My guide to
Honeymoons & Romance
Whether it's your honeymoon, wedding anniversary, first holiday together or a special birthday, I'll help you choose the perfect destination and add the extra touches that will make your holiday truly memorable.
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I've been booking honeymoons for many years and these are the holidays where clients really want to push the boat out and have amazing experiences, stay in beautiful hotels or experience those once in a lifetime moments.
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Here's some of the most popular romantic holidays...
My Three To See
Singapore
This small island state is a melting pot of culture so you can experience the whole of Asia in just one city. First stop has to be the famous Marina Bay where'll you find Marina Bay Sands, the iconic resort hotel with its unique architecture, spectacular city views and the world's largest rooftop infinity pool.
One of my favourite places in Singapore is Gardens By The Bay. I love to spend an afternoon wandering the park and lush biodomes, eating too much street food at Satay By The Bay then watching the evening light show from the top of Supertree Grove.
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Surprisingly, Singapore has many green spaces, perfect for a romantic stroll or picnic. The Botanic Gardens and National Orchid Garden are peaceful and serene. Hop on a boat to Pulau Ubin and rent bicycles on arrival to explore the island. You’ll breeze past mangroves, steamy jungle and old Malay kampongs (villages). Explore 10km of easy trails in the Southern Ridges and enjoy the lush forests in this lesser visited part of the city.
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Of course, one of the best things to do in Singapore (and Asia in general) is eat! Famous for its hawker centres, here you can eat Michelin-starred dishes for a few pounds and sample some of the best satay and chilli crab the city is renowned for. International cuisine and fine dining can be found all over the city, however no visit to Singapore is complete without afternoon tea, and where best for an indulgent treat but The Grand Lobby at the historic Raffles Singapore. Don't forget to pop to The Long Bar for a Singapore Sling before leaving!
Singapore & Bali
Dream honeymoon
If your dream honeymoon includes seclusion and beautiful views from your private pool, amazing food and luxury service, then Bali has to be top of your list - perfect as a twin-centre with Singapore. Ubud is known as the cultural heart of Bali and the surrounding countryside has allowed way for some spectacular resorts.
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Just ten minutes away from Ubud, but feeling like a million miles, is the stunning Four Seasons at Sayan. Arriving across the suspended wooden footbridge at tree level, the resort appears to float in the canopy, making the most of its dreamy location in the lush valley on the banks of the Ayung River.
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Spend days lounging in your private villa or enjoy many of the complimentary things to do - yoga, village walks, cycle tours and traditional Balinese dance performances, while paid activities cover everything from water purification rituals with a Hindu high priestess to river rafting around volcanoes and Indonesian cookery classes.
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If you prefer to be within walking distance of all Ubud has to offer, then Komaneka at Monkey Forest is a perfect choice. The pool villas here are serene and quiet with views of the rice fields or lush gardens. Just steps away is the heart of Ubud with its local markets, temples, art galleries and excellent restaurants.
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Nusa Lembongan is a short boat ride from the mainland and although you'll not find any top end resorts here, it's the feel of the island that so many couples find appealing, with a good choice of laid back, boutique-style hotels and guesthouses.
Pristine white sands, crystal clear water, excellent for snorkeling and diving (you can spot the local manta rays) and some great surf spots. There's an excellent choice of restaurants with healthy dining, some fabulous beach clubs and bars for sundowners. It feels like Bali did 20 years ago, not untouched but most tourists never make it here.
New Zealand
The Land of the Long White Cloud may not seem that romantic but given a celebratory holiday is a time when many people will take more than two weeks away from work, it's an ideal time to consider travelling here.
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A country of dramatic landscapes, it's perfect for those couples who love an adventure. Queenstown on the South Island is an ideal base - from here you can enjoy white water rafting, jet boating, bungy jumping and skydiving. There's plenty of biking and hiking trails to explore, and in the cooler months, it transforms into a world-class winter resort with four ski areas within easy reach.
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An ideal length of stay is 3-4 weeks - this gives you enough time to leisurely explore both islands. Of course, heading Down Under is a perfect opportunity to take stopovers - many cities in Asia and the Middle East work well or why not relax on a picture perfect island in the South Pacific? Your holiday will be designed just for you so anything is possible!
