A Honeymoon Holiday at Home

Spending your honeymoon at home might not immediately sound like a barrel of laughs, but if finances, work or other commitments do not allow for time off straight after your wedding, then you might just have to make the best of it!

Most of us think we know our local area pretty well, yet when given the opportunity to explore and discover, it can often be amazing how much there is going on that you never had a clue about. And if you are forced to honeymoon at home, looking through the eyes of a tourist or visitor is a good practice to adopt.

There - and Here

Want to get that honeymoon vibe going at home? Honeymoons are all about relaxation, chilling out and discovering new things, not only about your partner, but in terms of new foods, new pastimes, new cultures and customs. There are lots of ways you can bring an exotic honeymoon vibe to your front door...

Romantic Meals

If you were away, you'd no doubt be trying lots of local cuisine and eating out in lots of little cafés and intimate restaurants. Why not do the same at home? Try all those eateries you've walked past a dozen times but never got around to visiting. Try the restaurants at your local hotel for evening meals, and take advantage of all the local information leaflets they are sure to stock to get ideas for other trips and excursions. Find bistros selling local produce or organic foodstuffs and enjoy some regional fayre without having to travel!

Picnics can be wonderfully romantic - on a far flung honeymoon destination you'd probably be eating freshly caught seafood at beach barbecues, or dining al fresco on a hotel terrace or balcony. Emulate that style by packing up a luxurious hamper of goodies to enjoy in your local park or riverside. Serve chilled champagne, seasonal fruits and gastro-style sandwiches for a touch of decadence.

Pampering and Preening

If you belong to a health club or have access to a hotel spa, why not spend a day indulging in pampering treatments? On a traditional honeymoon, hours spent lazying around the pool or having a massage would be de-rigour - create the same relaxing feel by chilling out in a jacuzzi or steam room, followed by invigorating swims and finishing with a wind-down treatment or therapy.

Hot Dates!

Treat your honeymoon at home like a series of hot dates! Even though you are now married, you can still indulge in the dating scene - just together!

Have a cinema or theatre night. Book tickets for a recital or jazz evening. Go outside your usual comfort zone and get tickets for an event you would never normally consider - if you were abroad you'd probably experience all kinds of traditional style entertainments that you'd never dream of going to at home, so get a local 'what's on' guide and see what's happening in your area.

Honeymooning at home can be as much fun as a trip abroad if you put a bit of effort in. Ignore the household chores, the DIY and the usual daily grinds - make time for yourself and your partner to just kick back and really enjoy yourself. And think of the benefits: no jet-lag at the end of it, no holiday tummy to deal with and no language barriers! Why would you want to go anywhere else?!