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Times
29-04-2025
- Times
22 of the best honeymoon destinations around the world
You've done it: you've got through planning the big day, corralling the guests, and being last on the dance floor. Now it's time for that long-awaited and saved-for spell of lounging and spa-going — or, indeed, adventure and adrenaline. More and more couples are opting for a twin-centre or multi-stop honeymoon, packing hundreds of vivid memories into a trip they'll look back on for decades. Whether you're craving glamour and pampering, nature and wilderness or food and culture, these distinctive destinations will fulfil the fantasy. Here are the ultimate honeymoon locations in which to take a moment and toast the two of you. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Best for natural wonders If you're looking for a multi-stop trip that will pack plenty of glamour, activity and cuisine along the way, the South American behemoth of Brazil has you covered. Rio de Janeiro is the ideal entry point for all the most iconic views and vibes from Sugarloaf Mountain to Copacabana beach and Ipanema over many caipirinha cocktails; while nature-focused stops at the mighty Iguazu Falls, the Amazon rainforest and the vast Pantanal wetlands are bucket-list stuff. Beach addicts will want to head northeast from Rio to reach the pristine sands at the bohemian town of Trancoso, the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, or Jericoacoara with its gentle waters and tall dunes ideal for climbing as the sun sets. Tourhub can combine Rio with a host of destinations in Brazil and South America, including Iguazu Falls Viator's range of day trips to the Iguazu Falls include crossing over into ArgentinaBest for spa glamour Of all the US states, the 50th ranks among the highest for a honeymoon. Sure, Hawaii is a long flight from the UK, maybe via San Francisco, Los Angeles or Vancouver — but you could build in a couple of nights in one of those hubs to stretch out the adventure. Island-hopping is a must on this remote Pacific archipelago: start on Oahu, the best-connected and most-familiar island, to be thrown back to Hawaii's 1960s heyday on Waikiki beach, heading out for glam dinners and bonding over surfing lessons. Then move on to Hawaii, better known as Big Island, flying over active volcanoes in a helicopter and exploring rainforests and waterfalls. End up on horizontally chilled Maui or Kauai, where the most luxurious and peaceful spa resorts are the stuff of honeymoon dreams. Virgin Atlantic Holidays can organise a flight and hotel package for Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa on Waikiki beach British Airways Holidays will take you to Maui's Fairmont Kea Lani for spa treatments, serene sunsets and ocean breezesBest for easy adventureThe beauty of a honeymoon on this Indian Ocean island is the sheer variety on offer. There are plenty of luxurious resorts on beautiful beaches if you're after pure relaxation, but you can also mix it up with easy excursions to national parks to see leopards and elephants; hilltop plantations for tea-tastings; and temples and historic towns for your culture fix. Plus, the food in Sri Lanka is exceptional — you'll be talking about the meals you enjoyed here together decades after your visit. Asia specialist Wendy Wu Tours has a highlights package calling at Yala National Park plus cultural hotspots Galle and Kandy. • Best hotels in Sri Lanka Best for island lifeWhen you dream of paradise, it's likely that images of Fiji will have helped form big parts of it. The nation in the South Pacific has over 300 tropical islands, their white-sand beaches lapped by warm, turquoise waters. You could spend your entire honeymoon at a world-class resort, doing nothing more taxing than finding a palm tree to laze under all day, but this is a great place to try scuba diving too, with blue lagoons and offshore reefs to explore; or you could try snorkelling with manta rays or even reef sharks. Expedia can arrange a package including flights, accommodation and activitiesBest for safariThere's a reason why safaris feature on so many bucket lists — they create memories to last a lifetime. Kenya offers numerous national reserves and parks to choose from, and the Maasai Mara savannah plains and vast Amboseli ecosystem are good places to start. In each, days might start with a sunrise hot-air balloon ride and a champagne breakfast; continue with a 4×4 drive in search of lion prides and elephant herds; and end with a sunset G&T and fine dining at a luxury camp. You'll never forget nights spent under canvas here, falling asleep as the nocturnal creatures of the African wilderness start to wake. Tourhub covers all the best destinations in Kenya, with itineraries to suit most budgets • Best Kenya safaris Best for being spoilt for choiceWith dozens of nations and territories to choose from and thousands of islands between them, you're guaranteed to find an outcrop offering everything you want for your honeymoon in the Caribbean. If you favour all-inclusive resorts, with world-class dining and luxury suites overlooking the sea, go for St Lucia, Antigua or Aruba. Hanker after a lively cultural scene? Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Trinidad will fit the bill. Want hiking and wildlife? Try Dominica and St Kitts. Wherever you land, expect good music, decent rum, the finest grilled seafood and the warmest Caribbean welcome. British Airways Holidays can arrange a package on numerous islands throughout the Caribbean • Best Caribbean holidays Best for the good lifeLa dolce vita is calling on the Amalfi coast in southern Italy. The idyllic stretch of coastline is dotted with pastel-coloured villages and lemon groves that cling to the cliffs rising up from a glistening sea. The region retains a sense of Sixties glamour, recalling the days when Brigitte Bardot filmed hit movies and Jackie Onassis used to holiday here. Many pursuits are still the same: sipping an Aperol spritz on a restaurant terrace, stopping for coffee or gelato on the square of a staggeringly beautiful town; and reclining on a sunlounger watching the sun sparkle on the Mediterranean. But there's also plenty to see and do, from sunset concerts at stately villas to architecture and food tours — not to mention hotspots such as Pompeii and Capri lying within easy reach. Tourhub has plenty of tours, excursions and activities covering the Amalfi coast Try Headwater's self-guided walking tour along the Amalfi coast for a honeymoon with a difference • Best hotels on the Amalfi coast Best for beachesYou're spoilt for choice in the Seychelles, an archipelago nation of 115 tropical islands with arcs of white-sand, clear turquoise waters and plenty of memorable accommodation. Expect some of the best beaches in the world — you could even spend your entire honeymoon on one, taking a sunset horse ride through the shallows, eating net-fresh seafood and Creole dishes on the shore, or simply sunbathing. There's life beyond them too, with jungle trails to hike, dive sites to explore and all those islands to sail to. Tui can arrange your whole holiday, with hotels on several of the archipelago's islands • Best things to do in the Seychelles Best for city and beachThailand is a brilliant option for a two-centre honeymoon, allowing you to combine all the attractions of an Asian city that buzzes night and day with downtime on a tropical beach. Start in the capital Bangkok, dipping in and out of temples, taking leisurely boat trips down the city's canals, and enjoying some of the world's best street food. Then head south and to your pick of outcrops — the Phi Phi Islands are a great all-round option, offering fantastic scenery, beaches and luxury resorts. Tui offers multi-destination holidays in Thailand that include Bangkok, Phi Phi and other islands • Best hotels in Thailand Best for a castaway experienceThe Maldives is the sort of place that you don't quite believe is real even when you're there, with clear waters stretching to the horizon and beaches of the whitest, finest sand. This is where to book that overwater lodge you've fantasised about, with a private plunge pool and personal butler on hand to attend to your every whim. The islands have plenty of adults-only resorts that are well used to creating special moments for honeymooners, whether that's a romantic dinner on an isolated sand bank or a sailing trip to watch the sun set. Mr & Mrs Smith has a choice of over 20 luxury hotels to book in the Maldives • Best overwater villas in the Maldives Best for a bit of everythingYou could spend months in South Africa ticking off the big five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceros and buffalo), fantastic beaches, outdoor activities, incredible food and drink, lively cities and spectacular scenery. For a little taste of everything, start in cosmopolitan Cape Town then venture out — first to the vine-laden Cape Winelands just beyond the city, then further east to drive the coastal Garden Route, accessing nature reserves and national parks along the way. For a real treat, leap aboard the Blue Train, a luxury heritage railway that runs for just under 1,000 miles between Cape Town and Pretoria in either direction. Book a fly-drive