When it comes to honeymoons, sunshine is often top of the wish-list when it comes to deciding where to go! While Europe can be great for sunny climes during our summer months, if you’re a winter wedding couple and want to jet off straight after your Big Day but leave the brollies behind, just where do you head for a much needed blast of sunshine? We got the low down off travel experts GoHop.ie and Tropical Sky who shared with us some of the best honeymoon destinations for winter sun…
1. Costa Rica
This is peak summer season in Costa Rica, but worth it if you plan ahead and don’t mind the larger crowds. When the rain season ends in November (the best time to go during the winter is between November and January FYI), temperatures usually stay at a comfortable 20-25°C, perfect for snorkelling off the coast with sea turtles or testing out your surfing skills. Although Tamarindo on the Pacific Coast is a beachside party town at heart, its location is absolutely ideal to explore further north. There are active volcanoes, dense rainforests, and plenty more within travelling distance up there, so you’ll be getting a lot more variety than your average holiday destination. Costa Rica is a good bit smaller than Ireland, but interestingly it’s home to about 4% of the world’s wildlife species.
GoHop.ie Recommended Honeymoon: Explore Costa Rica Honeymoon, 13 Nights from: €2,999pp
2. Florida & a Caribbean Cruise
It may be snowing in New York during the winter months but if you’re looking for some American sunshine, head to fabulous Florida where warm temps are guaranteed. Kickstart your stay with 3 nights in vibrant Miami – it has everything from gorgeous beaches and incredible shopping to fab restaurants and lively clubs and bars for starters. From here you’ll head on to the Celebrity Reflection for your Eastern Caribbean cruise where you’ll get the chance to soak up the rays onboard as well as enjoy a host of activities and adventures along the way including a trip to The Bacardi Rum Distillery, a rainforest and duty-free shopping and casinos. The last leg of your trip takes you to the tropical paradise that is The Florida Keys where you’ll enjoy four days at the idyllic Hilton Key Largo.
The package from Tropical Sky: Miami, Celebrity Caribbean Cruise & The Keys, 14 Nights from €2,169pp
3. Cuba
January is the coldest time of year in Cuba but is the ideal time time to go as it’s still a lot better weather wise than Ireland in the height of summer. You should be just as comfortable sitting on a beach with a freshly-made cocktail in January as you would be in June, with temperatures often exceeding 25°C. Havana is as alive a capital city you could ever hope to see, and Cayo Largo was voted by RoughGuides.com as one of the best beaches in the world. The largest city in the Caribbean, Havana’s 500 years of colonial heritage give it a sense of style few others can ever come close to.
GoHop.ie Recommended Honeymoon: The Perfect Honeymoon – Havana & Varadero, 10 Nights from €1,669pp
4. Barbados
The Caribbean island of Barbados is lucky enough to enjoy sunny days all year round. Hurricane season ends in November so from December onwards blue skies and balmy sun-filled days await, perfect for honeymooners after their winter sun fix. Barbados is home to some incredible beaches and the West Coast boasts some seriously luxurious resorts, amazing restaurants and renowned golf courses. The 4 start Waves Hotel & Spa which sits on the beautiful Platinum West Coast has everything you need for a relaxing, indulgent stay including complimentary spa treatments. Water enthusiasts can enjoy a spot of diving or snorkeling in the crystal clear waters or head South for some serious surfing while culture vultures can soak up all the capital Bridgetown has to offer.
The Package from Tropical Sky: 4*Waves Hotel & Spa by Elegant Hotels. 7 Nights All Inclusive from €2,189pp – Receive up to 4 complimentary spa treatments per person per 7 night stay.
5. Australia
Australians are known for being as laid-back as they come but Australian summer temperatures are certainly not quite as mellow. December and January in particular are very intense, with temperatures often hitting 40°C. November is a great time to go if you enjoy soaking up the sunshine, but it’s usually slightly more bearable than later in the summer and can often be a cheaper time to travel as well. The country is enormous, but about 85% of the population live within 50km of the coast. If nothing else that makes the best places easy to find. You can enjoy everything from surfing and beautiful beaches, to rainforests, incredible mountain ranges, excellent shopping and can explore iconic spots like Sydney’s Opera House and the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef if you fancy doing some travelling.
