(SPOT.ph) Celebrity couples are revered for their fairytale romances and soon enough, their picture-perfect weddings. Many of us are guilty of ogling the designer gowns and gawking at the details of lavish wedding receptions we see on our feed. Before we know it, we find ourselves looking for honeymoon photos—because who doesn’t want to see beautiful people and breathtaking views in lovely, faraway places, anyway?
We list down 10 places where Pinoy celebrity couples have spent their honeymoons over the years. If you’re still making travel plans for the year, you may want to include some of these in your bucket list.
South Africa
If watching wild animals graze in their natural habitat is your idea of heaven and you don’t mind seeing a lion, wild dog, or a pack of elephants passing through, then planning and saving up for an African safari should be on top of your list.
Get ideas from Anne Curtis and Erwan Heussaff’s honeymoon itinerary: See the lions up close at the Mana Pools International Park in Zimbabwe or at Hwange National Park, the largest reserve in the country where, aside from elephants, you’ll also find giraffes, lions, and other animals.
You might as well visit other key locations within the region. Take a dip at Devil’s Pool in Victoria Falls in Zambia or go on a rhino walk at the Mosi-oa-Tunya Park.
Maldives
Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna, and Yeng Constantino and her husband, Yan Asuncion, spent their respective honeymoons in this tropical paradise. The Maldives is made of ring-shaped coral reefs and is famous for its white-sand beaches, blue lagoons, and marine life. There are resorts, hotels, and guesthouses where you can stay.
Although it may appear that everything in the Maldives is all sand and sea, Malé, its capital, is a densely populated city full of colorful buildings, mosques, restaurants, and shops. This is where you can get a first-hand experience of Maldivian everyday life and culture.
Hawaii
Walking along the coastline near one of the beachfront resorts in O’ahu, Maui, or the other islands is a given when you’re in Hawaii. If it’s your first time going there, consider going to Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, which is popular among tourists. This is where John Prats and his wife, Isabel Oli, spent their honeymoon.
After posing for the ‘gram in your best summer-ready attire, there’s still plenty for you to do. Feeling adventurous and looking for something different? Try going on a volcano tour, zipping through a two-mile zip line, or riding a submarine to see creatures of the deep.
France
In Paris, the City of Love—where a photo with the Eiffel Tower as your backdrop is practically a necessity, visiting the Louvre is a must on your to-do list, and hearing the locals speak their language—everything sounds romantic. Saab Magalona and Jim Bacarro’s travel diary of their second honeymoon is a showcase of the city’s architectural beauty.
But there’s more to France than the architecture, art, and cuisine. Other areas paint a picture that is different from the image of France we all know. The French Riviera, for instance, captivates with a view of the Mediterranean Ocean and the beautiful seaside town of Nice; while the French Alps make for a boundless outdoor playground come ski season.
Spain
When Georgina Wilson and hubby Arthur Burnand went to Spain, we wondered what made this well-traveled couple choose it for their honeymoon. During the said trip, the couple, joined by Wilson’s siblings Jess and Sam, went on a bicycle tour around Torre del Oro in Southern Spain, checked out the five-star hotel Finca Cortesin in Marbella and the Alhambra Castle in Granada, then went to Madrid, Spain’s capital. On one hand, Spain offers an opportunity for travelers to explore in the most quaint, personal, and enriching manner possible; on the other it lets one experience a truly rich culture and vibrant nightlife.
Italy
Go ala-Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera and say a prayer as you stand in front of the Vatican in Rome, or take a leisurely stroll along the streets of coastal Sorrento ala-Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho with Scarlet Snow in tow. Once you’re done exploring Sorrento, make time for a day trip to the island of Capri. Go to the port of Sorrento in the morning and look for one of the ferry boats that can take you to the island. Of course, your trip wouldn't be complete without authentic Italian pizza, pasta, panini, and gelato.
Greece
The Voice PH finalist and Autotelic band member Kai Honasan, and hubby, Chicosci bassist Eco del Rio, spent their honeymoon touring Europe, and some of their most scenic stories on Instagram were captured in historic Athens, the old town of Mykonos, and on sunny Santorini.
Switzerland
Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in 2018, and to mark this milestone on Instagram, Torres posted a photobooth shot of them taken in 1998, while they were on honeymoon in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Crans-Montana is in the center of the Swiss Alps, and is home to various ski resorts and lodges. Make sure to pack appropriate attire before going there, so you’re all geared up before you try skiing down the slopes.
Japan
Despite being a developed country with all the modern conveniences anyone could ask for, Japan continues to preserve every ounce of culture, tradition, and natural beauty the country has. In as much as you’ll enjoy roaming the busy streets of Shinjuku, you won’t be able to take your eyes off Mt. Fuji or keep yourself from looking at every cherry blossom tree in full bloom.
Aside from the bustling Tokyo, you may also want to experience the equally colorful culture of Osaka, or explore the shrines, temples, gardens and palaces of Kyoto. Japan’s a mere four-hour flight away from Manila and there’s almost never a bad time to go. It's no wonder Jericho Rosales and his wife, Kim Jones kicked off their long-delayed honeymoon in the Land of the Rising Sun. Not only did they enjoy shopping at the stores, but they also visited the local markets.
India
When former Wowowee and Pinoy Big Brother host Mariel Rodriguez and actor Robin Padilla wed at the Taj Mahal in 2010, they took the liberty to also spend their honeymoon in India. There’s so much more to this South Asian nation than most of us are aware of. If you’re thinking of spending your honeymoon—or going on vacation—someplace scenic and exotic, consider India. Check out the valleys, lakes,and mountains of Srinagar; the beaches of Goa; and the palaces and forts of Jaisalmer.Â
