My fiance and I are in the process of planning our honeymoon. We have decided that we would like to go somewhere outside of India, as we would be going to destinations within India later on, and because it is our honeymoon we want to be somewhere different. I would like to get some suggestions and advice on which honeymoon places out of India we should consider. Please only experienced or knowledgeable travelers reply.
Hi there, welcome to the forum! (Images from Tommie Hansen, Mike Behnken, Nattu, Lerdsuwa and Arian Zwegers) Overview For the engaged individuals, the honeymoon is always an integral part of the marriage experience. Most couples look out for an amazing yet serene honeymoon, one that they can look back to at every point of their life in the future. As such, choosing the honeymoon destination is every bit as important as the wedding itself. Many opt to look for serene honeymoon destinations around India, which is a good choice in itself as you don't need to venture far from home to find beautiful honeymoon spots. On the other hand, some couples opt to venture further from the country, in order to experience something a bit different from the usual. If you're on the latter category, here are some of the best honeymoon destinations out of India that you can choose from. Honeymoon Places Out of India For the (lavish) hopeless romantics... 1. Venice (Italy) - A city of different islands interconnected by different canals and lagoons, Venice has long been in the must visit list of honeymoon couples. After all, what could be more romantic than a gondola ride under the moonlight? It is also one of the most visited cities in the world, with over 50,000 tourists a day. But if you know the right time to visit, preferably in February to March or from September to October, then you won't have to settle with the crowds. Venice has a long history behind it, having been founded as early as the 421 AD. The islands around Venice were expanded using piles of pines, which hardens when in water, and most of the structures were laid upon wooden platforms. The numerous palaces, churches and other structures around Venice float amidst these wooden piles. Most tourists begin by reaching the Grand Canal, the lifeline of the Venetian water transportation. Surrounded by Victorian era, Gothic-style buildings, the experience is every bit as surreal, taking you back to the bygone era. The best way of touring the canal is by obtaining a pass for the water bus, this way, you can just board and de-board the bus to reach your other destinations for the whole day. From the outside, the Doges' Palace looks quite stunning, with its Venetian Gothic style of architecture. But the truth is, this palace holds more than just beauty, because at a point in time, this was the hub for the government and judiciary system of Venice. As you cross over the Bridge of Sighs and into the prison cells, you'd feel a sheer eerie vibe. But despite this, the stucco work on the ceilings of the different parts of palace would then leave you mesmerised. Just a few kilometres away from the palace is the Basilica Di San Marco, a church of intricate stucco works on its ceilings and even on its floors. Its uneven floors can be very challenging to walk through but also can be quite fun. For the art lovers, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is another must visit. It's fairly small museum set upon the house of Peggy Guggenheim and has various collections of the American heiress including works of Jackson Pollock, Salvador Dali and Edigio Constantine. Last place that you cannot miss is the Campo Del Ghetto, once the area of the city where Jews lived during the ancient Venetian era. There are synagogues and memorials here too, dedicated to the Jews who died during the holocaust. Average Cost of Flight from Delhi - Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 35,000 Stay Duration Required - Three to Five Days Must Visit Attractions - Grand Canal, Doges' Palace, Basilica Di San Marco, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Campo Del Ghetto and many more 2. Montreux (Switzerland) - Switzerland, just the name of it can make anyone's heart swoon. A popular honeymoon getaway, Switzerland has many places that boasts of natural beauty and history. One of which is Montreux, a picturesque municipality, just three hours away from the capital, Zurich. With the backdrop of the alps and a central lake at their expanse, Montreux is sure to delight the honeymoon couples. While there isn't much you can do here, the views are enough to make you fall in love with the place. Even notable musicians such as David Bowie and Freddie Mercury were mesmerised by the beauty of Montreux. This is an idyllic place, where it's perfectly fine to just stay in your room, enjoying the views of the lake and the alps just behind it. Alongside