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Married couples would agree that planning a wedding is no easy feat (even though you would think the hardest part would just be to find the soulmate ?). But at the end of it comes the promise of a vacation to ease away the stress of pulling off a wedding: the honeymoon! What sounds better than going off on that first trip with your new husband or wife, celebrating the start of your new life together?
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While many of us dream of going on our honeymoon to amazing destinations, the truth of the matter is, it can get super pricey, especially when you want to splurge on a nice romantic hotel in a far-off destination! But don't worry, it's definitely not impossible - the dream honeymoon at the dream destination can happen with some planning and putting aside savings for the trip starting now! And to help you out, we've rounded up 10 amazing honeymoon destinations those you can start saving up for.
1. Maldives
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Starting the list is a familiar choice: The Maldives! The beauty of this country located in the middle of the Indian Ocean has become a popular spot for honeymooners, and with the breathtakingly beautiful resorts the Maldives has, it's easy to see why! Plus, given the predominantly Muslim population of the country, halal food is plentiful, making it an even more attractive option for Muslim couples.
The Maldives isn't exactly known for being a cheap destination, but you can easily aim to cut costs. For one thing, peak tourists season for the Maldives is between December to March, which coincides with the country's dry season (which lasts from November to April). However, even during the wet season (October - May), many guests have reported that the weather often remains quite enjoyable, barring the occasional rain shower! So visiting the Maldives during the offseason is definitely one way to make the trip more affordable. In addition, budget airlines such as AirAsia and Scoot fly to Male (the capital of the country) from KL and Singapore respectively.
#HHWT Tip: The Maldives is filled with beautiful resorts which are scattered about the different islands that make up the country. When booking your hotel, make sure to check what are the fees (if any) for the transfer from the airport to your resort. Sometimes they are not included in your booking and may cost a very significant amount, so be sure to clarify what it is beforehand!
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It's also worth remembering that you don't have to splurge on the priciest accommodation to have a wonderful stay in the Maldives. Though the country's beautiful and iconic resorts make often make it the main reason people like to go there for their honeymoon, it's worth remembering that there are many choices available across the price spectrum, from luxurious resorts to cheaper guesthouses and hotels. So shop around and choose one that meets your budget needs!
2. Morocco
Ahhh, Morocco. This country located in North Africa promises a getaway filled with exotic souks, beautiful scenery, fascinating culture and amazing sights. Sounds like an amazing honeymoon for sure!
Given the distance from our part of the world, flights to Morocco usually tend to take up a large bulk of the cost. Morocco has a number of airports - flights from KL and Singapore tend to land in either Marrakech or Casablanca. Either way, there are a number of connecting flights from airlines such as Qatar Airways, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, and more. Prices can fluctuate greatly, from between RM3,500 all the way to RM6,000 (or between SGD1,800 to SGD2,800 for flights from Singapore), so do use tools like Skyscanner or Google Flights to shop around and keep track of fares.
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In Morocco, you'll have plenty to do (check out our guide for first-timers!). Don't forget to check out the iconic blue town of Chefchaouen if you have the chance, or go for an excursion in the desert! Also, why not make the most of your honeymoon by staying in a riad (traditional Moroccan home)? Many hotels in Morocco are in riads that offer amazingly beautiful settings that would be perfect for a romantic honeymoon, such as the popular Riad Yasmine and Riad Kniza in Marrakech.
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3. Makkah & Madinah
When we asked our friendly readers on Instagrams what their dream honeymoon destination is, a fair number responded with Makkah and Madinah. And to be honest, it would indeed be such an amazing thing to start off married life visiting the house of Allah SWT and the holy cities. Marriage, if anything, is an act of worship, and what a blessing it would be to be able to start off married life performing umrah with your soulmate, to pray for a union to always be guided by our Creator ?
A growing number of couples are no choosing to perform umrah as their honeymoon, including our contributor Jinghan who shared her amazing experience with us.
All this to say, it's definitely something you can look into considering for your honeymoon! You can check with Islamic tour agencies for options available. Prices can greatly vary depending on the package you choose, the accommodation provided, which hotel you opt for, and so on, so it's important to shop around and decided what you're looking to go for.
#HHWT Tip: Don't forget that umrah ziarah(umrah trips combined with sightseeing) packages are also available nowadays if you want to extend your visit to see some beautiful countries like Jordan, Morocco, Dubai and more!
4. New Zealand
Imagine this: driving in a campervan with your loved one through some of the most beautiful natural scenery you'll ever see. Or stargazing at millions and millions of stars along the milky way together. Or perhaps geeking out over Lord Of The Rings stuff at Hobbiton, or even tandem bungy-jumping together (talk about taking a leap of faith as a couple!).
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Well, that's only some of the things you can expect on a honeymoon in New Zealand! This stunning country is a treasure trove that would be marvellous to explore together. So if this sounds like your dream honeymoon, it's time to start saving up and planning your trip. For one thing, New Zealand is divided into North Island and South Island, so it would be good to start figuring out what sort of activities you want to do (for example, if you're determined to visit Hobbiton that would be in North Island). You should also decide whether you want to visit both islands or take your time exploring just one (which might be more advisable if you're not looking to have a rushed trip!). If you're planning to do some of the extreme sports that New Zealand is famous for (from skydiving to bungee jumping, paragliding, and more), you'll need to set aside more budget for this too.
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There are direct flights from KL and Singapore to Auckland (located in North Island) from airlines such as Malaysia Airlines as well as Singapore Airlines, and Air New Zealand. SIA And Air New Zealand fly direct from Singapore to Christchurch (located in South Island) too! Unfortunately, budget carriers like AirAsia no longer fly to Auckland ☹️ So given the airfare that will take up a significant amount (between RM3,000 - 5,000, depending on which airline and what route you take), it's a good idea to start saving up so you'll have budget to go do all the awesome activities too!
