If sitting on a beach with nothing to do other than look gooey at each other sounds uninteresting. We have picked 5 beach honeymoon destinations for the adventurer in you that combines those lovely beaches with a slice of adventure. These ideas involve delving into a vastly different culture, spotting rainforest wildlife, snorkeling in a sunken crater, hiking volcanoes, or getting a feel for local life.
1. Da Nang Vietnam
Da Nang is a coastal city in central Vietnam known for its sandy beaches and history as a French colonial port. Although lacking in interesting sightseeing beyond strolling along the Han riverfront to take in its spectacular bridges and the vast China beach strip, it is well worth booking a night-time neon tour to see the city sparkle.
What is more interesting than the town itself is the local area surrounding Da Nang. It’s a popular base for visiting the inland Bà Nà hills, where the Hải Vân Pass has views of Da Nang Bay and the mysterious caves, caverns, and a Buddhist Pagoda that are hidden inside Marble Mountain
Stay on Son Tra Peninsula, which rises 693m high above sea level. Here you can visit Linh Ung Bai But pagoda with its huge Lady Buddha statue, one of the tallest in Vietnam.
We are regulars at the Intercontinental Danang, located near the back of the Son Tra Peninsula. It is a 30 minutes drive away from downtown Danang and the Danang International Airport. Danang is located along the coast of Central Vietnam.
This stunning resort combines beach and rainforest, and you are scooted about in golf carts (largely due to the steep nature of the mountains). You will not find anywhere else in the world that is quite like this and is bordered by a beautiful sandy beach which is fantastic for relaxing and swimming.
2. Maldives
It is very hard to write about the best places to go for a honeymoon without including the Maldives, but bear with me as the resort I am suggesting is extraordinary. Soneva Jani is probably the most astonishing luxury hotel room in the world. If your idea of heaven is to flop into crystal clear waters straight from the top floor of your villa BY SLIDE, then this is the Hotel to choose in the Maldives!
Brand new and the sister hotel to Soneva Fushi Resort, Soneva Jani is located on the island of Medhufaru in the northern Atoll of Noonu, an hour by speedboat from Soneva Fushi. It offers a huge 4 kilometers of unspoiled beach.
The new resort showcases some of the most modern approaches to eco-tourism. For example, it boasts a silent outdoor cinema, where guests will listen to movies with Bluetooth earphones, so as not to disturb the local wildlife. The resort also features 24 spacious villas, each with a private pool, as well as a private island villa for those who seek a truly exclusive retreat. Each water villa has a retractable roof in the master bedroom, allowing for fantastic stargazing without having to leave your bed. And of course, some of the villas even feature a huge water slide into the Indian Ocean.
3. Hawaii
Hawaii may sound like a tramline destination and certainly, Waikiki Beach on Oahu draws crowds, but for something a bit different, try Lanai (pictured above), a private island off the coast of Maui which is so exclusive that you won’t be bothered by crowds simply because not enough people go there to fill up the beaches. Stay at the Four Seasons Lanai an exclusive paradise on the shores of the perfect Hulopoe Bay (which is owned by billionaire Larry Ellison). This resort offers top-rated dining, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, and a pristine pool and spa, and of course, a perfect beach reached by a small track down from the hotel (it only takes about a minute to get there) that you can enjoy virtually to yourself.
Uniquely you can trek the mountains here for a different experience. These can be found in the center of the island and offer a more temperate looking forest and immense views over gorges.
4. Golden Triangle, Thailand
Bring out the adventurer in you by heading to the Golden Triangle in Thailand. The Golden Triangle is a name that was introduced by the CIA in the 1920s when this area was one of the world’s most prolific opium producers. The Golden Triangle sits in northern Thailand where borders converge with Laos and Burma and where the Ruak and Mekong rivers join.
Expect a lush jungle, mist-shrouded mountains, unspoiled tribal villages, and peaceful views of rice paddies. Tucked away in the historic Golden Triangle region, the very luxurious Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle is the perfect escape from the rest of the world.
Located within 40.4 miles from Chiang Rai International Airport, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle overlooks the Mekong River and offers an all-inclusive package of elephant trekking, spa treatments, meals, and round-trip airport transfer. 15 luxury tents feature a private balcony, air conditioning, and a minibar. Guests can relax in a custom-made wooden hot tub on an outdoor deck or relax by the riverside free-form pool and a spa.
In line with all Four Seasons resorts, expect outstanding Four Seasons service and attention to detail, gourmet cuisine served in a variety of different locations and if you have ever dreamed of riding on an elephant, this is the place to do it!
Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle also features in my best luxury tented camps in the world.
5. Japan
The beaches in Japan are stunning. This might not be your first choice for a beach holiday but, surprisingly, you will struggle to find more scenic beaches than those found in Japan.
Ishigaki Island is the hub of the Yaeyama Islands in Japan’s southwestern Okinawa Prefecture. It’s known for beaches and sites for snorkeling, diving, and surfing and its waters are as clear as those of the Maldives. The beaches have white sand, stunning rock formations, and clear blue seas. Beyond the sea, the green of the rainforest and mangroves serves up the perfect backdrop to this stunning set of beaches.
Stay at the Intercontinental Ishigaki to make the best of this beach paradise before returning to Tokyo, the crazy, neon-lit uber-modern city where the Andaz Tokyo or magical Aman Tokyo make the perfect base. Don’t forget to take a boat ride through the cherry-tree-lined moat of Edo-era castle Chidorigafuchi, it is a special trip.
COPYRIGHT 2014 - 2023 LUXURY TRAVEL DIARY. DUPLICATION OUTSIDE OF LUXURYTRAVELDIARY.COM IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN.
Note: Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.