the famed Geneva Lake is the Montreux Promenade, where the blue skies reflecting upon the lake can be clearly seen. Walking along the promenade, hand in hand, might just be the highlight of your every day in Montreux. Walk a bit further and you'd reach the Chateau De Chillon, a medieval castle that is surely the highlight of every little girl's dream. As you walk amidst its stone staircases and walls, you'd feel as if you're a princess, or a prince, exploring your own mansion. Many tourists also take the train ride to reach the Rochers De Naye, about 10 kilometres away from the former attraction, also reachable by car but on a hilly terrain. It is famous because it is the home of the real Santa Claus, although the views of the mountains here are quite stunning too. Last is the Corniche Lavaux Vineyards, which is approachable by train too or by foot from Montreux. An amazing view of the Geneva Lake, the grape vineyards and the surrounding greenery awaits you here. Average Cost of Flight from Delhi - Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 75,000 Stay Duration Required - Two to Three Days Must Visit Attractions - Geneva Lake, Montreux Promenade, Chateau De Chillon, Rochers De Naye and Corniche Lavaux Vineyards Chateau De Chillon in Montreux (Image from Fawaz Al-Arbash) Where thrilling experiences await you... 3. Masai Mara (Kenya) - The world's best wildlife safari can only be found in Kenya, in the name of the Masai Mara National Reserve. This reserve is found about 6 hours away from the capital of Kenya, Nairobi. What sets this reserve apart, perhaps from the reserves in other countries, is that it is mostly of open grasslands so spotting wildlife is easier. Notable for the presence of the big five in the reserve, the African lion, the African elephant, the African leopard, the buffalo and rhinoceros, it has piqued the interest of wildlife lovers alike. If you are an adventurous couple, spotting wildlife won't be a challenge here. But are you prepared for the gruesome and brutal part? Because it is also not uncommon to spot kills of the kings of the forests and also leopards, as well as cheetahs, when in the reserve. All these aspects can make for a very unforgettable honeymoon experience. Further, you get to stay in a camp in a buffer area of the reserve, without any fences at all, which makes the wildlife experience even more authentic. Other commonly spotted animals here are giraffes, zebras, wildebeests and gazelles, all out in the open, which means picture perfect opportunities. Average Cost of Flight from Delhi - Rs. 27,000 to Rs. 37,000 Stay Duration Required - Four to Eight Days Must Spot Animals - African Lions, African Elephants, African Leopards, Buffaloes, Rhinoceroses, Giraffes, Zebras and many more Masai Mara in Kenya (Image from Julian Mason) 4. Pokhara (Nepal) - Why venture too far out when right at India's backyard is an adventure destination? Pokhara can even be reached by bus or train from Delhi so you can go this way if you'd like to save some money. But even then, flights to Kathmandu are very affordable especially during off-peak season. From Kathmandu, Pokhara is under six hours away, which you can cover with a cab or bus. Pokhara is an adventurer's paradise and it is mainly popular for paragliding. It's inevitable though because aside from the stable weather conditions, paragliding around Pokhara means enjoying the undulating views of the Himalayas. There are many paragliding companies around Pokhara but rates usually average between Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000 per session. Zip lining is yet another adventurous activity that Pokhara is known for. Zip Flyer Nepal is renowned for having the world's longest and steepest zip line. What could be more thrilling than a tandem ride of zip lining as you venture into the steep heights, with distant views of the Himalayas and the Seti river below? There are also numerous treks around Pokhara that you can undertake, most popular ones are that of Poon Hills, Sarangkot and Annapurna. Other activities like water rafting, canoeing and canyoning are also done in the Seti river. Finally, sky diving can also be done in Pokhara, specifically in the western side of the Phewa lake. With all these adventures, you're sure to have a thrilling honeymoon unlike any other. Average Cost of Flight from Delhi - Rs. 3,700 to Rs. 10,500 Stay Duration Required - Four to Eight Days Must Try Activities - Paragliding, Zip Lining, Trekking, Water Rafting, Canoeing, Canyoning and Sky Diving Lazing on the beach, hands held together... 