Eight of the world’s most coveted honeymoon destinations

If there’s one holiday worth splashing out on, it’s your honeymoon – in fact, if you don’t go big on this special occasion you might as well toss away the ring. This may be your one excuse to not only have the holiday of your dreams with the one you love, but feel justified in spending your hard-earned savings. After all, you only get married once, right? Right?

From classic overwater bungalows, to desert oases and romantic cities, here are eight of the most covetable honeymoon destinations to celebrate your commitment and love.

The Maldives

Credit: Alamy

Synonymous with luxury, The Maldives is without a doubt the dream honeymoon destination – drop-dead gorgeous, lush accommodation, incredible underwater visions from overwater bungalows, and very little to do outside the resort to distract you from doing what comes naturally (wink wink). Lovers can indulge in pampering spa sessions, fine barefoot dining, strolling along a deserted white-sand beach or submerging in balmy, gin-clear waters where tropical fish flit and manta rays perform gymnastic ballets.

Wish list: There are countless luxury hotels where overwater bungalows dangle over turquoise lagoons; but why not opt for your own private island, complete with butler service, a yacht, on call masseuses and your own personal PADI dive centre at Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavoa?

Sumba, Indonesia

Credit: NIHI, Sumba

After tying the knot in Bali, it’s just a short one-hour flight to the largely undiscovered island of Sumba, with its rich local culture, incredible beaches and a charming hotel that has been awarded “Best Resort in the World” not once, but twice. Originally a surfing mecca (with a legendary left-hand reef break) which had its genesis in 1988, NIHI Sumba is now even more famous for its stable of beautiful sea-horses, who gallop along the white-sand beach in rambunctious, heel-kicking freedom. The intimate one-bedroom Marangga Villa is particularly popular among honeymooners, with direct access to the Indian Ocean, a private cliffside bale and its own private plunge pool.

Wish list: NIHI’s Honeymoon package offers four nights at the resort, with a fifth night in the secluded “off grid” Villa Rahasia, one of the most secluded villas in the world, located at the resort’s remote Nihioka Spa.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora, TahitiCredit: Alamy

There’s a long-standing joke that Bora Bora is “boring-boring”, but when having nothing to do means luxuriating in a stunning overwater bungalow watching marine life flit beneath your feet in crystal-clear turquoise water, it’s little wonder this French Polynesian island is so popular with honeymooners. The beauty of the Bora Bora lagoon – flanked by a soaring jungle-clad mountain peak – is staggering, so much so that it doesn’t seem real; and with luxury resorts such as Conrad Bora Bora and St. Regis Bora Bora offering romantic experiences such as picnics on private motus, breakfast delivered to your deck by outrigger canoe, and sunset couple’s massages, married life is certainly kicking off in style.

Wish list: With the islands of Moorea, Taha’a and Raiatea close runners up in the island beauty pageant, why not explore them all on an intimate, small-ship cruise with Windstar, whose multi-sailed Wind Spirit cuts an elegant and stately figure on the high seas.

Santorini, Greece

Santorini, Greece.Credit: iStock

With its blinding whitewashed buildings that tumble down a hillside into the infinite blue Aegean Sea, Santorini is absurdly photogenic, and the perfect backdrop to your loved-up honeymoon portraits. Romance is rife in this fantastical world, where the history, colours and light intensify passions; and with postcard sunsets guaranteed, you can make a toast to your new lives together in one of the most unforgettable places on earth.

Wish list: Carved into the cliff overlooking the caldera, the Andronis Boutique Hotel elevates the Cycladic aesthetic while pandering to intimacy. Private terraces, heated plunge pools built into caves and al fresco dining make this one of Santorini’s most coveted boutique hotels for lovers.

Sedona, Arizona, USA

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There’s something otherworldly about the red rocks and desert of Sedona in Arizona – in fact, Native Americans believe it to be a vortex site, a place of transformation and spiritual healing. What better place to start your married life, then, evoking the sacred energy emanating from the surreal landscape? Luxurious accommodations and romantic experiences such as hot air balloon rides and sunset horseback rides make it an ideal honeymoon destination, particularly for those who like a little adventure thrown in with the bubbles and spa treatments.

Wish list: America’s first “landscape hotel”, the brand new Ambiente Sedona is designed to immerse guests into the natural environment through floor-to-ceiling windows, private rooftop terraces and waterways that run through the property.

Lake Como, Italy

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Scenery, history, grandeur and celebrity star power – Lake Como in northern Italy has it all, making it one of the most wished-for honeymoon destinations on the planet. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, shimmering lakes, colourful villages that cling to hillsides and ornate villas with manicured gardens, Lake Como is a joy to explore; while luxurious lakeside hotels – many occupying opulent historic mansions – invite relaxation for couples who simply want to soak up the Mediterranean sunshine by the pool or indulge in a spa treatment.

Wish list: Occupying the shores of the island of Bellagio, the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni was built as a gift for a Countess in 1850 and has been welcoming lovers since it was expanded into a hotel in 1873. Sumptuously elegant guest rooms all boast views across the lake and garden, making it an ideal choice for traditionalists and those who wish to be treated like royalty.

Koh Kood, Thailand

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Arguably the loveliest island in Thailand, Koh Kood is still somewhat of a mystery to Australian travellers due to being off the beaten track. Getting here involves either a passenger ferry or speedboat from Trat on the mainland (though the five-star Soneva Kiri resort has an airstrip on a nearby island for private Cessna transfers). But the reward for the trek is exclusivity, unadulterated beauty, clear waters and privacy – just what you want for your honeymoon.

Wish list: Splash out and stay at the Soneva Kiri’s gorgeous jungle and clifftop villas with private pools and the services of a “Barefoot Guardian”, as well as signature experiences such as Treepod Dining (where’s you’re literally hoisted in the air), a private cinema in the middle of a lake and floating breakfasts.

Paris, France

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It’s not called the “city of love” for no reason – Paris is the most romantic city in the world, a muse for artists and writers and a beacon for lovers for centuries. From strolls hand-in-hand along the Seine to lingering in a streetside café, Paris makes everyday activities iconic and rarefied. And with grand accommodation in ageless stalwarts like the Four Seasons George V and Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris, it delivers a luxurious punch like no other to celebrate the start of your married life.

Wish list: L’Hotel is best known as the abode – and place of death – of Oscar Wilde, a hopeless romantic if ever there was one. The passion and allure of this opulent 20-bedroom boutique hotel remains, with its circular atrium and chic, bedazzled suites attracting A listers … and honeymooners … seeking exclusivity, privacy and iconic French style.