Royal Wedding: Where will Kate Middleton and Prince William honeymoon?
The vows have been exchanged and the champagne corks are popping. But one major question about the royal wedding remains: Where will the happy couple go on honeymoon? Speculation has been rife, and several options have been mentioned.
Below, we consider the contenders, and explain how you can follow in (possible) regal footsteps.
Regal high: The newlyweds have said their vows, now they can relax and jet off on honeymoon...but where will they go?
Princess Catherine spent some of her childhood in Jordan so the happy couple could find themselves enjoying stunning Petra
JORDAN
Bookmakers' odds: 11/10Why they might go: The odds-on favourite might seem an unlikely choice, but Jordan is the most-risk free Middle Eastern destination at present. And a honeymoon in the country would let Kate return to childhood. The Middletons lived in Amman for two years in the Eighties. Family snaps showed the future princess smiling on a trip to the ruins of Jerash.
What they would find: Jerash is magnificent, a Roman city sometimes referred to as the 'Pompeii of Asia' due to the size of the excavated area. But then, Jordan is littered with ancient sites, most notably the glorious Nabatean settlement of Petra, 'hidden' among rosy cliffs. Even the capital Amman has its moments a Roman amphitheatre sits at its heart.
How you can do it: Cox & Kings (020 8735000, coxandkings.co.uk) runs an eight-night 'Jordan Adventure' family tour of Jerash, Petra and Amman from 1695, with flights.
Will William and Catherine re-visit the scene of the proposal - Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya?KENYABookmakers' odds: 7/2
Why they might go: William is on safe if predictable romantic ground here. It was in Kenya that he proposed last October at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a 62,000-acre reserve in the north of the country that plays host to endangered species, including the black rhino. If there's one thing all men like, royal or otherwise, it's safe romantic ground.
What they would find: The world's finest safari destination. If you can't spot the full Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) in Kenya, you aren't looking hard enough.
How you can do it: Abercrombie & Kent (0845 6182200, abercrombiekent.co.uk) can arrange a seven-night stay at Lewa, from 2995 a head, with flights. Africa Sky (0844 3329374, africasky.co.uk) runs a six-night 'Kenya Highlights Safari' that visits Amboseli, Lake Nukuru and Maasai Mara National Parks, from 2149 per person, including flights.
A spot of royal relaxation on a beautiful beach, perhaps? Exotic Mustique could be in the running...
MUSTIQUE
Bookmakers' odds: 5/1Why they might go: The happy couple are barely away from the place. They have made regular pilgrimages to the sun-kissed island in recent years. Indeed, Kate enjoyed two separate breaks there in August 2009, once with her then-boyfriend, once with her family.
What they would find: An exclusive outpost of 2.2 square miles. Technically part of St Vincent And The Grenadines, Mustique is a privately-owned isle dotted with villas. Once a pirate haven, it is now a hideout for celebrities, from Mick Jagger to Amy Winehouse.
How you can do it: Mustique is expensive, but not unattainable. The swish Villa Seafan sleeps up to eight, and costs from 5082 per week, via Abercrombie & Kent Villas (0845 6182205, akvillas.com). Virgin Atlantic ! (0844 20 97777, virgin-atlantic.com) serves Barbados for 657 return. Grenadine Airways (001 784 458 4748) flies on to Mustique.
Squirrelled away to Scotland: The countryside around Balmoral remains close to William's heart - will he whisk his new wife north?
SCOTLAND
Bookmakers' odds: 8/1Why they might go: Most royal honeymoons tend to head north of the border at some point, usually to Balmoral. The Queen's much-loved Scottish castle is also a short hop from Prince Charles's Birkhall estate, where William and Kate saw in 2009 and 2010.
What they would find: The Cairngorms National Park, which surrounds these two royal retreats, is a wonderland for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts, spreading out for 1748 square miles of hilly, grassy territory. Find detailed trail listings at visitcairngorms.com.
How you can do it: Balmoral (013397 42534, balmoralcastle.com) is surprisingly accessible, and currently open for public visits (until July 31st, adults 8.70). For those who want to get even closer to all things royal, the two Colt Cottages that lie within the castle grounds are available for rent from 405 per week. Each sleeps up to five people.
More...
- Tents, tiaras and more than a few tears: Thousands line the route to cheer the Royal newlyweds
- Here comes the McQueen: Kate Middleton marries her Prince in stunning design by Sarah Burton
- Visit Britain: 50million Royal Wedding tourism boost is just the beginning
CHILE
Bookmakers' odds: 20/1Why they might go: Both the newlyweds have history with Chile, having worked for developmental charity Raleigh International a decade ago. William spent ten weeks in the country in 2000, teaching children in the southern town of Tortel. Kate followed in 2001.
What they would find: A 4000-mile sliver of a country that offers vast va! riety: c ulture galore in the lively capital Santiago; year-round warmth in the north, where it hems Peru; chilly beauty amid the peaks and glaciers of Torres Del Paine National Park in Patagonia.
How you can do it: Bales Worldwide's (0845 0571819, balesworldwide.com) 13-day 'Boutique Chile' package covers most of the country from 4310 with flights. Mountain Kingdoms (01453 844400, mountainkingdoms.com) caters for active travellers with its 16-day 'Complete Patagonia' tour trekking in Torres Del Paine from 3995, with flights.
Prince William has described Africa as 'his second home' - a honeymoon in Mozambique could be on the cards
MOZAMBIQUE
Bookmakers' odds: 20/1Why they might go: William has a real affinity with Africa. Last year, he said: Africa is the perfect place to come. The locals haven't a clue who I am, and I love that. When I step off the plane, I'm like: 'Yes, I'm back.' Africa is my second home. Mozambique, as a rising (but still largely undiscovered) corner of the continent, would suit him completely.
What they would find: A country of raw contrasts. Gorongosa National Park, its main safari zone, lost most of its wildlife in the Mozambican civil war, but is now recovering. Ibo Island, in the north, is a former Portuguese colonial centre with a ghost-town feel. The capital Maputo is a busy African city. And then there are the 1500 miles of coastline.
How you can do it: Steppes Travel (01285 880980, steppestravel.co.uk) can organise a wide-ranging 12-day Mozambique itinerary from 4,975 per person, including flights.
Isles of lo! ve: If t he UK is on the cards, then Tresco on the Scilly Isles could be William and Catherine's honeymoon destination. Right, For ultimate privacy, could the couple take to the high seas on a luxury yacht?
ISLES OF SCILLY
Bookmakers' odds: 33/1Why they might go: Reports earlier this year hinted that, with the rest of Britain feeling the pinch, William and Kate might try an 'austerity honeymoon' in the UK and the Isles Of Scilly were mooted. William has fond memories of the islands after visiting with his parents and brother in 1989. Photos captured the seven-year-old prince riding his bicycle.
What they would find: A small archipelago, 30 miles south-west of Land's End, that is delightfully diverse. St Mary's, the largest island, has the 'capital' Hugh Town, with its pretty harbour; Tresco basks in an oddly sub-tropical climate, best seen in the palm trees of its Abbey Gardens; Bryher, the smallest, has the notorious shipwreck site of Hell Bay.
How you can do it: Page & Moy (0844 5676623, pageandmoy.co.uk) offers a five-night half-board break, based in Hugh Town, that takes in St Mary's and Tresco, from 699.
MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE
Bookmakers' odds: 33/1Why they might do it: It was good enough for William's parents. Back in 1981, