Winter honeymoon destinations

The Pitons rising from the sea, open-wall suites in the rainforest and volcanic mud baths for two.

Best Nov–Jul$1,960–$4,690 a week5–8 nights

Dinner facing the Pitons at sunset · Mud bath at the Sulphur Springs · Catamaran down the west coast

The City of Lakes: palace hotels, sunset boats on Lake Pichola and royal dinners.

Best Sep–Mar$560–$1,610 a week3–4 nights

Sunset boat on Lake Pichola · Royal dinner in a palace courtyard · City Palace and the old-town lanes

Seven hundred islands of impossibly clear water: pink-sand beaches, sandbar picnics and the swimming pigs of the Exumas.

Best Nov–Jul$2,810–$5,680 a week5–8 nights

Swim with the pigs at Big Major Cay · Walk the pink sand of Harbour Island · Snorkel Thunderball Grotto

India’s coral atolls: turquoise lagoons, almost no crowds and reefs that rival the Maldives.

Best Oct–Apr$955–$1,830 a week4–6 nights

Snorkel the lagoon reefs · Scuba dive at Kadmat · Kayak a glass-clear lagoon

Table Mountain, penguin beaches and an hour’s drive to some of the world’s best wine estates.

Best Sep–May$1,015–$2,520 a week5–9 nights

Winelands tasting by wine tram · Table Mountain cableway at sunset · Boulders Beach penguins

Coffee estates in the clouds, rainforest resorts and slow plantation breakfasts.

Best Nov–Apr$490–$1,330 a week2–4 nights

Coffee plantation walk and tasting · Sunset at Raja’s Seat · Abbey Falls

Western Australia’s wine coast: cellar doors among the forest, surf breaks, limestone caves and whales in spring.

Best Oct–May$2,380–$4,270 a week4–6 nights

Long lunch at a winery restaurant · Ngilgi or Lake Cave by lantern light · Sunset over Indian Ocean surf at Yallingup

Palace hotels, the hilltop Amber Fort, rooftop dinners over the Pink City’s bazaars and Hawa Mahal at sunrise.

Best Oct–Mar$455–$1,260 a week2–4 nights

Hawa Mahal at sunrise · Amber Fort · Hot-air balloon over the forts

Riads around courtyard gardens, souks, hammams and a desert camp under the stars.

Best Sep–May$805–$2,100 a week3–5 nights

Candlelit dinner at a desert camp in Agafay · Hot-air balloon at dawn · Hammam and argan-oil massage

The Garden Isle: the Nā Pali cliffs, Waimea Canyon and Hanalei Bay, with no building taller than a palm.

Best all year$3,395–$5,775 a week5–8 nights

Sail the Nā Pali coast at sunset · Doors-off helicopter over Waimea Canyon · Kayak the Wailua River to a waterfall

Sunrise above the clouds on Haleakalā, the Road to Hāna and whales in winter.

Best all year$3,430–$5,810 a week5–9 nights

Sunrise above the clouds on Haleakalā · Drive the Road to Hāna · Snorkel the Molokini crater

Sunset beaches on Vietnam’s biggest island, a sea cable car to Hon Thom and calm reefs off the southern islands.

Best Dec–Apr$630–$1,540 a week4–6 nights

Sunset on Long Beach · The cable car over the sea to Hon Thom · Snorkelling the An Thoi islands

Houseboats on palm-lined backwaters, misty tea hills and Ayurveda for two.

Best Dec–Mar$560–$1,470 a week5–8 nights

Overnight houseboat on the backwaters · Ayurvedic couples’ massage · Tea-estate walk in Munnar

One island, one resort: overwater villas, glass-clear lagoons and nobody else in sight.

Best Jan–Apr, Jun$2,708–$6,208 a week5–8 nights

Private dinner on a sandbank · Snorkel the house reef with turtles · Overwater spa for two

India’s island paradise: Radhanagar Beach, coral reefs and no passport needed for Indians.

Best Nov–Apr$710–$1,725 a week5–7 nights

Scuba dive off Havelock · Sunset at Radhanagar Beach · Candlelit dinner on the beach

The Spice Island: dhows at sunset, Stone Town’s carved doors and powder-white sand.

