Honeymoon and travel ideas for couples in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire

Seaside, A Lifestyle Resort, in Crete is reopening this summer with a new pool and bar

Perched on top of a cliff in Mononaftis Bay, located in the quiet and picture-perfect area of Agia Pelagia, stands Seaside, A Lifestyle Resort. Reopening this summer with a new pool and bar, the property boasts serene panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and is only a short stroll away from a beautiful sandy beach.

Seaside, A Lifestyle Resort, boasts 245 rooms and suites, some with private pools, which offer all the tranquillity and comforts couples could ask for. Each room is elegantly decorated and draws on the island's natural palette of whites, terracotta, and neutral tones with a boho-chic design.

Life's a beach

Need a perfectly personalised present for a wedding? Looking for a fun way to congratulate a couple off on their honeymoon? These thoughtful towels are a great way to celebrate a newly wedded couple by adding a touch of personal luxury to any getaway.

Designed as a perfect match, the Mrs towel features a design of perfect polka dots and the Mr towel a design of striking stripes. Ensuring quality and uniqueness, each towel is created with meticulous attention to detail in its Derbyshire workshop. Allow these towels to become a staple accessory for a relaxing and memorable experience.

Allow these towels to become a staple accessory for a relaxing and memorable experience.

Ikos Porto Petro in Spain is a new property set to open in June 2023

Ikos Porto Petro is a new luxurious property set to open in June 2023. Sitting on the coast of cosmopolitan Mallorca, Ikos Porto Petro will have 319 rooms, suites and bungalows as well as five a la carte restaurants with exquisite menus prepared by Michelin-star chefs.

Couples can spend their days exploring the sandy coves, enjoying watersports or taking a local drive at no added cost. If a relaxing holiday is more your cup of tea, Ikos has a luxury spa and a wide range of wellness activities on offer.

Terre Blanche Hôtel Spa Golf Resort in Provence has launched two new spa treatments

Terre Blanche Hôtel Spa Golf Resort in Provence, France, has launched two new spa treatments. Just three hours' travel from London, the resort, immersed in nature, is a secluded haven of tranquillity where couples can embrace the natural beauty of Provence. The new 'Cure Detox Retreat' combines a balanced diet, physical activity, and skin treatments, with morning sports classes such as yoga, pilates and meditation, as well as a series of luxurious spa treatments.

Locanda La Raia in Italy is now available to hire exclusively

Locanda La Raia, a stunning Italian mansion situated on a 180-hectare estate, is now available to hire exclusively. Nestled in the heart of the Gavi Hills, this beautiful and elegant 12-room mansion is surrounded by vineyards, pastures and woods and embraces an eco-system created by the biodynamic farm on-site. Locanda La Raia is perfect for those who are looking for an authentic Italian country-chic experience where you will learn about the fascinating process of biodynamic winemaking.

The building and grounds were refurbished recently by architects Demicisarchitetti, who restored the original arched and vaulted ceilings and added large windows which overlook the vines of the estate.

Breathtaking honeymoon destinations

Nestled in 750 acres of secluded, Mexican jungle, Chablé Yucatan offers honeymooners a luxurious setting. Chable Yucatan's world-class spa is the first to be built inside a 'cenote' – a natural cave formation considered sacred by the ancient Mayans and commonly associated with the Yucatán Peninsula.

The hotel's spiritual setting and extraordinary spa ensures it is perfect for couples with a love for wellness. All treatments are rooted in ancient Mayan techniques, with traditional temazcal (steam house) rituals taking centre stage.

Luxury hotels in the Caribbean

Affectionately known as the Caribbean's best-kept secret, Bequia is the perfect escape for couples seeking an intimate celebration of their marriage. Epitomising barefoot luxury and romance, Bequia Beach Hotel is located on Friendship Beach, a mile-long white-sand beach with views across the southern Grenadines to Mustique. Bequia Beach's private yacht, Star of the Sea, is available for romantic sunset cruises to the untouched Tobago Cays or honeymooners may charter the yacht for a week, discovering the chicest, and most secluded, nearby islands.

