It’s all about being different these days — because too many people holiday in Fiji and going on a yoga retreat to Bali was so last year. If you’re after serious bragging rights among your wedded pals, these honeymoon locations are sure to impress.
1. Borobodur
In the middle of green rice fields and lush palm trees lies a 9th century symmetrical temple built from two million stone blocks. The Borobudur temple is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Indonesia, but is just one of the many things to do while visiting the region. Stay at the nearby Plataran Borobodur Resort & Spa, where you can choose from one of the private deluxe wooden villas, or go all out and book the royal suite, which is perched high with an infinite pool overlooking the temple and tropical gardens.
2. Portugal
With medieval castles, colourful festivals and historic villages, Portugal is deliciously rich in culture, yet isn't filled with the tourists you'd see in Paris. For a quaint city stay, Lisbon has the terracotta rooftops and nudgy terraced apartments of your dreams. You could even call one of the ancient palaces home for a week — Palacio Belmonte, for instance, a restored 15th century mansion with private rooms looking over the city.
3. Yosemite National Park
This world heritage site and natural wildlife habitat is for the adventurous honeymooner too restless to lie on a beach and relax. Go rock climbing, bike riding or hiking, with granite cliffs, waterfalls and giant sequoias as your backdrop. If shacking up in a cabin isn’t your style, there are plenty of other basic and luxurious accommodation options, such as the Ahwahnee Hotel, which was built in the 1920s for the “affluent” traveller.
4. The Seychelles
This archipelago off the coast of East Africa is a popular choice for honeymooners, but if your heart is set on an island holiday, the Seychelles are more distant, and therefore more exotic, than Rarotonga. Explore all the activities on offer — you can snorkel, swim with whales, take a coastal walk or book into one of the many spa resorts for a relaxing stay.
5. Puglia
Forget Rome or Milan, the heel of Italy's boot is where you can escape the crowds yet still enjoy what the country is renowned for: pizza, pasta and plenty of wine. Borgo Egnazia is a guaranteed luxurious stay, set over 40 acres with a golf course, spa and restaurants on site, or book a boutique hotel and dine at the many modest restaurants — this region is famous for its no-nonsense traditional cooking, after all.
6. Tasmania
It won't be hard to find a little privacy in Tasmania, which is known for its remote and wild outdoor experiences, as well as its upcoming cultural scene. Waterfront capital Hobart has all the bars, cafes and restaurants you'd want from a city, or head to Port Arthur or Bruny Island for a truly secluded visit.
