Grab your passports and your honey’s hand, and have the time of your newly married life for a weekend… or as many days of leave as you can spare
All work, no play definitely isn’t the way we roll – but equally, we likely also need to start rebuilding our savings accounts after planning the wedding of our dreams. Balance, am I right?
Whether your work responsibilities call for a domestic mini-moon or a multi-week international trip, there’s a charming destination to suit any length of time and however and whenever (delayed honeymoons are quite trendy too) you celebrate, the important thing is cherishing that early time together.
To get you started on your planning journey, we’ve gathered the following destination and time pairings:
Weekend away
WildLuing, Isle of Luing
Turn the storyline of your favourite Jenny Colgan novel into reality with a getaway at WildLuing. The secluded haven, on one of the Hebridean Slate Islands, is tailor-made for couples looking to spend their honeymoon retreat in the heart of nature – right here in bonnie Scotland.
It feels wonderfully remote, but is actually just off the west coast, 15 miles south of Oban. There are eight self-catered WildSuites, all of which have sublime sea views, en-suite bathrooms, grand roll-top baths and super-king beds.
The on-site team are more than happy to arrange activities for newlyweds – how do you fancy romantic picnics in the wild, country hikes, kayaking and thrilling boating adventures?
One week
IZZA Marrakech, Morocco
Within the vibrant and bustling cultural hub that is Marrakech is the art-filled boutique hotel IZZA.
Jet off to the Moroccan city on a four-hour direct flight from Edinburgh to cosy up in one of IZZA’s 14 individually designed rooms and explore the wide range of amenities – from three shady courtyards and a hammam spa to an incredible rooftop bar and restaurant serving up North African flavours with a tasty modern twist.
General manager Mohamed Ait Belhaj describes IZZA as “an oasis of calm and tranquillity” which he says is the perfect antidote to the often “frenetic and intense” city.
“Dive into married life with a jaunt around the breathtaking beaches of Thailand, enjoying all that the islands have to offer”
Two weeks
USA and Caribbean twin centre
Can’t decide between a city break and a beach getaway? Why not have both? Barrhead Travel recommends a best-of-both-worlds twin-centre trip to the USA and Caribbean.
Just imagine shopping and dining your way through the streets of New York City one week, then getting some major R&R as you sip a delicious cocktail by the sparkling blue waters of Punta Cana the next…
From a stroll through the West Village in the Big Apple to a stroll across the wooden walkway connecting your lush overwater bungalow to the sandy shore, this dual escape promises to be the perfect blend of culture, relaxation and romance during those early days of newlywed bliss.
Two weeks plus
Island hopping in Thailand
Dive into married life with a jaunt around the breathtaking beaches of Thailand, enjoying all that the islands have to offer. Barrhead Travel suggests exploring the lively streets of Phuket, then discovering the spectacular Krabi region and indulging in the serenity of its Phi Phi islands.
Flights to the Southeast Asian paradise can be pricey, but upon arrival, day-to-day costs such as meals and accommodation are incredibly budget-friendly; so it makes sense to spend an extended period of time there to get your money’s worth (while also accounting for the 15+ hours’ travel each way).
Tip: bring a waterproof disposable film camera along to capture the precious memories as you snorkel, dive and paddleboard the days away.
