The process of getting married can leave couples afflicted by several variants of traumatic stress disorder. Examination by all and sundry of what is in fact a very personal commitment makes a honeymoon not just a nuptial celebration but a real and necessary opportunity for rehab… Here's where to go.
Botswana: If safari chic didn't start here it's certainly found a home. Travel by light aircraft to elegant tree houses replete with artfully draped mosquito nets, expansive beds, al fresco showers and ever-changing views over the wildlife-rich Okavango Delta. Game viewing follows the cycle of the sun, though honeymooners will be forgiven for missing the odd pre-dawn wake-up.
Corsica: Rugged mountains and coastline, fragrant wildflower maquis and a strong island identity characterise Corsica. Closer to Italy, with cultural and linguistic similarities, Corsica is a French island - Napoleon Bonaparte was born here. Mass tourism hasn't taken hold, instead coastal resorts such as Île Rousse, Propriano, Bonifacio and Porto Vechio are well stocked with independent villas, and smaller hotels.
Italy: Historic cities, hilltop villages, a rich culture of music and literature, together with one of the world's great cuisines… it's hardly surprising the country is a perennial honeymoon favourite. From the Mediaeval piazzas and palazzos of Perugia, to the poppies and sunflowers of spring and early summer, Umbria's Upper Tiber Valley in particular offers a romantic microcosm of Italy.
Maldives: 26-atolls sprinkled across a corner of the Indian Ocean, some 750 kilometres south west of Sri Lanka, have become synonymous with honeymoons. All-inclusive resorts featuring thatched over-water bungalows provide luxurious island boltholes for couples still shell-shocked by the logistics of wedding planning and execution… and that's about it. Best for early nights and long lie ins.
Santorini: It's said that Greece is 'the islands', and nowhere exemplifies this better than Santorini. One of the few destinations in the southern Aegean's Cyclades chain with its own airport, access is easy. Pour a glass of Santorini wine and watch the sunset from a whitewashed cliffside villa overlooking the superb natural harbour - an immense collapsed volcanic caldera. If this isn't the place to loll in an infinity pool, where is?
Scotland: No airport hassles, no long journeys; if your honeymoon ideal features Scotland's great outdoors, May in Skye brings clear days illuminated by distinctive island sunlight. The largest of the Inner Hebrides, peninsulas radiate out from the Cuillins ranges creating a wealth of striking coastal scenery. After rewarding walks, return pleasantly tired to a cosy cottage or family-run hotel…
Seychelles: More than 100 islands and islets, 1,500 kilometres off the African coast, the Seychelles archipelago has its own entry in the lexicon of exclusivity. Tourism is tightly controlled preserving the islands' ecosystem, favouring high-cost low-impact visitors, so don't expect Ryanair flights any time soon. However, deals are to be had and a Seychelles honeymoon may not be as expensive as you first assume.
Sri Lanka: For Europeans, whilst Sri Lanka is intensely foreign it successfully combines Asian otherness with sublime resorts and some truly characterful top class hotels. Head to the hill station of Nuwarellia for echoes of Scotland, even a round of golf, then to the old colonial town of Galle, on the island's southern tip, for culture-fest and stunning coastline.
Thailand: Skip Bangkok and unwind on the holiday island of Koh Samui. A quieter resort favoured by French visitors, Bo Phut on the north east coast has beach bungalows, excellent value mid-range hotels and a few up-market palaces. A scattering of small shops and restaurants is enough to laze away the afternoons, whilst exploring is easy by share taxi or scooter.
Tobago: The Caribbean is the stuff of honeymoon dreams but few places live the dream as well as Tobago. Small enough to be safe and friendly but large enough to explore, the island's charm transcends insular five-star resorts and eye-wateringly expensive hotels found elsewhere. Tobagonians themselves are laid back and hospitable, perhaps the island's greatest resource.
This article has been produced in association with www.talkholiday.com
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