The world's best-selling and up-and-coming multi-centre honeymoon destinations
Fly and flop doesn’t cut it for all honeymooners in 2017. Andrew Doherty rounds up multi-centre options to recommend when one stop isn’t enough.
Honeymoons are one of the most important holidays clients will book, and finding that perfect break can be a challenging task. For today’s experience-focused traveller, getting the most out of their trip is a top priority. We round up a selection of the best-selling destination combinations, plus up-and-coming multi-centre honeymoons around the globe designed to pack as much punch as possible while considering ease of travel and affordability.
San Francisco and Hawaii
With no direct flights from the UK to Hawaii, it’s worth suggesting clients extend their beach holiday with a short stopover in San Francisco, recommends Malcolm Davies, product destination manager at Funway Holidays.
“Combinations with the West Coast and inter-island remain extremely popular for us. Although the flight to Hawaii is a long one, the many routing options, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas or even Chicago, give clients the chance to break up their flight. What could be better than combining a tropical paradise and a vibrant US city?”
Davies recommends encouraging clients to be adventurous. “Oahu is wonderful but the islands differ Fly and flop doesn’t cut it for all honeymooners in 2017. Andrew Doherty rounds up multi-centre options to recommend when one stop isn’t enough Perfect pairings widely in terms of personality, so it’s worth seeing two or three. Flying between islands is quick and easy, and a ferry service links Maui and Lanai.”
Book it: Funway has the 10-night San Francisco & Hawaii Cool Combo from £1,099pp based on September 2017 departures. Price includes Heathrow flights, three nights at the 3.5-star Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco and seven nights at the Aqua Waikiki Pearl Hawaii.
South Africa and Mauritius
South Africa has many qualities that make for an unforgettable romantic getaway.
Nikki Hain, product manager at Premier Holidays, explains that combining a South Africa break with a more relaxing beach stay in Mauritius is a popular holiday itinerary.
“We see honeymooners wanting a couple of days in Cape Town followed by a self-drive on the Garden Route and through the winelands region, ending with a safari. This itinerary has really taken off over the past year, which I think has been down to the excellent value of the rand combined with the ability to incorporate a memorable experience such as a safari with a relaxing beach stay. Clients are seeing incredible value with this twin-centre and it ticks all the boxes for honeymooners.”
Book it: Premier Holidays offers a 14-night twin-centre honeymoon to South Africa and Mauritius from £2,965pp including three nights in Cape Town staying at the Protea Breakwater Lodge, three nights at the Elandela Private Game Reserve & Luxury Lodge, one night in Johannesburg and seven nights half-board at the fourstar Preskil Beach Resort in Mauritius. Travel based on August and September 2017 departures.
Bangkok and Phuket
Asia offers clients a variety of gateway hubs which allow easy access to a number of resorts meaning newlyweds can experience both the glamour of south-east Asia’s super cities and some of the region’s most relaxing hideaways.
Tom Higgins, marketing manager at If Only, recommends that honeymooners spend a couple of days in Bangkok before heading to Phuket, just over an hour’s flight away. “The long-haul flight from the UK takes around 11 to 12 hours and is overnight, which means couples can maximise their time in the destination. Both British Airways and Eva Air offer premium economy for those wishing for more onboard comforts.”
Bangkok is awash with exciting offerings for the more adventurous couple, such as temples, royal palaces and museums, and of course the nightlife, including the popular market district, which houses a selection of clubs and restaurants. If clients prefer not to stray from their hotels, Higgins adds that many If Only properties offer rooftop bars and eateries.
“In contrast, some of our resorts by the Andaman Sea in Phuket, Khao Lak and on Koh Yao Noi are havens of serenity, relaxation and romance. A favourite of our Asia team is the five-star deluxe Sarojin, about an hour’s drive north of Phuket airport.”
Higgins suggests clients book Phuket from November to April when the weather is at its best in the region; however, he explains that prices are highest then.
“Between April and August it’s wetter but with a good chance of sunshine between the showers, so most activities are not badly curtailed. Rainfall is highest in September and at the beginning of October, when prices are at their lowest.”
