Your honeymoon deserves to be an experience that stands out from all of your friends and family member’s cookie-cutter trips to the usual locales, including Paris, Venice or the Caribbean. If you’re searching for an unexpected place to share a truly exotic and unforgettable journey, consider taking your first vacation as man and wife in Bangkok. This capital city of Thailand boasts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, romantic restaurants and divine distractions that will make your honeymoon a sincerely unique and unforgettable experience. Get caught up in the beauty and wonder of the mystique that surrounds this glamorous, fascinating city.
Beaches
The beaches and waters surrounding Bangkok feature some of the most breathtaking sights and wildlife in Thailand. Cha Am beach lies about 100 miles south of Bangkok and offers a unique blend of modern amenities and old world charm. Spend the night in one of the many glamorous resorts or quaint hotels before stepping out of the room right onto a white, sandy beach.
If you’re looking for more excitement and interaction with the locals, head to Pattaya instead. The beach is a short 30 minute drive from the Bangkok airport and is always alive with the energy that makes Thailand one of the most astonishing countries in the world.
Thai Massage
Visit one of the many spas in the resorts and lavish hotels throughout Bangkok. While booking the hotel, ask about a couple’s Thai massage. During a traditional Thai massage, the client is dressed in loose-fitting comfortable clothing to allow for adequate movement before being placed on the floor. The massage practitioner then uses a series of rhythmic movements while manipulating the client into a variety of yoga-like positions. The typical Thai massage lasts around two hours and leaves the recipient feeling energized, relaxed and refreshed. Inquire about any additional spa services, including facials and pedicures, they offer to happy honeymooning couples.
Dining
Bangkok is world-renowned for its cuisine and the romantic atmosphere of many of the city’s restaurants. The rooftop Vertigo restaurant allows you to enjoy a traditional Thai dining experience while getting a unique, bird’s eye view of the city. Make reservations at Vertigo the minute you set foot in the city, and try to dine after dark to witness the beauty of a fully-lit Bangkok after dark.
Bangkok is often referred to as the “Venice of the East” mainly for one reason: the Chao Phraya River. Many liners offer romantic evening dinner cruises along the Chao Phraya, which allows you to take in Bangkok’s sights (including several of the city’s famous wats, or temples) while gazing lovingly at your spouse under the stars.
Benjasiri Park
When you’re ready to step out of the excitement and energy of Bangkok and commune with nature inside this urban metropolis, head to Benjasiri Park. The park is constructed around an internal lake and features a well-kept array of Thailand’s local flora in a botanical garden-like setting. While you stroll hand-in-hand through the park with your new spouse take note of the sculpture garden, which features 12 pieces constructed by local artists, before stopping to enjoy a romantic picnic for two. Once you’ve had your fill of Thailand’s flora, fauna and artwork, take a few steps out of the park and reenter the hustle and bustle of this lively city.
Catch a Movie; Do a Little Shopping
Many tourists don’t realize the world-class shopping and movie theaters scattered throughout several of Bangkok’s shopping centers. In Thailand watching a film is a truly unique experience, complete with love seats, pillows, blankets and well-dressed stewards that offer you a drink, dinner or simply a tub of buttered popcorn.
No honeymoon, or vacation for that matter, would be complete without shopping for a few souvenirs. Bangkok is simply filled with bustling shopping centers and traditional open air markets that feature wares from across Thailand and its neighboring countries. Don’t forget to pick up a few handbags, dresses or scarves manufactured from luxurious Thai silk before purchasing souvenirs for your friends and family members.
While experiencing Thailand on your honeymoon, don’t forget to mind the local customs and traditions. This includes removing your shoes before entering many of the city’s temples and learning a few key words and phrases in Thai, including “thank you!” and “where’s the bathroom?”
Author: Erica Gustafson is a freelance media consultant for the Retreat by Zur spa and resort. She is an avid traveler and loves to write about the places she has been to. Erica writes on behalf of Expedia.