P.S. Halal and Muslim-friendly food are fairly easy to find in New Zealand, so you're all set for a fantastic getaway.
5. Thailand
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Thailand may not be a far-flung location from Malaysia or Singapore, but it easily remains a popular option for a honeymoon for many couples (including myself!). The reasons for this are obvious - the closer location means flights tend to be cheaper, Thailand has a plethora of amazing islands and beach resorts that are meant for honeymooners, and the food is delicious! Plus, Thailand has a Muslim population that generally ensures halal food is easily available, especially in places like Krabi.
With so many stunning islands in Thailand, choosing your beach destination for your honeymoon won't be easy. Try checking out our guides for comparing Phuket vs. Krabi and other beaches in Thailand!
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Peak times to visit many of the popular beach destinations in Thailand tend to be from December to February, so it's best to plan ahead and book your trip and accommodation early, avoiding peak season. And if you're saving on flights, you can put your savings towards splurging on a super nice hotel, like the Rayavadee in Krabi pictured above ?
6. South Africa
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South Africa lies all away across the Indian Ocean and is a destination not many of us can say we've been to (though many of us dream of going!). And it's no big secret why - the country has some of the most spectacular sights to behold and amazing attractions to offer. From stunning beaches, vibrant towns and even safaris, it'll be the ultimate honeymoon for sure!
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While some may view South Africa as an expensive destination to visit, it's certainly not out of reach! For one thing, it's a year-round destination, with certain months better-suited for particular activities (for example, July to November are the best months for whale watching, while the summer months from November to February are the warmest and nicest for going to the beach). Tourists tend to peak in the summer months, so go during the other months to save on hotel and flight rates. There are also several airlines such as Qatar, Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines that fly to Cape Town at reasonable fares. Check out our Muslim-friendly guide for first-timers to South Africa for other info you need to know about visiting this amazing destination!
7. Italy
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Italy was another popular destination our Instagram community chose for their dream honeymoon. And while several people chose Venice specifically, we really couldn't bring ourselves to narrow it down, because Italy has so many things to offer! From the awe-inspiring historic sights like the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain to the coastal towns along the Amalfi Coast and of course the magnificent canals of Venice, Italy is sure to captivate and inspire. Not to mention, the country often just oozes romantic vibes, perfect for a honeymoon.
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Given the country's popularity, plenty of connecting flights are available from KL, Singapore and Jakarta bound for Italy, especially for Rome and Milan. From these cities, you can easily plan your visit to places like Venice, Florence and Naples via train. So if beautiful architecture, rich history, vibrant culture and delicious food (hello pizza, pasta and gelato!) sound like the ideal honeymoon, Italy will be the perfect choice.
8. Turkey
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Istanbul has long been a popular destination for honeymooners and non-honeymooners alike. This country that's popular for being a fascinating blend of Asian and European easily captivates, with amazing structures like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, beautiful scenic sights, and amazing food (that's halal!). But if you need further convincing of why it would be the perfect honeymoon destination, we've got you covered.
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If you’re already looking to plan your honeymoon in Turkey for the first half of 2020, the best time to visit is from April to May as that’s when you can enjoy lovely spring weather. But if you want cheaper flight prices, then January will be a better month to visit as it’s not peak season. Don't forget to check out our budget tips for visiting Turkey as well as our tips for first-timers to the country! And if you're looking for something extra special for your honeymoon, why not travel to Cappadocia and take one of the (now famous) hot air balloon rides? It will bound to be a beautiful experience to share with your loved one.
P.S. Check out our 6D5N itinerary to get you started!
9. Switzerland
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There's something about the snow-covered Swiss Alps, the lush valleys, and the quaintly beautiful towns of Switzerland that scream romantic. Whether you're looking for a winter wonderland or want to visit the country in its beautiful warmer months, Switzerland promises a stunning trip that will be etched in your memories together.
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Switzerland is often considered a very pricey destination, but it doesn't have to be! Flights to Zurich and Geneva are available with airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and KLM, with prices starting from around RM2.4k or SGD800 (based on current prices). In addition, Switzerland’s peak tourist seasons are during the summer months from July and August as well as during the winter months from late December to February. The months leading up to Switzerland's peak seasons (the spring and early summer months of April – June as well as the autumn months of September – October), also know as the shoulder months, tend to have a lower number of tourists. This is great news if you’re looking to save on travel costs because flights and accommodation tend to be easier to obtain and are often cheaper!
Don't forget to check out our 7D6N itinerary for Switzerland, as well as our picks for where to find halal food.
10. Greece
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Santorini has become a dream honeymoon destination for many, and could you blame them? The iconic blue waters and sun-washed white buildings of this Greek island have captured the attention of many. But that's not all that Greece offers though - there are wonderful historical sites to explore in Athens, delicious Mediterranean food to savour, and even more beautiful beaches that dot the coastlines of the country.
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Greece also has a rich Islamic heritage - did you know that during the Ottoman rule, Muslims came and settled in Greece for over 500 years? In fact, the pagan temple Parthenon in Athens was once a mosque ? Suffice to say, it's an amazing place to go for your honeymoon, and it doesn't have to cost a bomb! Scoot actually flies direct from Singapore to Athens, which is a much cheaper alternative to some of the other airlines available. Check out our 6D5N Greece itinerary for other ideas on how to plan your honeymoon in Greece!
And that wraps up our list of your potential honeymoon destinations in 2020! The world is your oyster, and with a little saving and planning, a trip to any one of these places is possible. It's time to get your partner on board and start planning for the honeymoon of your dreams ?