Going to Italy, France or Thailand for your honeymoon has now become a pretty cliché choice... it is something that a lot of couples are doing these days, and more or less a lot of common destinations have been done and dusted as honeymoon destinations for Indian couples. So if you are in the stages of planning your honeymoon, how about you get a little more adventurous and go to an offbeat, new age destination to experience new things? Not only is it going to be something you're gonna cherish forever, but experience places like never before! And to make things easier for you, we've actually dished out the secrets from some top planners on the offbeat places, the things to do there, the costs involved and why they recommend it!
Photo Courtesy: Manoj Kagra Photography
We asked some leading companies who are into Handcrafted Honeymoons, to tell us their preferences for an offbeat honeymoon and why they recommend the place...
Why it's awesome: With coastline that stretches from the Sea of Cortez to the Pacific Ocean, and 350 sunny days a year, Los Cabos is Mexico's ultimate seaside escape. It's endless summer at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, and the sister towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo offer distinct experiences that range from all-night bar crawls to Thursday night Art Walks.
Duration: 4 nights
Budget: Approx 6000 USD onwards
The Experts Recommend: "
Spoil your better half with lots of romantic activities like private cinema on the beach, wear the chef whites and toss up a meal for her, go swimming with the dolphins."
Why it's awesome: It is the island’s laid-back atmosphere and rich culture found in its small towns and along its one-lane bridges that make it truly timeless, perfect for a honeymoon!
Duration: 2-3 nights
Budget: Approx 3000 USD onwards
The Experts Recommend: "
Beyond Kauai’s dramatic beauty, the island is home to a variety of outdoor activities. Kayak the Wailua River, Snorkel on Poipu Beach. Hike the trails of Kokee State Park. Even go ziplining above Kauai’s lush valleys."
Why it's awesome: In all probability, you've never heard of this exact destination before, but if you both are hardcore nature lovers with an adventurous streak, then this is the destination for you!
Duration: 3 nights
Budget: Approx 2500 USD onwards
The Experts Recommend: "
Taking a microlight flight to get a bird eyes view of this spectacular show of nature is a must do! You can even try out bungee jumping, kayaking, abseil and white-water rafting!"
Why it's awesome: Fiji is practically synonymous to Paradise. Along with exotic luxury, Fiji offers excellent hospitality which perfectly matches what honeymooners look out for.
Duration: 4 nights
Budget: Approx 4000 USD onwards
The Experts Recommend: "
Rent a private island exclusively for the two of you, dive into the pristine blue warm waters right from your dining table, enjoy private dinners at a location of your choice or get dirty on a quad biking adventure!"
Why it's awesome: Whilst Port wine still remains Porto’s most famous export, life here is anything but aged. The city is truly vibrant and visitors can be assured of a great nightlife, daring restaurants and a blossoming cultural scene.
Duration: 2-3 nights
Budget: Approx 1500 Euro onwards
The Experts Recommend: "
Port cellar and Port Tasting, the great night life- from restaurants serving fine foods through to trendy clubs that are open until sunrise. Drive through the scenic Douro river valley."
Why it's awesome: This arid, volcanic rock of just eight square miles is home to an eclectic mix of iguanas, fabulous beaches as well as luxury yachts, designer boutiques, and celebrities. It is certainly the most unusual of the French West Indies islands.
Duration: 3 nights
Budget: Approx 5000 USD onwards
The Experts Recommend: "
Sun-bathe on the beach, relax on a luxury yacht, take a submarine trip into the blues, shop till you drop!"
Jay from
Ant On The Globe, which is into hyper-customised honeymoons lists out his top offbeat honeymoon destinations.
Why it's awesome: A gorgeous island located somewhere between Europe and North Africa in the Mediterranean Sea, Malta is a fairly unexplored island from a tourist point of view, one that has all the makings of becoming the next big island tourist destination!
Duration: 8 days
Budget: Starting at Rs. 1,74999 per person
The Expert Recommends: "Malta is the ultimate round the year destination for the well travelled, includes ultra premium services like vintage horse ride tour of the city, 1940's Rolce Royce transfers etc"
Why it's awesome: That NY is awesome and popular is no secret, but not so much from a honeymoon point of view. You'll be surprised at what all it has to offer as there are literally a million things to do there!
Duration: 12 days
Budget: Starting 186,999 per person
The Expert Recommends: "NY is good, especially for a couple who have dated for a long time. The world's best food, best shopping, lovely bars, happy locals, happening nightlife- million to-do things like walk on the Brooklyn Bridge or the beaches or take amazing day trips!"
Why it's awesome: A South East Asian country that is not-so-frequented by Indians as the other ones, Cambodia surprisingly has a lot to offer for the perfect honeymoon! Plus, it can double up as a budget destination if you want!
Duration: 9 days
Budget: Starting 1,08999 per person
The Expert Recommends: "It is a place you both can explore together, has the best-in-class hospitality, some really good boutique and premium properties, not to mention the untouched local experiences, great Khmer Spas and a rookie nightlife!"
Why it's awesome: Spain is really picking up as a standalone honeymoon destination rather than as a part of a Euro trip, as there's so much to do in this gorgeous country!
Duration: 12 days
Budget: Starting 1,68999 per person
The Expert Recommends: "Spain has the correct mix of romantic architecture, cobbled streets, excellent beaches, quirky shopping, nightlife and happy local vibes!"
So, where are you planning to go?
A Travel Duet and
Ant on The Globe both provide customised honeymoons based on couple recommendations, so the prices are merely indicative of their basic packages. Click on the links for more information.
