Honeymoon help!

[BuffaloCauliflower]

DF and I are planning our honeymoon for end of September/beginning of October.

Had planned for 5* super chill out Mexican holiday, but there’s still a Zika virus warning there and we want to TTC as soon as we’re married (to be honest we’re lax now, we’re ready to parents)
Waiting 3 months post Mexico as per current NHS Zika guidelines would be fine, but it’s made me think maybe best to consider other options, particularly as we’re not that careful.

Hoping to put out to the MN masses - South America, Southern African countries and most of the far and south east of Asia are out as options for Zika reasons.

Looking at 10 nights, ideally all inclusive but not essential, good service is important, we want to relax, read a book and enjoy some luxury. Roughly £5-6000 all in for both of us. Have considered Greek islands, or maybe North African safari.

What are we missing?

I’m in the same situation as you - getting married and want to TTC straight away (and also lax as ready to be parents!)

You may get a good deal at the Maldives if your not picky with where you want to stay?
We are looking at South Africa direction currently...

Sri Lanka

Maldives is still saying a risk of Zika transmission on official government guidelines unfortunately, or could have been an option.

Sri Lanka I didn’t realise was Zika free so thanks so much for that, but I fear it’s right in the rainiest bit of rainy season so not a good time to go. Would have been a great option at another time of the year ☹️

That’s the problem with that time of year really, lots of rainy seasons. Mexico is technically in rainy season but in practice it’s minimal rain

A couple of the Caribbean countries are zika free - Cayman is one and a couple of the others. We also considered Seychelles (which I think is zika free) and Cape Verde.

We went to Mauritius. Was beautiful! We did 3 night in Dubai either side to break to the long flight. Dubai was ultimate luxury and we were treated like royalty never had service like it, Mauritius was stunning and the food and culture and beaches with all the hotel included was divine

Mauritius looks like a good option. I’d assumed it would be the rainy season there too but apparently not. Would it blow the budget though?

Where did you stay Shook?

Mauritius would not blow the budget. We took the children and it was cheaper than a European 4*
Whay would you see on a safari in North Africa? Only sand and camels. Not wildlife as you would in southern Africa

No would t blow the budget at all, we had the top suite at the zilwa attitude, had our own jacuzzi outside on the balcony and everything. We booked through trial finders and they found us the best sea by miles, they were really knowledgable. That photo was my breakfast view. We had one day hired tour around the island which I strongly recommend as it is stunning and was my favourite day seeing everything

Mauritius is lovely, not too hot, service is always spot on and it's not expensive.

A lot of people that were there with us did South Africa for a bit then Mauritius. You can fly direct tho we just wanted to break it up a bit

Was cheaper than 2 weeks in Cornwall and took us less time to get there too.

Le Toussrock (DP) is amazing.

Yes we stayed with our kids in st ives for a week and cost as much 🙈 also per night bloody Lego land cost more! There’s great deals for Mauritius and it’s a beautiful place

Seychelles

Much like Mauritius, the Seychelles lies deep in the Indian Ocean. It too is a popular honeymooning spot and wonderfully, Zika-free.

Zil Pasyon is the honeymoon paradise to stay in, especially if you choose a private villa. You can arrive on the island (Félicité) by boat or conversely helicopter (big tick) and once there you need do nothing but relax, take in the sun, swim, eat and – if you wish – practise yoga down the yoga pavilion.

Or, if you have some cash to splash, head to Fregate Island. A private pool villa offers a sustainable, environmentally-friendly experience; 80% of food comes direct from the island, water is replenished from local sources, whilst their complementary lotions are made from garden botanicals.

Then there are the conservation opportunities as well: the chance to witness the endangered Hawksbill and Green Turtles eggs hatch on the beach or catch a glimpse of Giant Aldabra Tortoises wandering the island.

Little wonder this 115-island strong archipelago is one of the honeymooner's top choices.

Hollowvictory I was a few wines in, should have been ‘North Africa or a safari’ didn’t notice my mistake till you pointed it out! Morocco has been on the list for a while but was ruled out of initial honeymoon choices

Greek islands in September could be lovely- quieter than school hols. We have been to Crete in October and swum in the sea every day, sunbathed etc. A friend honeymooned in Santorini in September and it sounded amazing. Obviously good for lack of zika, short flights and amazing food! (IMO). In fact I want another Greek holiday this Sept/Oct, it was so nice!

Great thanks all, I’ll dig into Mauritius more. We just want to relax, enjoy time together, eat food and read a book somewhere with luxury

Tbh if that’s all you want I would consider Dubai. For me it was a stop over i wasn’t that excited by the prospect of it. But we had the suite in the grosevnor house and the luxury and service was staggering! It was honestly like what I thought royalty would of been treated like and the food was amazing aswell. Deffo more for your money than the Caribbean or Mexico

Village and Hollow - please can you tell me how you did the holiday there cheaply?

Shookethtothecore Dubai isn’t for us. We do just want to relax so it makes sense, but it doesn’t appeal. Too oppressive and fake.

Palominoo that all sounds amazing, you’re definitely speaking my language there! Thanks for the suggestions

Ah apparently one of the wettest times of the year in the Seychelles ☹️

Mauritius is amazing for honeymoons! All sorts of options for all different budgets. We stayed in the belle mar region in a 4 star hotel and it was just wonderful. Lots of options for excursions etc so little chance of getting bored. Would go back in a heart beat (planning to go back for our 20th wedding anniversary haha!)

I honestly thought that: I am an absolute holiday snob but for what it was, ultimate luxury, I’ve never had an experience like it. But we were only there 2 days in a row and I don’t think I could go for longer. Deffo look at Mauritius then, and the Seychelles

Cyberworrier will definitely look at Greek islands too. Greek food is my fave for a start, and yes our money would probably go further there. We’ve been to Rhodes in September but not on a holiday we chose so have some unfair negative associations with the area