Indonesia is undoubtedly one of the most alluring of honeymoon destinations, boasting a heady blend of pristine white-sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, towering volcanoes, ancient culture and tantalising cuisine. An archipelago of more than seventeen thousand islands, Indonesia has an incredible amount to offer honeymooners, regardless of whether this is your first trip to Southeast Asia or if you’re seasoned travellers to the region. The major draws for honeymooners remain the islands of Bali and Lombok, which are home some of the world’s most beautiful beaches; however, there’s so much more to experience across the whole archipelago – and Exsus can help put together the perfect itinerary to make an unforgettable and thoroughly intoxicating Indonesian honeymoon.
One of my favorite of Exsus’s itineraries is “Voyage to the Volcanoes”, which enables you to take in the country’s many varied and fascinating landscapes; with plenty of time for both exploration and relaxation it’s a great honeymoon option. The trip starts with three nights in Ubud, Bali’s cultural capital, where you can explore its temples and galleries by bike, head out into the lush jungle on a trek, or just unwind post-wedding in the blissful hotel spa. From here, it’s a short flight to the much larger island of Java, home to the ancient Buddhist sanctuary of Borbudur – exploring the complex, especially at dawn or dusk, is among the most magical of honeymoon experiences. While here, you stay at the super-luxurious Amanjiwo – having stayed at an Aman hotel myself, I can vouch for them more than living up to their impressive reputation – just a short walk from the complex itself, and the perfect choice for some honeymoon pampering. The next stop – via a spectacular flight and a scenic drive – is stunning Bromo National Park, home to three breathtaking volcanoes. In addition to exploring the park on foot, you can also take a cookery class, which is a great way to experience the local cuisine first hand, and involves a fascinating trip to the local markets. Finally, the itinerary ends with four nights on Seminyak Beach, where you can enjoy a few lazy days on the sand, or make the most of the water sports, shopping and nightlife on offer. Prices for this thirteen-night itinerary start at £2985pp including flights.
The great thing about a company like Exsus is that they are happy to entirely tailor-make your honeymoon to Indonesia. Fancy factoring in a few days seeing orang-utans on Sumatra? Not a problem! Prefer to spend your trip hopping from one secluded beach to the next? They’ll help you find your ideal stretches of sand – and the perfect places to stay on them. Want to make the most of the pristine waters and spend your days diving and snorkelling as much as possible? Exsus can recommend the best boats for island-hopping. Equally, if you’re feeling bamboozled by all the possibilities, Exsus can help you create the ultimate Indonesian honeymoon.
To get a taster for all Indonesia has to offer, check out Exsus’s Indonesian Highlights, which really show off just how diverse the country is. Indonesia also combines brilliantly with a short stopover in Singapore or Hong Kong; as Exsus offer extensive coverage of Southeast Asia (and beyond), they’re a great company to check out if you’re contemplating a few different options for your honeymoon. Either head over to their website to submit an online enquiry, or call to speak to one of their experts on 020 7337 9010.
***This is a sponsored post. All sponsored posts are by companies personally approved by The Honeymoon Project***
Photos © Gildardo Sánchez; Songkran; Anne Roberts; Matthew Kenwrick