Holiday Travel

One of the most romantic ways to spend your honeymoon is to set off on a leisurely cruise amidst crystal blue waters. Spacious private suites, incredible cuisine, attentive service and unforgettable sunsets make the perfect ingredients for a memorable honeymoon. If your budget allows, opt for smaller yachts and boats instead of joining thousands of families on a huge ocean liner.

You can sunbathe on the deck or stretch out in your suite and hear the waves gently lapping against the hull. Special barbecues served on isolated beaches and wonderful candlelight dinners on board are some of the other highlights of a honeymoon cruise. You can also enjoy kayaking, snorkeling and fishing while sailing around remote islands and coves. Day excursions to various islands are often also part of your cruise itinerary.

There are many great Romantic Destinations to choose from for your honeymoon. Some great honeymoon destinations include French Polynesia, central France, the Greek islands and Alaska, as well some Private Beach Resorts in exotic locales.

French Polynesia

If you’ve done the Caribbean, try French Polynesia which has a more romantic vibe and is definitely less crowded. French Polynesia comprises 118 islands so your cruise can take you to the smaller, secluded islands as well as the more well known ones like Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea. The incredible reefs found here offer superb snorkeling.

Tahiti is the largest and the most populated of all islands. Craggy peaks jut out of lush green tropical forests through which many streams flow. Papeete is the capital of French Polynesia and is located in Tahiti. Papeete means ‘water in a basket’.
Moorea, meaning yellow lizard, is the second largest island and is located just 12 miles off Tahiti. A wonderful shallow lagoon surrounds the island. Volcanic peaks and lush forests create a picturesque location.
Bora Bora is another breathtaking island with lovely white sandy beaches, tropical scenery and rich marine life.
With 118 islands, there’s a lot to discover and enjoy.

Also read about Le Taha’a Private Island & Spa which is located just off Bora Bora.

Burgundy and Franche Comte, France

An idyllic way to spend your honeymoon is on a luxurious barge which sails slowly, as in very slowly, through ancient canals that criss-cross through France. The leisurely pace takes you through ancient fortress towns, vineyards and lovely local restaurants and markets. The slow pace of the cruise makes you relax and allows you to appreciate nature as you sail through centuries old canals.

Choose a smaller, luxurious barge which doesn’t have more than four to five suites. Some of the suites come with French antiques and even a marble bathtub! Five-course gourmet meals paired with the finest wines are served on board. The meals also include local produce and delicacies. Candlelit dinners on deck are a great way to enjoy each other’s company as well as the peace and beauty of the French countryside.

Also choose an itinerary which takes you through historic towns and the verdant wine country. Sailing through Burgundy and Franche Comte is a good route which will take you through the Canal de Bourgogne. On the way you will pass through Chagny and Denevy which are both steeped in history. You will also sail along the wine regions of Cote de Nuits and Cote de Beaune and, no doubt, stop and taste some delectable wines.

The barges often provide bikes so you can just stop at a quaint village and go cycling along country roads and tree-lined streets. After the sumptuous meals and many glasses of wine, this is something you may really look forward to.

Alaska and the Greek islands are also incredibly scenic places for a honeymoon cruise. You can even charter your own yacht for a truly romantic honeymoon. Read more at Alaska Yacht Charters and Greek Island Yacht Charters. To help you plan a cruise, read Cruise Holidays.

If you are looking for a pristine private beach where you may not even see another soul, be prepared to pay for the exclusive experience! Below are mentioned some of the most spectacular beach resorts offering an incredible mix of seclusion, location and luxury.

Kamalame Cay, Bahamas

You arrive at this extraordinary island resort in a private ferry or a seaplane. The resort is just off Andros island in the Bahamas and covers an area of 96 acres of lush tropical vegetation. It has a 3-mile long beach and even a fresh water pool and yet there are just 19 villa suites and cottages, ensuring that each unit has a secluded beach on its doorstep. As you can expect in the Bahamas, the island’s private beach is pristine.
A barrier reef, the world’s third longest, is just a mile of the island’s shores, providing the perfect place to dive and snorkel. Kayaking, windsurfing and fishing are some of the other water activities available to the guests. A good spa refreshes and rejuvenates guests after a long day on the beach.
Kamalame Cay has a wonderful rustic feel with an understated luxury. Its 19 villas and cottages are built with local stone and have white washed walls and solid teak Indonesian furniture. Simple but elegant white muslin curtains adorn the wide windows and create an airy and spacious feel.
The seafood is incredibly fresh and the Caribbean cuisine is truly superb. You can enjoy a romantic dinner on the beach amidst tiki-torches and candles.
Best time to visit: Mid-December to Mid-April. Carry a jacket as it can get nippy at night. Temperatures range from 24°C to 29°C.

Amanpulo, Philippines

This is one of Asia’s best beach resorts and it doesn’t just have a private beach – it occupies the entire island of Pamlican.
A short flight from Manila will take you to the island’s private airstrip. From here on, you are in paradise. The beaches are absolutely fantastic and the island is ringed by a 7-km-long reef. You have your own golf cart to explore the private island.
There are 40 casitas, or traditional Philippino houses, situated on the beach, on the hill and in treetops. Each casita is spacious and has a lovely sundeck and a cavernous bathroom.
If you don’t want to stretch out on a mattress on the beach then there’s a 30-meter pool by which you can lounge. The more active guests can go snorkeling, diving, kayaking, fishing or sailing. Meals are at restaurants overlooking the sea. Spa treatments are available in two dedicated casitas, an open air hut or even in your own casita.
The décor uses a lot of wood which gives the resort a warm feel. The service is excellent and the location is simply out of this world. Perhaps that’s why it attracts a lot of honeymooners!
Best time to visit: November to May when the average temperature is 26°C and the weather is dry.

Le Taha’a Private Island & Spa, Tahiti

This is ranked as one of the most exclusive beach resorts in the world. The best way to get to the Motu Tautau coral reef on which it is located is by a 15-minute helicopter ride from Bora Bora. The resort faces Taha’a island on its lagoon side and Bora Bora on its ocean side and offers spectacular views everywhere you look. It comprises 12 beach villas and 48 Over Water Bungalows. All of them are extremely spacious and have been built in traditional Polynesian architecture.
The beach villas have their own private plunge pools, terraces and walled off gardens. The over water bungalows have a wide private deck which leads directly to the lagoon.
The resort’s three restaurants, pool and other public areas face Taha’a island and are nestled between lush coconut groves.
The Manea Spa too has a fantastic location next to a meandering pool and overlooking Taha’a island. A visit is definitely recommended.
The snorkeling near the lagoon isn’t great but you can go diving to nearby dive sites. Kayaks, pedalos, canoes and snorkeling equipment is available for free. The resort also organizes cruises and excursions for its guests.
Le Taha’a is a luxurious and romantic getaway for those who want to escape the mundane. The turquoise waters and soft, white sand on a private beach in the South Pacific make for great holiday travel.
Best time to visit: June to October when the weather is cooler and drier. The average temperature is 24°C to 30°C and the water temperature ranges between 23°C and 26°C.

Read about more Romantic Destinations. and also check out Best Hawaii Beach Destinations and Beach Holiday Destinations for more holiday travel ideas.