Seas the day

After all the stress of the wedding, what better way to relax than with a glorious beach honeymoon

Here are some of the most popular beach-based honeymoon destinations:

Antigua

With 365 beaches (one for each day of the year) and the sunniest climate in the eastern Caribbean, Antigua is a great honeymoon destination. A lush island, Antigua is a laid-back paradise with picturesque scenery, fantastic restaurants and some of the best hotels in the world.

Dive, sail, swim with dolphins, sip rum, do a spot of shopping in St John's and pop over to neighbouring Barbuda if you want a mini-adventure.

Bahamas

The Bahamas consists of a staggering 700 islands. Nassau, the glamorous capital city, resides on New Providence Island. Grand Bahama offers a selection of glamorous resorts, and the Out Islands are the most remote in The Bahamas.

A combination of a trip to Nassau with a romantic stay on the Out Islands would be an unbeatable honeymoon. With names like Exuma, Eleuthera, Bimini and Andros, the Out Islands are home to golden beaches and turquoise seas.

The Cook Islands

Consists of 15 islands scattered over two million square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean. They lie in the centre of the Polynesian Triangle. Think wooden churches, waterfront bars and deep blue lagoons.

Raratonga is the centre of the Cook Islands, with lush rainforests, clear waters and a great range of accommodation. If you really want to get away from it all, head to Aitukaki with its sparkling crystal waters and the whitest beaches.

Dominican Republic

It has magnificent beaches, vast arches of white sand and clear, sparkling waters. However, it also has claim as the location of the oldest city in the New World – Santo Domingo – so is steeped in culture and history.

Egypt

Travellers have been marvelling at Egypt's wondrous antiquities for thousands of years – they even put the ancient Greeks and Romans in awe. Today, its mystical appeal remains, from the fascinating pyramids to the glorious beaches of the Red Sea.

An Egyptian itinerary could also include diving along the Red Sea coast, a desert trek or visits to ancient temples and tombs further south.

Hawaii

This group of islands, off the West Coast of the USA, were created by millions of years of volcanic activity in the Pacific Ocean. Each island has a different charm and character. The main island of Hawaii is the largest and gives you the opportunity to see current volcanic eruptions.

It's also a must for those wanting to pay a visit to Waikiki beach and enjoy a beginner's class in surfing. Lanai is an oasis dedicated to rest and relaxation while Oahu is more of a bustling, lively island. Kauai has some stunning scenery including waterfalls and dramatic mountains.

Malaysia

Its spices, silks and silver have been attracting people to Malaysia for centuries, but now its appeal has extended to tourists. The beautiful beaches are just one aspect of Malaysia, with Kuala Lumpur, the capital city, a fascinating combination of both east and west. Fantastic beach resorts include Penang and Langkawi.

Seychelles

A hundred islands and islets scattered in the Indian Ocean make up the Seychelles, but the vast majority live on Mahé, the largest island, with Victoria as the capital. The lush tropical islands are idyllic, with glorious white sand beaches and sparkling blue water.

Rich vegetation includes coconuts, mangoes and bananas and you can expect to see a range of wildlife. Incredible tropical fish make the Seychelles a popular place for diving and snorkeling.