Book it: If Only offers seven nights B&B at The Sarojin from £1,455pp, with Gatwick flights and private transfers included. The price is valid for selected departures until October 2017. A stay at The Rembrandt, Bangkok, in a four-star Superior Room can be added from £35pppn room-only.
Barbados and the Grenadines
Home to some of the world’s most picturesque islands, the Caribbean places highly as a honeymoon hotspot.
Newlyweds can experience two different sides of the Caribbean by combining a stay in Barbados with a jaunt to Palm Island in the Grenadines.
Paula Whitehead, managing director Europe at Elite Island Resorts, explains the benefits of pairing the two.
“Combining Barbados and Palm Island delivers two contrasting Caribbean experiences; with an affordable celebrity postcode next door to Sandy Lane, The Club Barbados makes an ideal base to explore the island and really enjoy Caribbean nightlife.
"Then just a 50-minute plane and an eight-minute boat ride away is the completely private escape of Palm Island, where there are no televisions and only limited Wi-Fi, plus spa access, sailing, hiking, turtle watching and hammock naps. Both are all-inclusive with watersports included, so it’s a multi-centre honeymoon that builds on budget peace of mind.”
Book it: Kuoni has seven nights at The Club Barbados and seven nights at the Palm Island Resort from £3,499pp including flights and is based on two travelling on selected September 2017 departures.
Greek islands
For newlyweds looking for a getaway a little closer to home, Harry Kyrillou, commercial and aviation director of Planet Holidays, says that hopping between the lesser-known Greek Islands offers an affordable and fresh approach to a honeymoon.
“As a Greek Aito specialist, we’ve made these islands easier to access by introducing eight of the lesser-known islands to our 2016 programme and another six for 2017.”
The operator added Ithaca, Folegandros, Sifnos, Milos, Paros, Naxos, Skopelos and Alonissos to its portfolio in 2016 and this year has bolstered its offerings with Andros Ios, Kithos, Patmos, Kea and Tinos.
Highlights include combining Skiathos with the recently added Skopelos and Alonissos. The Skiathos-Skopelos ferry route, operated by Hellenic Seaways, connects the Sporades Islands with Skopelos Island and runs up to three times a day with trip durations of 30 minutes.
Alternatively, the Skopelos-Alonissos route operates three services a day and takes around 20 minutes.
Book it: Planet Holidays offers a two-week package combining Alonissos, Skiathos and Skopelos from £2,497pp on a B&B basis with Gatwick flights and transfers included, based on September 2017 departures.
Dubai, Sri Lanka and the Maldives
Combining Sri Lanka and the Maldives is a staple of the twin-centre Indian Ocean honeymoon holiday, and with good reason.
Zoe Betchley, Indian Ocean destination manager at Hayes & Jarvis explains that the short flight times and regular airlift between the two destinations help to make this a bestseller for the operator.
“With only an hour and a half flight on four daily services spread throughout the day, Sri Lanka and the Maldives is the perfect Indian Ocean honeymoon combination.
“Clients can experience the excitement of Colombo, the cultural capital of Kandy and even a safari in Yala national park before moving to the Maldives, with its choice of adults-only and premium all-inclusive offerings.”
Nikki Hain of Premier Holidays explains that the operator has seen an increase in clients booking multicentre honeymoons incorporating Dubai, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
She says: “Dubai is only six and a half hours away so it really breaks up the journey before flying on to Sri Lanka. Honeymooners can use it as a short city break or to relax on the beach after the wedding so they are completely prepared for an action-packed touring holiday in Sri Lanka.
“It is also a very cost-effective way of seeing three destinations and can save clients lots of money as they’re only booking one flight route in one package rather than buying extra flights. Clients flying with Emirates can have a triple centre honeymoon to Dubai, Sri Lanka and the Maldives for almost the same flight price of a single-centre holiday in the Maldives.”
Book it: Hayes & Jarvis offers 13 nights in Sri Lanka and the Maldives from £2,599pp with Heathrow flights, based on a September 30 departure.
Premier Holidays has a Dubai, Sri Lanka and Maldives honeymoon from £2,279pp including Gatwick flights departing in June 2017.
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