5. Maldives - Let's admit it, Maldives is the ultimate honeymoon dream destination of couples. White sandy beaches, teeming marine life and such a posh atmosphere, all combine to make it the most romantic beach destination in the world. On the other hand, Maldives is definitely not on the cheaper side, considering the flight fare and the accommodation rates. The good news is that you're bound to enjoy the peace and serenity when in this luxurious honeymoon destination. Some couples opt to stay in higher end island resorts like in Nalaguraidhoo Island or in Angaga Island. With such resorts, you get packages that are all-in, meaning you pay one time and you get all the necessary meals, room, activities and sightseeing that you need. On the other hand, to make Maldives a bit more economical, several islands have been opened up for tourism, with more affordable guest houses like the Biyadhoo Island and the Fulidhoo Island. In the capital, Male, you can enjoy visiting some historical sites. The oldest mosque in Maldives, the Hukuru Miskiy, is located here although the present structure was just built in the 16th century. The Grand Friday Mosque is the country's largest mosque, impossible to miss because of its pure white facade and golden dome. Also worth visiting is the National Museum of Maldives, as it holds important artefacts once used by the monarchs of the country. Snorkelling can also be done in most islands of the country but scuba diving can only be done on deeper areas of the water so arrange for this activity through your hotel or guest house. Average Cost of Flight from Delhi - Rs. 16,000 to Rs. 30,000 Stay Duration Required - Four to Five Days Must Visit Attractions - Nalaguraidhoo Island, Angaga Island, Hukuru Miskiy, Biyadhoo Island, Fulidhoo Island, Grand Friday Mosque and National Museum of Maldives 6. Seychelles - Lying off the Indian ocean is the archipelago country of Seychelles, a part of the African continent. The best part about Seychelles is that they don't require any visas for citizens of other countries to visit them. To best describe Seychelles, it is a paradise, with unending white sand beaches, tropical rainforests, pristine and untouched by commercialisation. The beaches here are the epitome of virgin and the forests are as lush as they could ever be. One island is usually inhabited by a high end resort, making your honeymoon as serene and peaceful as you'd want it to be. You won't need to do sightseeing much when in Seychelles, because the inviting turquoise waters would lure you in. Snorkelling and scuba diving are your best adventure activities because there are restrictions to motorised sports here to further conserve the delicate landscapes of the region. Unlike other beach destinations, Seychelles has many trails to explore, natural and full of wildlife. For that, venture into the Morne Seychellois National Park, Vallee De Mai National Park or Curieuse Island where nature is bountiful as well as animals. Beach recommendations would have to be the famous Anse Source D' Argent and the lesser known Anse Lazio. Average Cost of Flight from Delhi - Rs. 46,000 to Rs. 60,000 Stay Duration Required - Four to Five Days Must Visit Attractions - Morne Seychellois National Park, Vallee De Mai National Park, Curieuse Island, Anse Source D' Argent and Anse Lazio Seychelles (Image from Jean-Marie Hullot) Affordable yet stunning... 7. Koh Lao Liang (Thailand) - While Thailand is known for Phuket and Krabi, these are quite overcrowded beaches not suitable much for a honeymoon. As such, you need to go out of the regular route, into a lesser known destination, Koh Lao Liang. From the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, you need to reach the Don Mueang Airport and from there, ride another plane to Trang Airport (About Rs. 2,140/Person). Once in Trang, you need to ride a boat again to reach Koh Lao Liang itself, about an hour away. Koh Lao Liang are twin islands, made of magnificent limestone walls. The two islands have a northern section, the Little Brother, and a southern section, the Big Brother. Of the two islands, you can stay in the Little Brother side, where there's a small resort providing tented accommodations for tourists. Keep in mind that Koh Lao Liang is not a developed tourist destination yet, so there are limited tourist facilities here. However, the serenity, the pristine nature of the beaches and the natural beauty of the surroundings are enough to make one enjoy the place. Activities like rock climbing, kayaking, snorkelling and scuba diving can also be done on the islands. Average Cost of Flight from Delhi - Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 18,000 Stay Duration Required - Three to Four Days Must Visit Attractions - Little Brother and Big Brother 8. Lombok (Indonesia) - Reachable by a ferry ride away from Bali is the island of Lombok. Unlike the favoured tourist destination of Bali, Lombok is relatively less crowded and more pristine. One of the main beaches here is the Selong Belanak Beach, a stretch of white sandy shores with turquoise waters. It is also popular as a surfing destination because the