Best Jun–Mar$963–$2,608 a week5–8 nights

Sunset dhow cruise · Spice farm tour · Snorkel Mnemba Atoll with dolphins

Jungle-chic cabanas on the sand, swims in cenotes and Mayan ruins above the sea.

Best Jul, Dec–May$1,290–$3,250 a week5–8 nights

Swim in a cenote · Mayan ruins above the sea at opening time · Candlelit dinner on the beach

Rowing on a lake ringed by hills, the ropeway to Snow View, and quieter lakes at Bhimtal and Sattal just down the road.

Best Oct–May$420–$1,050 a week2–4 nights

A rowing boat on Naini Lake · Ropeway to Snow View Point · Sunrise from Tiffin Top

Glacier trains, chalets and lakes so blue they look painted. In summer or in snow.

Best Sep–Oct, Dec–Mar$3,020–$5,470 a week5–8 nights

Glacier Express panorama train · Matterhorn sunrise from Gornergrat · Fondue in a mountain chalet

Glass igloos under the northern lights, husky sleds and saunas in the snow.

Best Jun–Mar$2,170–$4,900 a week4–6 nights

Northern lights hunt by snowmobile · A night in a glass igloo · Husky safari through the forest

Desert dunes by day, skyline dinners by night and beach resorts in between.

Best Oct–May$1,435–$3,395 a week3–5 nights

Dune safari and dinner in the desert · Burj Khalifa at sunset · Dhow dinner cruise on the Marina

Houseboats on Dal Lake, shikaras at dawn and snow on the meadows of Gulmarg.

Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct, Dec–Mar$560–$1,400 a week5–7 nights

Shikara ride to the floating market at dawn · A night on a Dal Lake houseboat · Gulmarg gondola to the snowline

Rajasthan’s only hill station: boating on Nakki Lake, sunset at Honeymoon Point and the marble Dilwara temples.

Best Sep–Apr$385–$910 a week2–3 nights

Boating on Nakki Lake · Sunset at Honeymoon Point · The marble Dilwara temples

Strawberry farms, misty viewpoints over the Sahyadri hills, boating on Venna Lake and old forts of the Western Ghats.

Best Nov–May$385–$980 a week2–3 nights

Strawberries and cream on a farm · Sunrise at Wilson Point · Boating on Venna Lake

Living root bridges, waterfalls pouring off cliffs, the glass-clear river at Dawki, and cafés and live music in pine-clad Shillong.

Best Nov–Apr$455–$980 a week4–6 nights

The double-decker living root bridge at Nongriat · A boat on the clear Umngot river at Dawki · Nohkalikai Falls

The Pyramids at Giza, a slow Nile cruise between Luxor’s temples and Aswan, and the Red Sea’s reefs to finish.

Best Nov–Apr$735–$1,680 a week7–10 nights

The Pyramids of Giza in the early light · A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan · Hot-air balloon over Luxor’s West Bank

The Annapurnas reflected in Phewa Lake, sunrise from Sarangkot, paragliding and short Himalayan treks.

Best Oct–Apr$525–$1,260 a week3–5 nights

Sunrise over the Annapurnas from Sarangkot · Tandem paragliding over Phewa Lake · Rowing to the Tal Barahi island temple

Rolling tea hills, mist in the valleys and cosy plantation bungalows in the Western Ghats.

Best Dec–Mar$455–$1,155 a week2–4 nights

A tea-estate walk at dawn · Sunrise over the clouds at Top Station · Nilgiri tahr in Eravikulam National Park

Beach shacks at sunset, Portuguese lanes, spice farms, and quiet southern coves when you want them.

Best Nov–May$525–$1,295 a week4–6 nights

Candlelit dinner at a beach shack · Sunset cruise on the Mandovi river · The Latin Quarter of Fontainhas and Old Goa’s churches

Rainforest treehouses and plantation pool villas, ancient carvings in Edakkal Caves, waterfalls and wild elephants by the road.

