Once the confetti has settled, the bouquet withered and the cake gone stale, you and your beloved have little more to look forward to than years on years of stilted conversation, sex and boredom. You’re only at the beginning of a lifetime’s hard work; thank god, then, for the brief respite of your honeymoon; a trip of fun, frolics and frivolity before you have to face up to you’ve done.
Like all decisions you’ll take as a couple, success lies in compromise. If your partner fancies trekking up the mountains but you’re yearning for a relaxing spa break on a remote island, for instance, both you and your betrothed are going to have to meet somewhere in the middle. To get you thinking more broadly about destinations, we’re throwing a few less obvious choices into the fascinator. So, here are 5 IDEAL honeymoon ideas for 2022.
AUSTRIA
In many ways, it makes little sense that this central European country has been so underrated as a honeymoon destination for so long. It is, after all, a country that very much epitomises the high arts, as most aptly demonstrated by Vienna’s many sophisticated museums and concert halls; testament to Austrian class both inside and out, with stunning architecture, exhibition and performance. What’s more, the country’s jaw-dropping alpine peaks, towering fortresses and enchanting baroque palaces also make it a timeless visual wonder rurally. One from leftfield, sure, but a romantic, enchanting proposition all the same.
ZAMBIA
There aren’t too many parts of the world left that give a convincing sense of having been left untouched by human intervention, rather than merely being advertised as such in the tourist brochure. But, Zambia is one of those places. With a level of biodiversity on a par with almost any other country in the world, ranging from lounging lions to freely wandering elephants and all the natural habitats which house such wondrous animals, Zambia lives up to its high billing as largely undiscovered and untampered with. That makes a honeymoon here an enticing southern African adventure for couples looking for an authentic taste of the wild.
A STAYCATION
The phrase brings out a groan in most, but hold on just a minute. These shores have an almost unsurpassable wealth of natural and heritage sites, ranging from timeless castles to tranquil beaches, which have long helped to give much of Britain a quintessentially romantic wonder. Or should we say Romantic, in honour of the Turners and Wordsworths who showed this character to the rest of the world to such majestic effect?
Whether the two of you share a taste for the big-city attractions of London and Manchester, or instead desire a slightly more low-key break, high kitsch break in one of the country’s famous seaside towns (a stay in a fine B&B Plymouth anyone?) Britain has got you covered.
THAILAND
The Southeast Asian country could certainly lay claim to being the most stereotypical ‘exotic honeymoon’ destination, but Thailand’s natural charms are unrivalled – think swaying palms, aquamarine waters and luxuriously soft sands. However, Thailand’s sustained popularity among newlyweds can also be partly explained by the apparent inexhaustibility its attraction (and the sense of fun of its people, we must add).
That might mean time spent sipping cocktails at a rooftop bar towering tens of floors above central Bangkok, being wooed by the sheer limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay, or snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters surrounding the Similan Islands, to name but a handful of the possibilities – the choice is yours. Just make sure you do the food right if you’re spending even mere minutes in the capital, or you’ll regret it.
IRELAND
Just one thought of Ireland conjures up in many a loved-up couple’s minds imagery of imposing stone castles, craggy cliffs and serene rural landscapes, which is not an inaccurate way to picture these captivating countries. However, it would also touch on only a part of the magic.
Much of the appeal of an Irish honeymoon, after all, lies in the spirit evident throughout the social scenes of Dublin’s theatres and Belfast’s clubs, as much as it does in the admittedly intriguing centuries-old castles and monuments. To help you along your way, the Irish Mirror has come up with a list of 19 of Ireland’s most romantic spots.
Don’t settle for simply any honeymoon destination that you ‘presume’ you’ll be inspired by, because of a magazine that said you would be. Instead, allow the above suggestions to serve as a starting point for your imagination to roam. After all, your honeymoon needs to be truly the trip of your life.