New Zealand
Napier
For those who prefer a more relaxing holiday, the highlight of New Zealand has to be the food and wine. Hawkes Bay is a gourmet paradise known as the 'food bowl' of New Zealand.
Enjoy a boutique stay at one of the wineries that showcases the fabulous cuisine this area has to offer with many offering farm to table dining from their own fruit and vegetable gardens.
Napier is the main town here - with palm lined streets and world-class Art Deco architecture, it's well worth a visit. As you'd expect, there are some excellent restaurants, cafes and a diverse range of art galleries and local arts and craft stores.
New Zealand
Making memories
Honeymoons are all about the memories, and New Zealand is not short of these picture perfect moments.
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On the North Island, explore the vast Waitomo Caves with the twinkling natural glow worms - just magical. From here head to Rotorua famous for its Maori culture and geothermal landscape where you can indulge in a theraputic hot pool or mud bath at Hells Gate.
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The South Island is all about nature's beauty and one of my favourite places is the Abel Tasman National Park. This coastal paradise is ideal for getting away from it all, exploring by foot or kayaking the calm waters. There are some beautiful places to stay in this area, from luxury lodges and retreats to family run B&Bs with breathtaking views.
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The West Coast is the crowning glory of the South Island. Starting at Pancake Rocks and heading south, you'll arrive at Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. It's an easy walk to the foot of the glaciers and even though you can appreciate their sheer enormity from here, the best way to see them is from the air in a scenic heli flight with a landing on the glacier.
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Continue with the natural beauty by following the Haast Pass - take your time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery that greets you around every corner before arriving in the lakeside town of Wanaka in the heart of the Mount Aspiring National Park.
This laid back, alpine town with its snow-capped peaks surrounding Lake Wanaka is ideal to recharge for a few days.
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Milford Sound is one of New Zealand's most recognisable sights and is spectacular to visit whatever the weather.
A day cruise is an ideal way to experience the Sound - look out for seals, dolphins and penguins, and if you're very lucky, you may see the odd whale.
If you don't manage to spot any here, head to Kaikoura, north of Christchurch, for the best area for whale watching.
The Greek Islands
Overwater rooms, private pools, adults-only retreats - many would presume we're talking about the Maldives not Greece!
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Stella Island in Crete is a beautiful contemporary resort with lagoon-style pools and a private beach. Lounge in sunken seating areas or on islands dotted with beds and hammocks - it's easy to find a quiet relaxing space to spend quality time together.
There are no less than five exquisite restaurants, three bars (I recommend the poolside cocktails!) and live music and DJs in the evenings.
Stylish but comfortable, choose from overwater bungalows, swim-up rooms or private pool villas. Stella Island is perfect for making memories to last a lifetime.​
Greek Islands
Santorini
Romance and Santorini go hand in hand, and there are some stunning hotels to choose from.
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For the best views of the sunsets the island is famous for, a luxurious stay at the Grace Hotel is top of the list. Carved out of a clifftop with only 21 whitewashed rooms, spend lazy days by the large infinity pool or choose a suite with your own private pool and spacious terrace. Wake to Champagne breakfasts and watch the sun go down with innovative cocktails and exquisite dining. A truly unforgettable experience.
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Esperas Santorini offers charming, cave-style suites and rooms a few minutes walk from picturesque Oia. With uninterrupted views across the caldera, this peaceful hotel is perfect to watch the sunset and escape the crowds.
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Simply furnished rooms in the Greek style of white walls and rich blue accents, many with private plunge pools. Enjoy breakfast served to your room and authentic evening meals, all served with a warm welcome and exceptional care.
Greek Islands
Honeymooning with the family
It's not unusual for couples to enjoy a honeymoon with the kids in tow and Ikos Oceania is an ideal choice especially for younger families.
Luxury all inclusive with elegant rooms and suites, children are well catered for with kids clubs and endless activities. Enjoy four à la carte restaurants in resort or visit some of the best local eateries at no extra cost.
The private, unspoilt beach is ideal for family fun or leave the children with the beach-based childcare service so you can enjoy a romantic stroll along the sand or a relaxing lunch in the beach bar.
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The relaxed luxury, attention to detail and exquisite service make it a perfect choice for a special holiday for the whole family.
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Wherever in the world you choose for the special moments in your life, rest assured I will look after you every step of the way as my concierge service is included in all holiday bookings.