By the Scribbler...
On a cold winter’s day, the Scribbler likes nothing better than thumbing through some travel brochures over a large glass of red in front of a roaring fire, sheltering away from the wet and windy weather outside and warming the cockles by dreaming of sunnier times to come.
For many newlyweds, of course, they are looking for something a little more than just another holiday.
With more flights and more routes than ever before, it has never been so easy to see the world. But with so many options, where on Earth do you start when you are planning your honeymoon?
Luckily, the experts at Audley Travel were on hand to give the Scribbler, and all those brides and grooms-to-be out there, a few ideas.
"We don’t put any badge on honeymoons other than they should be as individual as you are a couple," Audley Travel says. "Tailor-made luxury at one of our hand-picked hidden beaches resorts might be just what you've been dreaming of for the start of your life together. But if you want to mix time away from it all with a dash of adventure, you can tailor your honeymoon to include a couple of days exploring before your beach stay, on safari, picking up the pace in a city or visiting your destination's cultural heirlooms."
Remember folks, you don’t have to go on honeymoon straight away. Pick a time of year that works for you – and in fact delaying your holiday of a lifetime until a couple of months after your wedding might be the perfect remedy to those post-wedding blues.
So, what’s on offer at the different times of the year? Audley Travel takes us through some of the options across the four seasons:
Spring honeymoons
"Spring is a great time to tour South Africa and its Winelands, combine beach time with activities such as diving and whale watching in French Polynesia, or head to Malaysia for secluded islands, white sand beaches and culture."
Summer honeymoons
"Summer honeymoon hot spots include Canada, where you can explore the national parks and spot grizzly bears; Tanzania, when the great migration of the herds is at its peak; and Indonesia, home to over 17,000 islands."
Autumn honeymoons
"As the weather starts to turn, feel Morocco’s warm glow on a honeymoon in Marrakesh and the Atlas Mountains. Enjoy a wildlife honeymoon in Borneo, home to orangutans, or travel to Japan as the maple trees turn it gold and red."
Winter honeymoons
"Swap the harshness of winter for long sunny days on a joint honeymoon to the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Thailand’s beaches stand out at this time of year, but are matched by the culture you’ll experience inland."
Feeling adventurous? Here are four honeymoon destinations to whet your appetite from Audley Travel:
India’s Golden Triangle & Tigers – 11 days from £2,475 per person
"Explore the highlights of North India’s cities with the opportunity to go on the trail of the royal Bengal tiger at Ranthambhore National Park."
Honeymoon to Bali & Lombok – 18 days from £3,540 per person
"Enjoy the main highlights of Bali and Lombok with ample time to relax on the stunning beaches whilst also including the cultural area of Ubud and activities around Munduk."
Hidden Madagascar Honeymoon – 12 days from £3,995 per person
"Explore Madagascar’s forests and beaches from the beautiful Anjajavy Private Reserve, perched above white sandy beaches on the edge of the forest, perfect for viewing lemurs and relaxing."
Classic Kenya Honeymoon – 15 days from £5,505 per person
"Enjoy a luxurious safari in the Masai Mara before heading to Kenya’s tropical coast to relax on the stunning white sandy beaches."
Need more inspiration? Visit https://www.audleytravel.com/inspiration/honeymoon-ideas for more honeymoon ideas.
And remember to order yourself a LifetimesMAG Memory Mag to preserve your honeymoon memories for ever!