Planning our Honeymoon, where to go in May
Discussion
As per title we're heading off on Honeymoon mid-May we will have approx 3-4 weeks to play with the following places are ruled out as we've either been or plan to go for future holidays;
New Zealand
Australia
Malaysia
Thailand
North America (we've been a few times and I go regularly for work)
Europe - we had an amazing driving trip last summer through France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and plan to do more in the future.
Ideal format would be a couple of weeks travelling, sightseeing, activities with a week somewhere warm to chill out at the end of the holiday.
Ideas so far have been perhaps a safari followed by a week on the beach somewhere.....
Over to the seasoned travellers of PH for some suggestions
New Zealand
Australia
Malaysia
Thailand
North America (we've been a few times and I go regularly for work)
Europe - we had an amazing driving trip last summer through France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and plan to do more in the future.
Ideal format would be a couple of weeks travelling, sightseeing, activities with a week somewhere warm to chill out at the end of the holiday.
Ideas so far have been perhaps a safari followed by a week on the beach somewhere.....
Over to the seasoned travellers of PH for some suggestions
Safari is good, albeit check the seasons and where is best.
Much of SE Asia will be in the rainy season.
Caribbean will be (check, but mostly) on the cusp of the dry/wet seasons
Borneo might be a good bet - we did Bali and Borneo for our Honeymoon in the last half of May a few years back, and the weather was mostly very good. Needs prior planning to get the most from it though, e.g. flights and accom'n to Sandakan so as to be near Orang Utan sanctuary, deer caves, Turtle Island etc. The Tanjung Aru is a really rather nice 5* resort albeit with only a small beach. Kota Kinabalu rather uninspiring as a town though...wouldn't want the whole holiday there.
Maybe combine somewhere Indian / SE Asian with the Maldives on the way back, if budget permits?
Much of SE Asia will be in the rainy season.
Caribbean will be (check, but mostly) on the cusp of the dry/wet seasons
Borneo might be a good bet - we did Bali and Borneo for our Honeymoon in the last half of May a few years back, and the weather was mostly very good. Needs prior planning to get the most from it though, e.g. flights and accom'n to Sandakan so as to be near Orang Utan sanctuary, deer caves, Turtle Island etc. The Tanjung Aru is a really rather nice 5* resort albeit with only a small beach. Kota Kinabalu rather uninspiring as a town though...wouldn't want the whole holiday there.
Maybe combine somewhere Indian / SE Asian with the Maldives on the way back, if budget permits?
Safari is a good idea - I would highly recommend the Okavango Delta is budget allows, then a week in Cape Town/vineyards at the end.
Or, South America? Not sure on the Galapagos seasons but that's on my list one day. Plus you've got the Inca stuff to explore, Argentina/Chile hold amsses of possibilities, Patagonia maybe, with many beaches to choose from to finish up.
Or, South America? Not sure on the Galapagos seasons but that's on my list one day. Plus you've got the Inca stuff to explore, Argentina/Chile hold amsses of possibilities, Patagonia maybe, with many beaches to choose from to finish up.
Stephanie Plum said:
Safari is a good idea - I would highly recommend the Okavango Delta is budget allows, then a week in Cape Town/vineyards at the end.
Or, South America? Not sure on the Galapagos seasons but that's on my list one day. Plus you've got the Inca stuff to explore, Argentina/Chile hold amsses of possibilities, Patagonia maybe, with many beaches to choose from to finish up.
Thanks this is one of the ideas we're exploring, possibly Safari in South Africa and then some time in either Mauritius/Maldives or the Seychelles to relax. Or, South America? Not sure on the Galapagos seasons but that's on my list one day. Plus you've got the Inca stuff to explore, Argentina/Chile hold amsses of possibilities, Patagonia maybe, with many beaches to choose from to finish up.
South America is definitely worth exploring, will take a look.
Thanks for the tips.
Sideways Rich said:
Decided on South Africa 10 days then head to Seychelles for 10 days, now to plan the itinerary!