holiday with British Airways, flying in and out of Cape Town • Best South Africa itinerariesBest for a peaceful retreatBali is the perfect antidote if you're feeling frazzled after the run-up to the wedding — this is a tropical Indonesian island with extra serenity built in. There are lively beach resorts here, too, but its real attractions lie away from the crowds — in the temple ceremonies that have remained unchanged for centuries, in exploring quiet villages flanked by emerald-green paddy fields, in swimming beneath waterfalls deep within the rainforest. Bali also brings great opportunities to learn a new skill together — perhaps cooking, batik printing, traditional dance or something more active like surfing. Virgin Atlantic Holidays has a selection of Bali retreats ideal for honeymoon stays • Best hotels in Bali Best for a proper adventureIceland is the perfect fit for your honeymoon if you want to mix out-of-this-world landscapes with some of Europe's most unique activities — and there are plenty of exceptional hotels to choose from too. There's the chance to climb glaciers, bathe in hot springs, dive in continental fissures, go whale-watching and clamber inside a volcano, and that's just for starters. Visit between September and April and you might get to tick off another bucket-list experience — seeing the northern lights. A final advantage is that it's only about a three-hour flight from the UK, so you're not spending too much of your honeymoon in the air. Tourhub has some impressive itineraries, including Intrepid Travel's eight-day adventure to the country's best bits • Best Iceland tours Best for a foodie road tripThe US provides some of the best road trips on the planet, and the Pacific Coast Highway is the pick of the bunch. Head out west to drive the section from San Francisco down to Los Angeles, which is a great option if you love food as much as you love each other. There are wineries, farm-to-table restaurants, delis and food markets to drop into all along the way. You'll drink in some spectacular scenery en route, following a rugged coastline that drops down to the rolling Pacific, with sublime sunsets to round off each day. Be sure to book at least one special meal on your trip — San Francisco and Los Angeles share over 50 Michelin-starred restaurants between them. Fly into San Francisco and out of LA on a fly-drive package with British Airways. • Best things to do in California Best for Indian Ocean varietyThe writer Mark Twain noted some locals' opinion that 'heaven was copied after Mauritius', and you'll perhaps agree on your first sighting of the island group from above as you jet in. There are all the powdery white-sand beaches and sapphire blue waters you could possibly want, and these give way to an interior of jungle-clad mountains, plunging waterfalls and sleepy villages. You'll find further heaven in the cuisine, with Indian, African, French and Chinese influences apparent in the various dishes. Those influences also come into play in the islands' diverse culture, with a festival-heavy calendar sure to bring extra cause for celebration to your honeymoon. Expedia has several tempting all-inclusive packages, so all you have to think about is packing • Best beaches in Mauritius• Mauritius honeymoon ideas Best for pure joyCuba is the destination for you if you want to be sociable rather than secluded on your honeymoon. This is a gregarious nation and you'll be drawn into the daily celebration of life within hours of arriving. That's not to say you can't get romantic here — what could be more so than learning to salsa to a live band one balmy evening, or watching the sunset from an alfresco bar table, mojito in hand? Among many highlights forming your honeymoon memories are the faded elegance of capital Havana, the cobbled streets of Spanish colonial towns such as Trinidad and Sancti Spiritus, and the rural serenity of Viñales. Tourhub has a wealth of ways to see Cuba, from cycling to beaches and homestays • Best things to do in Cuba Best for luxuryYou'd best impose a phone ban before you arrive on Bora Bora or you'll spend your entire honeymoon taking photos. The island in French Polynesia is so beautiful you won't be able to help yourself. Palm-fringed little islets dot a magnificent lagoon, with mountains rising up beyond. Book a resort on the lagoon — splash out on a stilted villa over the water, with its own plunge pool, your own private butler and direct access down into the warm tropical waters. You then need do nothing but relax, with the only appointment for the day a waterside dinner with a stunning Pacific Ocean sunset as your backdrop. Expedia