Honeymoon outside of Europe
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I will get married in May, and plan to go on my honeymoon in the last week of May for around 7-10 days.
I suggested Venice, Italy as a potential holiday as people say it is unique city and romantic, but my fiancee said it would be better if we went outside of Europe.
I am not really a 'beach' type of person, and prefer a city/country with history and culture. She mentioned Mauritius, Maldives, Malaysia....and I am leaning towards Malaysia.
Can you guys offer any other suggestions for suitable honeymoon destinations for us?
Many thanks in advance.
PS: Hot and sunny conditions are what we are after.
I will get married in May, and plan to go on my honeymoon in the last week of May for around 7-10 days.
I suggested Venice, Italy as a potential holiday as people say it is unique city and romantic, but my fiancee said it would be better if we went outside of Europe.
I am not really a 'beach' type of person, and prefer a city/country with history and culture. She mentioned Mauritius, Maldives, Malaysia....and I am leaning towards Malaysia.
Can you guys offer any other suggestions for suitable honeymoon destinations for us?
Many thanks in advance.
PS: Hot and sunny conditions are what we are after.
We went to Sri Lanka on our honeymoon, and it was fantastic. I would strongly recomend it if you want a mix of culture, beach, etc. Do a tour from the cultural triangle, all down to the touristy areas like Bentota. We stayed in a hotel down there run by a company called Taru villas, and it was excellent!
durbster said:
I got married in Turkey. It was ace 
How about an African destination? One place we ruled out only because we didn't think we'd have any guests was Namibia. Looks like a beautiful place and you'd get some extraordinary wedding photos from the desert.
But anywhere in SE Asia would probably be a blast but possibly more difficult to organise (?).
Do you want any guests?
Honeymoon not wedding!How about an African destination? One place we ruled out only because we didn't think we'd have any guests was Namibia. Looks like a beautiful place and you'd get some extraordinary wedding photos from the desert.
But anywhere in SE Asia would probably be a blast but possibly more difficult to organise (?).
Do you want any guests?
Thailand, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Elephant Safari and a beach.
Sorted
I was in a similar situation myself a couple of years ago when planning my honeymoon - I like cities and being active, the (now) wife prefers lying on a beach.
We ended up with a compromise that worked for us - 3 nights in San Francisco, a week in Hawaii, then a couple of nights stopover on the way back in L.A.
Overall it worked quite well, she had enough beach time, and I managed to go to some interesting places (Pearl Harbour etc), plus I tried out (and loved) snorkelling while she was sunbathing.
The only thing I'd change was the L.A. stopover - we went to Universal studios which was ok, but wasnt keen on L.A. otherwise - think I'd use Chicago or Vancover as a stop over if I did it again.
We ended up with a compromise that worked for us - 3 nights in San Francisco, a week in Hawaii, then a couple of nights stopover on the way back in L.A.
Overall it worked quite well, she had enough beach time, and I managed to go to some interesting places (Pearl Harbour etc), plus I tried out (and loved) snorkelling while she was sunbathing.
The only thing I'd change was the L.A. stopover - we went to Universal studios which was ok, but wasnt keen on L.A. otherwise - think I'd use Chicago or Vancover as a stop over if I did it again.
Thanks for the replies everyone. I will start researching a bit more on the countries you have suggested.
Is it better to get honeymoon packages, or to independently book flight & hotels and then sort excursions when we get there?
Amauterish - The reason Europe was out was because she said Europeans cities are all similar.
I do want to visit Venice though, it looks like a very unique place, and I might have to persuade her that Venice is the best location.
Is it better to get honeymoon packages, or to independently book flight & hotels and then sort excursions when we get there?
Amauterish - The reason Europe was out was because she said Europeans cities are all similar.
I do want to visit Venice though, it looks like a very unique place, and I might have to persuade her that Venice is the best location.
Zachlain said:
Is it better to get honeymoon packages, or to independently book flight & hotels and then sort excursions when we get there?
