• Category

    Honeymoons

    Category

    When it comes to booking holidays, it’s always best to plan in advance. The earlier you book, the higher the chance is of scoring a great deal. Incentives aside, being well organized is never a bad thing. Unfortunately, things don’t always go according to plan so what do you do when disaster strikes before your honeymoon?

    Check the weather 

    Even though you may not be able to predict the weather, you can always research and see when certain natural disasters are more likely to occur. For example, hurricanes are more likely to occur between June to November in Florida, the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. If you are already there and disaster strikes, there should be specific procedures in place and safety precautions. Many places will have shelters to take cover in.

    Insurance 

    Depending on how much money you’ve invested in your honeymoon, taking travel insurance is a great option. If disaster strikes before you leave for your romantic getaway and you need to cancel, the extensive travel insurance should cover it.

    What do the experts say? 

    Travel agent, Melissa Geldenhuys from Sure Travel says travel insurance is imperative. This means that you will be covered in the event of your holiday being disrupted by any unforeseen situations.

    “Should there be a natural disaster or terrorist attack that occurs before or during the client’s travel, the airlines and tour operators would put an advisory in place on how to proceed with the travel arrangements.”

    If disaster strikes before you leave, the airline/tour operator would advise alternative travel dates that the holiday can be moved to at no cost to the client. If the client is not able to change their travel dates, a cancellation procedure would be offered. Any penalty fees not waived, could be reimbursed by the travel insurance company.

    If an incident occurs while you’re already on honeymoon, then the airlines/tour operator would advise alternative travel arrangements. This could mean moving accommodation, changing flights and evacuation procedures put in place to return clients to their home country.

    Feature image: Unsplash

    If both you and your partner are art and history lovers, then a honeymoon destination filled with museums is perfect for you.  Museums are actually quite romantic places and a great way for the newlywed couple to spend quality time together – you’ll end up learning a lot more about your partner through your discussions of the art that you see.

    These are the best places to visit if you’d like to spend your days trawling through museums:

    USA

    Filled with museums all over the country, the most famous American museums being in New York City. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is currently voted as the world’s top museum and contains more than 2 million works of art and pieces by some renowned artists. The Museum of Modern Art has an incredibly influential collection of modern art as well as performance art, architecture and design. The Guggenheim is famous for its shape alone and also has impressionist, modern and contemporary art. The National Gallery of Art in Washington features artists such as Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso.

    Metropolitan Museum of Art

    Spain

    Spain has one of the best collections of art in Europe. It is also the birthplace of famous artists such as Picasso, Dalí and Velázquez. The Museo Nacional del Prado (Prado museum) in Madrid is the most famous museum in Spain and contains works by El Greco, Goya, Velázquez, Van Dyck and Rembrandt. The Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid has Picasso’s Guernica and works by Dalí. The Picasso museum in Barcelona has a broad collection of work by the artist after whom it was named, Pablo Picasso, with over 4000 pieces. The museum itself is located within adjoining medieval palaces and the gothic architecture is also a sight to see.

    Prado Museum

    France

    The beauty of France alone is a pull-factor but the quality of museums should be too. The French are known for their romance which is another reason France is a great honeymoon destination. The Louvre, that houses the famous Mona Lisa, is the most famous museum in France but there are many other noteworthy galleries to visit, as well as street art and famous landmarks. The Musée Marmottan-Claude Monet has the world’s largest collection of works by Monet. The Orangerie Museum boasts Monet’s Waterlillies. The Musée d’Orsay is filled with impressionist and post-impressionist art and holds pieces by Monet, Van Gogh and Munch. The Pompidou Centre houses paintings by Dalí, Munch, Picasso and Matisse.

    The Louvre

    England

    The National Gallery has over 2000 paintings including works by Van Gogh,  Michelangelo, Da Vinci and Monet. The Tate Modern has great contemporary art featuring Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Diptych as well as pieces by Lichtenstein, Dalí and Picasso. The British Museum has the largest collection of artefacts in the world and works by Michelangelo, Da Vinci and Van Gogh can be found here as well. The Natural History Museum consists of dinosaur skeletons and fossils as well as a mind-blowing skeleton of a blue whale.

    Natural History Museum

    Netherlands

    The Netherlands has a wide range of museums making the country a world leader in terms of art and culture. The Van Gogh Museum is appropriately named due to the fact that it has the largest collection of works by Van Gogh. The Rijksmuseum has masterpieces by Vermeer and Rembrandt. The Anne Frank museum, located in the actual house where she and her family hid during the Nazi occupation, serves to educate visitors about her story.

    Rijksmuseum

    South Africa

    South Africa is a beautiful country and popular honeymoon destination on its own but it made this list thanks to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (MOCCA). The building itself was made from a converted grain silo and serves to celebrate the structure’s industrial heritage. The Zeitz is the biggest contemporary art museum in Africa and the largest museum of contemporary African art in the world.

