CO

MPA

SS: S

HU

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budget $15,000

time of year November–December

length of trip 2 weeks

travel time 10 hours

from Abu Dhabi

lauren & ankeet

south africaIn search of a relaxing yet action-packed retreat,

Lauren and Ankeet traveled from their home in Abu Dhabi to South Africa for an unforgettable two week trek.

The adventures began even

before newlyweds Lauren and

Ankeet got the chance to check

into their South African hotel

Tintswalo Safari Lodge at Kruger

National Park—the first stop

of four during their 14-day

honeymoon. “We saw a group

of elephants during the drive to

the hotel!” Lauren says. After

exploring the park, the couple

visited a private game reserve

camp before boarding a flight

to Cape Town, where they

climbed Table Mountain, a local

landmark. From there, a tour

guide drove the couple north

to the wine country near the

historic town of Franschhoek to

relax at a vineyard. “Definitely

pack a camera, but remember

to take time to live in the

A scenic overlook in Cape Town

410K

Posing with

a rhino at Tintswalo

Lions lounge on the reserve

View from the hotel pool

in Franschhoek

The pair came across a parade

of elephants.

REAL HONEYMOONS

CAPE TOWN

KRUGER NATIONAL

PARK

FRANSCHHOEK

south africa

botswana

namibia

moment,” Lauren says. “No

photo can do the bush justice.”

—Rachel Sylvester

BOOK IT

Kruger National Park: Tintswalo

Safari Lodge; Sabi Sand Private

Game Reserve: &Beyond Kirkman’s

Kamp; Cape Town: The Bay Hotel;

Franschhoek: Mont Rochelle Hotel

and Vineyard >>

“It was the perfect excuse to

sneak away to the mountains

with just our backpacks and

hiking shoes,” Stephanie says of

the three-day Lake Tahoe

retreat alongside husband Kyle.

When they weren’t wandering

the lake’s western shore with a

glass of champagne in hand,

the couple hiked the scenic area

overlooking Emerald Bay, where

they visited the grounds of

Vikingsholm, a 38-room

waterfront mansion. But

perhaps the most memorable

part of the trip involved a low-

key night of Scrabble and

room service. “We had a

lengthy itinerary, but we let

ourselves get caught up in the

slow, peaceful pace of the

area,” Stephanie says. During

the short drive back home to

San Francisco, they stopped in

Sonoma for an impromptu

afternoon wine tasting and

lunch. “Don’t feel like you have

to do too much,” Stephanie says

of planning your honeymoon.

“Relaxing with a glass of wine

next to your new spouse is

enough.” —RS

BOOK IT

Sunnyside Restaurant and Lodge >>

budget $800

time of year October

length of trip 3 days

travel time 3 hour drive from

San Francisco

stephanie & kyle

lake tahoeSan Francisco–based couple Stephanie and Kyle

didn’t have to travel far for their honeymoon—driving just three hours east to the shores of Lake Tahoe.

The sprawling Vikingsholm

mansion

A toast on the resort’s porch

During a

hike above

Emerald Bay

The rocky shores of Lake Tahoe

REAL HONEYMOONS

CA

NO

E: S

HU

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CK

Pacific Ocean

california

nevada

EMERALD BAY

LAKE TAHOE

SONOMA

414K

kalyn & philip

moroccoWith the help of a few good friends living in the

country’s capital of Rabat, Kalyn and Philip traveled to a total of 10 Moroccan cities in 21 days.

budget $20,000

time of year May

length of trip 3 weeks

travel time 9 hours from

Miami

“Morocco is absolutely magical,

both physically and culturally,”

Kalyn says of her and Philip’s

decision to make the nine hour

flight from Miami to Marrakech.

After arranging for guides to

drive them from city to city, the

pair kicked off their honeymoon

in Marrakech, a stay that

included a day trip to Essaouira,

where the pair rode a camel

down the beach. “Sort of

cheesy, but totally worth it,”

Kalyn says. From there, they

traveled to Ouarzazate, then

glamped in a traditional Berber

tent in Merzouga before moving

on to Ifrane. Other visits

included a three-day retreat in

Fez, where Kalyn and Philip

stopped by a hotel on the city’s

highest hill to drink tea and take

in the sunset. “It was amazing

to watch the city turn on at

night,” Kalyn says. “If you can,

have your hotel arrange to set

you up with an English-speaking

tour guide.” Another tip? Don’t

forget to pack a scarf. “They’re

great for covering your head

when entering a mosque or

private home,” she says. “Plus, it

will protect your face from the

sun and sand and come in handy

when it gets chilly at night.” —RS

BOOK IT

Marrakech: La Mamounia;

Ouarzazate: Le Berbère Palace;

Merzouga: a Berber tent in

the Sahara; Ifrane: Michlifen

Ifrane Suites & Spa; Fez:

Hotel Sahrai; Tangier: Le Mirage

Get more hot honeymoon ideas for all

budgets at TheKnot.com/honeymoons

Taking in the view from a

sand dune in the Sahara

The spa at La

Mamounia

Going for a ride on the beach in Essaouira

REAL HONEYMOONS

MARRAKECH

algeria

morocco

FEZ

TANGIER

MEKNES IFRANE

MERZOUGA

Nor

th A

tlant

ic Oce

an