If green travel is important to you, we have some great suggestions to help with your wedding planning as you look around for honeymoon destinations. There are a multitude of travel guides available in every bookshop, there are many travel websites and the weekly travel supplements in the weekend broadsheets are all a good source of ideas. However, if you are looking for a more of a personal touch see these suggestions below.
The guys discuss the perfect Honeymoon locations:
Fiji - Turtle Island Resort, Yassawas, Fiji
One of a group of 20 islands of the Yasawas, Turtle Island embodies 'paradise' in the most clichéd sense Blue Lagoon was filmed here: an impossibly lush volcanic mound fringed by palm trees that stretch almost horizontally towards the water. American owner Richard Evanson bought the largely barren island in 1972 and set about complete re-forestation and adding a health clinic, secondary school and the spacious bures (Fijian cottages) scattered along the edge of one of the island's dozen beaches. All is sustainably managed, only 14 couples allowed at any one time, there's no swimming pool, and vegetables are grown on the island. There are fresh fruit salads (papaya, limes, mangos and pineapple) and adventurous and delicious dining (fresh lobster on a courgette fondue) - all locally sourced and overseen by Melbourne's chef du monde Jacques Raymond. Sumptuous.
Seychelles Bird Island Lodge
Simplicity is style on this remote island, as far away from the creature comforts of multi-starred over-pampering as you are from city lights and crowded beaches. There are no telephones, televisions or air conditioning in the naturally ventilated chalets (solar-powered hot water), and each has a large bed, large shower room and spacious veranda that overlook the gardens - and the white sands and Indian Ocean just beyond. Owned, staffed and managed by resident Seychellois, the chalets line either side of the main reception and informal dining area where the fabulously laid-back local hospitality includes the best in Creole cuisine, including red snapper and fresh vegetables from the island. The eponymous island is a haven for thousands of birds which nest to the north (their squawking is distracting at first but you soon get used to it); a living testament to a remarkable conservation success story.
Zambia Tongabezi Lodge
Don't set the alarm clock - awake to the light with a noisy pod of hippos! High on the riverbank, each of the four (different) houses has one side missing, liberating the view to a sweep of the Zambezi River.
Some, like the Tree House, are split-level, with tree-trunks (still growing) around the billowing mosquito net of the king-size bed. Stairs to a deck below reveal the open-air toilet and sunken bath. The airy cottages (slightly smaller than the houses) stand beside the water's edge, their claw-footed baths looking out through picture windows. Amidst the riverbank's vegetation, Tongabezi's open layout feels very natural - from the waterfall tumbling into the small splash-pool to the floating deck where efficient local staff serve breakfast. Tongabezi sets the pace for African lodge design and is notable for employing and training Zambian managers - surprisingly uncommon in the safari industry.
Brazil Pousada Picinguaba,
Hike to a waterfall or laze in the gardens; paddle upriver or chill in the spa. The ever charismatic Emmanuel is the driving force behind this deliberately small off-the-beaten-track hotel that manages so effortlessly to marry Brazilian charm with French chic. And the setting is sensational, by a rainforest that tumbles into a turquoise bay splashed with fishing boats. Bedroom 'luxuries' extend to a mosquito netted bed, a chilled beer in the mini bar, a balcony with a hammock, a small shower... and a Jacuzzi and a sea view for the suite. Convivial evenings start with passion-fruit caipirinhas (pricey but tasty), followed by candlelit tables for two, ocean-fresh fish, tropical fruits and unexpectedly delicious Brazilian white wine. No mobiles, no TV, and, when electricity fails, no hot water - but fresh food, local smiling service and DVDs and coffee-table books galore. Stay as long as you can: it's fabulous.
Hopefully these ideas have sparked your interest and let you see that going green does not have to mean taking out the royal treatment you deserve while on your honeymoon.