    Zeitz MOCCA at the Silo Hotel

    Images: Pixabay

    Most people know a ‘honeymoon’ as the trip you and your partner take after the wedding. Newlywed couples either set off directly after the reception or after a couple of days. Believe it or not, but the ‘honeymoon’ was not always known as the romantic getaway we know today. So how did it start?


    Merriam-Webster’s honeymoon definition is ‘a period of harmony immediately following marriage’, ‘a period of unusual harmony especially following the establishment of a new relationship’ and ‘a trip or vacation taken by a newly married couple’. Their first known use dates back all the way to 1546.

    The term was used to describe the first month of marriage. Honey meaning sweet and great, and moon relating to the period of time (a month), not Earth’s natural satellite. So essentially, the honeymoon referred to the first month of marriage while it’s blissful and lovely and you’re oh-so-inlove.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Porque o amor e a felicidade andam de mãos dadas! Alberobello – Puglia – Itália ? @claudiaraia

    A post shared by Be Happy Viagens (@behappyhoneymoon) on

    In the 19th century, however, couples from Great Britain would go on a bridal tour of sorts, which entailed the newlywed couple visiting family and friends that weren’t able to make it to their wedding.

    Nowadays, couples go on honeymoon for a little holiday after the wedding. It’s time away from the ‘real’ world where they can focus on each other, relax and just enjoy themselves.

    Image: Pexels

    After the stress and excitement of the wedding, we can’t think of a better way to give your soul some therapy than to get into nature. Hiking is a great way to explore, reconnect with and appreciate the beauty of nature.

    These are some of the best places to go hiking around the world, thanks to the variety and diversity within them.

    Canada

    With sky-high mountains and an endless number of different landscapes, Canada provides an exceptional hiking experience. Within the landscapes you will find lakes, mountains, forests and lots of wildlife. Due to the vast land area, there are hiking opportunities that range from easy to difficult.

    Banff, Canada

    USA

    Consists of hundreds of thousands of hiking trails and is extremely diverse in terms of landscapes. There are deserts, mountains, rainforests etc. Hiking in the U.S. is protected by the National Park Service and they ensure the preservation of the trails and scenery. You’ll be able to experience ample views, mighty trees, rocky ledges and endless canyons.

    Yosemite National Park

    Norway

    Norway has a reputation for being one of the best hiking destinations in the world, and it is well deserved. There is no better way to experience and see all of Norway’s beauty than by foot. It has jagged mountains and a large scenic variety that is so beautiful it will take your breath away.

    Trolltunga, Norway

    South Africa

    Known for its diverse landscapes and stunning views, South Africa has hiking trails that suit every fitness level. There is no better way to explore the terrain and discover indigenous flora and fauna than by trekking through it.

    Otter Trail, South Africa

    Nepal

    A famous hiking destination thanks to Mount Everest with people travelling from all over the world to get a glimpse of the world’s highest mountain. But hiking in Nepal is not only limited to Mount Everest. In fact, Nepal is home to 8 of the top 10 highest mountains in the world. Hiking in Nepal is a truly unique experience as many of the beautiful landscapes are only accessible by foot.

    Himalayas, Nepal

    New Zealand

    Home to the ‘Great Walks’ – amazing trails that allow one to experience the diverse and breathtaking scenery. There are walking and hiking options for all levels. Discover the range of scenery from snowcapped mountains to lush forests.

    Tongariro National Park

    Images: Pixabay

    Going on safari for your honeymoon will be one of those ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences. It is the perfect trip to take after a wedding as it is a chance for the newlyweds to really relax and escape from the city life. A real safari is of course only accessible within Africa and while there are so many places one can visit, these safari spots have the most to offer. And of course, there’s nothing quite like an African sunset.

    Uganda

    Although you might not be able to see the big 5, there is plenty to see on a Ugandan safari. Uganda’s volcanic past is visible in the landscape and there are over 600 species of bird, tree climbing lions, hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and many primate species – after all, Uganda is best known for its gorilla trekking.

    Tree-climbing lion

    Kenya

    It’s very possible that you will see the big 5 as well as the rare black rhino and, if you’re lucky, lions on the hunt during the wildebeest migration from August to November. Kenya is also famous for its big cat populations and is extremely focused on ecotourism. All in all, a great safari option.

    Wildebeest migration

    Tanzania

    While there are not many elephants and rhinos, the large open grasslands provide a grazing spot for zebras and wildebeest, as well as allow for easier predator sightings and the lack of trees makes leopard spotting much easier. It’s also likely that you will see a lion kill between the months of November to July, during the migration.