Best Nov–Feb$455–$1,155 a week3–4 nights

A night in a rainforest treehouse · Jeep safari in Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary · Edakkal Caves’ ancient carvings

One of the world’s great coastal drives: the Twelve Apostles at sunset, koalas in the gums and rainforest glow worms.

Best Jun–Sep, Nov–Apr$1,960–$3,500 a week3–5 nights

Sunset at the Twelve Apostles · Helicopter over the Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge · Koalas in the trees at Kennett River

Wilderness walks, oysters and pinot on the east coast, wombats at dusk and the southern lights in winter.

Best Oct–Apr$1,960–$3,640 a week6–10 nights

Wineglass Bay lookout walk · Oysters and pinot on the east coast · Ferry up the river to MONA

Lions at breakfast, sundowners on the savannah and a canvas suite under the stars.

Best Jun–Mar$5,520–$9,020 a week3–5 nights

Game drive and sundowners on the savannah · Hot-air balloon over the Mara at dawn · Bush dinner under the stars

Volcano hot springs, sloths in the trees and Pacific sunsets. Pura vida.

Best Dec–Apr$1,610–$3,395 a week7–11 nights

Hot springs under Arenal volcano · Hanging bridges and sloth spotting · Zip-line through the cloud forest

The skyline from Victoria Peak, the Star Ferry, dim sum, and hiking trails and islands just beyond the towers.

Best Oct–Apr$1,435–$2,940 a week3–4 nights

Victoria Peak at dusk · The Star Ferry across the harbour · Symphony of Lights from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront

A lake ringed by mountains, Pinot country next door and Milford Sound a day away.

Best Nov–Apr$2,450–$4,620 a week4–7 nights

Cruise through Milford Sound · Bungee jump at the Kawarau Bridge · Gondola dinner above the lake

Limestone cliffs rising out of turquoise water, longtail boats and night-market feasts.

Best Dec–Apr$665–$1,820 a week6–10 nights

Longtail boat to Phi Phi and Maya Bay · Sunset at Railay West · Thai massage for two

Sunrise on Kanchenjunga, a toy train through the clouds and tea on a colonial veranda.

Best Nov–Mar$420–$1,015 a week3–4 nights

Sunrise over Kanchenjunga from Tiger Hill · Toy train on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway · Tea tasting on a heritage estate

Rainforest meets the Andaman Sea: mangroves, eagles, a sky bridge and duty-free sunsets.

Best Jan–Mar$721–$1,771 a week4–6 nights

Cable car and the SkyBridge · Mangrove kayaking and eagle watching · Island-hopping to the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden

The Queen of the Nilgiris: a mountain railway, tea gardens and misty lakeside mornings.

Best Dec–Apr$420–$980 a week2–4 nights

Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train to Coonoor · Rowing on Ooty Lake · Botanical Garden walk

Waterfalls, black-sand beaches, glacier lagoons and steaming hot springs for two.

Best Jun–Mar$2,800–$5,180 a week5–9 nights

Lagoon spa under the open sky · Glacier hike with crampons · Chase the northern lights

Turquoise lakes, a castle hotel and the Rockies’ most beautiful road.

Best Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar$2,632–$4,592 a week4–7 nights

Canoe on Lake Louise · Soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs · Drive the Icefields Parkway

Colorado in both seasons: powder days and fireside après in winter, the Maroon Bells and golden aspens in summer and fall.

Best Jun–Oct, Dec–Mar$3,430–$6,860 a week4–6 nights

Sunrise at the Maroon Bells · A powder day on Aspen Mountain · Gondola to the top for a mountain lunch

A road across the sea to Key West: sunset at Mallory Square, coral reefs and conch-house lanes.

Best Jul, Nov–May$2,450–$4,620 a week4–7 nights

Sunset celebration at Mallory Square · Drive the Overseas Highway and the Seven Mile Bridge · Snorkel Looe Key reef

Limestone lagoons and island-hopping by outrigger boat in El Nido, and Coron’s wreck dives and glass-clear lakes.