Romantic mini-moons in Europe

Having opened in July 2022, Cali Mykonos redefines luxury in Mykonos. A rarity on the island, the hotel is perched above a private sandy beach with uninterrupted views across the Aegean sea. Each of the 40 suites or villas have a private pool, and a large terrace with an alfresco living space, where couples can opt for a chef to prepare and serve romantic meals in the privacy of their suite, enjoy a private reformer pilates session or relax during a couple's spa treatment all within the confines of their private abode.

Planning a relaxing mini-moon? Check out these UK wonders

Housed in a Grade II-listed 18th-century picturesque country house overlooking the beautiful Wessex Downs, The Retreat at Elcot Park offers fun-infused escapism. Filled with informal, playful twists inspired by both the history and location of the property, the hotel is a place where couples will feel instantly welcomed and at ease. The Retreat will is a destination in its own right, a place where couples can see, try and eat new things. hot air balloon rides, a pan-Asian restaurant, tennis courts, an outdoor pool and the chance to explore the beautiful North Wessex Downs (home to Britain's largest display of wild purple crocuses and where Richard Adams's colony of rabbits can be found!) and the magnificent Highclere castle amongst so much more awaits discovery!

Okahirongo Elephant Lodge in Namibia has undergone an extensive refurbishment

Okahirongo Elephant Lodge in Namibia has undergone an extensive refurbishment. The lodge is surrounded by the vast wilderness of Kaokoland, with various activities for exploration, adventure, and discovery. There are seven individual suites and a two-bedroom family suite available – perfect for a family-moon.

After a day's safari, unwind on the shaded patio and luxurious daybed on the private veranda. Giraffes can be seen wandering down the valley if you look towards the desert, where the shifting sand dunes can reach a height of 300 metres, making them some of the tallest in the world.

The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa has picturesque views at every turn

Located next to a serene lagoon, The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa is a five-star resort in Mauritius, situated in historic Balaclava on the sheltered northwest coast. Set on 10 hectares (800 metres) of beachfront within the tranquil and protected Turtle Bay Marine Park against a stunning backdrop of mountains, sugar cane and extraordinary views.

With 190 spacious guestrooms and suites, each with its own private balcony or terrace, an adult-only Whisper Zone, a state-of-the-art spa and 24-hour fitness centre, two outdoor pools and a variety of restaurants, lounges and bars, The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa offers an idyllic yet stylish oasis where guests can relax, recharge and rejuvenate.

Le Méridien Ile Maurice has undergone a $60m transformation

Set against the shore of the glittering turquoise Indian Ocean, Le Méridien Ile Maurice is a five-star resort in Mauritius, beautifully positioned along a kilometre of sandy beach in Pointe aux Piments on the northwest coast. This year, an extensive $60 million refurbishment sees the property reimagined, firmly establishing it as one of Mauritius' leading resort destinations.

With 261 newly designed guestrooms and suites, an adults-only wing, a world-class spa and fitness centre, three pools and a choice of four restaurants and three bars, Le Méridien Ile Maurice is a must-visit for the most discerning of travellers seeking adventure and relaxation alike.

JW Marriott Mauritius Resort is a five-star luxury haven

Situated on the southwestern side of the island, against the backdrop of the majestic, unspoilt Le Morne Brabant - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known locally as the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean' due to its breathtaking landscape - JW Marriott Mauritius Resort is a five-star luxury haven surrounded by protected coral reefs and lush vegetation.

Offering 172 lavish guest suites all boasting idyllic views, including the Manor House Spa Suites and the largest and most luxurious villa in the Indian Ocean, the Grand Beachfront Villa, JW Marriott Mauritius Resort provides the ultimate in exclusive luxury for friends, families and couples alike looking to escape the ordinary on this paradisal island.

