When you're planning that oh-so-perfect honeymoon, we know you want to make sure it’ll be destination-fabulous – so we’ve picked the brains of jet-setters and travel experts alike to give you the lowdown on all things paradise-perfect! Prepare to be inspired…

“Kiwayu Safari Lodge in Kenya, protected by a lagoon as calm as millpond, is the definition of barefoot luxury. The bandas (thatched cottages) are so elegantly simple, there aren’t even any walls: privacy comes courtesy of roll-down matting, the bathroom is outside and you may even see monkeys troop through the room at dawn!”

Tremayne Carew Pole, Hg2, A Hedonist’s Guide, hg2.com

“Wonder ranch Estancia Vik Jose Ignacio is set on a plateau of plains and polo fields in Uruguay. It’s the all-white, art-adorned dream home of a billionaire with 12 suites designed by local artists. If you’re interested in polo, barbecues or sun-soaking lethargy, it’s the perfect honeymoon escape.”

Juliet Kinsman, editor of Mr & Mrs Smith, mrandmrssmith.com

"Shampole Lodge is an amazing private conservancy, overlooking the plains and volcanic hills of the Rift Valley. The most romantic part for me, aside from waking up to the roar of a lion or pounding hooves of a zebra herd, is the natural waters that seem to flow through each room, collecting in a private pool where you can enjoy Kenya’s beauty as the plains stretch off into the horizon."

India Hicks, creative partner, Crabtree & Evelyn, crabtree-evelyn.co.uk

"Le Touessrok in Mauritius asked me to create a fragrance that embodies the resort, so I spent some time there to get a feel for the landscape. The island is incredibly lush, with beautiful ylang ylang flowers and spices like cardamom. The air is so balmy and fragrant, it would be difficult not to be seduced by the romance of the whole place.”

Lynn Harris, perfumer, Miller Harris, millerharris.com

"I adore the Coral Reef Club in Barbados. It’s a family-run hotel in a beautiful setting with gorgeous cottages, rooms and suites and a stunning, relaxed beach.

"Elsewhere, the Grand Hotel A Villa Feltrinelli in Lake Garda, Northern Italy is a small boutique hotel in one of the chicest places on earth. It’s heaven on earth!"

Jemma Kidd, make-up artist, jemmakidd.com

"60 Thompson in New York has an unrivalled location in the centre of hip Soho. Its romantic ambience hits you as soon as you arrive in the candlelit lobby and views from the Moroccan-inspired A60 rooftop bar are phenomenal."

"For somewhere exotic, I’d choose The Four Seasons Chiang Mai in Thailand, because of its sweeping views and calming spiritual beauty."

Jenny Packham, bridal designer, jennypackham.com

"At hotel Toca da Coruja, in Pipa, Brazil, it’s all about the location: among tropical forests yet minutes from some of Brazil’s best beaches. Everything is designed to enhance the feeling of privacy: the woods, the wild flowers and even the odd iguana or two. Lodges are built from crates, doors and recycled windows and tiles; the place is a labour of love, perfectly positioned and incredibly romantic."

Tom Marchant, Black Tomato, blacktomato.co.uk

"For me, it has to be an African safari with the crackle of campfires and the clinking of ice in long gins. There’s something magical about the atmosphere – the hot days and the cold, clear nights, lit by an orchestra of stars. Makanyane is the perfect safari lodge in the Madikwe game reserve with a sweeping thatch roof and beautiful subtle cream colours."

James Bell, Turquoise Holidays, turquoiseholidays.co.uk

"My husband and I had a very romantic holiday in the Maldives and it was only our second date! Our first date we spent getting merry and complaining that we needed a holiday. We joked about booking a holiday and the next day he booked it! I couldn’t believe it! We stayed at the Maldives Meeru island retreat and it was divine – a fabulous place to unwind and rest."

Emmy Scarterfield, designer, Emmy shoes, emmyshoes.co.uk

”Your honeymoon should be very special, an amazing experience – and few places fit that description better than the magical Galapagos Islands. Unique and unparalleled, you can swim with sea lions, experience dolphins jumping at the bow of your yacht or relax in the equatorial sun.”

