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When you’re about to get hitched, nearly every couple wants to have a glamorous and romantic honeymoon. After all the stress and planning of the wedding, once it’s done we want to relax without worrying about money or our lives back home. Luckily there are some pretty amazing destinations you can visit that will provide romance, culture, food, wine, and relaxation you desire without breaking the bank. The five following destinations will have you falling in love again and again.

Spain

Considering flight costs and distance, staying closer to home is always cheaper. That’s why for British travellers Spain is an ideal destination for couples on a budget. Barcelona is a fantastic option, you can relax in the sun and enjoy some amazing tapas and generously flowing drinks. Cordoba is another great option for gastro-tourists, the food here is amazing. Both Barcelona and Cordoba are beautiful, offering stunningly old architecture and some gorgeous sun. Dive into Spanish culture by napping after lunch, eating dinner late, and relaxing in between.

Thailand

The experts at cheap holiday deals site Money Pug confirm that there are few cheaper places more packed with culture, natural beauty, spirituality, great food, and ravaging nightlife than Thailand. In this gorgeous Southeast Asian country, you can find amazing beaches, resorts, and islands in the South, traditional culture and green mountains in the North, and some of the craziest nightlife out there in Bangkok. Not only are you guaranteed a great time in Phuket, Krabi, and Chiang Mai, it can all be done in luxurious style on a budget.

Greece

Right now, Greece is an extremely cheap option for a destination. Not only is it an affordable destination for a glamorous honeymoon, but it is also beyond beautiful. There are the usual options like Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos, but the list doesn’t stop there. Greece is full of beautiful places and friendly people.

Furthermore, you can even try a less popular island like Koufonisia or Sifnos and enjoy solitude and low prices. Take advantage of the country’s economic situation while putting money into the local economy. Kick back on the beach, eat some delicious Mediterranean food, and drink more than your fair share or raki without worrying about the cost.

Portugal

Another nearby destination that is both affordable and lovely is Portugal. You can visit the Duoro Valley, which compared to Italy’s Tuscany is a much cheaper option without sacrificing beauty or authenticity. Disconnect here if you are looking to get away from it all and spend precious days drinking some of the best wines around with your partner.

The Duoro Valley isn’t all Portugal has to offer. Algarve is a very popular destination for British tourists. Not only is it very easy for Brits to enjoy a vacation here—English is ubiquitous—it is a wonderful place to make your own world in one of the region’s highly lauded resorts. You can have the dream holiday and honeymoon you’ve always longed for without the hefty price tag.

Croatia

Similar to Greece, Croatia is the perfect spot for a warm honeymoon on the beach that won’t set you back. Not only does this coast-straddling country have some of the most renowned and secluded beaches and islands, but it is also quite inexpensive. This means that you can enjoy Croatian wine, delicious local cuisine, and luxurious resorts. There are many places to choose from in Croatia, it all depends on how far from the madness you are looking to get.

In addition to the coast, Croatia has the Plitvice National Park, where you can be soothed by the many crashing waterfalls. There is also the capital city of Zagreb, where you can take pleasure in your new marriage at the Museum of Broken Relationships. It will make you feel even more thankful to have found each other.

Taking a honeymoon doesn’t have to break the bank. You can have a relaxing, luxurious, and stress-free vacation while saving money for your future together. If you put in a little research you can have it all.

What are you waiting for? Get planning for your dream vacation with the love of your life and solidify memories you will look back upon fondly as you grow old together. Whatever your style, there is an affordable honeymoon destination for you.

Ryan Beitler is a journalist, writer, and travel blogger. He has been published in Paste Magazine, OC Weekly, New Noise Magazine, The Slovenia Times, and more.

In a busy world, sometimes we don’t have enough one-on-one time with our significant other. Okay, maybe not sometimes – maybe it’s often. What are the best ways to spend time together, have time to talk, catch up and just be alone?

For people who love to travel, there is no better place than a car. While some might view being “trapped” in a tiny space with a person for hours upon hours as torture, for those of us who enjoy and miss each other’s company, a long road trip may be heaven sent.

We can pick our routes together, and choose a pace. We can go slow and stop at every interesting thing we see, every roadside fruit stand or interesting vista, or we can be ambitious and pick long trying routes where we can be silent for long periods of time and listen to our playlists and the hum of wheels on the road while holding hands.

These moments are ours and ours alone, and they can bring us closer than a crowded tour bus or a busy all-inclusive hotel resort. Here, it’s just us and the road. The “togetherness” begins at the planning stage before you even take a step out the door.