has a plenty of tempting of hotels and resorts on Bora Bora, including the Four Seasons • Most romantic hotels in the world• Best luxury holiday destinationsBest for unforgettable landscapesWith some of the most incredible landscapes in the world, coupled with some of its most remarkable lodges, a honeymoon in Patagonia — a region that straddles Argentina and Chile — will form a suitably epic start to your marriage. In the latter, the Torres del Paine National Park makes an ideal centre for your trip — here, granite peaks rear up from perfectly turquoise lakes and glaciers, and there's the chance to spot wildlife such as pumas, which lurk within the valleys. Luxury hotels and lodges will sort out all your activities and revive you with world-class cuisine and fine wines at the end of each day. &Beyond offers stays at Explora Torres del Paine hotel, with a spa, incredible hot-tub river views and 50 hikes and horseback rides Best for island-hoppingThe beauty of a honeymoon in the Greek islands is the ease with which you can hop from one outcrop to the next over a couple of weeks, experiencing a different atmosphere on each. The Cyclades should be high on your wishlist — you get to enjoy the swish amenities and luxury hotels of islands such as Santorini and Mykonos, but can mix in the quieter charms of Paxos and Naxos too. However you decide to split your time, you'll likely end each day toasting your marriage at an atmospheric waterside taverna. For a multi-centre, island-hopping break, try Olympic Holidays • Best Greek islands• Best Greek island cruises Best for memorable staysWhy not use your honeymoon to get to know these ancient isles better? A special occasion is the perfect reason to book into some of the extraordinary and unique accommodation the UK has to offer. You might choose a luxury beach cabin on the Cornish coast, with a hot tub in which to enjoy the sunset together. Or a picture-perfect little cottage in the Cotswolds, where each day ends with a glass of wine in front of the fire. If you're after a fairytale, there's the chance to stay in a magical folly in Wales, with its own pool and sauna. Or a beautifully secluded converted mill on a Scottish loch. Even better, with easy travel you've got the perfect excuse to return for your wedding anniversary. Unique Homestays has exceptional self-catering properties throughout Britain and Ireland • Most romantic hotels in the UK Best for Latin American flairFor a winning combination of beach, culture, gastronomy and scenery, there are few better destinations than Mexico. This is a vast place and you'll want to choose a small area of it rather than tackle the whole thing. Taking a direct flight to Cancun and focusing on the Yucatan Peninsula gives you the perfect base. There are ancient Mayan sites, striking Spanish colonial towns and cities, national parks and jungles that hide jaguars and crocodiles, and an embarrassment of riches when it comes to Caribbean beaches. If you want peace and quiet, head to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve — it's harder to get to than other beach destinations in the Yucatan but it's worth the effort to have those white sands all to yourself. Trailfinders has private tours for couples in Mexico and the Yucatan • Best hotels in Mexico Best for medina magic and desert tranquillityA luxury riad in Marrakesh is the perfect place to recover from the whirl of a wedding — whether you opt for a modern five-star with all the amenities or a little family-run guesthouse, you'll feel like you're staying in a beautifully restored work of art. Immerse yourself in the Moroccan way of life, with trips around the maze-like medieval Medina, as well as visits to tiny villages high in the Atlas Mountains. There's also the vast tranquillity of the desert, best explored on camel treks, or pretty coastal cities like Essaouira with its historic ramparts and stretches of Atlantic shoreline ideal for watersports. Try Original Travel for a bespoke itinerary, including riad stays and time in the desert • Best villas in Morocco Additional reporting by Lucy Thackray
Trade Arabia
10-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Virgin Atlantic 2024 results show record revenues, profitability
