If you’re after a honeymoon destination that won’t blow your diet and exercise routine, look no further than these five exotic, fitness-friendly options.
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1. Hotel Komune, Bali
Located on one of the island’s best surf breaks, Hotel Komune has just launched a Health Hub which includes a state-of-the-art-gym, complete with cross-fit equipment and an alfresco yoga and fitness pavilion.
Along with its new fitness offering, Hotel Komune has also opened a Health Café, serving up a menu of organic, fresh produce, picked straight from the hotel’s own vegetable garden.
The menu has been hand-picked by the hotel’s owners, both of whom are avid exercise junkies and features gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and raw options including tempeh fries and raw cashew cheesecake.
It’s also the only place in Indonesia where keen board-riders can night-surf, an activity which is available most evenings and constantly draws a crowd of spectators.
Image from Your Queensland Wedding
2. &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge, South Africa
The ultimate destination for the explorer-at-heart, South Africa is known for its wildlife and landscapes, and a safari is the best way to take advantage of both. &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge, based in the famous Kruger National Park, offers intimate cottages nestled amongst the trees, giving honeymooners absolute privacy.
Foodies can partake in a traditional African cooking classes in between an itinerary filled with endless outdoor activities, including hiking, rafting and scuba-diving. For those who want the rockstar treatment, there is nothing more amazing than a helicopter flight over the cascades and canyons. Mid-flight, you’ll land at a secret viewpoint for a picnic, where you can take a romantic bushwalk down an escarpment.
Image from &Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge
3. Hilltop Hotel, Tonga
If you don’t mind skipping five-star luxury for an unforgettable adventure, Tonga is a must-visit. All year around, this forgotten paradise boasts some of the best spear-fishing in the world, with tourists encouraged to join one of the local tour operators for a session which can bring in tuna weighing over 100k.
Sharks simply don’t exist in big numbers throughout the islands of Tonga, making this destination ideal for any type of watersports, and a snorkel through the Coral Garden is essential. The Coral Garden can only be accessed by boat, but it’s worth the effort; with stretches of brightly coloured coral, tropical fish and visibility of up to 50m, this hidden gem is one of the most spectacular snorkeling locations in the world.
Image from Hilltop Hotel
4. Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Screensaver scenery, stretches of white sandy beach and 2ha of coconut groves make Club Med Punta Cana, located in the archipelago of the Maldives, the ultimate bucket-list destination.
For travellers looking for a resort that effortlessly merges local hospitality with international gyms, daily exercise classes and adventure activities, you can’t go past Club Med Punta Cana. The resort has just partnered with Cirque du Soleil to launch CREACTIVE, a sports school with equipment and facilities for flying trapeze enthusiasts at any level. The beauty of Club Med is its all-inclusive packages, so travellers can partake in as many of the classes, including aerobics, cardio, strength training and suspension training, at no extra cost.
Just in case classes aren’t your thing, Punta Cana also offers beach volleyball, archery, horse-riding, golf, kayaking, tennis, water polo, windsurfing and swimming.
Between April and October, Tonga becomes a breeding and birthing ground for Humpbacks and is the last remaining place on earth that you’re able to swim alongside these mammoth 16m beasts. These friendly creatures are accustomed to human interaction and the mums are known to use snorkellers as a baby-sitting service, while they swim below and get some rest. The calves are inquisitive, regularly coming within touching distance of the swimmer and at times, even mimicking their actions, leading to an extraordinary human/animal game of Simon Says.
Image from Club Med Punta Cana
5. Les Menuires, French Alps
French is the language of love and for snow bunnies on their honeymoon, the French Alps should be the first stop. Les Menuires is a resort located in the Savoie at an altitude of 1,850m and hosts a playground of activities for thrill-seekers from hiking and mountain adventure courses to zip wires and archery.
The real highlight of the resort is the access to its ski fields, considered one of the best in the world. It has 600km of slopes, 169 lifts and caters for all skill levels from beginner to professional. If couples tire of skiing, the resort offers mountain biking in the snow with a fully qualified instructor on one of their two downhill runs, each with a heart-stopping 450m drop.
Image from Les Menuires
*This article was originally published in Fitness First Magazine
Main image from Club Med Punta Cana
