After a hectic wedding schedule, it is time to look forward to and plan a honeymoon that is filled with love, romance, adventure, and some wildness. Here are 10 exotic honeymoon destinations that are favoured by couples.
A honeymoon is always a memorable event in the life of the newly-married. While some stick to the old route of going to popular places such as Singapore, Switzerland, Paris, Venice, Ooty, Kodaikanal and Darjeeling, there are some who love to travel and explore some of the lesser-known destinations in the world. With adventure sports on the rise, many couples feel comfortable to try such things and strengthen their bond.
Austria
If you fell in love with the classic film Sound of Music, then you should simply head to Austria. Located amid mountain villages, Baroque architecture, snow-capped Alps, lakes and imperial history, this place is ideal for a couple who like to explore mountains and history. The zigzag roads, meadows and the umpteen numbers of lakes will make you fall in love all over again. A quiet carriage ride along the streets of Salzburg or pub-hopping in Vienna or relaxing at a hot spring in Bad Gastein will definitely give you loads of time to get to know each other better. Heading to the Alpine’s makes for a wonderful trip for taking photographs. The region is blessed with winding roads that take you to green pastures, waterfalls and snow-covered mountains. A drive down the Grossglockner is sure to make your trip a memorable one.
Best time to go: between April – May and September – October.
Kabini, Karnataka
Pic Credit: Indian Tourist Places
If you would like to spend your honeymoon in the heart of the wilderness, look no further as Kabini in Karnataka will offer you just that. This wildlife destination is very rich in flora and fauna. The Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary was once a hunting area for the British and there are several things that you can do as a couple such as going on a jungle safari, boating or visit the Nagarhole National Park. You might just cross paths with elephants, sambar and spotted deer, wild boars, sloth bears, gaurs, and if you’re lucky, tigers and panthers. Kabini is well-connected by State transport services.
Best time to go: July, August and September.
Mauritius
Pic Credt: Kuoni
This island nation in the Indian Ocean is famous for its beaches, lagoons and reefs. With rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and wildlife, there is plenty to do here. The colourful markets, temples, fusion cuisine is what Mauritius is all about. However, for adventure lovers, this place has much more than its white sandy beaches. You can climb the iconic Le Morne Brabant or visit the Seven Coloured Earths in Chamarel. Go skydiving over Cap Malheureux and you will surely have an adrenaline rush. Explore the Black River Gorges National Park to get close to nature or swimming with the dolphins in Tamarin Bay. Some of these activities are tailor-made for the newly-weds. Mauritius is popular for its food from the streets. The island also is known for its fine roads with stunning views along the way, wherein the drive from Bel Ombre to Baie du Cap has beautiful lagoon on its path. Street shopping is quite popular, too, so don’t forget to take a souvenir home.
Best time to go: April – June and September – December.
Hawaii
If you want to soak in the sun and get tipsy on refreshing cocktails, then Hawaii is your stop point. There is something for everyone in this scenic paradise. This romantic place is raw, colourful and naturally beautiful. Although Oahu is the most visited, the Big Island and Kauai are for adventure seekers. The volcanic mountains and beaches are ideal for hiking, snorkelling and scuba diving. Lounging by the beach all day sipping your drinks, booking spa sessions or even watching the sunset on the beach makes it for a romantic place for a couple. These place also have delectable food and are a must try.
Best time to go: June to August.
Maldives
The unique geography and topography of Maldives make it one-of-a-kind. The tropical nation in the Indian Ocean is our best choice for honeymooners. The place is known for its beaches, lagoons and coral reefs. It also has an intimate setting for couples to have some alone time. You could just relax on the sandy white beaches or take a swim in the lagoons or go snorkel alongside whale sharks and Manta Rays. The Maldives is made of 1,192 coral islands and the best part, is you go can choose to island hop. This is a nomadic way to spend your honeymoon. Vaadhoo Island is famous for its glowing beach which lights up in the night. If you want to do some sight-seeing then Male is the best choice. The Dhoni Cruise is a must-try; this coconut palm timber cruise boat is a good excursion ride for those who would like to explore islands.
Best time to visit: November and April.
Kashmir
If snow-capped mountains are your calling, then the Himalayas should be your destination. The place is filled with myriad landscapes, lakes, and mountains. Srinagar is the most populated city and the Jhelum River provides a variety of things to do such as boating, water skiing or watch migratory birds. The town of Bhaderwah is a beauty of its own. It has several streams and picture-perfect sceneries. The Gurez is the most scenic valley and is the perfect destination to raft on the clear blue waters of Kishanganga River. For adventure seekers, indulge in paragliding at Patnitop in the Shivalik range. Gulmarg set in the backdrop of snow-capped mountains is a skier’s paradise. The saffron fields in Shikargarh / Pulwama is a must visit too.
Best time to visit: March – October, November – January.
Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh
Pic Credit: Thrillophilia
Located at 3,048 meters above sea-level, Tawang is famous for monasteries since it is the birthplace of Dalai Lama. Tawang Monastery, founded by Mera Lama Lodre Gyatso, is the largest Buddhist monastery in India. Because of its altitude, the place has many scenic locations. The Sela Pass is a must visit, although it is covered with snow for most of the year. Jang Waterfall is a big attraction and is famous for its local handicrafts. The Shonga-tser Lake near Tawang is ideal for photography as it is surrounded by picturesque snow-capped mountains.
Best time to visit: March to June.
Bhutan
Pic Credit: ABC News
Bhutan is the new must-see destination in southern Asia and a great place for the newly-married. It is ideal for hiking, cultural adventures and enjoying the general beauty the place is famous for. Bhutan has been very slow in opening itself to tourism, allowing visitors from other countries only from 1974. The Himalayan kingdom is filled with archaeological treasures and beautiful landscapes. Tiger’s Nest monastery is a big attraction as it hangs on a cliff. To get there, one has to take a pony ride then walk a steep path to view the Paro Valley from above. You can have a bird’s-eye view of Paro Valley from the Zuri Dzong hike as well. This place is the oldest Dzong in Bhutan and is ideal to sit and simply watch the view and make memories.
Best time to visit: October to December
Krabi, Thailand
Limestone cliffs, dense mangrove forests and hundreds of offshore islands make Krabi in Thailand a holiday to remember for a lifetime. There are wondrous secrets hidden in Krabi’s numerous islands and this is what makes hundreds of tourists visit every year. The Thung Teao Forest Natural Park, which is home to many plants and animal life, has a crystal lagoon inside which is ideal for swimming. The water is naturally warm and is said to have healing properties. The Phi Phi islands are a big attraction too and you can get there by speedboat. The turquoise water and stunning beaches of Phi Phi Don is a big crowd puller. If you like geology, the fossil shellfish cemetery will be your calling. Dating back to sometime between 25 and 40 million years, the 200 meters long stretch is filled with limestone deposits.
Best time to visit: November to April
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Pic credit: Trans India Travels