The Honeymoon Clinic

28 May 2006 - The Observer - The Escape Guide

Struggling to plan the romantic trip of a lifetime? Step into our honeymoon clinic...

You've planned the big day, bought the dress, chosen the flowers. Now comes the tricky part: deciding where to spend the first weeks of wedded bliss. We asked a team of honeymoon experts to come up with a dream holiday for four couples who can't seem to find the perfect holiday match

Shaun and Shona:
We want a package, but don't want to feel like tourists
Shaun and Shona (both 42) from Glasgow met via a Lonely Hearts ad and fell in love on the second date. They are getting married in October in Dundas Castle near Edinburgh. Shaun is Wiccan and the ceremony will incorporate the Celtic tradition of 'handfasting', where the hands are tied together for 24 hours, which should make getting through customs interesting.

The brief
They like the idea of a beach holiday combining sunshine with watersports, culture and feeling like travellers rather than tourists. They describe themselves as 'hippies' and think somewhere like Goa might suit them. They want the security of a package holiday, but don't want to be anywhere crowded or where there are too many Brits. Shona wants to stay somewhere with privacy and the freedom to come and go as you please. Shaun likes staying in small hotels and B&Bs, where he can interact with local people.

The budget
£1,500

The solution

Phil Boswell at Kuoni suggests:
Shona and Shaun may get a little wet if they go to Goa in October: it's the end of the rainy season. An excellent alternative would be Sri Lanka, which has a real variety of hotels and friendly people. They could start with a few nights at The Ivory Inn, a clean, simple family-run guesthouse a few minutes' walk from the beach. Then on to Habarana Lodge, half an hour from the famous Rock Fortress at Sigiriya. Set in lush tropical woodland, it's a great base from which to explore the ancient cities and hill stations. Lastly, back to the beach to stay at the Mount Lavinia Hotel, once home to the British Governors of Ceylon, which retains its colonial elegance on a promontory overlooking the Indian Ocean and has a secluded sandy beach. Kuoni can package a holiday for around £1,549 per couple.

Margaret May from Journeys a la Carte suggests:
The Gambia is a sunny beach destination with a unique culture. We suggest 10 nights' B&B at Ngala Lodge, a deluxe property with 16 spacious rooms. They can try beach activities and cultural experiences such as tribal dancing in the Makasutu forest, a visit to the medicine man and eating round a campfire. A 10-night stay would cost £1,466 for two with The Gambia Experience (gambia.co.uk). If they could stretch to £1,842, they could combine seven nights at Ngala with three nights at Mandina Lodges on the river Gambia in the heart of the African bush. They could explore the forest on foot or by canoe. In the evenings the low-key lamps and firelight will create a magical mood.

Ends

Press Information: For more information or images please contact The Press Office

The Gambia Experience is a trade name of Serenity Holidays, a fully bonded operator under ATOL 1866 and a member of ABTA, IATA and AITO.