waves here are quite rough. Take a boat ride and reach the Gili Islands, divided into three different sub-islands. Avoid the Gili Trawangan and Gili Air islands though, venture into the Gili Meno, located between these two islands. Boasting of its tranquility, it has been dubbed as the honeymooner's island as well. You can also reach the Pink Beach of Indonesia, approachable by a boat ride or road travel from the centre of Lombok. The pinkish hued sands are a result of the red corals that reside in the waters of the beach. It's best visited early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is very clear and warm. Also worth visiting is the Tanjung Aan Beach, where sunsets are best enjoyed. Although swimming here is a bit risky, because the sea floor is rampaged by stones, snorkelling and scuba diving can be enjoyed at the deeper parts of the beach. Average Cost of Flight from Delhi - Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 20,000 Stay Duration Required - Five to Seven Days Must Visit Attractions - Selong Belanak Beach, Gili Islands, Pink Beach and Tanjung Aan Beach Pink Beach in Lombok (Image from Schristia) Unique experiences to remember... 9. Paro Valley (Bhutan) - Ready for an adventure of a lifetime? Then head on over to Paro Valley in Bhutan, as an unconventional honeymoon awaits you. You can reach Bhutan either by air or by land from India so you have many options for travelling. Bhutan is very friendly to India so tourists from the country are welcomed in the happiest place on Earth. If you love scenic natural attractions, vibrant culture plus locals, enchanting landscapes and inspiring monasteries, Paro Valley is the place to be. The Taktsang Palphug Monastery is reachable after two to three hours of trekking from the centre of the city itself. The trek would take you around pine forests, with climbing steps and sometimes, steep in some parts. You would reach a view point halfway to your journey as well. The monastery at the top is very simple, with views of the valleys below as well. The trek can easily take a whole day, both ways, so plan accordingly. Rinpung Dzong is the Buddhist centre of the city, built around the 15th century but later expanded in the 16th century. It has a traditional Buddhist architecture, but its smaller size makes it more tranquil and serene. Next is the Kichu Lakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in the region. It was built over the 8th century and has a bright facade that makes it stand out from the surroundings. Last is the Drukgyel Dzong, a monastery and fortress built in the middle of the 16th century. Most of the structure is in ruins now but still provide one with a glimpse of the ancient architectural style of the royals of Bhutan. Average Cost of Flight from Delhi - Rs. 31,500 to Rs. 40,000 Stay Duration Required - Four to Six Days Must Visit Attractions - Taktsang Palphug Monastery, Rinpung Dzong, Kichu Lakhang, Drukgyel Dzong and many more 10. Con Dao (Vietnam) - Con Dao is one of Vietnam's most pristine islands, approachable after a ferry ride from Vung Tao Port. Although a picture of natural beauty now, the islands of Con Dao were once known as the Islands of Hell. If the Andaman Islands have the Cellular Jail, then Con Dao has the Con Dao Prison. The prisons were made during the reign of the French colonists in the 18th century. The prison served as the cells for the Vietnamese fighters, those who stand opposed to the colonisers. Stepping away from the gruesome part of the islands, there's the Dam Trau Beach, it has the finest golden sands and most clear blue water. This beach is little known by tourists so you can enjoy the serenity of the place. Last is the Con Dao National Park, where you can enjoy nature trailing amidst untouched forest terrains. You need prior permission from the forest department before partaking in a trek here though.Wildlife such as monkeys, lizards, giant squirrels and many more can be spotted amidst the trail as well. Oh, and if you want to feel a bit like a celebrity, opt to stay in the Six Senses Resort in Con Dao, where the now divorcing couple of Brad and Angelina once stayed. Average Cost of Flight from Delhi - Rs. 13,000 to Rs. 25,000 Stay Duration Required - Three to Four Days Must Visit Attractions - Con Dao Prison, Dam Trau Beach and Con Dao National Park Con Dao (Image from Paul Arps) Conclusion There are many places that you can explore outside of India, some are within budget range while others are on the luxury range. You also have lots of options, from beach destinations, historical destinations and even adventure destinations. Or you could always go the normal route, reach places that most honeymoon couples desire. It's really up to you but I hope this list helps you in some ways, further lessening your decision-making when it comes to your honeymoon destination.
