Expedia unveils Budget Honeymoon Destinations this Season
Expedia.co.inTM, which is operated by Expedia, Inc., the world's leading online travel company, has revealed the Top 5 Budget Honeymoon Destinations abroad which can easily fit into any couple's budget in India.
Tweet-- For most couples planning a honeymoon abroad, the recent economic slowdown has certainly acted as a dampener. With travel budgets for most honeymooners squeezed, Expedia.co.inTM, which is operated by Expedia, Inc., the world’s leading online travel company, has revealed the Top 5 Honeymoon Destinations abroad which can easily fit into any couple’s budget.
“The economic events unfolding around the world have certainly made travellers cautious and wary about their spending. However, at Expedia.co.in we have the inventory to service our customers with a wide range of options to book the perfect vacation to suit any budget. With access to 80,000 hotels, 3,000 attractions and over 70 airlines worldwide, Expedia® customers are able to make informed choices,” said Arthur Hoffman, Managing Director Expedia Asia Pacific.
“Additionally, our dynamic packaging facility provides significant savings to honeymooners when booking two travel products together (i.e. flight plus accommodation) as well as the added convenience of being able to customize their trips,” he said.
The honeymoon market in India is an important segment as marriage plays a pivotal role in every Indian family. While the growing outbound travel market has certainly opened up many destinations abroad, the recent economic slowdown has made honeymooners look for destinations within a specific budget.
The Expedia.co.in Top 5 Budget Honeymoon Destinations are:
1) Egypt
Possibly one of the most sought after vacation spots, Egypt never fails to delight!
Though the pyramids of Giza are synonymous with Egypt, don’t miss a trip to the ancient and wondrous cities of the country. Pay a visit to the historic city of Alexandria, one of the most magnificent cities built by Alexander the Great and known for its scenic beaches. Another place not to miss is Luxor –named by Homer as “The City of a Hundred Gates”. Known sometimes as the tourist capital of Egypt, Luxor posses an undeniable charm and has to be visited if one makes a trip to Egypt. Visit the capital city of Cairo to see the marvellous city stretch along both sides of the river Nile. Khan el-Khalili, a famous market place within Cairo is worth a dekko for its copper jewellery, semi precious stones, rugs and other souvenirs. While there don’t miss The City of the Dead; one of the world’s largest necropolises covering several kilometres and containing the plain stone tombs of ordinary people and grand mausoleums.
Lastly, a trip to Egypt would be a waste if one does not visit the pyramids of Giza. While Egypt has more than 70 pyramids along the river Nile, the pyramids of Giza are the most renowned as the resting place of the Pharoah’s family – The Pyramid of Khufu and the smaller Pyramid of Khafre with The Great Sphinx on the Eastern side of the complex.
Make your trip count with a stopover at Dubai on your return journey to India. Blow your leftover budget in the malls of Dubai! Also with 1.00 Egyptian Pound = 9.04 INR*, your budget is well taken care off.
Deal from Expedia.co.in:
Cairo, Egypt – Deal 1
Pharaos Doki Hotel – 3 star
Return economy flights Delhi to Cairo, 5 nights accommodation (incl. breakfast)
From Rs 37,597* per person twin share (Example for travel January 12-17, 2009)
Deal from Expedia.co.in:
Cairo, Egypt – Deal 2
Cataract Pyramids Resort – 5 star
Return economy flights Delhi to Cairo, 5 nights accommodation (incl. breakfast)
From Rs 41,160* per person twin share (Example for travel January 12-17, 2009)
2) South Africa
Divided into nine provinces the country of South Africa provides a visitor wide range of activities and attractions and has some of the most popular beaches in the world. One of the most popular tourist spots – Port Elizabeth is a cosmopolitan city retaining the experiences of the country side. Known for its famous beaches which stretch for up to 40km this city is a haven for sunbathers and surfers with one of the most popular activities being beach trekking. Another popular destination is Cape Town – a city well known for its natural features.
Like Port Elizabeth, Cape Town also has some renowned beaches which are popular with tourists and locals alike. While in Cape Town, don’t miss the hiking trip to the famous Table Top Mountain. The Chapman’s Pak Drive, a narrow road that links Noordhoek with Hout Bay, is also famous with tourists for the view it provides of the Atlantic Ocean and the nearby mountains. Cape Town is also well known for the South African wines which are world famous. With major vineyards and production centres such as Paarl, Stellenbosch and Worcester, a trip to one of the vineyards is a must with a wine tasting session!
Johannesburg is the place to go to mix big-city culture, shopping, dining and nightlife with outdoor adventures, up-close wildlife encunters and visits to historical sites. In and around the city are museums covering art, history, science and apartheid. Nearby are caves, animal and nature reserves, the traditional villages of local cultures, working gold and diamond mines and the Cradle of Humankind, where the remains of an early human, Australopithecus, were discovered.
If you are adventurous enough you can also take your spouse along to the Kruger National Park, one of the largest game reserves in South Africa and amongst the largest National Parks in the World. Along with wildlife excursions, visitors can also take a trip to the many archaeological sites around the Park.
You can also shop till you drop as 1 South African Rand = 4.98 INR*.
Deal from Expedia.co.in:
Johannesburg, South Africa
Protea Hotel Balalaika Crown Court – 4 star
Return economy flights Delhi to Johannesburg 4 nights accommodation – Last minute deal: SAVE 68% on your hotel!
