Looking for honeymoon inspiration? Be inspired by JLife’s round-up of top suggestions for 2017.
Far-flung beaches, whizzy city breaks or something a little bit different? It can be tricky deciding where to celebrate the start of your marriage. There is so much choice out there and, with dedicated honeymoon packages available across the continents, you can literally go anywhere in the world to indulge in a special post-wedding treat. Help is here, though! To guide you in your choice, JLife spoke to Jonathan Tighe, managing director of Oakwood Travel.
Before setting your sights on a particular destination, Jonathan has some key advice: “When planning a honeymoon, it’s important to think about when you’re going. So, if you’re getting married in the summer and plan on going away straight after your wedding, you might want to avoid booking the Caribbean as August is the height of hurricane season over there.
“Equally important when choosing where you go is considering your commitments at home. If you both need to be back in the office or are particularly time-conscious for other reasons, it is worth considering a weekend city break rather than a fortnight away.”
With these suggestions in mind, Jonathan makes his predictions for the hotspots in 2017.
The Popular Crowd
There are destinations that will always be popular among honeymooners. “The beaches at Bali, the blue waters of Mauritius and the Maldives…these are all locations that offer romance and will forever be the places where couples want to go,” explains Jonathan. “In fact, I once booked a full wedding in Mauritius where the bride and groom were over there for three weeks and they were then joined by their guests before being left to enjoy the rest of their time there, so they got to really enjoy the island. This sort of package works well for smaller weddings and also, I was told, worked out cheaper for the couple than if they had wed in the UK.”
It’s Not Unusual
While picturesque islands and laidback beaches are a go-to option for many honeymooners, some are opting for something a little bit different – and chillier: “A lot of people are mixing skiing with ranching in North America,” says Jonathan. “Also, some of the more unusual destinations that are being booked for honeymoons include colder locations like Iceland, Lapland and Norway. This is because couples are chasing the Northern Lights.”
Up-and-Coming
“Touring holidays around South America – usually visiting Chile, Argentina, Peru and Brazil – are becoming increasingly common. This type of holiday is designed for couples who want to spend their time seeing as much of South America as they can and they pack in a lot during their visit.”
Stay Close
For something a little closer to home, Jonathan recommends heading to the ‘king of Europe’: “For selection and quality, Italy has it all, from skiing in the Alps and beautiful train journeys on the Orient Express to the Amalfi drive and a tour of Sicily. Plus, there are the cities: Rome, Milan, Bologna… There is something to suit every couple and Italy is just a two-hour flight from the UK.”
A Classic Choice
We will always have Paris – literally: “Paris will always be a popular choice for honeymooners, and this year sees the re-launches and openings of a lot of five-star hotels, including The Ritz, which has been refurbished for 2017. However, this is a real high-end option, so the £3,500 budget that might get you a beach stay in the Caribbean will get you a long weekend at one of these luxury hotels in the French capital. It’s an opportunity to really splash out.”
Jonathan’s Personal Favourite
“Personally, I love South Africa and it’s my hot tip for 2017. A lot of people follow the Garden Route, which covers 200km and offers an itinerary that takes in the South African scenery. It’s high season between November and March there, so if your wedding is later this year, it’s well worth considering the country as a honeymoon option. Plus, it’s currently one of the few destinations where the pound is worth anything.”
Top Tips
Jonathan has some additional words of wisdom, should you be booking now:
- The Caribbean is still a good choice right now. High season is from November to March.
- If you are thinking of booking North America, be sure to budget wisely as it is currently an expensive option.
- …Canada, however, is a better option for now.