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The Honeymoon Report |
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From Rio to Kuala Lumpur, our real wedding couples give the lowdown on their honeymoon destinations
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CITY & THE BEACH: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
Jennifer and Adam Kempton escaped to Rio de Janeiro for two weeks. Not your typical honeymoon destination, Rio is an enigmatic city with plenty of attitude and character. The city pulsates with the rhythms of samba and the sexy vibes of the bossa nova. Rio's beaches are world-famous and littered with tanned, shapely bodies, and people watching is part of the experience. And make sure your iPod is playing The Girl from Ipanema (Antonio Carlos Jobim/Astrud Gilberto), which won a Grammy and became a worldwide hit in the '60s.
WHAT OUR HONEYMOONERS SAY
"We've travelled quite a bit, but South America is somewhere we hadn't touched. We chose Rio because it is a city on a beach, and an exciting city at that. We didn't meet couples who were also on their honeymoon, which was exactly what we wanted.
"We're the kind of people who will enjoy the more relaxed locations when we are older. The culture, food and atmosphere were so interesting ? everything about Rio was out of this world. It was such an experience to have spent two weeks in a great city. We came back with so many stories about the history and way of life."
Jennifer and Adam stayed at the Sheraton Hotel. "We had a standard room which was fine - beach, pool and shanty-town views. The advantage is that this hotel is right on the beach - all the other hotels have a road in between. The downside was that it was a five to 10 minute walk to the Leblon area, but the hotel supplied mini buses all day to and from all the major places which was really helpful," says Jennifer.
THE VERDICT
"We would definitely recommend Rio de Janeiro, especially if you don't want to sit and relax with loads of other honeymooners," advises Jennifer.
Rio is perfect for adventurous couples who enjoy exploring the new and the unfamiliar, and appreciate the nuances of a unique culture and its people. Bring an open mind, because like other big cities, Rio has its rough edges. Visitors are advised to take extra care with their belongings, especially along the beach area.
Energetic honeymooners who are open-minded, not daunted by the outrageous, the spectacular and the bizarre, but who are also lovers of world music and dance should definitely consider experiencing the Rio Carnival. Plan ahead and visit www.rio-carnival.net. And don't forget your camera when you climb the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer, which stands 38 metres (120ft) tall at the summit of Corcovado Mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park.
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WILD & WONDERFUL: TANZANIA
There's something truly magical about watching wildlife in its natural habitat - the whole experience has a calming, spiritual effect that both intrepid travellers and newlyweds find quite irresistible. Deciding where in Africa to spend one's honeymoon can be a challenging task, with so many private reserves and resorts to tempt couples - from Kenya to South Africa, and Namibia to the Madagascan coast. Combining a safari with a laid-back retreat by the ocean is always popular with couples and guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience.
WHAT OUR HONEYMOONERS SAY
Sarah and Neil Swindells jetted off to Tanzania for two weeks. "We'd always wanted to go on safari, including walking to see chimpanzees in the wild. We spent a week on a private safari in the Serengeti and then spent four days in luxury straw huts at an all-inclusive resort, Zoe's Camp, in Mahale on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
THE VERDICT
"It really was a bespoke holiday. Our safari guide/driver was superb and we got to mix luxury with seeing the most we could of the animals. It felt like an old style safari. We stayed in tents and huts and walked with Masai at Olduvai camp on the plains; a bit rustic but a good experience," recalls Sarah.
They booked their honeymoon through African Travel Resource. For more information, call 01306 880 770 or www.africatravelresource.com
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ORIENTAL SPLENDOUR: MALAYSIA
Couples like Sarah and Giles Roberts who want to combine culture, history and adventure with serious pampering can expect to find all these in Malaysia, where many races converge - Chinese, Malay and Indian - to create a tantalising spectrum of culinary delights, traditions and architectural marvels.
WHAT OUR HONEYMOONERS SAY
"We had wanted to go somewhere where we could rest for a little while after the hectic planning of the ceremony - not to mention the upheaval of moving to another country (Sarah moved from New York City to the UK). However, we both wanted to do something a little adventurous and off the beaten path," explains Sarah. Giles found that Malaysia, his mother's native country, has so much to offer - luxury resorts where they could get pampered, exotic cities and the rainforest.
They travelled around Malaysia for 12 days. "We started off with a stay at Pangkor Laut Resort, an absolutely phenomenal place set on a tiny private island. We were in one of the Sea Villas, on stilts over the Strait of Malacca. The resort staff would think of things you might desire before you did - flowers tucked in everywhere, hot drinks on arrival, porters and drivers at the push of a button, beautiful landscaping and an ultra-luxurious spa, and even a private beach. The food was also extraordinary, with chefs from five countries and several restaurants to choose from each night. We dined on balconies over the water or sat out on the beach each evening?.bliss."
In Penang, they stayed at Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, also known as La Maison Bleu. "It was extremely ornate and had a very interesting history. The service was good, and we had a nice tour of the house," says Sarah.
Following a stay in Penang, they headed off to the Cameron Highlands Resort (the sister resort of Pangkor Laut). "The service was just as genteel and we were upgraded to a honeymoon suite when they found out why we were there. They even laid out the flower petals on our bed to read: 'Happy Honeymoon, Sarah and Giles'."
After some serious pampering, the honeymooners were all geared up for a bit of adventure at the Taman Negara rainforest, where they stayed in a cabin in a little clearing in the woods, which Sarah described as "much more rustic and adventuresome".
When in the wilds, expect the unexpected. According to Sarah and Giles: "A monkey kept banging on the roof all night, which was mildly annoying, but we had a great time hiking, swimming, visiting an indigenous tribe and going for night walks. Our guide was really good and told us all about the medicinal and culinary uses of the plants we hiked past."
THE VERDICT
"Malaysians are very friendly people, and they speak English, which makes travelling in a foreign country very easy. The food is outstanding, the weather in June is warm and breezy, and prices are very reasonable. There is a very diverse culture, and lots to see wherever you go. Pangkor Laut Resort is very luxurious and expensive, but worth it for a honeymoon. The service was unlike anything we've ever experienced," says Sarah.
For more information, visit www.pangkorlautresort.com, www.cameronhighlandsresort.com, and www.rainforest-tamannegara.com
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ULTIMATE LUXURY: MAURITIUS
When total relaxation and luxuriating beckon after many months of planning the wedding, Mauritius comes to mind for many couples. Lindsey and Mario Festa wanted to spend their honeymoon where neither of them had been before. In Mauritius, there are myriad elegant resorts to choose from, but for the Lindsey and Mario, it had to be Le Touessrok - and for very good reasons.
WHAT OUR HONEYMOONERS SAY
"Mauritius is a fantastic location and Le Touessrok is an amazing resort. We were treated like king and queen during the entire honeymoon, we didn't want to come home! The hotel staff couldn't do enough for us," recalls Lindsey.
THE VERDICT
"We would rate the resort 11 out of 10. It was the best hotel we've ever stayed in. We booked the honeymoon with Best at Travel." For further information, visit www.bestattravel.co.uk and www.letouessrokresort.com
Image of Le Touessrok courtesy of Sun Resorts Ltd
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