I am calling on the collective brainstrust for some ideas for an interesting and unique honeymoon destination for next year.
Naturally, if I can't earn status credits on QF my interest will fade quickly but I wont rule it out based on other merits. The soon Mrs Nonce hates flying WHY (dont we all?) and I only have perhaps a week to two weeks due to having to run a business in order to pay for said trip (which rules out my idea of a 3 week DONE4 to get the last 1100 SC's I need for LT Gold).
Have already been to New York, Mexico, San Fran, London, Paris, Switzerland, Austria, Vancouver, Fiji, Far North Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, LAX, Singapore and NZ I am all out of ideas and I have tried nothing.
From a timing perspective, any time after May of next year would be suitable.
Considered Seychelles, which was preference #1 but is too expensive. Bora Bora and New York is a consideration (a week in each) but also very expensive. We are getting married on a FNQ island which rules FNQ out, Sri Lanka and Western Samoa look good but perhaps a bit too dull for a week or two?
It appears every other honeymooner goes to the Maldives or Fiji so would prefer to skip those options as well.
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 16,446
I wouldn't rule out a DONE4 yet. You don't mention prior travel to Italy or the Caribbean, so might I suggest ...
Week in Italy (3 days in Florence, 2 in MXP and FCO).
Week at La Samanna in St. Maarten (perfect weather in May, one of the great spas in the world combined with great French cooking, vintage wine cellar and a great beach). And a mile or 2 from far less expensive surroundings, should you wish it.
Or if you can wait until June, fly AA to ANC and spend a week in the Alaska wilderness (though it is much like the glaciated parts of NZ, just with more wildlife, some of which would like to eat you).
Italian hotels can be incredibly gracious if they like you, and they have a special love of honeymooners (the same would be true in Austria, btw). And La Samanna is just one of the 10 best resorts in the world, period (at least it was when I last stayed there).
I'd first look at good five-star options in Phuket or Bali, maybe even Kauai.
At least with those options there is plenty of pampering but also some exciting scenery and day-trip options, and without a ten hour or more tip home
What do you like doing? If you like great views and water falls etc, consider places in the USA such as Yosemite National Park (May is the peak flow for the water falls), The Grand Canyon and/or Niagara Falls.
For beaches, perhaps Fiji or Phukett.
For history, Italy has already been mentioned. UK is an easy destination for driving to lots of historic sites.
The Nordic region should be starting to thaw so how about Finland (some good deals with AY) or Sweden. Lots of short trip sightseeing from the major centres such as ARN and HEL. Or be adventurous and head for an Ice hotel in Iceland.
For something different, how about China or Eastern European destinations such as Ukraine, Hungary, Estonia.
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As long as you don't need luxury digs, how about easter island? A bit mystic and lots of SCs up for grabs (whether routing via PPT or SCL). Also not a lot to do in the evenings/sunrise which is perfect for honeymoon
Have you thought about Costa Rica/Central America something abit different?
I am biased in having family there but it is a very beautiful part of the world. The beaches are superb, and you can fly straight into Guanacaste (the resort area) from the US I believe AA flies there. You could also spend abit of time in Guatemala/Mexico.
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 16,446
Quote:
Originally Posted by TierFlyer
Dude, find a place with good food and a pretty ceiling. Gelato is a bonus. Chocolate saves you from bad timing.
Marriage is great!
Burj al Arab in Dubai (every room comes with a mirrored ceiling over the bed; the self-proclaimed 7-star hotel that is a truly mind-boggling combination of high tech, great service, luxury, conspicuous consumption and bad taste. Not to be believed until you have stayed there (and the hotel actually charges a fee for entering the hotel grounds, to keep the curious away).
Niagara Falls is great, but very sleazy and no decent hotels there (think 2 star, at 4 star prices). Yosemite is very beautiful in May, but Ahwanee is probably sold out by now, so you are too late to book for next May. Though camping is an option. I considered recommending Easter Island, but there is only one hotel on the island and most accomodation is in people's homes (the ultimate B&B destination). There is a magic to Easter Island, though, and I think it counts as the most remote easily reachable spot in the world. But it doesn't even offer counting sheep as daytime recreation.
We went to Pacific Resort Aitutaki, in the Cook Islands (got married on a beach in Rarotonga.)
It's not the best beach for swimming, but a short scooter or bike ride gets you to a toally amazing one. It's not 'touristy' (i.e no shopping malls), but if you want to relax in a great resort with excellent rooms, and go somewhere beautiful and unspoilt, it's hard to beat IMHO. Best time of year is prob June/July, and even though the resort is quite pricey, most other stuff is good value (considering almost everything has to be flown in from NZ, and power is diesel generated). We loved it. Rent a scooter, cruise around, take a snorkelling boat cruise over to OneFoot Island (on a beautiful day it's hard to imagine anything nicer). Relax on the beach, enjoy the sunsets, go for a walk, drink by the pool, play golf etc etc... Best thing of all is that there is hardly anyone around...
Rarotonga is worth considering too, their Pacific Resort is also excellent, and the big island has more attractions on offer, not generally as beautiful, although still amazing.
Cheers
TiggerK
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LDH is an option, but the beaches may be a touch cool in the middle of the year. Some nice restaurants but it'll be somewhat quiet. No upgrades on the Crash8 though.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by og
LDH is an option, but the beaches may be a touch cool in the middle of the year. Some nice restaurants but it'll be somewhat quiet. No upgrades on the Crash8 though.
I was going to suggest the same og. Lord Howe Island would be a nice place to have a honeymoon. No worries about overcrowding or noisy visitors
Perhaps you could also consider Christmas and Cocos/Keeling Islands in the Indian Ocean. While the flights operate on a limited schedule (cost big $$ too) and you won't get any SCs (but get points - National Jet), I'm sure both would be a lovely, quiet destinations. Perhaps even along the way you could stopover at Learmonth/Exmouth or Perth? Island Bound Holidays's website may give some inspiration.
Cheers
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Thanks for the great suggestions so far. I have started a spreadsheet with all the options to price them out. Any other suggestions would still be greatly appreciated.
so how about Finland (some good deals with AY) or Sweden. Lots of short trip sightseeing from the major centres such as ARN and HEL. Or be adventurous and head for an Ice hotel in Iceland.
