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Honeymoons with a heart 1242 views
Use your honeymoon weeks wisely and you could be basking not just in the sun but also in the knowledge that your holiday has been as ethical as possible. The team at Responsibletravel.com provide some food for thought.
To fly or not to fly?
The dramatic increase in air travel in recent years has come for the most part from the growing market in short European breaks, made possible by cheap flights. If you are going to fly, make this special break really count. Take a look at the view of responsibletravel.com co-founder Justin Francis in his article To fly or not to fly. And while you’re at it, consider offsetting the carbon emissions from your flight. It isn’t a magic wand by any stretch of the imagination but it all helps.
Of course, if you're keen to stay closer to home, your honeymoon could be a good excuse to explore Europe better and find that special place that you will be able to visit just by hopping on the train whenever you feel like reliving those happy memories.
Make long-haul count
Your honeymoon could be that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a long-haul getaway to remember while also investing in the local economy and people. All too often, all-inclusive honeymoon packages provide scant opportunity to experience the culture of a community, with local residents seeing little economic benefit from tourism, or worse, being sidelined to make way for a resort that drains precious resources, damages the environment and gives nothing in return.
Those in the developing world are increasingly dependent on tourism as a major source of income. Wouldn’t you like to know that your holiday has helped protect a national park from encroaching development, or helped save a species from extinction because the value of travellers who want to see it alive is worth more than the income from those who would rather shoot it?
Finding honeymoon heaven
Choose a honeymoon where you get the chance to stay in locally owned accommodation, enjoy organic and locally produced food (cutting down on food miles) and where you can be sure the owners are making every effort to minimise their environmental impact, using renewable energy, conserving water, and recycling and re-using wherever possible.
Here are some seasonal suggestions for responsible holidays to suit all budgets:
Summer honeymoons
May to September is the traditional wedding season, coinciding with the hottest weather in the UK and Europe – and we know from recent summers that it can be pretty hot these days! This might be an excuse to cut down on the carbon and holiday closer to home:
Croatia: What could be more romantic than a secret island? OK, so it’s not exactly secret any more but for nearly 50 years, the Croatian island of Vis was off limits to foreigners. Now the island’s two main towns – Vis and Komiza – are experiencing a veritable renaissance, and visitors can explore the amazing landscape shaped through the centuries by nature, history and human folly.
Scotland: Enjoy the wild beauty and quiet of the south side of Loch Ness , staying in a luxurious 4-star bed and breakfast.
Wales: If you’re longing for wild and beautiful mountain scenery, stay in a charming old B&B in the heart of Snowdonia National Park.
England: Escape to an eco-cabin in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – Obley, Shropshire.
Winter honeymoons
If you’re looking for sun and are going long-haul to get it, remember you’re likely to find cheaper tickets by booking well in advance.
The Caribbean: January is the perfect time of year to visit the Caribbean. To enjoy a true tropical paradise, why not opt for a beautiful Tobago eco-resort overlooking the Bay of Castara?
The Maldives: Nature and luxury blend harmoniously on the privately owned, uninhabited virgin island of Dhonakulhi.
Switzerland: Why not retreat to a luxury eco-camp high above the Swiss ski resort of Villars? No busy streets. No traffic. No hotels. Just absolute peace amidst breathtakingly beautiful scenery.
Spring honeymoons
Costa Rica: Spring is a great time to visit Central America – particularly around April/May on the cusp of the rainy season, when most days are still warm but not too humid. The Osa Peninsula is an area of immense beauty that’s perfect for those who want to get away from people and enjoy the rainforest. Stay in one of an array of wonderful lodges.
South Africa: On a Garden Route honeymoon you get to enjoy 200 km of coastal plains and mountains with a wide range of fascinating bird and animal life.
The Seychelles: What better way to start married life than on a relaxing wellness retreat amidst stunning island surroundings?
Autumn honeymoons
India: September to November is the ideal time to visit the vibrant territory of Rajasthan . The rains stop in August, making it fresh and bright, and temperatures are in the mid-20s. Traces of kingdoms and warriors stand as testament to a feudal land of majestic palaces and proud people, history lives on amongst its rocky outcrops, and romance flourishes in the shade of the Taj Mahal.
Morocco: Only 40 miles from Marrakech, the peace and seclusion at the Kasbah du Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains is so complete that the city seems a million miles away.
Moorish Spain to Marrakech: Why not consider a romantic train journey on the Andalucia Express from Malaga, taking in everything from whitewashed villages to minarets and medinas along the way?
Something a little different
If you’d like to use the opportunity of a long break to really make a difference, a volunteering holiday can be a highly rewarding – even life-changing – experience. Whether it’s marine-life conservation in Peru, wildlife gardening in Derbyshire, or wolf and bear conservation in Slovakia, there’s a huge range of options to choose from.
responsibletravel.com is an on-line travel agent - based in Brighton, England - launched in 2001 for travellers who want more real and authentic holidays that also benefit the environment and local people. responsibletravel.com markets over 2500 carefully pre-screened holidays from over 270 leading worldwide tourism brands and businesses. Find your perfect honeymoon on www.responsibletravel.com or call Amelia on 01273 600030 to find the best operator for your type of trip.
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