    Leopard

    Zimbabwe

    A Zimbabwean safari is not very well known which makes for uncrowded parks. You can expect to see plenty of elephants, the black rhino, African wild dogs and bat-eared foxes. Other animals that are also often spotted are lions and large herds of buffalo. It’s also a lovely place for bird watching with over 400 species of bird.

    Elephant

    Botswana

    Having one of the highest quantities of wildlife, Botswana is a pretty safe safari option. With the reintroduction of the white and black rhino, it is possible to see the big 5. It’s home to the largest elephant herds in Africa and a great deal of lion, buffalo, leopard and wild dogs. You also might be fortunate enough to see some interactions between the lions and buffalos. Another perk is that it is just a day’s trip away from Victoria falls.

    Buffalo

    South Africa

    The most reliable safari destination for sightings of the big 5 thanks to having more mammals than all other African game reserves. There are also over 500 bird species. Other notable animals include cheetahs, wild dogs, hippos, and many more. South Africa is the best option for first timers.

    Lilac-breasted roller

    Images: Pixabay

     

    If you want to experience a different life from your everyday, immerse yourself and learn about other cultures, then these are the honeymoon destinations for you.

    Singapore

    Where East meets West – Singapore is a fusion of Asian, European and Middle Eastern cultures. With many different religions existing harmoniously, Singapore sees its diversity as a strength, and you will see it too.

    Sri Mariamman Temple

    Cambodia

    Filled with ancient temples, rice paddies and a surprisingly sophisticated urban scene, Cambodia is where ancient and modern worlds collide.

    Angkor Wat

    Brazil

    Brazil has a colourful culture with countless festivals across the country that celebrate its diversity, the most famous being the Carnaval. Music is a large part of Brazilian culture as it allows the people to express their joy of life.

    Carnival of Brazil

    Greece

    Known as the birthplace of Western culture and democracy as Greek beliefs in democratic governments and equality influenced our modern democracies. Besides that, Greece is flush with ancient ruins, festivals and holidays.

    Meteora

    Turkey

    Thanks to the multi-ethnic and religious Ottoman empire, traditions of Mediterranean and Central Asian cultures were brought together. Turkey is also home to world-famous ruins and monuments.

    Ephesus

    Morocco 

    Having ties to Africa, Europe and the Middle East, Morocco has done very well in taking the best traditions and making them new. You will be able to see the cultural diversity in the many different architectural wonders.

    Hassan II Mosque

    Images: Pixabay

     

    For those that can ski or want to learn, a ski trip is arguably one of the best holidays one can take. Your days are filled with fun activity and at night you can do as you please – go for a nice meal, relax and get cosy.

    If this sounds like something you’d be interested in to do on your honeymoon, take a look at these great ski destinations:

    Canada

    If you’re looking for spectacular terrain, wide and quiet slopes and knee deep powder, then Canada is the place for you.

    USA

    The US is known for world class skiing as the large variety of resorts means you can find whatever you’re looking for, as well as pistes for every level of skiing.

    France

    France is the most popular skiing destination in Europe due to its high altitudes and, as a result, reliable conditions.

    Switzerland

    Filled with classic ski towns, high altitudes and great snow records. The only downside is the cost as Switzerland is the most expensive skiing destination in Europe.

    Austria

    Home of Après-ski: a fun and cheaper European ski holiday, as well as tree-lined slopes and the best ski lift systems. The lower altitudes mean less snow but this is combatted with snowmaking.

    Japan

    With consistent light powdered snow, uncrowded slopes and beautiful mountain vistas, it’s understandable that Japan has some of the best ski resorts in the world.

    Images: Pixabay

    After the romantic wedding, comes the romantic honeymoon. Whether you’re jet-setting overseas for an island getaway or heading up the coast of your homeland, there are bound to be endless options of exciting things to do together.

    Here are a few ideas for honeymoon inspiration.

    1. Scuba diving

    Exploring on foot is one thing but getting to know the underwater world is unlike any other experience. With a team of trained professionals, you and your partner can dive deep and explore the oceanic wonders. It really is a world of its own. It’s also the perfect opportunity to snap some unique pics together.

