How to honeymoon like a celebrity

The Indian Ocean screams honeymoon destination. The island nations of Seychelles, Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, promise everything from luxurious hotels and private islands, alongside soft, sandy beaches and calm turquoise waters. And it is in these pure paradisal surroundings that royalty and Hollywood royalty alike are attracted to, like moth to a flame.   

The North Island, Seychelles was the chosen resort for both Kate Middleton and Prince William in 2011 as well as George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin in 2014. This picture-perfect island resort features just 11 villas in total and therefore guarantees complete privacy and utter relaxation. Although secluded, this tropical isle offers plenty of incredible experiences, including private dining, spa treatments, island excursions and an array of water-based activities.

Another solid staple destination for post-wedding getaways and romantic retreats is the Maldives. In 2019, Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner shared snaps of their idyllic escape at Soneva Fushi, Maldives. This desert island hideaway boasts a wide selection of stunning beachfront and overwater villas as well as up to 12 incredible dining destinations serving a wide selection of international cuisine. From snorkelling with manta rays and secluded sandbank experiences, to private cinema evenings and dinner cruises by starlight, there is so much to keep you and your loved one entertained throughout your stay.
 

Other celebs to honeymoon in the Maldives more recently include Paris Hilton and Carter Reum in 2021, who chose the beautiful Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, and Jamie Redknapp and Frida Andersson who stayed at One&Only Reethi Rah in 2022.

Click here to spark your wanderlust further, as you take a closer look at the Indian Ocean.

The European rivieras have for years been paired universally with glamorous allure and old-world charm. Add to this breath-taking coastal vistas, cliffside medieval towns, glitzy harbours, and an incredible offering of Michelin-starred menus and it is easy to see why so many are enticed to dreamy destinations like France, Italy, Spain and Greece.

The Amalfi Coast is celebrated for its timeless beauty and in 2011 it was visited by none other than Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth who travelled to Positano and stayed at the legendary Le Sirenuse, that just so happens to be a favourite of Meghan Markle. Here you will feel truly immersed in the very essence of Italy. Le Sirenuse presents Italian elegance with a sprinkling of Mediterranean seaside living. All rooms and suites feature white-washed walls, vaulted ceilings and crisp white bedspreads. The views of Positano don’t get much better than those from the al fresco pool terrace or candle-lit dining room of La Sponda Restaurant. Other celebrities who also chose Positano as a destination of dreams include Zoë Kravitz and Karl Glusman in 2019 and Lady Kitty Spencer and Michael Lewis in 2021.

Travelling to the Amalfi Coast doesn’t have to be a one destination holiday either as there are so many spectacular towns and villages to witness for yourself. Why not team up a few bucket list places and create a bespoke tour that ticks every box? In 2013 John Legend and Chrissy Teigen began their journey as husband and wife in the picturesque village of Portofino. The trend continued in 2018 with Justin Bieber and wife Hailey Baldwin holidaying after their wedding at the spectacular Belmond Hotel Caruso in Ravello, as well as Jude Law and Phillipa Coan celebrating their love on the island of Sardinia in 2019.   

France however proves equally as attractive to the a-list - and of course, Paris is known as the city of love. In 2018 Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk reportedly started their loved-up escape in the rolling hills of Umbria, Italy, before travelling to Paris and checking into a suite at the Four Seasons Hotel George V. This art deco landmark not only offers unbeatable views of the Eiffel Tower but is home to some of France’s best cuisine, with three restaurants boasting five Michelin stars among them. Located in the Golden Triangle, just off the historic Champs-Elysees the hotel is ideally positioned for scenic explorations of Parisian streets. Another couple who holidayed in Paris together was Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher who married in 2010 and enjoyed an intimate escape in the French capital, staying at the Hôtel Ritz Paris. 

Of course, jetsetters have also always enjoyed the famously glamorous beaches and resorts in the sunny French Riviera, including the likes of Saint-Tropez and Cannes. And in 2020, Princess Beatrice and her new husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, were apparently spotted enjoying newlywed bliss in the South of France. Who can blame them with vibrant towns, gorgeous beaches and luxury yachts on offer? There’s not much to be down about.

To view more honeymoon-worthy European accommodation, click here. 

One thing that many married couples choose to do on this once-in-a-life time holiday, is experience something new, something magnificent, something bucket-list-worthy together. For lots of brides and grooms, you can’t beat a safari experience, a chance to not only reconnect with nature, but with each other – and for that there are no better destination than those in Africa and South Africa. 

In 2012, Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake travelled to Tanzania for an incredible safari experience in the middle of the Serengeti National Park. The couple opted to immerse themselves in the location and stayed at the Singita Faru Faru Lodge. Nestled on the banks of the Grumeti River here you can expect plenty of animal sightings from your luxury private villa, with a busy watering hole in very close quarters. Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre also chose this destination in 2019 staying in the idyllic camp at Singita Grumeti. Acting as a complete escape from modern life, these comfortable tents offer a quintessential wilderness experience; where you can dine under the stars, sleep under canvas and cool off in the camp’s inviting plunge pool. Other celebrities who have adventured on a safari honeymoon include Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds in 2012 and Nicky Hilton and James Rothschild who encountered wild elephants on safari in Botswana in 2015. 

More recently in 2019, Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma visited Kruger National Park in South Africa for their honeymoon. Matthew later accounted on Instagram, "We climbed Table Mountain in Cape Town, played bananagrams in Mozambique, read a book with a disappointing ending together on our flights, experienced a dream safari in Sabi Sands, had the best meal of our lives at Test Kitchen, and I got to bask in the high of doing it all with my best friend turned wife. I truly am the luckiest."

If all this talk of wild love in the wilderness has you excited to create your own fantasy African escape. Click here to view our selection of world-class accommodation. 
 

Just remember that this trip should be all about you two and you two alone. No matter how big your dreams, it is important to find the perfect fit so you can make unforgettable memories together. If one destination isn’t enough, remember you can always pair multiple places together for a trip that ticks every box. Take Paris Hilton’s epic seven-week honeymoon as inspiration, where she visited Conrad Bora Bora Nui resort in French Polynesia, Moskito Island in the British Virgin Islands, Zemi Beach House in Anguilla, The Biltmore in London and Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi in the Maldives in one non-stop escape. And with a personal travel manager by your side, nothing is off the table.

If you are starting to drum up ideas for an ultimate romantic holiday experience that is just right for you and yours, contact our team of travel experts who can help plan the perfect day-to-day itinerary and curate a truly unforgettable experience for you both. Planning your escape with Winged Boots means you will also benefit from 24/7 access to a dedicated personal travel manager before and during your trip, so they are on hand to help with every last detail, ensuring your largest dreams become reality.