GoHop.ie Recommended Honeymoon: Uncover Australia Honeymoon, 23 Nights from €3,799pp
Photo via Postcard Sydney
6. Dubai
If you’ve always dreamed of a trip to glitzy and glamorous city of Dubai but are worried about sizzling 40 degree temperatures, then the winter months is the best time to visit. Temperatures are anywhere between the mid to high 20s making it the perfect time to grab some winter sun. Dubai has some amazing attractions with beautiful resorts, fab restaurants, massive malls full of tax free boutiques and a beautiful desert to explore if you’re after a bit of an adventure. Sun worshippers can also look forward to kicking back at one of their beautiful resorts or beaches and soaking up the rays. Dubai is also a great spot for families with lots of fun activities from water sports to water parks. The 5 star JA Jebel Ali Beach Hotel is a family-friendly spot and is all about making the most of the coast with lots of sightseeing opportunities and fun activities on offer as well.
The package from Tropical Sky: 5* JA Jebel Ali Beach Hotel, 4 Nights All Inclusive from €969pp
7. South Africa
If you fancy a winter adventure, think about heading to South Africa in December or January. Before you even get into the wildlife in Kruger National Park, South Africa is blessed with a warm climate and an absolutely gorgeous coastline. The shores off KwaZulu-Natal are famed for the gigantic great white sharks that leap out of the water to catch their prey. Much further south is the picturesque town of Camps Bay, a district of Cape Town. With incredible views over the iconic Table Mountain and Atlantic Ocean, it’s one of the premier holiday spots in Africa. There are plenty of great restaurants in the town, and it’s a mere 40 minutes’ drive away from South Africa’s winelands if you fancy a tipple.
GoHop.ie Recommended Honeymoon: South Africa Self -Drive Honeymoon, 14 Nights from €2,369pp
8. Thailand
Bangkok was the single most visited city in the world in 2016, with 21.5 million visitors spending at least one night. We recommend spending some time in Bangkok, but the best beaches and resorts are at least several hours’ drive away. Thailand’s rainy season ends in October so think about heading any time from November (the largest crowds don’t start arriving until closer to Christmas). Humidity levels reach their lowest, but temperatures are rarely far off 30°C during the day. Phi Phi Islands near Phuket are the stuff of Hollywood legend, having been where Leonardo DiCaprio’s The Beach was set. Despite how popular it is with tourists, there is a huge focus on eco-tourism on the islands, with no motorized transport available. They were simply made for photographers, with craggy cliffs beaming up from the calm crystal Andaman Sea, and soft sandy beaches await around every corner.
GoHop.ie Recommended Honeymoon: Best Of Thailand, 18 Nights from: €2,395pp
9. Dominican Republic
With warm temperatures all year round (hurricane season ends in November) as well as some seriously idyllic beaches, The Dominican Republic is the perfect place for honeymooners looking for sunshine and total relaxation during the winter months. But there’s more to this spot than gorgeous beaches – it also boasts rainforests, lush mountains and friendly colonial towns that are crying out to be explored. Beach lovers will adore the Punta Cana region on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic – a stretch of stunning coastline with powder-soft beaches, sparkling waters and one coconut palm after the next. The 5 Star Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa is the ultimate in luxury with plush suites each with their own jacuzzi on the terrace, tropical views and 11 gourmet dining options, 8 swimming pools onsite and a fab beach on your doorstep.
The package from Tropical Sky: 5* Breathless Punta Caba Resort & Spa, 7 Nights All Inclusive from €1,429pp
10. Maldives
The Maldives enjoys its best weather during our winter months from December to February with gorgeous blue skies, low humidity and little rain (but it can be on the pricy side!). It’s one of the most popular honeymoon destinations currently for Irish couples and it’s no surprise why. Made up of hundreds of little islands, The Maldives is a dream-like destination in the Indian Ocean. This picture perfect spot is renowned for its incredible beaches, crystal clear waters brimming with exotic marine life and luxurious, laid back vibe. Beach huts and sea bungalows are a staple at the resorts with lots of loved up couples heading there to enjoy amazing food, cocktails on demand and sunshine in the most idyllic surroundings. Check out some gorgeous resorts you can stay in here via Tropical Sky.
Photo via Medhufushi Island Resort
