Spectacular beaches, idyllic resorts, vibrant cities, diverse culture, delicious cuisine and the very warmest of welcomes: live the Thai life on honeymoon.
The flowers are ordered, the guest list is agreed, the menu is set; you’ve even written your vows. All that is left is the honeymoon: that heavenly ‘alone time’ when at last it’s just the two of you. It has to be perfect. But one of you wants five-star pampering in a private pool villa; the other wants some off-the-beaten-track adventure. One of you wants to experience a truly different culture; the other wants to be sure of five-star cuisine night after night. Where to head for a harmonious start to your married life? Top spot: Thailand.
BOUNTIFUL BEACHES
Thailand’s glorious swathes of golden sands draped in palm trees have merited an almost iconic status, gracing magazines around the globe. On the mainland, world-famous resorts include fashionable Hua Hin. Eastwards, the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand lap at the tranquil shores of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao (ideal for a summer honeymoon); to the west, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi (of The Beach fame) and the dreamy Similans (all perfect following a winter wedding) dot the Andaman Sea.
COASTAL CULTURE
Aside from its glorious beaches, Thailand’s unequivocal allure lies in its diversity: coastal beauty combining with rich culture to create a plethora of honeymoon possibilities. Phuket’s bustling ‘old town’ alone is home to traditional markets, ornate temples and golden Buddhas. From Phuket, traditional longtail boats or ferries carry you off to explore nearby islands: Koh Lanta’s eclectic shops, colourful sea gypsy villages and National Marine Park; Phi Phi’s beach parties, charismatic macaques and 50-metre snorkelling visibility the evocative limestone outcrops and caves of myriad smaller islands; or Khao Sok National Park for a night in a luxury tented lodge at Elephant Hills, with its eponymous residents nearby.
Alternatively, the easterly island of Samui is home to everything from charming fishing villages to bustling beach bars, vast Buddha statues to Secret Buddha Gardens, while Angthong National Marine Park offers a true tropical island escape. Venture north from here and you can enjoy the sleepier Koh Phangan (sleepier, that is, except for the monthly full-moon parties) – or, for the ultimate getaway, the even sleepier Koh Tao boasts some of the finest diving in the world.
INNER BEAUTY
The true draw of Thailand, however, is the ease with which you can fly (direct, by the way) and flop, recover from your wedding celebrations – and then explore the rest of the country with a network of direct internal flights enabling a multi-stop experience. At the heart of the action is the bustling capital, Bangkok, a modern cityscape intersected by quiet canal side communities and dotted with the iconic temples of Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaew). From the capital, history and nature lovers can travel out to Kanchanaburi (under two hours away), famed for the story.
Alternatively, in northern Thailand, the charming cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai offer their own regional culture, night markets and ‘old city’ life. And for those wanting to explore truly off the beaten track, the surrounding countryside beckons with rolling fields, jungle-clad hills and traditional hillside villages. After which, what better than to head back to your boutique resort for another heavenly Thai massage.
HOW TO GET THERE
Turquoise is a family-run company at the forefront of luxury travel, whose focus on those special touches and unique experiences ensures the ultimate honeymoon. With an inside knowledge of every destination featured, its team of specialists can personally recommend itineraries and hotels – from luxury boutique to international brand – to create an unique honeymoon to suit every individual style and budget.
Turquoise Holidays also offers a complimentary Gift List Service, run by a full-time team, blending a traditional gift list with travel tailored to your honeymoon.