Justin Wateridge, Abercrombie & Kent, abercrombiekent.co.uk

”The Hotel El Convento in San Juan, Puerto Rico is amazing. A restored 17th century ex-Carmelite convent, it’s located in the Ciudad Amurallada (the Walled City) in the middle of the old quarter surrounded by cobbled streets and Spanish colonial architecture; I remember having one of the moments there where life felt very magical.”

Shireen Jayyusi, Co-founder, Gilda’s Trust, gildastryst.co.uk

”The Giri Residence in San Juan is Ibiza’s first boutique property in a small town. Tucked discreetly behind the police station, this renovated girls’ school has the shock-of-the-new factor thanks to provocative photographic art on the walls and top-notch artisan furniture from Bali. Outside, there are three Balinese style sails and a Moroccan bar tent. As in-the-know hideaways go, this is one of the best around.”

Jane Anderson, Editor, 101honeymoons.co.uk

”Book a suite in the old part of the Villa Igiea in Palermo, Sicily, with its long corridors and pictures of its royal guests. It’s an Art Nouveau hotel with a faded opulence and the most beautiful mirrored ballroom. I also love the Algonquin in New York with its panelled walls and wonderful literary history.”

David Fielden, Bridal designer, davidfielden.co.uk

”The Olde Bell in Berkshire dates back to the 12th century and has sexy, rustic glamour in its DNA. In the Forties and Fifties, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Cary Grant and Errol Flynn used to roar up for weekends in Rolls-Royces and Aston Martins, and recent guests include Rachel Weisz and Dame Judi Dench.

Sarah Shotton, Creative Director, Agent Provocateur, agentprovocateur.com

”Quality is a real luxury at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Barcelona, starting with the blow-you-away entrance with its soaring atrium. Gourmet dining, a vibrant cocktail bar and a courtyard terrace shaded by mimosa trees are all reason enough not to leave the hotel for days, despite the treasures of Barcelona on your doorstep.”

Guy Dittich, Author, Wallpaper* City Guides, wallpaper.com

"India is the place I’ve been to most and I still find it inspiring. The Taj Lake Palace in Udaipar, Rajasthan is fabulous for a honeymoon, as you feel like you’re floating in the middle of a magical kingdom set against the backdrop of the majestic Aravalli Mountains. I also love La Mamounia in Marrakesh; it used to be the place to go to in the Seventies so I was delighted to discover it had been refurbished back to its former glory."

Matthew Williamson, Fashion designer, matthewwilliamson.com

”North Island in the Seychelles is a glamorous but low-key resort for people who don’t normally like resorts. The sensational villas – raised on stilts above the beach with huge decks and plunge pools – are oh-so-private, and the beaches are wild and white, with different bays to suit sunrise or sunset. The island is just big enough to give you a sense of adventure, but small enough that you can call it your own.”

Catherine Fairweather, Travel editor, Harpers Bazaar, harpersbazaar.co.uk

”I first went to Zanzibar in 1990 and, blissful as its white sands and turquoise waters were, they cried out to be shared with a loved one rather than a bunch of backpackers. This chance came when I toured archipelago with my wife. It was bliss on a plate: soft sands, warm waters, dhow trips and unbeatable snorkelling. Our favourite place to stay was Matemwe, where we dined like royalty.”

Michael Cullen, Editor, i-escape.com

"The Fairmont Chateau Whistler in Canada is an incredibly romantic setting day and night. Each room has a log fire and a hot tub if you want to stay and relax. Don’t leave without experiencing a sleigh ride followed by fondue in one of the candlelit restaurants – it’s absolutely magical.”

Jo Malone, Founder of joloves.com

”Capri has always been a love of mine. My husband and I stayed in the wonderfully stylish Hotel Quisisana, where we enjoyed great food and even better cocktails. The island is full of colour with the shades of the Med, lush olive groves and soft white sand: in fact, it inspired my new Capri collection. We spent our days drifting on boats and our evenings in La Piazetta, which is full of colour and life.

Heidi Gosman, Co-founder, Heidi Klein, heidiklein.com

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