From Rs 43,880* per person twin share (Example for travel January 12-17, 2009)
Deal from Expedia.co.in:
Cape Town, South Africa
Chartfield Guesthouse – 4 star
Return economy flights Delhi to Cape Town 4 nights accommodation (incl. breakfast) – Best Price!
From Rs 59945* per person twin share (Example for travel February 17-22, 2009)
3) Singapore
One of the most popular destinations with Indian tourists, Singapore is a tourist attraction in itself. Known for its famous shopping centres, food festivals and the Great Singapore Sale, the destination provides tourists with a wide array of choices and varying emotions. Start with the Marina Bay which is guarded by the famous “Merlion”, a symbol closely associated with the country. Take your wife to the famous Orchard Road, the shopping and entertainment centre of Singapore. While there, take her to the Ngee Ann City, a mall built in 1993 and the largest in Orchard Road. While this mall hosts world famous designers such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel, it is also home to South East Asia’s largest bookstore, the Books Kinokuniya. Another mall is the Wisma Atria which has the famous 900 seat food court.
Another interesting activity to be undertaken is a trip to the Night Safari which is home to a 1,000 animals comprising over 100 species in a 100-acre (40-hectare) jungle within the Selecta Preserve. This incredible park affords a rare all-ages opportunity to experience a nighttime wildlife trek through the jungle. Unlike nighttime zoo visits or nocturnal houses, Night Safari was created to be seen only under the cover of darkness giving the opportunity to encounter the fascinating habits of a variety of the world’s nocturnal species.
Another must-visit is the island resort of Sentosa. Visit the Tiger Sky Tower, the tallest free standing observation tower in Asia for an incredible experience. Also, don’t miss Asia’s largest tropical fish “oceanarium,” Underwater World. A favorite for all ages, this modern attraction brings you face to face with over 2,500 living creatures of the sea.
Deal from Expedia.co.in:
Singapore
Fragrance Hotels – 2 star
Return economy flights Delhi to Singapore 5 nights accommodation
From Rs 27,002* per person twin share (Example for travel February 17-22, 2009)
4) Turkey
Divided into seven major regions, Turkey has one of the most varied geographical zones from the rugged mountains to highlands, the dry steppes and the Mediterranean Sea to the South and the Black Sea in the North. This makes the country extremely popular amongst tourists!
One of the major attractions in Turkey is the ancient city of Troy located in Hisarlik at Canakkale, in western Turkey. The legendary city and the centre of the Trojan War, this city has also been paid tribute to by the renowned poet, Homer. Once regarded as myth, the city can be visited today. Take a trip to the Temple of Athena with your loved one in the moonlight or early morning and soak in its beauty.
While at Istanbul, experience one of the seven wonders of the ancient world! Explore the site of the Temple of Artemis, built and destroyed seven times as rival empires fought for dominance. Wander among the remains of Ephesus, once a flourishing Roman city. Visit shrines to the Virgin Mary and John the Apostle, both buried in this historic city.
For those looking forward to a vacation along the beach, head towards the city of Antalya, the capital of the Antalya Province in the Mediterranean Region. A paradise for sunbathing, swimming, and sports activities like windsurfing, water skiing and sailing Antalya has some of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey. Situated on a cliff over the Mediterranean, the city of Antalya is a famous tourist spot. Some of the must-visit areas in the city are the Antalya Museum, Kalenci, the City Walls and Hadrian’s Gate.
Alternatively; for couples who are museum enthusiasts, the city of Ankara in the central region is a treat with 16 museums spread through the city. Museums vary from meteorology, education, toys, cartography and natural history, to name a few.
Deal from Expedia.co.in:
Istanbul, Turkey
Tash Konak – 3 star
Return economy flights Delhi to Istanbul 5 nights accommodation (incl. breakfast) – Limited offer: SAVE 20% on your hotel!
From Rs 47,473* per person twin share (Example for travel February 9-14, 2009)
5) Australia
Another destination which provides a wide range of choices to honeymoon couples – right from the outback to the barrier reef and the sandy, pristine beaches, Australia has it all for a perfect honeymoon. Choose from the six states for your holiday. Visit Queensland, for a holiday on the serene beaches of Gold Coast and the world famous surfer zones. You can also head towards Sunshine Coast for its beaches and numerous attractions such as Steve Irwin’s Australian Zoo. A not to miss activity is to go snorkelling along the Great Barrier Reef which stretches 2,000 kilometres along Queensland’s coast from the mainland towns of Port Douglas to Bundaberg.
Another equally great tourist destination is the capital city of Sydney. While world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are worth a dekko, the capital city also is home to the popular Bondi Beach. About a kilometre long, the Bondi Beach is popular with tourists and locals alike and is also the end point of the famous City to Surf Fun Run. Alternatively you could take a trip to the Sydney Aquarium, which houses more than 11,000 aquatic animals. Explore Australia’s largest river system, wander through tropical mangrove swamps and confront dangerous crocodiles at the Sydney Aquarium.
Deal from Expedia.co.in:
Sydney, Australia
The Diamant Boutique Hotel – 4 star
Return economy flights Delhi to Sydney , 5 nights accommodation –
Promotion: Stay min. 3 nights and SAVE 25% on hotel!
From Rs 57,176* per person twin share (Example for travel February 9-14, 2009)
For great deals on airfares, hotels and attractions to these or other destinations log on to http://www.expedia.co.in.
* All quoted prices and information are correct as at 8 December 2008. Prices include all fees and taxes, but may fluctuate due to changes in taxes, fees and currency.
Notes to Editor
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