While breaking free from the tight embrace of the wedding brouhaha (not to mention the months of planning and prepping for the big day), to run into the alluring arms of honeymoon bliss in an exotic locale is a tasty temptation, the momentum for this ‘proverbial trip of a lifetime’ is not born without applying its own brand of physics principles. The planning force is applied in equal measure for bringing alive the week of idyllic romance post the stressful D-day. And believe you me, the force isn’t any lesser. Especially when you have to plan this romantic escapade to a sun-kissed/snow-capped paradise, without loosening those purse strings! So, how exactly do you do it?

Here’s a list of five destinations for a honeymoon abroad on a budget of INR 1Lakh:

1. Thailand: If island honeymooning has always been your dream, then heading to this exotic jewel of the east, where the sun, sand and the sea tug at the heartstrings to create a special symphony for the most special trip of your life, is a great choice. No other place shall inch closer to being your tropical paradise, whilst also being easy on your pockets. In a land where orchids are welcoming lovers to soak in the sun, cementing those recent vows and forging a lifelong bond of companionship shall be a sweet-surrender-to-sweetie affair.

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Go island hopping, visit the myriad glittering heritage sites, shop at the Chiang Mai night bazaar, slurp down rice noodles, feast on the sumptuous Thai curries, revel in the luxurious spa treatments, enjoy the serene atmosphere at the several temples and palaces, go catamaran sailing or just laze around on the beaches. The choices are endless!

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Roundtrip airfare ranges from anywhere between INR 15,000 to INR 18,000 per adult. You could avail cheaper deals if you make your bookings well in advance.

Accommodation: A five day/four night stay at the choicest four star hotels or resorts/luxury villas can come as cheap as INR 50,000 (all inclusive). If you make your reservations early and be careful to drop the h-word, you might be in for special discounts and a plethora of pleasant surprises upon arrival!

2. Sri Lanka: A teardrop at the bottom of the Indian peninsula, this island country is a stone’s throw away from our very own Tamil Nadu. Yet, that should not make you any less enthused about spending a romantic honeymoon in this land of legends. There is a reason this cauldron of rich culture and colorful entertainment makes it to our list of budget honeymooning destinations. And though we may be going a little thrifty on the means, we are not, in any way, intending to compromise your royal treatment for your queens.

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While you can crack open a coconut and slide into the hammock that rocks gently in the breezes that serenade the golden sands kissing the turquoise waters, you may also choose to delve deep into the treasures that sit in the lap of this land. Dagobas, museums, national parks, monasteries, cave temples,  fortresses are all beckoning you to explore them. For the adventure lovers, there’s trekking, scuba diving, surfing, white water rafting and exploring Colombo by bike at night. For the lovebirds who’d love artsy retreats, the island offers a rich scoop of theatrical and musical gigs. All we can say is you’d be spoilt for choices! And while you may be running short on time to experience all that this amazing land cradled by the Indian ocean has to offer, we suggest you explore only as much as shall allow you to appreciate what you see.

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Roundtrip airfare ranges from anywhere between INR 10,000 to INR 12,000 per adult. You could avail cheaper deals if you make your bookings well in advance.

Accommodation: Staying at luxury hotels and premium villas can come as cheap as INR 3,000 to INR 6,000 per night.

3. Dubai: Yes, budget shopping, budget food, budget sports, budget water parks and well, budget belly dancing! 😉 Dubai is a heaven-sent for budget honeymooners. Enjoy with the playful dolphins, explore the sparkling city on foot by strolling down the spick and span walk ways hand in hand with your spouse, devour the fresh seafood, zesty salads and yum desserts, ride the camels, shake it and shake it some more with belly dancers, play golf, visit the archipelago of man-made islands, shop till you drop, gaze at the garishness of the world’s tallest towers or float over’em in hot-air balloons, enjoy the musical fountains and the gorgeous fireworks, go on a desert safari or get glitzy and glittery at Gold Souk for less than half the prices!! This budget honeymoon can’t get boring for even one tiny tick of the clock!

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Roundtrip airfare ranges from anywhere between INR 18,000 to INR 30,000 per adult. Book your tickets at the earliest to avail them at the lower end of the rate spectrum.

Accommodation: Staying at choicest four star hotels and resorts can come as light on your wallet as INR 4000 to INR 7000 per night. Enjoy huge rip-offs on the booking rates by being an early-bird, and also availing special honeymoon packages. For there is something exciting about enjoying premium treatment at economical rates in a land where more than 60% of the populace are the ‘have-yachts!’

4. Singapore: Another wallet-friendly honeymoon destination, this haven for honeymooning is often misinterpreted as being good only for fine dining, shopping sprees and movie manias. Far from true. If you skip the skyscrapers and dump the all-engulfing allure of Louis Vuitton and Chanel calling out from their glass citadels into the trash bin, the city is teeming with excitement and energy.

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Verdant surroundings, bucolic retreats, swathes of woods, free art appreciation tours at Ritz-Carlton, understated elegance calling out from the Ancient China Heritage Lane, a scoop of London Eye’s doppelganger – the Singapore Flyer, a slice of snazzy shopping at Haji Lane, a taste of fireworks in your mouth with chili crabs or chilled mojitos, and some shimmy and swagger at Zouk, are only a few of the delights that Singapore hands out on a scrumptious platter.

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Roundtrip airfare ranges from anywhere between INR 18,000 to INR 40,000 per adult. Book your tickets at the earliest to avail the lower prices.

Accommodation: Staying at select four star hotels and resorts can come in as handy as ‘desi’ deals. It could range anywhere between INR 3000 to INR 7000 per night. Of course, there are honeymoon packages that can help you get the best bang for your buck.

5. Maldives: A land where the crystal clear waters kiss everything in sight, this one is gaining in popularity by and by. Making headway among the top favorite budget honeymoon destinations in the international category, this one shall take your breath away. Okay, not like your spouse does, not even close! But you got to give the island a chance in the other list! 😉 While we are all for relaxing and lazing away in this gorgeous island, there’s a lot more in the island’s kitty!

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Trying a stint at the Yacht Thila, going manta-spotting, diving, snorkelling or exploring the Majeediyya Carnival at Male’s artificial beach, are only some of the highlights. Maldive’s National Art Museum and Sultan’s Park might be options for those who’d love to exercise their touristy tendencies. Spas are exotic, enchanting and can only be explained after an experiential experiment. So go ahead and dive headlong into the clear waters, while time captures your romantic memories in a charming capsule!

Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License

Roundtrip airfare ranges from anywhere between INR 18,000 to INR 30,000 per adult. You can avail lower prices by booking your tickets well in advance.

Accommodation: Staying at select three star hotels and resorts can come as cheap as INR 4000 to INR 6000 per night. Booking early on special deals can make this even cheaper. Win-win!

There you go, five great choices for the newly-weds to begin their new life! Affordable and unforgettable, rolled in one- great deal, I say! J

Featured image source: Shutterstock