Romantic Retreats

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Your honeymoon is your chance to splash out and spoil yourself in a world of luxury. We’re sick of hearing couples swoon over the obvious options of Paris and Venice. Get a little creative with your trip. After all, it only happens once.

Bali, Indonesia
The low-down: Bali is romantic, adventurous and spiritual and is the ultimate destination for an extraordinary honeymoon. It has the highest concentration of luxury hotels in the world. It’s a heavenly cocktail that combines ancient Hindu temples with hip designer shops, black velvet beaches in the North and golden ones in the South, incredible fusion restaurants with celebrity chefs, rainforests teeming with exotic species, ground breaking mixologists and some of the best surfs in the world.

X-factor: Explore Bali artefacts. The handicraft work here is mesmerising. Stop at the Batubulan village, which is well known for stone carving. Then proceed to Celuk for its gold and silver works and the Mas village, famous for its wood carving. After admiring the expressive paintings in Ubud, you will have the opportunity to visit the art market to complete your hunt for souvenirs.

You cannot be in Bali and not pamper yourself at one of their exquisite spas. Keep the days for exploring and the afternoons for relaxation. Dare to try the Balinese massages — you’ll be surprised how soothing they can be.

Best for: The exploring kind. Drive along winding roads to one of their sacred temples, Uluwatu, settled on the highest rocky hill of the southern tip of Bali. A mystical kecak dance is performed to mark the sun dipping into the ocean. This will definitely be the highlight of your honeymoon.

Botswana, Africa
The low-down: If your honeymoon dream is one of an authentic safari in exclusive, luxurious accommodation, then Botswana is your country. From extraordinary colonial hotels with palatial suites to tiny, five-bed luxury tented camps, there is something for every taste.

This country has numerous remote and pristine wilderness locations, where romantic lodges are tucked away in private reserves away from the crowds. The best of these take great care of honeymooners, with spectacular surprises and treats. Between May and October, when many couples choose to get married, Botswana is hot, dry, low in humidity and fantastic for game.
 
X-factor: The two names that you will be confronted with when you plan this trip are the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. That’s probably because they are the best. Here, you can enjoy customised honeymoons. Bring out your four-poster bed onto the deck and sleep under the stars. What’s more, a romantic “star bath” can be set up on your private viewing deck; soak in the candlelight under the vast star-filled African sky. You cannot leave Africa without their exclusive “walking with elephants” experience.

Best for: Wildlife lovers. Botswana is land-locked and for the beach section many honeymooners fly down to Johannesburg to connect with a flight to elsewhere in Southern Africa, like Mauritius in southern Mozambique, or up to East Africa to Zanzibar. Alternatively, if relaxing without being at the beach is in order, then some of the lovely lodges around Victoria Falls provide a wonderful environment in which to unwind.

Manali, India
The low-down: Manali literally means the “home of Manu”, the mythological character who survived when the world was drowned in a flood. Spectacular views of snow-capped peaks and wooded slopes, grassy meadows carpeted with wild flowers make Manali the perfect retreat. Stay in the villages of Vashisht, where you will find hot springs, or Old Manali for a more peaceful mood.

X-factor: Hadimba or Dhungiri temple in Manali is one of the most important temples in the region. This four story wooden structure is located in the middle of a forest. Carvings of animals, plants and folk deities adorn the temple, while hunting trophies hang over its entrance.

If you’re here, you ought to have Rohtang Pass on your itinerary. It is the highest point, which provides a wide panoramic view of mountains rising far above the clouds — a truly breath-taking sight.

For high mountain thrills, perhaps nothing can surpass the magic of heli-skiing. The sport is available in the area by the Hanuman Tibba, Rohtang Pass, Deo Tibba and Chanderkhani Pass.

Best for: Adventure junkies. The surrounding mountain scenery lures tourists to Manali year-round. Domestic tourists come here for honeymoons and mountain views, while foreigners come for adventure sports or, more commonly, to hang out in the hippie villages around the main town.