More than just an exotic holiday to a far away land, a honeymoon is a once in a lifetime experience that we spend most of our 20’s dreaming about. Secluded beaches, romantic dinners, cocktails at sunset – the cliche is most definitely still alive! How many times have you been served an ad for a Maldives honeymoon package?!
However, that isn’t everyone’s cup of tea…For some couples who want a bit more adventure for their buck, the notion of spending 2 weeks sunbathing can make them want to fall asleep just thinking about it.
The tourism industry is saturated with honeymoon packages for couples looking to relax and unwind, and whereas this is definitely a key holiday element that most people jump at when presented with, sometimes you also crave a little more adventure! And for a honeymoon that’s your ideal of perfect, getting the balance right is key. Our suggestion? Sri Lanka and the Maldives! Combine floating in the glittering waters of the Maldives with an off-piste, culture-fuelled tour to Sri Lanka.
Going off-grid in the Maldives
It’s no secret that the Maldives is one of the most romantic places on earth, so I’m sure that it comes as no surprise that it always ranks as one of the best places for a honeymoon. This remote archipelagos is as close to heaven as you can get.
After rising from a bed as soft as a cloud, and stepping out onto a private boardwalk on your own overwater bungalow, spend the days dozing in the shadow of a palm tree, your hammock gently swaying in the breeze.
Or use this opportunity to splurge on cocktails in underwater clubs or dine in the infamous sunken restaurant, eating alongside the watchful eyes of the fish. More than 1,000 paradise islands make up over 20 coral-rich atolls, making the Maldives one of the best places in the world to go snorkelling. Spot Whale Sharks, Manta Rays and Blacktip Reef Sharks. Or simply do what most people do when they’ve landed in paradise. Sit back, relax and take it all in.
Soaking up the culture-rich island of Sri Lanka
After the secluded romance of the Maldives, Sri Lanka can be like a breath of life. This tiny pearl of the Indian ocean is awash with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, enchanting caves, surfing havens and lip-smackingly good food.
Roam Yala National Park searching for the elusive leopard, experiencing close encounters with wild elephants. Spend the days riding famous surf breaks and the nights partying till dawn at the infinite beach bars lining the famous stretch of coast. Or Hike the verdant, tea-clad hills searching for the perfect brew. There are so many excursions to have in Sri Lanka, the hard thing is knowing which ones to choose!
After the romantic getaway of the Maldives where you learn the true meaning of leisure, Sri Lanka provides the perfect balance to inject a little adventure into your honeymoon!
Tailor-made: unique and effortless travel
Even though Sri Lanka is just a small drop in a big ocean, a country with landscapes so diverse and activities so broad, it can pose a little bit of a problem when planning what to do. A midnight climb over here, tea plantation hikes over there, snorkelling with turtles off this shore and feeding elephants in this orphanage. That’s a lot of logistics to sort out. And it’s your honeymoon, why bother?!
With a tailor-made tour you get the excitement of a group tour without the group feel. Private transport, completely flexible itineraries and a holiday which avoids the run-of-the-mill routes by making it fit entirely to what you want. This can be from arranging a private tour of the historic town of Galle to organising your own tea-leaf picking session.
Start with a standard itinerary such as the Sri Lanka Two Week Tailor-made tour, pick out the bits you like, and make it bespoke. Add a cooking class here, a tea-tasting here, a massage there – everything is tweakable.
Food for thought…
Here’s a quick insight into some of the best things to can expect to do on your honeymoon to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Top 5 things to do in Sri Lanka
- Search for leopards, monkeys and elephants on a private safari in Yala National Park.
- Climb 180m to explore the ruins of an ancient palace atop Sigiriya Rock.
- Amble around the verdant, rolling Hill Country, picking tea leaves and making your own brew.
- Travel from Kandy to Ella on one of the most scenic, epic train journeys in the world.
- Take on the pilgrimage trek to Adam’s Peak for an otherworldly view of this lush landscape.
Top 5 things to do in the Maldives
- Relax on the soft, sugar-white beaches. (Most resorts have their own private beaches, complete with sun loungers and umbrellas.
- Indulge in a private, romantic, sunset dinner on the beach.
- Go scuba diving with stingrays & snorkelling with sea turtles.
- Go paddle boarding through the bays crystal clear, still waters.
- Surf world-famous breaks, away from the crowds.