If you don’t have time to plan absolutely everything, there certainly are tour companies all over the world from Iceland to Africa that can get you a car rental and a personal itinerary – great deals on self-driving tours through Ireland or England are plentiful, so don’t worry if you can’t commit a lot of time for research.

And if you don’t have enough time to find the places that can save you time, here is a quick list of self-drive tours from around the world that will take care of you and make sure you concentrate only on yourselves and exploring together:

Tour Ireland

Ireland has some incredible road trip routes. The greatest part of it is that the country is relatively small, and if you take a two week holiday, you can actually say you have driven around the whole island!

There is the Wild Atlantic Way, which encompasses some of the most scenic parts of the Irish coast. Bring comfortable hiking shoes, because it’s worth to take your time exploring here on foot.

Along the way, you can stay in quaint little Inns and bed and breakfasts, or luxurious castles and hotels. It’s your choice – if you want your trip planned for you and everything is taken care of, book your self-drive tour through Ireland with GoIrish Tours.

Namibia

If you don’t mind roughing it a little, have a sense of adventure and just happen to have two weeks off with your partner – a self-drive tour through Namibia is a must. Of course, you don’t have your pick of luxury hotels. On this amazing 4 wheel drive adventure, you will experience rooftop camping and stays in little hotels.

Bring your camera and enjoy the wildlife that you have only seen in nature films, and spend romantic nights under the milky way. Rainbow Tours will plan it all for you and give you much-needed pointers when they give you your adventure car.

You will see Etosha National Park, and camp in state-owned self-catering campgrounds. Talk about a once in a lifetime experience, as well as a chance to bond! You can also visit the Namibia Tourism Board for tips about excursions and where to go.

Golden Circle, Iceland

Iceland is quickly becoming a very popular off the grid travel destination, mainly for its amazing otherworldly scenery. It is remote, barren and thought-provoking – statistically, one in ten Icelandic people will publish a book.

If you feel like you need some time to get your creative juices flowing while watching the aurora borealis, check out the well-planned tours put together by Artisan Travel, a UK company. You can cuddle up with your significant other in the hot thermal waters of the Land of Fire and Ice.

The best time to travel is when you can experience the midnight sun in the summer. You will get enough vitamin D to keep you flying high for the rest of the year!

Japan

When we think of Japan, we too often thing Tokyo and big, modern cities. If you take your time to drive around this breathtaking island, you will find mountains, forests, seascape and villages. If you can’t decide if you prefer a tour of the urbanscapes, the snow country or the countryside, visit Inside Japan Tours, and they will help to guide you through many levels of trips – from the budget conscious to the luxury.

California

We couldn’t find just one company with a plan, so if you go to visit California and take a look at all the choices, you can pick your favourite yourself. California has never-ending possibilities for road trips. Mostly for long road trips. You can drive along the coast starting in San Diego, through LA, winding up the steep hills with amazing ocean vistas and stopping by local taquerias and burger joints.  See the mysterious Big Sur, Sequoias, Monterey, and all the little secret places and ocean side galleries on the way to San Francisco. Or you can choose not to see the Pacific at all and drive through the desert – get a spiritual experience in Joshua Tree, rent a trailer in the middle of the desert and then head to the High Sierras, Lake Tahoe, Lassen Volcanic Park or Mount Shasta. You can relax in a yurt in the middle of Wine Country or at a retreat in the heart of an ancient redwood forest. Better plan well, because it’s easy to spend months wandering around this diverse state.

A honeymoon is ultimately the culmination of your wedding adventure, alongside the person you’ve chosen to spend the rest of your life with. It gives you time to relax, connect, get closer and create memories in a place far away from home.

Typically, the best honeymoons are filled with adventure, laughter and unbridled joy. This is precisely why you should visit New Zealand, which serves as the ideal location for the perfect honeymoon.

New Zealand is one of the most spectacular places on earth, where you’re guaranteed to have the time of your life. If you’re looking for adventure, breath-taking views, natural hot springs, diverse culture, unique wildlife and adrenaline pumping activities, you’ll find it all in ‘The Land of the Long White Cloud’.

Here, we’ve highlighted some of the best-kept secret locations you should consider when honeymooning in New Zealand.

Touch the world’s largest hot spring at Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Frying Pan Lake, in the Waimangy Volcanic Valley

Just a short drive from Rotorua, Waimangu is home to the light blue, steaming inferno crater, Frying Pan Lake, as well as Lake Rotomahana. You can get energised with a Waimangu walking tour, luxuriate on a Rotomahan boat cruise, and see the only geothermal system created by a volcanic eruption. You can also soak-up the atmosphere of the valley, follow nature trails through the inferno crater and be captivated by vigorously bubbling hot springs. There are even some rare plants present that have adapted to Waimangu’s hot earth, creating a new ecosystem out of total devastation. The award-winning eco-centre is open every day from 8:30 am.

