  
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  Sail Lofts, St Ives

  St Ives is a pocket oasis on your doorstep. A mecca for artists and surfers with its wonderful light and alluring bays like Porthmeor, honeymooners can catch a wave or immerse themselves in Tate St Ives. Sail Lofts is a real find – 12 stylish, romantic houses and apartments a stone’s throw from one of Cornwall’s best beaches.
  
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  Coral Reef Club

  Arguably the best hotel in Barbados, the plantation-style Coral Reef Club has been run by the O’Hara family since 1956 and sees the likes of Prince Harry rock up for a drink at the bar. Book a Plantation Suite with their vast patios and plunge pools. Exchange dining with other hotels makes half-board a good option, as is the spa’s lemongrass and ginger rub.
  
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  Zanzibar and Tanzania

  This exotic honeymoon combines the high-octane thrills of a safari in Tanzania from game spotting to luxury camps and sundowners on the boot of your 4WD, with the spicy romance of Zanzibar where you can explore the labyrinthine streets of Stone Town and relax on blinding beaches. Two honeymoons for the price of one.
  
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  India by luxury train

  If you’re seduced by the romance of train travel, the new Maharajas’ Express is your ultimate honeymoon. Experience much that India has to offer from mountains to jungles, deserts to forts – all from the luxury of the world’s most opulent train. Book the Presidential Suite and you’ll have an entire carriage to yourselves.
  
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  Cool Canaries

  Far from its lairy image, Tenerife has elegant beaches, authentic cuisine, quaint villages, volcanic moonscapes and a cutting edge capital, Santa Cruz. Add to that the slick yet laidback sophistication of Abama Golf & Spa Resort for a top honeymoon, whether you want to fly ‘n’ flop or explore.
  
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  Borneo

  Borneo is one of the world’s most stunning oases of rare wildlife – home to orang-utans, clouded leopards, fish eagles and pygmy elephants. Whether you experience a night safari or help with tree planting, it’s a thrilling destination, not forgetting the boutique hideaways of Malaysia’s Tioman Island for some beachfront R ‘n’ R.
  
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  The ultimate bolthole

  The new Mount Hartman Bay Estate brings wow factor to the Spice Island of Grenada, the real deal when it comes to authentic Caribbean. Set on a private peninsular with organic architecture, there are just seven suites in the ‘Cave’ (main house), plus a new-age Folly suite. With a library, home cinema and top chef, it’s honeymoontastic.
  
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  Huvafen Fushi

  Fantasy Maldives honeymoon here you come. Huvafen Fushi is as far removed from real life as it gets. Even the lowest room category comes with a private plunge pool and sumptuous deck. Spend a night on board a designer yacht or a Maldivian dhoni and don’t miss a treatment in the underwater spa – barefoot luxury incarnate.
  
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  Lucknam Park

  This country house hotel just outside Bath rocks. A Relais & Chateaux 1720 Palladian mansion may sound stuffy, yet Lucknam Park is anything but, with a stunning new spa set in a walled garden, a gorgeous pool where you can swim at night next to an open fire, horseriding and magnificent four-poster suites.
  
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  Cities of Andalucia

  Practically on the doorstep and boasting some seriously stylish hotels, southern Spain best suits an early or late summer honeymoon to catch the best climate and avoid the crowds. Seville is a spectacular starting point with its gold-encrusted Alcazar Palace. Add Cordoba and Granada, and you have three sumptuous honeymoon cities for the price of one.
  
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  Cairo and the Nile

  Egypt is so very easy to get to, yet so very foreign, making it all the more alluring for couples who have never visited. Cairo is a crazy sprawl of a city with breathtaking delights, from the Sphinx to Villa Belle Epoque, a breakthrough boutique hotel. Avoid the big boats and take a slow romantic cruise down the Nile on a colonial-style dahabiyya.
  
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  Luxury spa in the Himalayas

  For a union of mind, body and soul, a spa honeymoon at Ananda is great value with many treatments and activities included. Book a private pool villa or save a little and stay in a valley view room to soak up views of the Ganges from your bed and bath. Visit Rishikesh at nightfall for Ganga Aarati (lighting of lamps and chanting).
  
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  Amalfi coast hideaways

  Bag yourselves a beautiful apartment for two on the Amalfi coast and you’ll never look back. La Trasita is set in a 14th century Saracen tower overlooking Positano from its circular roof terrace. Play Italian Mr & Mrs in your own private love nest and explore Sorrento, the island of Capri, the ruins of Pompeii and the mighty Vesuvius.
  
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  Trulli madly deeply

  Known as the heel of Italy’s boot, Puglia is one of its most appealing regions. Think 500 miles of great beaches (nowhere is more than 15 miles from the coast), baroque extravagances, the odd Roman ruin and stupendous food and wine. Many of the distinctive stone Trulli houses have been converted to beautiful cottages and hotels.
  