Might be worth mentioning you're on a honeymoon after you get prices. If it's anything like a wedding, a mysterious 20% will be added to your bill if you mention it beforehand. 
We got a fair old discount at a few locations on our honeymoon, some we had to provide proof I think, others we got free upgrades, bottles of winer etc.
We're not beach type people really but thought we'd like some R&R so allowed for some beach time. We mostly like driving around seeing a variety of places including cities. We went to South Africa, Cape Town, spent time in the winelands, drove up as far as Durban, did a safari, then went to Mauritius. Didn't rate the latter but loved the rest, it was over 4 weeks in total though but could easily cherry pick the bits that appeal to you. Cheap when you're out there.
It's a big world and there are loads of places, if it were me I'd limit my flying time if it were for <2 weeks.
We're not beach type people really but thought we'd like some R&R so allowed for some beach time. We mostly like driving around seeing a variety of places including cities. We went to South Africa, Cape Town, spent time in the winelands, drove up as far as Durban, did a safari, then went to Mauritius. Didn't rate the latter but loved the rest, it was over 4 weeks in total though but could easily cherry pick the bits that appeal to you. Cheap when you're out there.
It's a big world and there are loads of places, if it were me I'd limit my flying time if it were for <2 weeks.
I didn't mention we were on honeymoon when I made any of my bookings, but I did drop an email to each hotel a week or so before we travelled letting them know, and asking them to try to make our stay memorable - and we ended up getting upgrades to suites at 2 out the 3 hotels we stated in, plus a bottle of champagne from Donald Trump!
I surprised the OH with a trip to venice at the start of November last year (proposal was the main reason).
We both absolutely loved the place, no other place like it. I would probably say that 7-10 days would be too long though. We where only there for 4 days and there was plenty we didn't do but I think 10 days it might start getting a bit tiresome as its a 'city break' location. That said we both would go back without hesitation. May would be very busy though.
We both absolutely loved the place, no other place like it. I would probably say that 7-10 days would be too long though. We where only there for 4 days and there was plenty we didn't do but I think 10 days it might start getting a bit tiresome as its a 'city break' location. That said we both would go back without hesitation. May would be very busy though.
What about Central America? Can do some Mayan ruins with 14 Day Exodus Ruta Maya Tour and then the http://www.tranquilitybayresort.com/ all for about £5K for both of you.
You would have to take a little longer but parts of the trip can be taken, not all if you are absolutely tied to 10 days. Mercator travel will do this for you.
You would have to take a little longer but parts of the trip can be taken, not all if you are absolutely tied to 10 days. Mercator travel will do this for you.
Zachlain said:
Hi Guys,
I am not really a 'beach' type of person, and prefer a city/country with history and culture. She mentioned Mauritius, Maldives, Malaysia....and I am leaning towards Malaysia.
Can you guys offer any other suggestions for suitable honeymoon destinations for us?
The Maldives is an incredible place & somewhere you should go before it disappears! It is a beach place though so what about a split holiday - 1 week Maldives & 1 week Sri Lanka? There was a couple when we were there that did exactly this.I am not really a 'beach' type of person, and prefer a city/country with history and culture. She mentioned Mauritius, Maldives, Malaysia....and I am leaning towards Malaysia.
Can you guys offer any other suggestions for suitable honeymoon destinations for us?
Goa is a great place - beaches are beautiful & there is also plenty to do. We went to South Goa for 3 weeks & barely scratched the surface.
Flight times are about the same for both places. We flew direct to the Maldives from Manchester (about 12 ish hours) and the flight to Goa stopped in Bahrain for a couple of hours - total was about 12 ish hours.
I'm pretty sure Goa will be hot in May, not sure about Maldives.
northwest monkey said:
The Maldives is an incredible place & somewhere you should go before it disappears! It is a beach place though so what about a split holiday - 1 week Maldives & 1 week Sri Lanka? There was a couple when we were there that did exactly this.
