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By Kathryn Romeyn, Brides
If you and your main squeeze are the types for whom a breathtaking beach
is the definition of honeymoon happiness, then you already know you
have a lot of choices. The world is huge, and literally covered in
oceans and sand. So how to narrow things down? Cost, accessibility and
travel time, risk (think Zika) should all come into play. Wow factor may also.And
when it comes to that last criteria, nowhere has it like the
Philippines. While still considered off the beaten path by some, the
Philippines is a collection of thousands of dreamy islands that
literally scream romantic getaway. You may not know anyone who has
traveled there, and for some that may seem scary. But for others it adds
to the excitement. You can be adventurers,
albeit adventurers who are ensconced in a private villa at a top-notch
resort with some of the most insanely colored scenery outside your door,
exceptional food, and world-class natural wonders calling your names.
Yes it's far, but actually Philippine Airlines has nonstop flights from
West Coast cities to Manila, which happens to be a perfect place to kick
off the fun. The superluxe Peninsula Manila will put you into chill-out mode immediately, and help you eradicate jet lag
(East-meets-West treatments for him and her are truly heavenly). Relax
by the pool, sip an exotic fruity cocktail at the sexy Salon de Ning,
and dine at one of a handful of evocative restaurants while you adjust
to the time change, and make sure to book a pro-led tour of
Intramuros—ideally traveling in Peninsula's souped-up Jeepney—for some
culture and understanding of the Philippines' Spanish (and other
countries) influence and rule.
Manila has a reputation for being a shopping mecca (at its center: Greenhills Shopping Centre),
and while your other half may not find that particularly stimulating,
there are also fascinating museums, tastebud-stimulating restaurants,
secret bars, galleries (check out the shoppable and artistic Aphro)
and other draws that can keep you busy a couple days. But of course the
massive city is a jumping-off point for a number of domestic island
destinations. One option for beaches, coral reefs and the one-of-a-kind
geological formation known as Chocolate Hills (a series of 1,200
symmetrical mounds that turn brown in the dry season, green when it's
rainy) is Bohol, a flight from Manila. There, the new Tarsier Botanika
is a forested, intimate resort and experiential retreat that was
formerly a tarsier sanctuary. The most famous sands and turquoise waters
in the country may be surrounding Cebu and Boracay, which have vibrant
nightlife scenes, if that's what you're into.Another
increasingly popular destination is Palawan, a province that comprises
Palawan island as well as others like Coron (still a bit rustic and
worth exploring now). If you've heard the name it's probably because
these islands' beaches were recently named the most beautiful in the
world. But regardless of how well a picture depicts the scene, standing
on a powdered sugar–white beach and looking out at the turquoise sea in
real life is so much more powerful an experience. The palm-fringed
beaches may just take your breath away like when you first saw that ring.
The draw of Coron and its surroundings is the spectacular sea, which
includes lagoons, coral gardens, snowy beaches and lakes. The best way
to take it all in is via boat, which the staff at Two Seasons Coron Island Resort & Spa
(or their "mainland" Coron Town hotel, Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel)
can arrange with a friendly English-speaking guide. The beauty of this
area is can't be overstated. You've likely never seen anything in nature
the intense color of the water surrounding the island, which also
features the resort's stunning pool,
water-centric villas, a restaurant serving Filipino specialties
(Lobster! Crocodile! Shaved ice!) and a gym perched up on a hill that
provides the best view you've ever had while jogging. A couples' massage
is a must, as is a whirl in the transparent kayak built for two, which
provides an eye-popping way to see beneath the surface. If you're
divers, there should be no question about your honeymoon destination:
Coron has about a dozen WWII shipwrecks, as well as rare fish and giant
clams, plus varieties of shark, manta rays and sea turtles. As you
realize quickly, this entire region—which also includes El Nido, in the
north part of Palawan, and Puerto Princesa, which is more of a city but
home to the tourists' favorite UNESCO-protected underground river—is
truly spectacular.
There's nowhere more epic to wrap up your dream-moon than at Amanpulo, the pride of all Filipinos and the Aman brand. The private-island resort is more than worth the splurge,
and the pampering and attention to detail begins even before you touch
down. Picture this every night: electric blue crystal-clear water that
turns the color of a robin's egg before the sun blazes orange in the sky
and sets beneath the silky surface, palm trees silhouetted against a
sky of pink. The casitas are incredibly private (and come with your own
golf cart and mountain bikes for navigating the island, along with
his-and-hers straw hats and totes), each with their own path to the
pristine beach, but even when in "public," at one of the vibrant
restaurants, pool, spa or gym, there's a feeling of having more than
enough space to stay in your just-married bubble of bliss. There's even a
floating bar you can book all for yourself. Snorkeling, scuba diving,
paddle boarding and sailing are optional ways to see the sights, while
those who are particularly romantic might book a helicopter trip and
tour of a South Sea pearl farm nearby. Of course buying a little
something for your S.O. should be part of this grand gesture, because
why not? It's one more way to bring a slice of paradise back home.
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