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  Budget Seychelles

  You may feel like the Seychelles are just for footballers’ (new) wives and loaded celebs, but don’t despair. These incredible tropical islands are home to charming small hotels and great value four stars that offer a more genuine local flavour than a flashy five-star. Island hopping is more affordable than you may think too, so you can mix and match.
  
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  St Lucia

  Anse Chastanet is a legendary hotel that’s beguiled honeymooners for years with its unique setting and green philosophy – before anyone had heard of ecotourism. Think Caribbean breezes rather than air-con; no TV, just the whisper of sweet nothings. Trade up to ‘big sister’, Jade Mountain, for private pools and no fourth wall.
  
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  Indulge in Tuscany

  How could the birthplace of the Renaissance be anything other than magical? Explore the vineyards of Chianti Classico or Brunello di Montalcino, dine on Tuscan delights like porcini mushrooms and truffle dishes, treat yourselves to jewellery from the shops along Florence’s Ponte Vecchio or the glazed pottery of Siena.
  
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  Tour of Vietnam

  From buzzing Saigon to a lazy Mekong river cruise, Vietnam is an inspired choice for a honeymoon. There’s culture, nightlife, cookery classes in street food, gourmet dining, colonial hotels and romantic gems like Six Senses Hideaway Ninh Van Bay. A Chinese junk cruise of Halong Bay is one of my do-before-you-die experiences.
  
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  Romantic Capri

  Capri is a white isle in a sapphire sea, where movie stars come for legendary spa treatments (Gwyneth Paltrow favours the Leg School at Capri Palace), millionaires retire to their clifftop retreats and couples whisper sweet nothings in the Blue Grotto. My personal pick of the hotels is the Capri Palace Hotel, an Italian gem with indulgence written all over it.
  
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  Romantic country cottages

  From nautical hideaways on the water at Fowey in Cornwall to a dinky cottage in the Cotswolds or Yorkshire Dales, there’s something so civilised about a self-catering hideaway in the UK, not least the privacy and affordability. Stock up on your favourite treats, and throw another log on the fire.
  
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  Scilly Isles

  With a DNA similar to the Maldives, this British splatter of around 150 low lying islands is caressed by the Gulf Stream, spawning palm trees, cacti and aloe to go with the white sand beaches and azure water. There’s everything from scuba diving to sub-tropical gardens and island-hopping hideaways like the historic Star Castle Inn.
  
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  Seductive Paris

  From the shimmering Eiffel Tower to the simplest of Left Bank bistros, Paris is a hopeless romantic of a city. Find your intimate bolthole with i-escape.com which has sought out 14 Parisian gems. My personal favourite is the highly original Hotel Particular Montmartre; sleek Spacio Loft is a cool apartment in a converted 18th century printing house.
  
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  Go round the world

  If you haven’t heard, the maximoon is the latest honeymoon trend. This is your chance to escape for a month or more on that round-the-world tour you’ve always promised yourselves. Austravel are the experts and they have a cool Honeymoon List Service allowing friends and family to help fund your trip. So no unwanted toasters. Hurrah!
  
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  Boutique hotels in Turkey

  Turkey’s Lycian coast combines life-affirming coastal beauty with spectacular archaeological sites such as the ruins of Ephesus. You’ll find plenty of uber-chic boutique hotels where you don’t have to lift a finger. Top ‘n’ tail with a city stopover in intoxicating Istanbul or an exclusive gulet cruise for some extra Turkish delight.
  
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  Bahamas island hopping

  You’ll be swept off your feet by the tiny Out Islands of the Bahamas, with everything from overwater spas to bonefishing. The pastel cottages and pink sands of Harbour Island belie the fact this is a millionaire’s playground, while just across the water await the deserted surf beaches of rugged Eleuthera. As they say, opposites attract.
  
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  Magical Venice

  How could I not include Venice? This magical city never fails to deliver the romantic dream – but pick your hotel carefully. Venice is all about grand style, indulgence and location, location, location. The Luna Baglioni ticks every box and has suites with terraces overlooking the lagoon and breakfast room frescoes painted by the school of Tiepolo.
  
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  Amsterdam

  For a mini-moon close to home, Amsterdam is a winner. Everything is within walking or cycling distance with over a thousand pretty bridges to kiss on. Take a canal cruise, visit the open-air markets, the legendary coffee shops and dance the night away at the Nachttheatre Sugar Factory. For the coolest address in town, book into The Dylan.
  
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  Chic Antigua

  With not a hint of chintz or floral bedspread in sight, The Inn at English Harbour puts the chic into a Caribbean honeymoon. Think infinity pool, iPod stations and crisp white bed linen. Book a beachside cabana or push the boat out with a suite. Dinner on the terrace at the top of the hill is an occasion in itself and weddings here are a cut above.
  
