Unforgettable luxury honeymoons with a twist

While booking a beach resort and hanging out on a lounger all day can make for an especially relaxing holiday, your honeymoon should be extra special. If you’re looking for a luxurious trip that is sure to create memories that will last a lifetime, consider these options that go well-beyond your typical romantic getaway.

From swimming with reef sharks to exploring the ‘Cast Away’ island in exotic Fiji

Seeking the ultimate tropical fantasy that includes the ideal blend of outdoor adventure, relaxation and luxuries? The Highlights of Fiji tour is an independent 14-night tour that will allow you to experience the region’s unspoiled, white powdery sand beaches, brilliant turquoise waters and lush greenery, along with plenty of thrills. Look forward to a jet boat safari, cruising to small, secluded islands, including the filming location for ‘Cast Away,’ snorkelling and a glass bottom boat tour.

The experience also includes five nights at the intimate Musket Cove Island Resort, which offers an adventure-filled stay with everything from scuba diving and fishing charters to snorkelling spectacular coral reefs and sea kayaking across the Pacific. Windsurfing, cooking classes, a village tour and guided walks are all included as well. You’ll have plenty of time for unwinding in one of the rustic bures that are scattered along the powder sugar-like sands as well as opportunities for revitalising treatments at the spa. Fresh seafood paired with exotic drinks are all par for the course.

More information and to book: The Highlights of Fiji

The city to the sand: Australia and Fiji

This honeymoon allows you and your new spouse to enjoy incredible adventures together – what better way to kick start your new life? You’ll begin in Sydney, where you can take in iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour. The Sydney Harbour Bridge frames the sparkling harbour, defining the city’s skyline. It may best be experienced through BridgeClimb Sydney, where you’ll climb steps and catwalks while marveling at one of the most awe-inspiring vistas in the entire nation.

From Sydney, it’s onto the Blue Mountains, renowned for everything from dramatic gorges and dense tree-covered mountains that are often enveloped in a surreal blue mist. This is the perfect spot for hiking, and spending time together in one of the exclusive Love Cabins which offer lots of seclusion and privacy in the heart of the mountain wilderness. Other highlights here in Australia include a flightseeing excursion over Uluru Rock, a fiery red monolith that towers over Red Rock Country, an opulent stay at Sails in the Desert, and six nights in Port Douglas, including time at the legendary Great Barrier Reef.

Your last five nights are all about Fiji, spent at the adults-only Tokoriki Island Resort for the quintessential beach honeymoon, surrounded by magnificent white sand beaches and azure lagoons.

More information and to book: Boutique and Unique Australia Honeymoon & Fiji

A honeymoon fit for royalty at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta, Canada

If you’re a mountain lover who’s been dreaming of a honeymoon fit for royalty, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in the Canadian Rockies may be ideal. Rumoured to have been the royal honeymoon retreat for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the property offers the chance to truly connect with nature, and with yourselves. Special romance packages are offered that include jaw-dropping views, luxury cabin-style accommodation, wine and chocolate truffles at arrival, daily breakfast in bed, a three-course dinner, a spa credit and more.

Here you’ll be perfectly situated for wildlife viewing, outdoor adventures like kayaking and hiking beautiful trails right onsite, and, of course exploring Jasper National Park. Take a trek to the toe of Athabasca Glacier, the largest of the six ‘toes’ that make up the Columbia Icefield, witnessing the effects of climate change firsthand, with the quickly disappearing ice exposing raw bedrock and new plant life that’s taking hold on the barren surface. Just to the west is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson, home to cascading falls and glacial lakes, abundant wildlife, including bears, mountain goat and caribou, as well as colorful wildflowers in the summer.

More information and to book: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

A big-five safari honeymoon in South Africa

For the perfect blend of honeymoon delights, high-end perks and the ultimate African safari experience, book the Madikwe & Kruger Safari tour. This 8-night tour includes three nights at the Madikwe Private Game Reserve, with your days spent searching for the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo. After those hard-to-beat thrills, you’ll be able to return to your lodge room which includes your own private plunge pool or take advantage of the viewing deck for watching the wildlife that gathers nearby.

