How to choose the right experience
THE overwhelming majority
of South Africans opt for
the beach when choosing
their ideal honeymoon
experience. Over 98% of
respondents to TNW’s
Romantic Getaways survey,
said beach holidays were
the most popular holiday
choice for South African
honeymooners. Cruising
options came a distant
second with 24% of
respondents ticking the
cruising box, followed by
bush holidays (15%),
wine farms (8%) and
city trips (7%).
Affordable beach luxury
Mauritius is still a firm
favourite with South African
honeymooners, with 32% of
survey respondents saying
it was the top honeymoon
destination. Second and
third place go to Thailand
(15%) and Seychelles (15%),
while Zanzibar and Maldives
complete the top five with 12%
and 10%.
Carla da Silva, regional
manager for Air Mauritius,
says Mauritius is only a fourhour
flight from South Africa,
which makes it a popular
honeymoon destination. She
says Air Mauritius assists in
creating the ideal honeymoon
experience by offering
honeymoon couples lastminute
airport upgrades to
business class. “For only
R1 850, couples will
experience the business-class
lounge, lie-flat business class
seats and French champagne
on board to set the mood.
During the off-peak period,
honeymoon couples can also
take advantage of a 20%
reduction in the bride’s fare.”
“Mauritius is always a
favourite with honeymooners.
It is close and offers really
affordable luxury,” says
Alexis Bekker. She says the
all-inclusive offering helps
couples budget in advance,
so they know what they are
in for at the time of planning.
It is the perfect fly-and-flop
destination, an ideal relaxation
destination after a wedding,
she adds.
Joanne Visagie agrees,
and says most brides are
exhausted after a wedding
and there is no better place
to relax than Mauritius.
She warns, however,
that honeymoon couples
considering Mauritius should
be made aware that there
are distinctive differences
between the various areas
on the island.
LUX* Resorts & Hotels has
its own private island, Ile des
Deux Cocos, in Mauritius.
The villa on the island can
be booked exclusively for the
night. Alexis says it offers an
exclusive island experience
with private butlers, dinners
on the beach, spa, beach
and island. “The island
is open during the day to
other LUX* clients, but from
3:30pm they leave and the
honeymooners have the island
to themselves.”
Secluded seaside escapes
Seychelles is another
destination high on the
list of favourites, which
Joanne says offers a
pristine beach experience.
“Seychelles offers a
slower pace where nature
lovers or those who enjoy
a more ‘private’ ambience
can really feel they have
escaped reality during
their honeymoon.
The concept of oneisland-
one-resort is
the major appeal of a
honeymoon on Sainte
Anne Island in the
Seychelles,” she explains
Exotic island getaways
Scooping up second place on
the list of favourite honeymoon
destinations, Thailand is
renowned for its beautiful
islands and resorts. But it
also offers honeymooners a
choice of glistening temples,
breath-taking beaches, buzzing
cities and peaceful villages.
“The highlights are endless
for honeymoon couples
looking for that extra-special
romantic destination,” says
Lesley Simpson, spokesperson
for the Tourism Authority of
Thailand (TAT) in South Africa.
For travel agents wanting to
put together an unforgettable
honeymoon, Lesley suggests
combining different islands as
well as a few days in Bangkok.
Some favourite Thailand
honeymoon destinations are
Phuket, Koh Samui and Krabi
as well as the less commercial
Khao Lak.
Suggests Lesley: “A
relatively new area worth
suggesting, especially for the
more adventurous at heart
is Khao Sok National Park,
where guests are given the
opportunity to interact with
elephants (not ride them!),
kayak down rivers with a guide
as he shares stories about
the area, look for monitor
lizards or explore gentle rapids
before returning to camp for
traditional fresh Thai food.
Retire to bed in romantic tents
floating on crystal clear blue
waters at Elephant Hills and
experience an early-morning
wake-up to the sound of
gibbons as they swing
between the trees.”
Another recommendation for
agents organising honeymoons
to Thailand is Zeavola, a
romantic rustic resort on Phi
Phi Island. According to Lesley,
Zeavola is on the northern tip
of Phi Phi Island on a prime
stretch of soft white sand
and is the perfect honeymoon
hideaway. “Zeavola offers
boutique-style scuba diving
packages, individually tailored
island-hopping adventures
by speedboat; scenic tours
aboard a traditional Thai longtail
boat; or leisurely sailing
aboard a yacht.
There is also a spa at the
resort that uses a range of
traditional, ethnic and imported
products and principles,”
she says.
