The Polka Dot Travel Lounge - Lisa From The Wandering Lens

Let your wanderlust go wild Polka Dot honeymooners. Today we’re chatting with Lisa Michele Burns from the Wandering Lens, a travel and underwater photographer who uses her talents to showcase beautiful destinations all around the world. If your stuck on how to capture your experiences take a look on the Wandering Lens where Lisa shares her tips on creating the perfect image. But it wasn’t her tips on photography that she shared today – instead she told us about some exciting places to visit for your honeymoon! She has given us a serious yearn to jet off with our number one and bask in romance around the world.

All aboard! Destination: Honeymoon

What is your favourite region?

There’s no way I can choose just one part of the world so I’ll divide my answer into warm and cold regions – as a weather geek this is how I separate them.

Warm & Summery: The Cook Islands and Maldives are both tropical island dream destinations, each with glittering water and coral gardens. I can’t decide which is better, the Cook Islands has a relaxed and more cultural feel with locals happily inviting you into their tiny island villages. Aitutaki Lagoon is for me the definition of paradise, exactly like that Microsoft screensaver image.

The Cook Islands

The Maldives on the other hand is dripping in luxurious resorts, each with overwater bungalows and fancy offerings. You can opt to sit on a deck chair by the pool or venture on a traditional Dhoni boat to uninhabited private islands where palm trees fringe the fish filled sea.

Cold & Wintry: Iceland and Swedish Lapland were on my schedule this year and I had such an amazing experience in temperatures that were -26 degrees! Swedish Lapland in the middle of winter is one of those once in a lifetime trips. Temperatures are so unbearably cold that your eyelashes freeze solid but activities like dog sledding, meeting reindeers and watching the aurora are simply magical.

Iceland is a photographer’s dream of endless cascading waterfalls, rugged volcanic beaches and even a beach where icebergs sit in the waves. It’s the perfect place for an adventurous road trip and camping under the stars.

Top resort recommendation

The island resorts of the Maldives are out of this world. I thought maybe it was one of those overrated honeymoon destinations but after visiting solo for a photography job, I couldn’t believe that such a place existed. Try One&Only Reethi Rah for luxury and romance or W Retreat & Spa Fesdhoo Island for water sports and a chilled out vibe.

One&Only Resort – Maldives

Suggestions for great honeymoon activities

I think a honeymoon is a great opportunity to experience something and somewhere new together. Go on an adventure and take part in activities like hiking, scuba diving or kayaking…nothing solidifies a relationship like trying to steer a kayak in the right direction!

The Provence region of France where I’m living at the moment is ideal for outdoor honeymoon activities. A day could include kayaking in the Gorges du Verdon or snorkelling in the Calanques of Cassis followed by a sunset stroll through lavender fields and a dinner in a medieval village.

The ideal location for a proposal

I photographed a wedding on top of ‘The Peak’ which is a cliff on Cecil Peak accessible by helicopter in Queenstown, New Zealand. This location was one of the most romantic I’ve ever seen. Dramatic scenery and a sunset would probably win me over!

Best kept secret honeymoon location

Iceland. It’s not exactly a secret in the travel world but for a honeymoon you can road trip to waterfalls, glacier lagoons and at night watch the green waves of aurora dance above in the sky.

There are plenty of luxury accommodation options if you still wanted to keep it romantic. Hotel Ranga is located just outside of Reykjavik and has themed rooms, then the ION Luxury Adventure Hotel is an incredibly designed hotel where you can watch the northern lights.

All images via Lisa Michele Burns at The Wandering Lens.