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  Barefoot Sri Lanka

  For a small island, Sri Lanka delivers a staggering range of experiences. Add to that some stylish hotels – including amazing creations by local architect Geoffrey Bawa, Amanwella in the 17th century Dutch town of Galle and Amangalla on the sandy shore of Tangalle. If you fancy tying the knot here, you can even do it on elephant back.
  
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  Sussex appeal

  For a pampered UK minimoon, head to the pretty dunes of Climping in West Sussex and the glorious faux-medieval Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa. Bring out your inner bodice ripping with a stay in a four-poster suite – the top one has a log-burner and side-by-side rolltop baths. Indulge yourselves in the spa with its beautiful outdoor pool and the elegant Tapestry restaurant.
  
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  Caribbean hideaway

  How about a private Caribbean island? Young Island is one of 32 in The Grenadines with illustrious neighbours like Mustique. Charmingly understated, this is where Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley stayed while filming Pirates of the Caribbean. Tag on a few days’ sailing on the resort’s private yacht. Barefoot bliss.
  
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  Costa Navarino

  Be the first to discover this area of outstanding natural beauty and ancient history with a honeymoon at Greece’s newest destination in Messinia. Treat yourselves to an infinity suite at The Romanos with a private pool overlooking the Ionian Sea. A top-notch beach, golf, spa, open-air cinema and traditional amphitheatre add to the kudos.
  
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  St Barths

  The Caribbean island of St Barths is sexy, sophisticated, foodie heaven, most definitely French – and seriously chilled. Eden Rock fits the local vibe perfectly with its incredible setting and drop dead gorgeous interiors. Even the lowest category Garden Cottages will have you in raptures. Book the new Villa Rockstar for a mind-blowing wedding party.
  
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  The Datai

  One of the original design hotels in a spectacular jungle setting, The Datai Langkawi has always stayed ahead of the in-crowd. Pool villas have private plunge pools with built-in Jacuzzi and day bed for intimate lounging. A newly renovated Beach Club bar has dreamy Andaman Sea views or you can explore the surrounding rainforest by mountain bike.
  
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  Honeymoons with a heart

  Sure your honeymoon is about the two of you, but wouldn’t it be great if it also left a lasting legacy for others? Stay in boutique hotel heaven in Rio whilst helping residents paint murals, live amongst a hill tribe community in Vietnam teaching English or help rebuild slums on a luxury tour of India. A great way to give something back.
  
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  Hawaii

  From Elvis to Obama, Hawaii never loses its allure. Part of the USA, yet beguilingly exotic with its black sands and lush peaks, this island-hopping Mecca suits active couples who love trekking, surfing and golf as well as those in search of a sybaritic paradise. Add to the fun with a high-octane stopover in Los Angeles en route.
  
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  Take a private jet

  Remember in Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts was whisked off by Richard Gere in his private jet? How romantic was that! If you’re cash rich, time poor, or just fancy blowing the budget on a once-in-a-lifetime experience, book a private jet minimoon. Choose your departure airport and the champagne-stocked plane awaits.
  
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  Kasbah Tamadot

  A member of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition collection, Kasbah Tamadot is a magical oasis just outside Marrakech in the clear air of the Atlas Mountains. Book a luxury Berber tent with private pool, enjoy intimate dinners set up specially for two, try the Hammam spa and explore the area by foot, mountain bike, 4X4 or mule.
  
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  Cosy love shacks

  Ethically aware couples looking for something different will love Under the Thatch’s choice of gorgeous places to stay in Wales including old railway carriages, yurts, cabins and a Romany caravan plus a good choice of romantic cottages too. As a former guest puts it, “Looking at the website is like opening a box of chocolates and not knowing which to pick.”
  
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  Kenya safari

  If you’re saving your first safari for your honeymoon, Kenya is ideal. You can easily combine a wildlife adventure with some sea ‘n’ sand on the Indian Ocean coast, or catch the world’s largest animal movement from July to October as zebra, gazelle and wildebeest migrate across the Masai Mara.
  
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  Maldives on a budget

  Meeru Island Resort is textbook Maldives: powder white sand and turquoise lagoon. Except here you get 4-star quality at 3-star prices. Bag the all-inclusive option and look out for complimentary room upgrades. Newlyweds should aim for the Jacuzzi Water Villas or the Honeymoon Suites, a short dhoni boat ride away.
  
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  Phuket and Chiang Rai

  The Pool Villas at Banyan Tree Resort & Spa Phuket are gloriously opulent with glass bedrooms floating on lily ponds and huge private pools. Twin with the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa in lush green Chiang Rai to get the best out of a Thai honeymoon. Don’t miss an elephant ‘drive’ at sunrise through bamboo groves and rice paddies.
  

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