Goa is a great place - beaches are beautiful & there is also plenty to do. We went to South Goa for 3 weeks & barely scratched the surface.
Flight times are about the same for both places. We flew direct to the Maldives from Manchester (about 12 ish hours) and the flight to Goa stopped in Bahrain for a couple of hours - total was about 12 ish hours.
I'm pretty sure Goa will be hot in May, not sure about Maldives.
Hi Mate,Goa is a great place - beaches are beautiful & there is also plenty to do. We went to South Goa for 3 weeks & barely scratched the surface.
Flight times are about the same for both places. We flew direct to the Maldives from Manchester (about 12 ish hours) and the flight to Goa stopped in Bahrain for a couple of hours - total was about 12 ish hours.
I'm pretty sure Goa will be hot in May, not sure about Maldives.
What kind of things can one do in the Maldives then?
Is it mainly water sports orientated?
Are their historical sites and museums to visit?
Is food and hotels reasonably priced?
LeftMuffin said:
I surprised the OH with a trip to venice at the start of November last year (proposal was the main reason).
We both absolutely loved the place, no other place like it. I would probably say that 7-10 days would be too long though. We where only there for 4 days and there was plenty we didn't do but I think 10 days it might start getting a bit tiresome as its a 'city break' location. That said we both would go back without hesitation. May would be very busy though.
If I went to go venice I would probably go for 7 days, as your right 10 days would feel long to stay there. However, is Venice a large city? Apart from museums, are thier any other interesting things to do or see?We both absolutely loved the place, no other place like it. I would probably say that 7-10 days would be too long though. We where only there for 4 days and there was plenty we didn't do but I think 10 days it might start getting a bit tiresome as its a 'city break' location. That said we both would go back without hesitation. May would be very busy though.
Sarkmeister said:
What about Malaysia, and do a split between the main peninsular (Kuala Lumpur) and Borneo (Sabah/Sarawak). That gives you plenty of city, and the wildlife/history of Borneo.
Plenty of options for beaches if you wanted a relaxing few days as well.
This what is I am thinking actually. My total budget is likely to stretch to £4k max and this has to include costs of flight, hotel stay and food and excursions whilst there! Plenty of options for beaches if you wanted a relaxing few days as well.
Is it better to book package deals (with Virgin or Thomson and the like) or book hotels and flights (Skyscanner) myself seperately?
I am just reading up on Morrocco too. Marrakech to be precise.
Another vote for Africa.
We had a week on Safari and a week on the beach (with a bit of safari-ing thrown in, we get bored on the beach) in Kenya.
The first week was hectic, travelling most of the time, only stayed in the same (excellent) lodge two nights once I think, but we saw most of the animals you go to see. Who couldn't enjoy Elephants with Kilimanjaro in the distance or Rhinos at dawn from a hot air-balloon?
Was a great couple of weeks to be honest, real 'once-in-a-lifetime' stuff, which was certainly good for a honeymoon, I thought.
If you just want to relax after all the hassle of the wedding, you might not enjoy it so much, I guess, but I bet most people would.
M.
PS Do go to Venice too, though, it's brilliant - One of the few places I've been that really lived up to its hype and Venice has LOTS!!! However, 4 days would do it all I suspect.
We had a week on Safari and a week on the beach (with a bit of safari-ing thrown in, we get bored on the beach) in Kenya.
The first week was hectic, travelling most of the time, only stayed in the same (excellent) lodge two nights once I think, but we saw most of the animals you go to see. Who couldn't enjoy Elephants with Kilimanjaro in the distance or Rhinos at dawn from a hot air-balloon?
Was a great couple of weeks to be honest, real 'once-in-a-lifetime' stuff, which was certainly good for a honeymoon, I thought.
If you just want to relax after all the hassle of the wedding, you might not enjoy it so much, I guess, but I bet most people would.
M.
PS Do go to Venice too, though, it's brilliant - One of the few places I've been that really lived up to its hype and Venice has LOTS!!! However, 4 days would do it all I suspect.
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