Choosing the perfect honeymoon

The excitement in the Le Trousseau office was palpable as I enjoyed a rather unique post-wedding holiday myself. Mr R and I flew out Johannesburg after our big day and spent an amazing month travelling from South to East Africa. There were a few raised eyebrows from our friends who perhaps expected us to choose a more traditional beach break, but that’s just not us (although we did squeeze in some sea, sun and sand time in Zanzibar). If it’s not you either, then we have a real treat for you today!

We’re pleased as punch to team up with ooh.com to bring you their top 10 tips for choosing the perfect honeymoon as well as some more alternative ideas for a knock-out holiday you’ll never forget.

1.When choosing your destination, make a list of your top five places to visit as well as your intended’s. Where do you overlap? It could be the place to go!

2.Are there any places you’ve been to and thought – I wish XXX could see this? Perhaps it would be a good destination to share on your honeymoon?

3.If you have booked an adventurous trip, plan a couple of days down time at the beginning  - you’ll need a bit of time to unwind post wedding.

4.Try to find somewhere you can spend a few days without distraction from TVs, Wifi and if possible, mobile phones.  They managed a few generations ago - you can too.

5.If you are time short, think about staying closer to home – minimize travelling time to maximise honeymoon time.

6.How about learning something together? If you’re an active couple, don’t just lie on the beach, make your time together count – learn photography for a few days, book a cooking course, or learn to tango. Your honeymoon is a great time to learn a skill you can enjoy together in the future.

7.Go off into the wilderness! Find somewhere you can spend a few nights together out in the open with no distractions but each other. Sleep under the stars, make camp fires, and cook for each other. (Alistair Sawday’s Canopy and Stars website is a good place to start).

8.Look out for independent, off the beaten track accommodation – where you won’t find yourself surrounded by other honeymooning couples.

9.Before you book, be sure to read reviews of your chosen hotel/s and places to visit on sites such as Trip Advisor for second opinions before it’s too late to change your mind.

10.When packing for your honeymoon, be sure to split your luggage rather than putting all of your clothes in one case and all of your partner’s in another. Your honeymoon is once in a life time trip, in the worst case scenario of your luggage being lost at least you will both have some belongings to keep you going.

And if you’re inspired to do something a little different, how about:

Reindeer sledding in Sweden
Think saunas under the stars, a two day reindeer sledding tour in the beautiful Lapland landscapes, igloos, furs and the northern lights.

Surf and yoga retreat in Byron Bay, Australia
Relax and unwind, meander to the beach, immerse yourself in yoga, eat some amazingly healthy food and refresh yourself in the ocean each day with a surf.

Argentine photography and horse riding adventure
For fresh air and wide open spaces,  gauchos, horse riding and polo, guided photography sessions and classic Argentine hospitality at a stunning family run estancia.

Bread making in Tuscany
From your stunning setting in the Florentine hills, learn to bake Italian specialties like focaccia, ciabatta, and grissini, start your life as man and wife with a new skill you have learned together.

Trans-Canadian motorcycle grand tour
The big one – why not go all out, take serious time off and go on a proper adventure together.

Kite Surfing Cape Town
Book into an American Airstream trailer on the roof of the Grand Daddy Hotel and spend the day on one of Cape Town’s beautiful beaches learning to kite surf. Enjoy stunning food and wine… brunch at The Grand Cafe in Camps Bay or a romantic dinner at La Colombe is a must.

Inner Hebrides Walking and Sailing holiday
The British Isles has some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, so why not enjoy a week on board a 65ft ketch followed by a stay in a beautiful old Scottish castle for a week on dry land after or try The Pool House Hotel, perched on the banks of Loch Ewe in Wester Ross.

Foodie taste-trek to Vietnam
Your sights and senses will be fully entertained on this seven day trip from Hanoi to Saigon. Take a cooking class with the Vietnamese Nigella, a boat trip to eat at a floating village and haggle at the local markets.

Take a guided tour of New Zealand’s Lake Waikaremoana
This spectacular tour takes you around one of New Zealand’s ‘great walks’. The country has tonnes on offer for the adventure minded but don’t overlook its luxury side. Huka Lodge and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers are worth a few days stay…

Wow! I want to do them all! If you do too, remember different doesn’t have to mean difficult and adventures can involve as much luxury as you like. To find out more about the breaks listed above or for even more ideas, take a look at ooh.com. And please, please, please let us know what sort of ‘moon you choose!

Avec amor,

Mrs R x