Plan your honeymoon twin-centre to perfection

Why settle for one backdrop when you can have two? From golden shores to spice-scented souks, safari lodges to skyline views, these twin-centre honeymoons prove opposites really do attract. Here’s how to mix up your just-married adventure.

Uga Ulagalla, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka isn’t just non-stop adventure; it’s also about serene escapes like Uga Ulagalla, a pool villa haven hidden in culture-rich Anuradhapura. From the moment the traditional bell-ringing ceremony welcomes you, this hidden gem sets the tone for a honeymoon steeped in sublime service and genuine local charm. Head out on adventures, spotting elephants and scaling ruins, then return to cool off in your plunge pool as the forest hums with life.

Bonus: Stay at least three nights and enjoy a complimentary Wilpattu safari to spot elusive leopards and wild elephants, plus choose one free in-house experience such as horseback riding, archery or a hands-on Sri Lankan cookery class with authentic recipes to take home.

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Once you’ve explored ancient cities and leopard country, kick back with your toes in sugar-white sand and a sundowner in hand – hello, Maldives!

Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia

This South-East Asian beauty has virtues aplenty. It’s nestled on its own private island, surrounded by virgin rainforest and set beside a jaw-dropping beach. Oh, and did we mention the award-winning spa? It’s one of the best in Malaysia.

Seamlessly blending stylish digs with unspoilt nature, Pangkor Laut really is spectacular. Island-hopping, fishing, yoga, tai chi and jungle trekking are a few of the activities on offer, but for honeymooners, dinner at adults-only Fisherman’s Cove is a must. Our tip? Book a villa on stilts for ultimate privacy.

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Twin your island escape with a city break in colourful Kuala Lumpur, home to the tallest twin towers on the planet and a hip food and nightlife scene.

Paresa Phuket, Thailand

Perched high above Phuket's Kamala Beach, Paresa is a peaceful pool villa hideaway that lives up to its Sanskrit name: ‘heaven of all heavens’. Chic villas cascade down a forested cliffside, each with a private pool and terrace framing knockout views of the Andaman Sea.

Mornings start with sparkling wine breakfasts overlooking the water and evenings bring romantic dinners under the stars at Talung Thai – we’re still dreaming about the vodka tagliatelle lobster. Chef’s kiss. Over in the spa, treatments use organic oils from the hotel’s own garden and there’s a menu of rituals designed to slow your pulse right down.

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Combine this relaxed beach trip with 48 hours in the cosmopolitan city of Abu Dhabi, where glittering skyscrapers give out to vast echoing deserts.

Peponi, Lamu, Kenya

Landing on Lamu feels like stepping off the map. After a hop over to the archipelago, your bags are wheeled by handcart to the dock, where a wooden boat slips you across to Shela Village. That’s where you’ll find Peponi – a low-key, high-charm hideaway that’s been quietly welcoming celebrities, creatives and those in the know since 1967.

Rooms spill out onto the beach, sundowners hit just right on the terrace and traditional dhow sails at sunset are nothing short of magic. Spend your days browsing artisan studios, wandering sandy alleys, or doing blissfully little as sea breezes roll in from Manda.

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Start your honeymoon in the wilds of Laikipia at Governors’ Mugie House – the Laikipia Fly-In Safari and Lamu combo is the itinerary to ask for.

Keyonna Beach Resort, Antigua

This rustic-luxe couples-only escape sits right on a sweep of powdery sand, where seagrape trees lean lazily over wooden sunbeds and cocktails arrive without you having to move. There are no TVs, no loud pool scenes – just a small, beachfront resort with a handful of rooms and cottages, each with a four-poster bed and open-air shower.

Spend the day snorkelling off Cades Reef, learning to play a steel drum or sinking into a beach bed with an refreshing rum punch. Dinner’s a toes-in-the-sand affair, with grilled catch of the day and spicy Caribbean dishes made to order.

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Spend a whirlwind few days exploring New York’s big-ticket landmarks, leafy parks, and legendary diners.

Lefay Resort & Spa, Lake Garda, Italy

With widescreen lake views from its hillside perch, Lefay takes honeymooning to a new level of luxe. Suites are light and spacious, the lake stretches out below like a painting and a session in the olive-wood sauna might just float you off to cloud nine.

Mornings roll into afternoons over long breakfasts, lazy swims and scenic walks through lemon-scented hills. Dinner leans plant-based at Gramen or classic Italian at La Limonaia – both bringing la dolce vita by the forkful.

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Head to nearby Verona (an easy 30 minute train ride from Garda) to soak up Renaissance romance and enjoy candlelit pasta for two.

Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel, Mauritius

This secluded adults-only retreat lives up to its name, a blissed-out bolthole tucked beside a sheltered cove. Whether you’re side by side on a calm morning paddle or cosied up on beanbags stargazing with an astronomer, here, it’s all about you-and-me time. There are plenty of ways to unwind, including morning yoga, wellness workshops and head-to-toe spoiling at the Cinq Mondes spa, plus fun to be had with kayaking, art therapy and energising fitness sessions. We adore the private ‘love nests’ scattered across the grounds and the clifftop infinity pool that seems to spill straight into the Indian Ocean.

For contrast

Hop between desert adventures and jaw-dropping malls in the superlative city of Dubai.

The Silo, Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town’s got serious honeymoon game and The Silo puts you right at the heart of it all. One moment you’re admiring cutting-edge African art at Zeitz MOCAA, the next you’re snapping technicolour street scenes in Bo Kaap. Hike (or cable-car) up Table Mountain for panoramic views, then reward yourself with fresh seafood and a bold bottle of Pinotage at the V&A Waterfront. Camps Bay and Clifton offer beachy pockets for sun-soaked downtime, while the city’s food scenes got everything from stylish rooftop bars to hidden braai joints.

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Swap sea views for savannah and head to the Eastern Cape for the wild thrill of a Big Five safari.

This feature was updated on 14th July 2025. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.