How to plan the perfect destination proposal

Destination honeymoons have been popular for many years, but trends show that couples are creating unforgettable engagements too. After all everyone loves to go on holiday, so what could be more romantic than going away somewhere really special to pop-the-question? No matter what you choose – a few days in a beautiful city, a beach getaway or an action packed adventure – a destination proposal is a wonderful and memorable way to start your engagement.

How to plan a luxury glamping trip for two

If you're searching for a luxurious honeymoon destination with a difference, then a glamping trip may just be for you. Here, Hannah Rose-Wynter from Boutique Camping shares her tips for planning your dream newlywed staycation among mother nature.

After all the excitement and build-up of your big day, a relaxing honeymoon is no doubt on the cards. Luckily, the UK is full of dreamy staycation destinations that can fulfil your sense of adventure or desire to get away from it all, and what better way to enjoy it than among the landscape itself? With a romantic glamping honeymoon, you can spend a weekend under the stars, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the most luxurious way, so you can kickstart your married life with an adventure!

Luxurious restaurant, SEEN by Olivier has opened in Nice, France

The luxurious restaurant, SEEN by Olivier has just opened in Nice, France, inside the new Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel. The concept, created by restaurateur Olivier da Costa, is an immersion in a vibrant atmosphere, with eclectic cuisine, cocktails and music.

SEEN by Olivier has an Art Deco-inspired décor and a 360-degree view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea from the interior room and the terrace.

The Treehouses at Leckie has opened with four luxury hideaways to choose from

The Treehouses at Leckie opened in March 2023 with four sustainable luxury hideaways for couples to choose from. Set amongst ancient woodland overlooking the magnificent Gargunnock Hills in Stirlingshire, Scotland, each is unique in character with luxurious amenities. Charming details include super king-size beds, underfloor heating, cosy woodburning stoves, double sofa beds, farm shop welcome hampers, sumptuous outdoor copper baths, decking areas with electric barbecues and outstanding views offering a year-round authentic Scottish wilderness experience.

The new Bulgari Hotel Tokyo has opened its doors

The new Bulgari Hotel in Tokyo has opened its doors. It's the eighth gem in the Bulgari Hotels & Resort Collection, bringing Bulgari's contemporary style to the capital of Japan.

Occupying the 40th to the 45th floor of the ultra-skyscraper in the North District, the hotel overlooks the Imperial Palace and offers stunning views of the city, including Mount Fuji on the horizon. Named after the 17th century Dutch adventurer Jan Joosten van Lodensteyn, known in Japanese as Yaysu, the Yaesu district has recently flourished becoming one of the most attractive areas of the city.

Taking your pet on holiday – 10 tips to make the trip easier

Travel experts at Panache Cruises, specialists in ultra-luxury cruises, have researched the 10 things all holidaymakers should do before booking a trip away with their pets, so the holiday goes off without a hitch:

Check everything is pet friendly – First and foremost, before even booking a holiday, ensure that everything is pet friendly. It's impossible to take pets anywhere which isn't suitable for furry friends, most importantly accommodation and travel. Check if there are any restrictions on which pets can be brought along or any size and weight limits. Never assume and always double check, and ask if there are any additional costs for bringing along a pet.

Discover the great outdoors on a luxurious mini-moon at these gorgeous glamping sites

Pitchup.com, an outdoor accommodation specialist with over 5,000 campsites, caravan parks and glamping sites in 67 countries across the UK and Europe, is encouraging newlyweds to experience an alternative honeymoon by discovering the romance of the great outdoors.

Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, says: "The UK offers some truly breathtaking scenery and wildly romantic outdoor activities, making a 'staycation honeymoon' a great choice for couples wanting to get away from it all after the business of their big day. Plus, contrary to outdated opinion, camping doesn't have to mean a back to basics experience, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy an outdoor escape without the effort of putting up your own tent. We have a wide variety of glamping sites on our books that boast luxurious amenities perfect for a romantic getaway and to make lifelong memories. Increasingly people are looking for something a little alternative and we think time alone in nature is the perfect way to celebrate romance and unwind."