Words by Jumana

With the stress of the wedding looming, the last thing you want to think about is the honeymoon. But, when all is said and done at the end of your big day, it’s always nice to have a suitcase packed and sealed with the promise of something new with your Significant Other (SO).

Each honeymoon is like a snowflake – the ridges and spikes that make up the whole experience is truly different for each couple. Is this more of a vacation than a honeymoon where you just want time to slow down while you lounge about and get massages? Or do you finally want a break from the mundane of everyday life and want something fast-paced and adventurous with your new spouse? Or rather, would you like to rest and recuperate in a never-before experienced magical environment? These decisions are yours to make, and the destinations below hit all the right spots.

Tranquillity with a hint of adventure: Egypt

Think: The Nile cruise on ‘The Mummy’ (sans fire and medjai) with the glass-like water and the stars stretching above you in the land so beautiful that all those who wanted to conquer it ended up falling in love with it.

Most people go straight from capital Cairo and hit the four- or five-day Nile cruises. We instead recommend mixing it up and staying a few nights in a Cairo Airbnb where your private jacuzzi is located in the room, overlooking the great pyramids of Giza. Make the best of the beautiful city and then head over to your Nile cruise where you spend your days relaxing (or visiting beautiful ancient sites) with your SO. If you have time to spare, the northernmost Alexandria has one of the best dive spots in the world, and it is always worth a float in the emerald salt pools of southern Siwa oasis.

Ever-changing environments and seriously good food: Vietnam

Who wouldn’t feel wonderful with warm food in the belly on a cold day amidst the tiny cities filled with beautiful Japanese architecture and Chinese temples or French colonial houses? Imagine walking hand-in-hand basking in twilight with your spouse in a land where every single local is so welcoming that you feel right at home

Moving away from this sort of tranquillity in Hoi An, what could be better than the green vitality of the Valley of Love itself in Da Lat? Get on a cruise and enjoy snorkelling and kayaking underneath the signature hills of the lake. The seafood is a must-try and it’s also worth taking a hike with your loved one to reach some peaks before sunrise.

Romantic and magical: Shimla, India

If you want to be holed up in a cabin sipping frothing hot chai and eating some of the cosiest foods in the world, look no further than Shimla during Winter and Spring. Enjoy the soft blanketing sound of fresh snow and wake up every day to a view of desktop PC wallpaper level beauty. 

Go on a food tour and eat your way through local delicacies to warm your belly after a couple’s Ayurvedic massage. Hand-in-hand and allowing yourselves to be silly, go ice-skating at open-air Circular Road -or paragliding over mountain peaks if you are a bit more daring.

Empty your camera roll! here comes: Turkey

Yes, there really is a reason why nearly everyone’s profile picture is backed with the image of a blue sky speckled with the colors of hot air balloons. This destination is one of the most fastpaced and fulfilling places with something new every time you turn. Visit the 300 year-old history of the Ottoman empire at Istanbul while taking in the town-sized Grand bazaar.

Get yourself a local Bol-Bol account and book a day trip to the charming town of Pamukkale via Denizli. Grab your loved one while strolling along the white and baby blue waters of the salt travertines and don’t forget a hot mug of Salep made with orchid roots and a hint of cinnamon. Most tour agencies and even your local hotel will be more than happy to book a day-trip to the mountains of Bursa where candied chestnuts and beautiful silk call their home.

Last, but definitely not least, we recommend spending a lot of time at the magical town of Cappadocia with its numerous hot air balloons, museum-like carpet stores, colour-changing Zultanite gemstones, amazing massages at the Harem and horseback riding at sunrise. Take it all in, underneath the beautiful canvas of a colourful hot air balloon. The Turkish food alone is reason enough to want to live there forever. We also recommend catching a flight to our next destination for under $100.

Oppa! ’nuff said: Greece

Whites, blues, bougainvillaea and lots of feta cheese. Who can say no to the beautiful cave hotels of Santorini with the sparkling Mediterranean winking back at you? Tour the ancient Acropolis with beautiful towering columns and marvel at fresh seafood inside coastal restaurants at Mykonos. The ice cream is a definite must-have. We also recommend hiring an ATV and enjoying your time exploring all the beautiful crevices of the Greek towns. Some of the most underrated things that aren’t on most honeymooners’ radar are the fact that you can snorkel beautiful underwater fauna while island-hopping and munching on some of the best Mediterranean delicacies.

No matter what you choose, each of these destinations serve to fulfil particular fancies. Whether you want alone-time with your SO, or a camera album filled with memories, it’s yours for the taking. Don’t forget to take your wedding dresses. It is also worth it to scout out the area’s Instagram beforehand and set yourself a photoshoot in your wedding attire.