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After the madness of organising dresses, cakes, catering, flowers and the myriad of other chores that come with planning a wedding, a relaxing honeymoon is a welcome break. The last thing any couple want after a wedding is to be surrounded by other people in a chaotic environment – it’s time to relax and unwind in comfort with the one you love. Luckily for loved up newlyweds there are still plenty of honeymoon options that are off the beaten track. A personal travel manager can be your honeymoon celebrant and officiate a romantic escape for lovers.
Song Saa, Cambodia
Song Saa is located in the crystal blue waters in the Gulf of Thailand. The five star, private island eco-resort is a perfect escape for honeymooners who are looking for an opportunity to relax their minds and their bodies together. Affectionately named by the locals as “the sweethearts”, the group of islands can be reached by a short boat ride from the seaside town of Sihanoukville.
There are a number of accommodation options available for loved up couples. Overwater villas provide an exclusive experience while the ocean view or jungle view villas have their own touch of comfort and style. The villas are designed using environmentally sustainable materials and in a manner that will pose as little environmental impact as possible. The ethos behind the villas is to remain luxurious without being pretentious.
Aside from relaxing in the hotel room there is a wide array of activities available for honeymooners. The world class dining at the resort’s restaurant and lounge is a great opportunity for intimate dining. For the more active couple, snorkelling and diving along the reefs surrounding the islands is a site to behold with tropical fish and fantastic underwater worlds to explore. After a day of activities it’s also a great chance to enjoy some pampering in the resort’s spa and wellness centre.
Mabul Island, Malaysia
This island is so small, secluded and secretive that it isn’t even listed on Google Maps. Situated in the Celebes Sea off the South Eastern coast of Sabah, this 20-hector island has come a long way from a small fishing village.
Unlike Song Saa, there are a number of accommodation options for every budget and taste. For lovers of the water, stay at Sipadana Water Village Resort or Mabul Water Bungalow. If you prefer dry land book a stay with Scuba Junkie Mabul Beach Resort or Borneo Divers Mabul Resort.
While it may not offer five star luxury accommodation, Mabul Island offers a chance for active couples to truly escape and take in the natural wonder of the island. Famous for its reefs, Mabul Island is home to the largest collection of small exotic sea life in the world – helping it cement its position as a world class dive spot.
What it lacks in five star luxuries it makes up for in natural beauty and relaxation. Mabul Island is one for the active couple who need time alone after the wedding madness.
Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
The largest of the three Gili Islands, Gili Trawangan is a short boat ride from the neighbouring island of Lombok. The island’s name is derived from the Indonesian word for Tunnel (Terowongan) and is a tribute to a tunnel built during Japan’s occupation of the island during World War Two.
Like Song Saa and Mabul Island, Gili Trawangan offers everything that you would expect of a top-secret honeymoon destination – beautiful secluded beaches, sparkling turquoise waters, and romantic sunsets over Bali’s volcano, Mt Agung. What separates Gili Trawangan from other islands is its position as the turtle capital of the world. There are a number of hatcheries and conservation efforts run by locals who are striving to preserve the natural environment. Local, Pak Dino, offers great insights to visitors looking for more information about the turtles and their environment. Divers and snorkelers should visit Halik Reef, Goodheart Reef or the waters near Karma Kayak.
The entire island is accessible by foot, bike or horse drawn cart – which is a great thing considering there is no motorised transport on the island. Thankfully the whole island can be explored in two hours.
Couples looking for luxury can book a stay at Luce d’Alma Resort and Spa or Hotel Ombak Sunset. For the couples on a budget should look towards Persona Resort, Hotel Vila Ombak or Vamana Resort.
Talk to your local, personal travel manager to find your perfect honeymoon destination http://www.travelmanagers.com.au/ptm-search/
Image courtesy of Tourism Malaysia
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