Top 7 Most Exotic Honeymoon Destinations

When people think about Dubai, images of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Marina generally come to mind. While Dubai – the most popular of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates – is certainly a marvel, the cosmopolitan city offers so much for eager honeymooning couples. Offering captivating desert landscapes, beautiful golden sandy beaches, luxurious mega malls, Emirati hospitality, unique skyscrapers, gold souks, world-renowned hotels and resorts, excellent golf courses and more, Dubai is a place for unforgettable adventure, pure indulgence, ultimate relaxation and lots of romance with a side of unparalleled luxury. There are many options to fill your days during your honeymoon in Dubai. You can explore the expansive desert landscape and the Emirati culture on a private desert safari; soar to the skies on a hot air balloon or helicopter and enjoy the beautiful cityscape, especially the man-made palm islands, from above; take a lavish ride on a yacht to the middle of the sea and dive into the azure waters, or lay down on the beach while enjoying the breath-taking skyline views of the city; take a moonlight Dhow dinner cruise across one of the largest man-made Marinas in the world and take in the glittering scenery of its surroundings; surprise your spouse with jewellery from the Gold Souk, or luxury designer brands from the Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates, there is a plethora of varied recreational activities that will make you and your spouse fall in love with Dubai.

Hailed as the Isle of Gods, Bali is an island in Indonesia that boasts an incredibly unique charm and spiritual air that make it one of the best honeymoon destinations in the world. No other island brings together plenty of sun, beautiful beaches, great surfing spots, famous volcanic mountains, lush green forests and world-class luxury like Bali does. The serene unspoiled beauty of its natural landscape coupled with its unique culture and hospitality makes Bali a natural wonder, and leaves any uninitiated honeymooner speechless. The best time to visit this blissful haven is during the dry season, between April and October. Avoid the peak season, July and August, to stave off crowd and high prices on hotels and airfare. There is an array of romantic activities that you can choose to do in this haven of tranquillity: take pictures amidst seemingly never-ending Marigold flower fields and steal a kiss in Desa Belok; take a romantic stroll through lush green rice fields and old-fashioned Indonesian huts in Campuhan Ridge walk; explore the aquatic world of the blue ocean and enchanting environments of Seminyak Beach with your spouse; relish an intimate oceanfront candlelight dinner; witness the wonderful sunset in the exotic setting of Tanah Lot Temple; unwind at a luxury spa with a traditional Balinese massage, and many more pleasurable experiences waiting to be savoured. 

Offering honeymooners plenty of romance adventure and relaxation, Hawaii is a perfect honeymoon destination to create beautiful memories. Spanning west of California, the state of Hawaii is an archipelago of six main islands – Maui, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai and the Big Island. Each of Hawaii’s constituent island offers a distinct character, vibe and rare experience. An ideal time to honeymoon in Bali would be anytime between mid-August and December. A variety of romantic activities awaits honeymooners in this paradise of the Pacific: In Oahua, watch the brilliance of Hawaiian sunset and enjoy a luxurious sunset dinner cruise along the Waikiki coastline; explore the scenic valleys of Oahua’s mountains, bright corals of Kaneohe Bay, cascading waterfalls of the 1,000-foot Kaliuwa and the sheer beauty of Oahu’s coastline from above with a private helicopter tour; watch humpback whales jumping in the ocean; enjoy an array of ocean-based activities, such as snorkelling and scuba diving in Maui’s waters, explore the white-sand picturesque beaches, championship golf courses and cultural activities of Maui; savour mouth-watering Hawaiian delicacies; go stargazing at the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island; or explore Kauai and its scenic beaches and bay on a daytime horseback trail ride. 