Next up is the Sabi Sand Game Reserve which shares an unfenced border with Kruger National Park for some of the best wildlife viewing in the entire country. Divided into individual private game reserves, each one provides the ultimate Big Five experience. Upscale accommodation includes exceptional service along with impressive suites with glass fronts for views from inside and out, a private plunge pool and veranda.

More information and to book: Luxury Madikwe & Kruger Safari

Northern California highlights: The City by the Bay, Yosemite National Park and sparkling Lake Tahoe

Northern California is filled with breathtaking scenery and bucket-list attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite National Park and the largest lake in the nation, Lake Tahoe. This 9-night self-drive tour makes for a fabulous Golden State honeymoon, covering all of those spots and then some.

Biking or walking San Francisco’s famously steep hills is a great way to beat that jet lag while viewing the city’s magnificent Victorian homes, and views of the Pacific in between. Take a ride on one of the famous cable cars, and a cruise to Alcatraz Island, the formidable fortress that sits in the middle of San Francisco Bay. For nearly three decades, from 1934 through 1963, it was a federal penitentiary that housed the likes of infamous criminals such as Al Capone. Part of the 80,000-acre Golden Gate Recreation Area, you can embark on a tour from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing, located at the foot of Bay Street on the Embarcadero. Afterward, dine at the Top of the Mark, which sits on the 19th floor of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel, enjoying live entertainment and amazing views of the city all lit up after dark.

Yosemite National Park is all about the Great Outdoors. Here you can hike miles and miles of scenic trails, many of which lead to waterfalls, paddle a kayak or join a rafting trip on the rushing Merced River. Before heading to Tahoe, check out one of the most well-preserved ghost towns in the country: Bodie. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains about 75 miles from South Lake Tahoe, it was once a bustling gold mining town. In the 1870s, it was home to a population of around 10,000 and hosted a red-light district, numerous saloons and even opium dens. The Bodie post office closed in 1942, but a small part of the town still survives, preserved in a state of ‘arrested decay.’ The interiors are just as they were left, including stores that still have goods stocked on their shelves.

At Lake Tahoe you’ll discover a place that offers a little bit of everything, tucked among the dramatic Sierra Nevada peaks. The lake itself straddles the border of California and Nevada, with gaming offered on the North Lake Tahoe/Nevada side, including table games, slots, live music and entertainment 24/7, while Incline Village offers  acres and acres of sandy beaches and forested areas. Throughout this region, you’ll find a wealth of outdoor activities too, including hiking and mountain biking, as well as swimming, diving, sailing and more on Tahoe’s crystal clear blue waters.

More information and to book: Experience San Francisco, Yosemite & Lake Tahoe Self-Drive

Extravagance in the Far East

This 10-night private, guided tour will take you on a luxurious journey through Vietnam and Cambodia, ideal for honeymooners with plenty of romance, fascinating history and culture, outdoor adventure, and options for relaxation and rejuvenation. You’ll begin in the capital city, a place that offers a mix of East and West, with a stay at the Sofitel Legend Metropole. Fine dining on mouthwatering French cuisine, a lavish spa and even Vietnamese cooking classes are all on the menu here, along with the chance to explore Hanoi’s grand colonial architecture and museums.

Next is a cruise in one of the most enchanting places in all of Vietnam, Halong Bay, with its floating villages and deserted beaches best viewed from the water, aboard a luxury ‘junk’ boat. In the French colonial town of Dha Nang, you’ll stay at the Four Seasons Nam Hai, set upon one of the best beaches in the entire nation before flying off to Cambodia. The capital city of Siem Reap offers history, nightlife, culture, museums, markets and more, but it’s best known as the home of Angkor Wat. When the morning light washes across its magnificent temples and ruins it looks like a spectacular painting come to life - the perfect opportunity to catch a sunrise together, with the colors dancing above the temple spires in the wee hours of the morning.

More information and to book: Luxury Vietnam & Cambodia

Over-the-top luxury in The Maldives and Abu Dhabi

Some say the secluded Maldives are the world’s most romantic archipelago, ideal for privacy and exotic, breathtaking scenery.  Your 9-night Maldives and Abu Dhabi honeymoon starts here at the 5-star Hyatt Hadahaa Resort where you can dive and snorkel the colorful reef, watch for dolphins, kayak, take sunset cruises, unwind at the spa or even cook a Maldivian feast. Basking in the sun on a strikingly white, soft sand beach and spending plenty of alone time together in one of the above-the-water villas is something you’ll probably want to do as well. Each one boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and a deck for soaking up views from indoors and out – some also include a private plunge pool.