Explore an unusual beach at Waikawau Beach Tunnel

Waikawau beach is one of the few publicly accessible parts of coastline between Awakino and Marokopa. The only access to the beach is via a short, man-made cave that is simply breathtaking to look at. It was carved by three local labourers armed with shovels and picks in 1911. Here, you can explore face carvings, waterfalls and white cliffs. The beach is typical of the west coast, featuring scattered rocks and dark sands. It is isolated and quiet, making it a great spot to spend the day in
solitude whilst swimming in natural waterholes formed by the surf. You can even bring along a net to catch some whitebait.

Release your water animal at Matapouri Bay

Matapouri Bay

Matapouri Bay boasts a striking white sandy beach, perfect for a honeymoon getaway destination. The bay is just ten minutes away from Tutukaka, where you can explore Mermaid Pools at low tide and swim in the estuary. Join the natives in jumping off the bridge and unleash your adventurous side. You can also launch from a boat ramp, while other attractions in the area include Ngunguru, Poor Knights Island Marine Reserve and Whale Bay.

Hiking to Anapai Bay

Anapai Bay

Located in the Abel Tasman National Park, Anapai Bay is one of New Zealand’s best secret beaches. You can only get here by hiking or with a boat, which only adds to its secrecy. The hike usually takes three hours to complete (there and back), while if the tide is favourable, you can even cut out the estuary to save time.

There are two beaches on the bay; the first is a stunningly beautiful, long beach with golden sands and a clear view of the ocean. The other side of the bay is quieter and deserted, providing a great place to spend the day away from prying eyes with your loved one. There is a small campsite if you want to stay the night.

See the endangered Birds at the untouched Kapiti Island

Kapiti Island

Kapiti Island is a nature reserve that houses some of the most endangered birds in New Zealand, creating a safe haven for them in which to thrive. Access to the Island is limited only to small groups via a licensed tour operator. It’s a great way to spend the day with your partner and relax on a beach, surrounded by wild birds and raw nature.

There are many activities to enjoy on the Kapiti Coast; for instance, Queen Elizabeth Park is a beachside location, where you can picnic, swim, cycle or walk. Grab lunch at the Marine Parade Eatery, which is designed to mirror a Robinson Crusoe theme, with a great view of the island and an impressive international menu. Meanwhile, discover a wide range of native New Zealand species at Nga Manu, such as a three-eyed lizard, kiwi birds, kaka parrots, tui, and eels.

Try some of the weirdest extreme sports in Queenstown

The Shotover jet in Queenstown.

Queenstown is the best place in the world if you and your partner are looking to go the extra mile and engage in extreme sports. The hydro attack is a Seabreacher X watercraft that looks like a shark, taking you in and out of the water in a manner that will put your heart in your mouth. Water sledging puts your nose in the waterfall and discovers the steepest luge ride in a go-cart half slide, ideal for any adventurous couple. Remember to check your travel insurance from Air New Zealand to protect your trip whilst holidaying in New Zealand.

Spy on some of the rarest species of seal at Waipapa Point

The Waipapa Point lighthouse.

Waipapa is a coastal heaven, deep in The Catlins, where there’s seemingly an incredible sight to behold round every corner – most of which are absolutely free to experience. Start off at Waipapa Point, where you’ll find the lighthouse, a memorial for sea lions, as well as a shipwreck. Note that there are many rocks that make it difficult to spot the sea lions, but you could just be lucky enough to see one and take a good picture all the while. You can increase your chances of spotting a sea lion by visiting when there aren’t too many tourists in the area.

Discover the beauty of Marokopa Falls

Marokopa Falls

Often described as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in New Zealand, Marokopa cascades from an impressive height of 35m. The waterfall is located in Tawarau Forest, a short drive away from the popular Waitomo caves, where you’ll also find the striking glow worms. Marookopa Falls is noticeably wide and features an interesting rock formation down the side. The
walk to the fall is convenient for anyone; at the right time of year, you’ll be led to a viewing platform with an incredible view of the waterfall and an opportunity to take some amazing photos. Other top attractions nearby include Piripiri Cave and Mangopohue Natural Bridge (both with free entry).

Conclusion

New Zealand is an amazing country to explore. No matter what time of the year you care to visit or activity you prefer, this nation of extremely friendly people welcomes you with open arms and offers some of the most awe-inspiring views and natural wonders you’ll ever see.