Picture yourself laying on the soft powdery white sands of a secluded beach with your special someone, taking a refreshing dip in the aquamarine waters of a tropical island paradise, or soaking in the splendid scenery of crystal-clear lagoons in an intimate setting. Tempting, isn’t it? The Island of Bora Bora is one of the most beautiful islands in the world, and a place to indulge for romantics and honeymooners. Brimming with a satisfying serving of turquoise blue waters, vibrant coral reefs, exotic marine life, mountainous landscapes, and picture-perfect locales, Bora Bora favours all the senses of honeymooners wholly. Most newly-weds come to Bora Bora when the island is slightly cooler with low humidity, between June and October. There is a plethora of Bora Bora activities on offer, from sunrise to sunset. You can indulge in the special Bora Bora spa treatments in any of the spa resorts scattered around the island, or go shopping for the finest Tahitian pearl jewellery for your spouse, or dine under the stars amidst swaying palm trees with your feet in fine sand and savour some of the freshest seafood, local Tahitian beer, and an array of French-inspired fare while watching the traditional fire-wielding Polynesian dance show. The island is a paradise in its own right!

Perched on the southern tip of the African continent, with some of the most visually appealing scenery all round, Cape Town has all the right ingredients to make your African honeymoon a memorable one. The city is laden with history and blessed with a cosmopolitan mix of cultures from around the world, making it a popular tourist destination as well. Honeymooners will be spoiled for choice when looking for romantic activities in this vibrant city. From communing with the city’s spectacular beauty atop Table Mountain, enjoying the blissful silence of magnificent mountains straddling two different oceans on either side and exploring the spectacular countryside towns on the Cape Country Meander, to exploring the sun-kissed, gorgeous white beaches, getting close to the wildlife on a South African safari at Kruger National Park and savouring the sights of expansive vine-clad green valleys of Cape Winelands, there is something for all types of honeymooners when they set foot in Cape Town. Being an all-time favourite honeymoon destination, Cape Town draws newly-weds all year-round especially during its dry season, between November and February. 

A gem in the Atlantic Ocean that was long undiscovered by the modern world is now one of the most over-touristic honeymoon destinations in the world. The Azores, comprising of nine secluded volcanic islands strung across the North Atlantic Ocean west of mainland Portugal, makes for an idyllic getaway. Brilliant turquoise blue-green lakes that look like something straight out of a painting, magnificent volcanic craters that are a great sunset/sunrise spot, 15th century Roman Catholic churches and gothic monuments that give a taste of the seafaring country’s history, natural geysers and thermal pools perfect for couples, embody the very best of the gorgeous Portuguese archipelago. Although the archipelago is accessible to all for most of the year, the best time to spend a fulfilling honeymoon here between April and October, when the weather is pleasant and ideal for outdoor activities.  Recreational activities include: strolling through the Faial Island amidst the blanket of blue hydrangeas in full bloom; swimming with dolphins and spotting sperm whales in the Island of São Miguel; hiking the perfect panoramic routes and taking in the sweeping views of the archipelago atop Mount Pico, Portugal’s highest mountain; exploring the massive Basalt-lined labyrinthine vineyards of the Azore’s Pico Island and taste some Pico Verdehlo that was a favourite of the last Tsar of Russia; birdwatching on São Miguel; and Scuba diving off the coast of Terceira Island to explore the ancient ship & anchor cemetery and the diverse marine life. The Azores is truly a place that spells romance.

You can never go wrong with a visit to Tuscany any time of the year. Located along central Italy's west coast and home to the Italian Renaissance art and architecture, Tuscany is a musical landscape exuding romance and warmth that leaves plenty for newlyweds to explore. As a place that has offered inspiration for Italian poets and writers, Tuscany is a captivating literary retreat. The region is popular for its hilly terrain that alternates between picturesque vineyards and countless olive groves on the slopes of the rocky Apennine Mountains, and charming medieval villages abound throughout the hillside making it an irresistible Italian region for newly-weds. Couples can drive through the countryside to absorb the natural green landscape and sip some wine in Chianti; be pampered with a spa treatment, or explore the museums and go on a truffle hunting expedition. Spring (April to June) and fall (September to November) seasons offer newly-weds, the most pleasant weather to thoroughly enjoy what Tuscany has to offer. For a bit of variety, you can head to Elba to explore its pristine beaches on the Tyrrhenian Sea and enjoy some nautical activities, and for those more adventurous, there are private tours to take in the region’s serene beauty by horseback, hot air balloon or helicopter. The region is popular for its local produce, great food and excellent wines. Couples can discover what Tuscan cuisine is all about and tuck into some delicacies in a romantic setting. Tuscany is the place to spoil your spouse with an indulgent honeymoon.