Top 5 Honeymoon Retreats

Booking your wedding is an exciting but very stressful process, booking the venue, buying your dress, kitting out your bridesmaids and all the other extras which come along. One of the best things is knowing that after the big day, you get a 2 week honeymoon somewhere divine, surrounded by white sands, swaying palms and romance filled air. But...where to go? With so many options available for you and with a hefty budget in tow, the decision is yours! Here are some great destination tips which just may help you make up your mind;

1. The Maldives - Scattered across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is the stereotypical, idyllic destination for any honeymoon. Arrive in style via speedboat or seaplane, be greeted with a refreshing tropical cocktail then make yourself at home in your Jacuzzi Water Villa for the best 14 days of your life. What better way to celebrate your new promised love for each other than relaxing in utter privacy surrounded by crystal clear blue water and water alone. You'll be dazzled by the white, talcum powder sands, the sparkling ocean and the luxury of your wooden, stilted villa sitting above the Indian Ocean. What you want to do there is down to you, relax on the beach, jump aboard a speed boat and go island hopping, grab your snorkel and swim with the creatures of the deep or partake in the ultimate true love experience...the Robinson Crusoe trip. The Robinson Crusoe trip is offered on many islands and offers you the chance to be stranded alone, just you, your loved one and the ocean. The Maldives must be seen to be believed, until I travelled their, I didn't believe such beauty existed.

2. Mexico - Boasting 5* luxury boutique hotels, Mexico is the ideal location for those who don't want to lift a finger for the full 14 nights. With several resorts to choose from, the most romantic being the Riviera Maya. Fly into Cancun and travel across to your chosen property, be greeted with a cold towel and make yourself welcome in your stunning bedroom along with extra large Jacuzzi. The Riviera Maya sits along a stunning, white coast line with swaying palm trees lining the shore. Entertainment is all hotel based where you'll usually find sporting activities, diving excursions and evening shows. If you're the type of couple who still enjoy wild nights out then catch a taxi and head into the capital of Cancun. Boasting bars where you can sit on a swing whilst sipping a mojito, step in and out of the shops to see if anything catches your eye then head into one of the huge nightclubs, some of which offer waterslides! For a captivating, romance filled honeymoon, Mexico offers something every couple will enjoy.

3. Barbados - For a honeymoon where time will near enough stand still, Barbados is the ideal destination. Get into the swing of things here by relaxing and taking everything in perfectly slow, special steps. Unwind on these overwhelming, white sandy beaches with a rum punch in hand. You won't want to leave your hotel but you must. Head to the undeveloped east coast and let the local flavours envelope you in these rugged surrounding and wild surfing seas. Barbados is one of those once in a lifetime places to visit, so what could be more special than visiting to celebrate your marriage and love for one another.

4. Costa Rica - For an adventure filled honeymoon, head to the tropical Costa Rica. This beautiful retreat situated in Central America offers a diversity which most others destinations can't. From one side you'll be in an atmospheric tropical rainstorm then travelling out of it will see you laid on a sunny, sandy beach with a good book and being watched over by the Arenal volcano. Get adventurous and partake in the canopy tour...after setting out via horseback, hike through the tropical rain forests and finish the day 55 meters high in the canopy flying through the canopy by cables, although not for the faint hearted, this is a definite must while in Costa Rica. If you prefer something a little less vigorous, try a spot of fishing, horse riding or even white water rafting! Costa Rica is ideal for a honeymoon with a twist, something a little bit different for those who prefer to keep busy.

5. Cape Verde - For the ultimate in true romance and relaxation, head to the volcanic islands of Cape Verde. The serine island of Sal is one of the most popular offering high standard hotels and pristine white beaches. Still an up and coming resort, Santa Maria offers sweeping white coastlines with plenty of comfortable sunbeds ready and waiting for you and your new husband to lie back, breathe in the unique atmosphere and gaze into one another's eyes feeling completely happy and relaxed ready for your new life together. Cape Verde holidays also come bearing a uniquely low price tag so could prove best in the long run leaving you with some spare cash for that new house!

Whichever destination you choose for your perfect honeymoon, as long as it has bleach-white beaches, glittering blue seas and your beautiful new husband by your side, you'll have the best break of a lifetime and one to remember together until the end. Begin your life together as you mean to go on...filled with beauty, luxury and most importantly, much love.