In Week 4 of our wedding series, we asked Mary Foyle of Travel Counsellors Ireland to give us the benefits of her extensive knowledge and experience gained from years of helping couples organise the perfect honeymoon.
Your honeymoon should be the most magical holiday of your life, giving you time to unwind and enjoy each other’s company after all the excitement of your wedding day.
And just as your choice of venue for your wedding day reflects your own personalities, you will want a honeymoon destination that suits you both. Remember, there is no obligation to lie on a beach for two weeks. Nor is there an obligation to travel to some far off exotic island. There are plenty of beautiful honeymoon spots in Europe which offer luxury, interesting sights and beautiful beaches.
‘Sun, sea and sand’
Walking hand in hand through the surf on a white sandy beach is surely the definitive honeymoon scene. Just be sure, especially if you are the active types, that you really want to be lazing round for all that time. You might consider combining the tropical beach with some sightseeing or adventure activity. Popular honeymoon combinations right now are Mauritius followed by Safari in South Africa, the Caribbean followed by New York/Las Vegas, or what about the Great Barrier Reef, followed by Sydney and Ayers Rock?
‘To see the sights’
Perhaps you can think of nothing more romantic than sitting together in a café in St. Marks Square in Venice or wandering through the ancient temples of Luxor. Remember to leave plenty of time to wind down and relax after the wedding as a sightseeing holiday can be quite strenuous and you will be exhausted after the all the hype of the big day.
There are some great beaches in Italy on the Tuscany and Amalfi Coasts, or if you are travelling to Egypt, why not pay a visit to the Red Sea and chill out in a luxury hotel on the beach for a few days before heading to the temples?
‘A taste of adventure’
Perhaps you have both always wanted to do something a little bit different and adventurous. Whether it is an African safari, white-water rafting, snorkelling, diving or trekking, make sure you both have the same idea of what you are letting yourselves in for. Your honeymoon is not the time to try something unusual which you may not like!
Adventure options include walking the Inca Trail in Peru, diving the Great Barrier Reef, Bungee Jumping in New Zealand, or hot-air ballooning over the Masai Mara.
‘A quiet relaxing time together’
If all you want is time together and the stress of long haul flights is not your scene, then a beautiful hotel in the Tuscan Hills or a small villa with private pool in Portugal might do the trick.
Top tips for organising your honeymoon
1. Decide first of all which type of holiday you’d both like – see above for suggestions – then compile your ‘honeymoon wish-list’ which will help narrow down the options.
2. Decide on an approximate budget. Remember there is a honeymoon out there to suit every type and every budget.
3. Always check what the weather will be like in the destination you are travelling to e.g. December is not the time to travel to the Mediterranean, it will not be beach weather in Cape Town in June and it will be the skiing season in New Zealand in August.
4. Allow 2-3 days after the wedding before heading off on honeymoon. This will give you time to relax and enjoy any post wedding gatherings.
5. Ask for advice! A good travel agent will be experienced in organising special holidays and honeymoons and will have valuable advice and tips on what to do and what to avoid.
Mary Foyle is a Travel Counsellor who specialises in honeymoons and holidays for special occasions. For full contact details click here, and for the Travel Counsellors Ireland website click here.
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