Best Jan–Apr$854–$1,904 a week5–7 nights

Island-hopping to the Big Lagoon · Kayaking into a hidden lagoon · Sunset drinks at Las Cabanas beach

All-inclusive beach resorts on a turquoise sea, with Mayan ruins, cenotes and Isla Mujeres close by.

Best Jul, Dec–May$1,220–$3,180 a week4–7 nights

Swim with whale sharks · Day trip to Chichén Itzá · Catamaran to Isla Mujeres

The old summer capital: a toy train, colonial lanes along the Ridge and snow in Kufri in winter.

Best Feb–May, Oct–Dec$420–$1,085 a week2–4 nights

Toy train on the Kalka–Shimla railway · Sunset stroll along the Ridge and Mall Road · A snow day in Kufri

Leopards, tea hills, a fort town by the sea and beaches on whichever coast is dry.

Best Dec–Apr$630–$1,820 a week7–12 nights

Scenic train from Kandy to Ella · Whale watching off Mirissa · Leopard safari in Yala

Snow at Solang, apple orchards, riverside cafés in Old Manali and the mountains just through the Atal Tunnel.

Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct, Dec–Feb$455–$1,085 a week4–6 nights

A snow day at Solang Valley · Tandem paragliding over Solang · Hadimba Temple and the cedar forest

The Queen of the Hills: Mall Road strolls, Himalayan views from Lal Tibba, and the colonial lanes and bakeries of Landour.

Best Feb–May, Oct–Dec$420–$1,050 a week2–4 nights

Sunrise over the Himalaya from Lal Tibba · A walk round Landour’s Chaar Dukaan · Ropeway to Gun Hill at sunset

Monasteries and views of Kanchenjunga, the frozen lake at Tsomgo, and the rhododendron valleys of North Sikkim.

Best Feb, Oct–Dec$490–$1,155 a week4–6 nights

Sunrise over Kanchenjunga from Tashi View Point · Tsomgo Lake and the road towards Nathu La · Rumtek Monastery

Sunrise at the lighthouse, dolphins in the surf and farm-to-table dinners in the green hinterland.

Best Apr–Jan$2,030–$4,060 a week3–5 nights

Sunrise at Cape Byron lighthouse · Sea kayak with dolphins · Couples’ massage and a day spa

A national-park headland with koalas in the trees, a river of everglades and long, slow lunches on Hastings Street.

Best Apr–Jan$1,820–$3,640 a week4–6 nights

Coastal walk through Noosa National Park · Kayak the Noosa Everglades · 4WD along the beach to K’gari (Fraser Island)

The Princess of Hill Stations: a star-shaped lake, misty pine forests, Coaker’s Walk and cliff-edge views over the plains.

Best Jan–Mar$420–$980 a week2–4 nights

Coaker’s Walk above the clouds · Cycling round Kodai Lake · A rowing boat on the lake

Gardens that light up at night, rooftop pools, hawker feasts and island beaches, in one easy city.

Best Feb–Mar, Jul–Sep$1,400–$3,150 a week3–4 nights

Gardens by the Bay light show · Rooftop drinks over Marina Bay · Hawker-centre food crawl

Crater lakes, hot springs and whales in the open Atlantic. Europe’s best-kept secret.

Best Mar–Nov$1,400–$2,660 a week5–8 nights

Hot-spring pools in Furnas · Whale and dolphin watching · Crater-rim hike at Sete Cidades

Surf beaches and skyline by day, rainforest and glow worms in the hinterland by night.

Best Apr–Jan$1,680–$3,290 a week3–6 nights

Glow worms at Natural Bridge in Springbrook · Whale-watching cruise · Sunrise on the Burleigh headland

Cliffside monasteries, prayer flags and a kingdom that measures happiness.

Best Nov–Dec$2,380–$3,710 a week5–8 nights

Hike to Tiger’s Nest monastery · Traditional hot-stone bath · Punakha Dzong and the suspension bridge

The Petronas Towers lit up at night, rooftop bars, street-food nights on Jalan Alor and cool tea hills a drive away.

Best Feb, Jun–Jul$700–$1,610 a week2–4 nights

The Petronas Towers skybridge · Rooftop drinks facing the towers · Street-food night on Jalan Alor