My Sister lives in Cape Town (well nearby) and my brother in law works as an Exec Chef in a hotel (www.thefranschhoek.com) in Franschoek (wine country). If you'd like any tips on where to stay or where to visit (especially if you like good food and wine) I can certainly ask and get some local tips for you 
miln0039 said:
My Sister lives in Cape Town (well nearby) and my brother in law works as an Exec Chef in a hotel (www.thefranschhoek.com) in Franschoek (wine country). If you'd like any tips on where to stay or where to visit (especially if you like good food and wine) I can certainly ask and get some local tips for you
That would be superb, we both love decent food and wine. Would recommend Atlantic Suites Camps Bay. One of the best places to stay anywhere. period. Particularly good for honeymooners. Take a look on TA.
If you plan a safari and have time fly to Kruger (either via J'burg or direct to Mpumalanga). Would recommend Tinga Lodge. Brilliant. Has the advantage of being the only good quality lodge inside the main park. We stayed in both thier lodges (they have two, one on each side of the river)but prefered Narina - saw both leopard and elephant coming to the river for a drink whilst sitting on the balcony of our room.
If staying in the western cape try Schulphoek Guest House in Hermanus but only if you can get the Scallop Suite as the views over the south Atlantic are the best (one wall of the room is glass looking over the bay where you may see a whale). The other rooms are really nice but don't have the view. Whale watching is just starting in May and Hermanus is the best base for this.
Other bits: May is winter in SA so expect the western cape to be cool. Kruger is much further north and can be cool but can also get into the 20's. Also it's the dry season in Kruger so much of the grass etc is going which makes animal spotting that much easier. Lastly in both the western cape and, if you go, Kruger, hire a car. It's an easy drive from Cape Town to Hermanus and from Hermanus north to the main wine regions (there are some well known vineyards a few miles from Hermanus). In Kruger you can drive yourself round the park - the roads and tracks are fine though if you stay at Tinga you get game drives twice a day in the package. From Kruger you can take a day out to drive to Blyde River Canyon (3rd biggest in the world at 3/4km deep).
If you go to the wine region try Le Petit Ferme for lunch - brilliant for the money. More expensive but in the worlds top 50 is le Quartier Francais both in Franschhoek.
Soory about the ramble but hope some of t may be of use.
If you plan a safari and have time fly to Kruger (either via J'burg or direct to Mpumalanga). Would recommend Tinga Lodge. Brilliant. Has the advantage of being the only good quality lodge inside the main park. We stayed in both thier lodges (they have two, one on each side of the river)but prefered Narina - saw both leopard and elephant coming to the river for a drink whilst sitting on the balcony of our room.
If staying in the western cape try Schulphoek Guest House in Hermanus but only if you can get the Scallop Suite as the views over the south Atlantic are the best (one wall of the room is glass looking over the bay where you may see a whale). The other rooms are really nice but don't have the view. Whale watching is just starting in May and Hermanus is the best base for this.
Other bits: May is winter in SA so expect the western cape to be cool. Kruger is much further north and can be cool but can also get into the 20's. Also it's the dry season in Kruger so much of the grass etc is going which makes animal spotting that much easier. Lastly in both the western cape and, if you go, Kruger, hire a car. It's an easy drive from Cape Town to Hermanus and from Hermanus north to the main wine regions (there are some well known vineyards a few miles from Hermanus). In Kruger you can drive yourself round the park - the roads and tracks are fine though if you stay at Tinga you get game drives twice a day in the package. From Kruger you can take a day out to drive to Blyde River Canyon (3rd biggest in the world at 3/4km deep).
If you go to the wine region try Le Petit Ferme for lunch - brilliant for the money. More expensive but in the worlds top 50 is le Quartier Francais both in Franschhoek.
Soory about the ramble but hope some of t may be of use.
http://www.sun-city-south-africa.com/palace-of-the...
Is well worth a visit for a few days (10 years ago last week we were on ours there)
Is well worth a visit for a few days (10 years ago last week we were on ours there)
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