If your ideal honeymoon involves knocking back a few mojitos with your new hubby or wife as you listen to the waves gently lapping against the shore, then these stunning destinations will be right up your street! GoHop.ie, one of Ireland’s leading travel agents, helped us compile some fab offers to keep in mind if you’re after sun, sea and total relaxation (with an incredible backdrop!) for your trip of a lifetime…
10: The Perfect Thai honeymoon
Between taking in the cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, you’ll have several days to hit the beaches surrounding the idyllic Koh Lanta. Situated on the southern coast, it’s a perfect place for a trip over to the Phi Phi Islands, where Leo DiCaprio’s classic The Beach was filmed. It probably didn’t take the crew very long to find good camera angles, everywhere you look is the stuff Instagram was made for.
Price
From: €4,399 per person
Nights: 14
9: Australia & Pacific Island Cruise
Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach is one of the most recognisable in the world, and one of Australia’s top surfing hotspots. You’ll be spending 3 nights in this wonderful city before heading off to explore some of the most isolated and chilled out parts of the Pacific Ocean. How many of your friends will be able to say they spent their honeymoon on Mystery Island? The island itself is a marine sanctuary, and is surrounded by crystal-blue waters home to fish of every shape, size and colour.
Price
From: €2,629 per person
Nights: 11
Photo via Postcard Sydney
8: The Perfect Seychelles Honeymoon
There aren’t many places on earth that convey images of paradise the second you hear the name, but the Seychelles is definitely one of them. James Bond author Ian Fleming used the Seychelles as inspiration whilst writing his next instalments of the series back in 1958. Once a pirate hideout, the islands are now some of the most exciting dive spots in the Indian Ocean. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you could explore some of the Seychelles’ many shipwrecks to see if those pirates left any treasure behind!
Price
From: €2,429 per person
Nights: 7
7: Puglia & Sicily Dream Honeymoon
Sicily is home to some of the most stunning beaches in Europe. Dotted with gorgeous caves and lines with a soft sandy shore, Calamosche Beach is one prime example. It’s a 100km drive outside of Catania, and there’s a 1km walk to the shore, but the best things in life are never easy to find. But it’s well worth it especially when you get a glimpse of the calm azure Mediterranean waters.
Price
From: €2,149 per person
Nights: 19
6: Dream Dominican Republic Honeymoon
You’ll be staying in Punta Cana, home to some of the Caribbean’s swankiest beachside resorts on this trip of a lifetime. While there are plenty of choice spots along the coast, we’d suggest a trip over to Saona Island. The glowing white sands look like something from a dream, but this island of paradise has been drawing in tourists since Christopher Columbus made his first voyage to the Americas.
Price
From: €1,449 per person
Nights: 10
5: Heavenly Maldives Honeymoon
It’s the most popular destination for Irish honeymoons for a reason; nowhere on earth is as laid-back. Nowhere else is as low either, as the highest point in the entire country stands at an incredibly low 2.3m. That’s metres by the way, not miles! As for beaches, there is always an amazing option within walking distance with picture perfect views. Your hotel with this package, Ozen By Atmosphere in the South Male Atoll, has its own scuba diving school so you can explore the exotic marine life that lives nearby.
Price
From: €1,679 per person
Nights: 7
4: The Perfect Cancun Honeymoon
Cancun has plenty of tourist beaches with throngs of people queuing for a tequila sunrise, but explore a bit and you’re sure to find your own private bit of heaven. The white sand of Cancun is made of crushed coral, and doesn’t become scorching hot after a few hours of sun. With that in mind, you won’t have to worry about trying to maintain composure as hot sand slowly burns your feet.
Price
From: €1,469 per person
Nights: 10
3: San Francisco & Hawaii Honeymoon
San Fran might be top of the list for beaches, but as long as there are places like Land’s End in the northeast, surfers will keep flocking to its shores. Something of a hidden gem, this will only whet your appetite for what’s to come in Hawaii. Go all out. Wear a hula skirt with pride as you sip cocktails beside the calm Pacific waters to the sound of a ukulele strumming in the background!
Price
From: €3,749 per person
Nights: 17
2: Classic Escorted Bali & Lombok Honeymoon
Bali gets how to welcome visitors. About 80% of the island’s income is built around tourism, so if nothing else, this is one place where you are a welcome sight to the locals. There are actually more species of fish in Balinese waters than there are in the Great Barrier Reef, the crystaline waters make them easy to find as well.
Price
From: €2,319 per person
Nights: 13
1: Fab Fiji Honeymoon
It’s a bit of a trek getting there, but this cluster of islands in the South Pacific are worth every uncomfortable sleeping position on the plane. Fijian people are as cool as a breeze, and are a major highlight, but only about 100 of the 333 islands are inhabited. There is a huge focus on sustainable tourism in Fiji, so on top of it being an unquestionably beautiful country, there isn’t the same sense of guilt you might have in other destinations that are slightly more touristy.
Price
From: €2,299 per person
Nights: 7