Honeymoon Travels: Romance Without the Rush

Dear reader,

November marks the start of the wedding season in much of India, and with it comes a familiar question in our inbox: where should we go for our honeymoon? It is a lovely question, and a difficult one, because the honest answer is that it depends far more on the two of you than on any list of “most romantic places”. So this month, rather than handing you a ranking, we have tried to put together an issue that helps you think about what kind of trip you actually want.

What is in this issue

We begin in Coorg, the coffee-growing hill district of Karnataka, with its misty estates, rivers and homestay culture. From there we travel to Hampi, where boulder-strewn hills and the ruins of the Vijayanagara capital make an unusual but memorable setting for a first trip together. Our third feature looks at Wayanad, Bekal and Silent Valley in Kerala, a combination of forest, hills and coast.

Further north and east, we visit Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, with its monasteries and mountain views, and then go down to sea level in the Sundarbans, the mangrove delta shared by India and Bangladesh, for a very different kind of romantic getaway: quiet waterways, birdsong and the faint possibility of a tiger.

We have also added five new pieces. The first is a route story, following the road from Bengaluru through Mysuru to Coorg. The second is a three-day plan for Pelling in West Sikkim, built for couples who want views without rushing. Then comes a frank list of what to skip on a first honeymoon, a portrait of Anegundi, the quieter village across the river from Hampi, and a practical guide to food, stays and transport.

A few honest thoughts

After a wedding, many couples are exhausted. Weeks of planning, family obligations, late nights and travel can leave you tired and a little overwhelmed. The most common mistake we see is a honeymoon that repeats that pace: six destinations in ten days, early flights, long drives and a schedule that leaves no time to simply be together.

Our suggestion is simple. Choose fewer places, stay longer in each, and build in empty time. Honeymoons are not about seeing everything; they are about starting a shared life with space to talk, laugh and rest.

Think also about what each of you enjoys. One of you may love mountains, the other beaches. One may want adventure, the other quiet. A good honeymoon finds a balance, perhaps a few days in the hills followed by a few days by the sea, or a heritage town combined with a nature reserve.

Practical considerations

November to February is a popular season for travel in much of India, with pleasant weather in many regions. That also means higher demand and prices, so book stays and transport early where possible. Check weather patterns for the specific place you are going: the northeast monsoon can bring rain to parts of the southeast coast, and the high Himalaya can be very cold.

Budget is another real factor. Many couples spend heavily on weddings and then feel pressure to spend just as heavily on the honeymoon. You do not need a luxury resort to have a memorable trip. A well-chosen homestay, a simple guesthouse with a view, or a heritage property in a small town can be more personal and more memorable than an expensive hotel.

Finally, think about documents and permissions. Some areas, including parts of Sikkim and border regions, require permits for visitors. Carry identification, keep copies of bookings, and allow for the time it takes to arrange permits where needed.

Different kinds of honeymoon

It may help to think in types rather than places. Some couples want a hill honeymoon: cool air, tea or coffee estates, long walks and evenings by a fire. Coorg, Munnar, Darjeeling and the hills of Sikkim fit that mood. Others want water: beaches in Goa, the Andaman Islands or the Kerala coast, or the backwaters and lakes of the south and the west. Some want heritage: Hampi, Udaipur, the forts and palaces of Rajasthan. And some want wildness: forests, mangroves and wildlife reserves.

There is no wrong choice. What matters is that you choose together, and that the trip leaves room for the unexpected: a long conversation over coffee, a walk you did not plan, a meal at a small place recommended by your host.

A note on respect

India is diverse, and attitudes to public displays of affection vary from place to place. In many towns, villages and religious sites, it is considerate to be discreet. Dress respectfully at temples, monasteries and mosques, and follow local customs. Being a thoughtful guest will make your trip more enjoyable for you and for the people you meet.

How to read this issue

If you have not yet chosen a destination, start with this month’s features and the “what to skip” piece. If you already know where you are going, the route story, the Pelling plan and the practical guide may help you shape the trip. And if you are already married and simply dreaming of a second honeymoon, there is plenty here for you too.

Looking back and ahead

This issue also marks the approach of the year’s end, a natural moment to look back.

Last month we were on the Coromandel Coast in Pondicherry, a town where cultures meet by the sea. Next month we head to Kerala, which has long been one of India’s favourite honeymoon states, with its backwaters, hills and beaches. In many ways, this issue and the next belong together.

Thank you

Thank you for reading and for sharing your stories with us. Many of the ideas in this issue came from readers who wrote to tell us about their own honeymoons: the places that surprised them, the plans that went wrong, the moments they will always remember. Keep writing to us. And if you are planning a honeymoon now, we wish you both a joyful journey and a long, happy life together.

Warm wishes,

Khushi Anand, Editor