Where is the best place to go on honeymoon? We asked three experts to give you their top picks.

MELANIE MILLIN MOORE

Sol Kerzner trusted her to make every one of his local resorts famous (we’re talking Sun City right through to One&Only Cape Town), and she did it with aplomb. Now, after introducing us to the charms of the Oyster Box in Umhlanga, Melanie is tackling new projects. Here’s her advice on honeymoons

The ideal honeymoon destination
Having grown up in the bush, this is where Melanie’s heart lies. “You can’t beat the bush for the most stunning honeymoon,” she says. “It’s an opportunity to spend quality time with your partner, to be at one with nature, to experience the animal life, the birdlife, fauna and flora all in their natural habitat. There’s something very romantic about being surrounded by the scenery and magic of the bush – you get the most magnificent sunrises, romantic sunsets and a smell unlike anything you’ll ever experience anywhere else in the world.”

For Melanie, Botswana is the ultimate bush destination, and she regards Abu Camp in the Okavango Delta as one of the most romantic bush lodges she’s ever visited. “A stay here is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she enthuses. “At Abu, you’re surrounded by beauty and luxury, and have the opportunity to commune with nature. It’s an idyllic romantic destination.”

Locally, Melanie’s favourite lodge is Bushman’s Kloof in the Cape for their Bushman Rock paintings, game drives and “the best high tea I’ve ever eaten”. “The food is unbelievable”, she says, “Be prepared to gain at least 2kg and the décor is sensational.” Voted the best hotel in the world by Travel & Leisure Magazine for 2009, Melanie says it offers a unique bush experience.

Essentials on a bush honeymoon
For Melanie, the essential ingredients for a bush honeymoon are a beautiful bath, and mosquito repellant. “After a dirty, dusty day in the bush, one needs those odd touches of luxury – not over-the-top and commercialised, but enough facilities to make you feel extremely comfortable!”
The beauty of this type of honeymoon, says Melanie, is that the bride can be completely relaxed and casual, and doesn’t even need to worry about a hairdryer.

Her list of essentials:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Binoculars
• Mosquito repellant
• Books on birds for bird viewing
• Sunhat and sunscreen
• Cool, comfortable clothing in neutral colours.

JOHN RIDLER

Intrepid traveler and Thompsons Marketing expert, John Ridler has visited most countries around the world, and many of them more than once. Here’s his advice on how to make your honeymoon the best getaway ever

Where to go
Choosing your honeymoon is every bit as important as all the other choices you make for your wedding. Once the wedding is over, your honeymoon is a time to relax together and enjoy some quiet time after all the activity. Whether you dream of a lazy holiday on an exotic island resort, or prefer something with lots of activity and adventure, make sure you choose a destination that you will both enjoy.

Once you’ve chosen a destination, shop around for the most suitable package. Surf the Internet, check out what’s available in magazines and newspapers, ask your local travel agent for a selection. When you compare packages, check what’s included – remember, many hotels and resorts offer special honeymoon packages that are good value for money and include specials like dinners, give-aways, champagne and fruit to make your honeymoon even more exciting.

The best destinations
John’s firm favourites: The south of France, he says, is particularly romantic, as are London, Paris and Milan. But for honeymoons, John suggests a beach resort, whether it’s something special in Mauritius or the Seychelles, or further afield, in the magical Maldives. Closer to home, and extremely affordable, is Mombasa in Kenya, with an unbelievably long stretch of golden beach with a selection of fabulous beach resorts that remain unspoilt.

What to pack
This, of course, depends on where you’re going. But John suggests wherever you go, pack light. You can always buy more when you’re on honeymoon. And if you’re going to be in the sun, make sure you pack sunscreen – and a good pair of walking shoes for sightseeing and exploring. Most importantly – don’t’forget the camera.

MARC LE CHAT

PR and Marketing guru, Marc le Chat, travels extensively with his wife Fran for their business, Celebrity Services Africa. Marc is an expert on romantic locations…

Our European honeymoon
Perhaps it was because I had mentioned I was going on honeymoon when booking the flight (how else to get good seats?). Or was it that we had that glazed, post-wedding look of elation-fatigue on our faces? Either way, the first thing the air hostess said when we slumped into our business class seats was: “So you must be the honeymoon couple – welcome aboard!” Days later we took the route across the Alps on the Orient Express, its swaying carriages burnished in teak and gold, looking much like when Agatha Christie rode the train in the 1920s.

After descending the Italian side of the Alps, the train crossed the Po River plain and, as the hazy blue of Venice lagoon came into sight, I considered the next chapter of our honeymoon taking flight on the wavelets of a vaporeto guided by a lunatic in designer sunglasses. Europe was a dream honeymoon (even if it is a cliché, Paris is the most romantic city on earth).

Ideal honeymoon destinations
Romance is customary on a tropical island where one is propelled head-first into the concept of days-with-no-tomorrow. Two islands off the coast of Mozambique are fabulous romantic destinations.

Located on Bazaruto Island, Indigo Bay Island Lodge & Spa has its secluded honeymoon villa set on a sweep of marzipan beach while, further north, Matemo Island Resort is a collection of chalets put adrift on a talcum crescent in the Quirimbas Archipelago (reached by Airlink from Jo’burg to Pemba).

For either I recommend you pack light. A few kikois, shorts, tees, slops, a good book and an attitude that for the next few days at least you will be disconnected from the wired world.