A stay at the elegant Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates offers the chance to sip the highest high tea, ride the world’s fastest rollercoaster and marvel at the tower with the largest cluster of cultural buildings. It may be hard to tear yourself away from this hotel which features open-air plunge pools that include amazing views of the pristine white sands framed by cerulean waters, exceptional indoor and outdoor dining at The Beach House and a luxurious spa. The elegantly appointed rooms, suites and villas provide awe-inspiring views of the Arabian Sea, beautifully landscaped garden and the pool, from your terrace or balcony.

More information and to book: Maldives & Abu Dhabi Luxury Twin Centre

Thailand bliss at Khao Lak & Krabi luxury twin-centre

This 10-night honeymoon is total bliss, with stays at two of Thailand’s most luxurious hotels. Nicknamed the “land of smiles,” this country is sure to put a grin on your face, thanks to the warmth and kindness of the Thai people, the incredible cuisine and the beautiful beaches. A stay at these properties, takes that all up a notch for an especially unforgettable romantic escape.

The Sarojin Khao Lak lies on the southwest coast, renowned for its endless stretches of gorgeous beach scattered with seashells and edged by intense blue waters. Hop aboard the Lady Sarojinyacht and sail around the Similan Islands, embark on a sunset cruise while sipping fine wine and dining on gourmet treats, and enjoy pampering in the opulent spa. You won’t want to miss a scenic drive through the palm forest of Khao Sok National Park, considered one of the most picturesque in all of Asia.

Your next five nights are at the exclusive Rayavadee, tucked among soaring palm trees on a glittering beach with a backdrop of dramatic limestone cliffs. It offers secluded indulgence for honeymooners, with four fantastic restaurants, a serene spa, a grotto with cave dining and two beachfront, lagoon-like swimming pools. Canoes, snorkelling and windsurfing equipment are all included.

More information and to book: Khao Lak & Krabi Luxury Twin Centre

Exploration and relaxation in Costa Rica

Can’t decide whether you want a honeymoon that’s filled with active pursuits or is all about relaxation? How about a little of both? This getaway includes 9 days and 8 nights of action-packed fun while taking in Costa Rica’s highlights, and 8 days and 7 nights of relaxation at Secrets Papagayo, an adults-only all-inclusive resort with a wide range of modern luxuries.

The first half of this honeymoon tour includes whitewater rafting or horseback riding, a tour of the Cloud Forest and its impressive plant and animal life, soaking in hot springs, a guided tour of a coffee and sugar cane plantation, and a heart-pounding zipline ride. If you need a break from all the adventure, enjoy chilling on the beach and watching the surfers ride the waves, otherwise, you might want to hike the trails at Manuel Antonio National Park, where monkey and sloth sightings are common.

Look forward to eight incredible days of relaxation and pampering at Secrets Papagayo, which sits on a glistening bay on the Gulf of Papagayo, among tropical jungle and lush mountains. Dine at a variety of upscale restaurants, lounge on one of two white sandy beaches, enjoy the full-service Secrets Spa and live entertainment.

More information and to book: Costa Rica Quest. Plus, we recommend an added beach stay at Secrets Papagayon

Sailing and snorkelling the Seychelles

The Seychelles is a 115-island archipelago that lies 900 miles off the coast of East Africa, home to some of the most picture-perfect beaches on the planet, with fine white sands and brilliant azure waters. The 12-night tour includes four nights at the AVANI Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa, a beachfront property that offers exotic spa treatments, including a plunge pool, sauna and steam room, and a relaxation area as well as couples’ treatment rooms for enjoying a revitalising facial or relaxing massage together.

After your luxurious stay, you’ll sail off to explore the islands of St. Anne, Curieuse, Cousin, Anse Lanzio, Aride, Moyenne and more. Bird watching, snorkelling, diving, swimming and taking advantage of unspoiled, deserted beaches are all on the itinerary along the way.

More information and to book: Sail & Snorkel the Seychelles