Virgin Atlantic has released its annual financial results for the year ending 31st December 2024. The airline reported a Profit Before Tax and Exceptional Items of £20 million ($25 million), returning to profitability for the first time since the pandemic. Record revenues of £3.3bn (up £183 million versus 2023) were fuelled by passenger capacity growth of 7.6%, continued demand for business and premium leisure travel and the launch of Unlimited Availability reward seats for members of Flying Club. Virgin Atlantic Holidays regained its number one position in Florida and reported revenue of £517 million, up 10% versus 2023. Continued cost discipline contributed to the airline achieving its highest ever Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) of £230 million, more than quadrupling the £48 million delivered in 20231 and bolstering progress towards sustainable profitability. Virgin Atlantic strengthened its balance sheet, ending the year with a cash position of £443 million (up £37m versus 2023), inclusive of paying down £174m of pandemic-related debt. Since 2022, the airline has paid down £500 million of debt incurred during the pandemic and in 2024 completed £485 million of debt financing on improved terms. Velocityx, the airline's four-year strategic plan, supporting its mission to become the most loved travel company and sustainably profitable, ends in December 2025. In Virgin Atlantic's 40th anniversary year, the 2024 financial, commercial and operational results illustrate the plan is working, setting firm foundations for the future. Full Year 2024 Financial Results Summary Virgin Atlantic carried 5.6m passengers in 2024, with a load factor of 77.3%. Passenger capacity (ASKs) ended the year 7.6% higher than 2023 with 24,832 sectors flown on 43 aircraft (average) – up from 23,551 sectors in 2019 on 45 aircraft, demonstrating enhanced fleet utilisation. 2024 passenger revenue of £2.6 billion – beating previous records and up £179 million versus 2023, with a record £1bn revenue originating from the US. Despite operational challenges, due to reduced availability of Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines, a flight completion factor of 98.6% was achieved and Virgin Atlantic was recognised as the most punctual airline in the UK. Virgin Atlantic Holidays met demand for premium sun destinations, carrying 255k holiday makers and delivering £517m revenue, up from £468m in 2023. Ending the year with a #1 market share position out of the UK3, Virgin Atlantic Cargo operated 199m tonnes of cargo and delivered revenue of £236m, exceeding 2023 revenue of £196m by capitalising on continued disruption to Red Sea freight and increased capacity out of India. Continued cost discipline resulted in total airline non-fuel costs of £2.0bn and non-fuel cost per ASK (NFCASK) of 3.99p, in line with 2023 and 16 points below CPI (indexed to 2019). Operating profit (EBIT) of £230m is four times greater than 20231 and double that reported in 1999, the airline's previous record. During 2024, Virgin Atlantic paid down £174m of pandemic debt, including a 2020 Davidson Kempner loan repaid in September 2024. The airline ended the year with a total cash position of £443m. Other Highlights from 2024 In July, the airline completed its fleet transformation, confirming an order for seven Airbus A330-900s, bringing its A330neo fleet to 19. By 2028, its fleet of 45 next gen aircraft will comprise 19 A330-900s, 12 A350-1000s, and 14 787-9s, with an average age of 6.9 years. In October, Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club launched Unlimited Availability, becoming the first UK loyalty programme to allow members to pay for any seat onboard with Virgin Points. A reimagined launched at the end of the year, unifying Flights and Holidays together in one place for the first time. For an eighth year running, the airline was recognised as Britain's only Five Star Airline by APEX. Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic, commented: 'Our performance in 2024 marked a big step forward in our mission to become the most loved travel company and sustainably profitable, with record revenues and operating profit achieved in our fortieth year. We returned to profitability for the first time since the pandemic, repaid a large chunk of debt and faced into operational challenges by taking decisive action. 'Our teams do their absolute best, every day, to make our customers smile. It's that simple. I'm so proud to see their great efforts result in success, from the rollout of Unlimited Availability reward seats and unification of our Flight and Holiday business on to growth in India with the launch of flights to Bengaluru. '2024 was a turning point for Virgin Atlantic and the culmination of our transformation. We have a plan in place for 2025, with much to look forward to including a new app, new routes to Toronto, Riyadh and Cancun, a new clubhouse in Los Angeles and greater stability for our operation. In 2025, we dare to imagine an even better future. Let's make it happen.'