    2. Hiking

    If you’re on a beach honeymoon, then there’s bound to be a viewpoint of sorts. If you and your partner are quite active, you will enjoy spending some time in the great outdoors. It’s a chance to get in touch with nature and appreciate the beauty of the natural world. Think of those breath-taking scenes that will paint the perfect backdrop for your honeymoon photos.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    #RoysPeak (Post 1 of many ?) When we hike, I used to be the only psycho one about taking a million photos of the beauty that surrounded us. Then we got selfie stick and for this trip, a #GoProHero, and @ssteview started taking just as many photos and videos as me! (Alright maybe not quite as much as me, but enough for a happy wife ?.) It isn’t every day that we get the pleasure of hiking 11km and over 4,000 feet in elevation gain, but I love looking back at all these pictures we took along the way. This hike was a tough one and took 6 hours or so to complete, but the views were stunning from the very start and we even got to see some sheep along the way! (Stay tuned for that!) Oh and if you look close enough in the last picture, you will see me struggling to get up the last stretch! ? . . #nz #royspeaktrack #newzealand #honeymoonhike #honeymoon #honeymoondestination #queenstown #wanaka #mustdonz #nzmustdo #mustseenz #nzmustsee @purenewzealand #purenewzealand #beautifuldestinations #beautifulplaces @beautiful.newzealand #earthpix @earthpix @newzealandtrails @newzealandguide #southisland #southislandnewzealand #southislandnz #nzsouthisland

    A post shared by Christine Marie (@cwludyga11) on

    3. Get to know the locals

    Exploring the local town you are staying in, is best done on foot. It gives you the chance to interact and talk to the locals, to find out inside information on hidden gems, like restaurants or things to see in the town. It also gives you the chance to immerse yourself in the the culture. This helps you to gain a whole new perspective on a place you were once unfamiliar with.

    4. Appreciate the beauty

    If walking, hiking and diving aren’t for the newly wed couple, you can simply just appreciate the beauty. Spend your days on the balcony, on the beach under a palm tree or on a guided tour of your destination. Make sure you enjoy the sunrises and sunsets. Take a stroll by the ocean and venture out for romantic candle lit dinners. This is your honeymoon after all.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Till the end of time ❤️ #honeymoon

    A post shared by Erica Tenggara (@ericatenggarayoga) on

    5. Sky diving or parasailing

    If you’re looking for an extreme honeymoon be sure to check out sky diving. Enjoy the adrenaline rush while you and your partner embark on this adventure. If sky diving is a bit too extreme, opt for parasailing behind a boat. Both get you sky high and are a thrill-seeker’s dream come true.

    6. Dancing

    Where there is people, there is dancing. Even if you have two left feet dancing can be so much fun. Ask aorund for local dancing spots near where you’re staying and head out. It’s romantic and exhilarating. Enjoy the wiggle and laugh.

    7. Spa day

    While a couples spa day is appropriate on any honeymoon, take some time to spoil yourselves wherever you choose to go. Indulge in a hot rock massage, relaxing in a steam room or soothing facial. Some spa’s even have couple packages so you and your partner don’t have to loose any time together.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Couples who spa at Shine Spa together stay together.

    A post shared by WHAT’S NEW Bali (@whatsnewbali) on

    Picture: Unsplash

    Some couples want to relax on the beach, others want an adventure-filled honeymoon and some want the food and wine experience. If that’s you, take a look at these places known for their excellent food and wine.

    France

    With gastronomy and champagne originating in France as well as being one of the largest wine producing countries in the world, it is an obvious choice for a honeymoon destination.

    French vineyard

    Italy

    You’ll find Italian food all over the world, but no-one does it quite like the locals. Italy also has a large variety of unique wines and of course, prosecco.

    Italian winery

    Spain

    Food and wine is a part of the Spanish culture and with its mixture of traditional and experimental recipes, its easy to see why.

    Spanish food market

    Argentina

    Argentina is famous for its grilling, new-world cuisine and wine production with Spanish roots making for a great honeymoon destination.

    Argentine vineyard

    South Africa

    Although not necessarily known for its food and wine, South Africa boasts world class cuisine and is filled with wine farms and reasonable pricing.

    South African wine region

    Tunisia

    With French and African influenced food combinations, fully flavoured and spiced dishes, and a full history of wine production, Tunisia is an overlooked destination for foodies and wine lovers.

    Tunisian spice market

    Images: Pixabay

    There is no right or wrong answer to what a newlywed couple should do on their honeymoon. You should do what feels right for you and what you are interested in. If seeing some of the most beautiful and natural sights in the world is something you want to tick off your bucket list, then consider these places:

    Peru

    Peru is known for its ancient ruins and beautiful museums, as well as delicious food and rich culture.

    Machu Picchu

    Australia

    A variety of culture and sights to see made all the more enjoyable by the friendly locals.

    Great barrier reef

    Scandinavia

    Full of natural wonders and an impressive stance on ecotourism and sustainability.

    Northern Lights

    USA

    The USA comprises of many landscapes, climates and yes, even natural wonders.

    Antelope Canyon

    Zambia

    Home to a vast wilderness and diverse wildlife bringing you a new adventure every day.

    Victoria Falls

    South Africa

    One of the places that seems to have it all, sightseeing being one of them.

    Cape Town

    Images: Pixabay

    Feature image: Unsplash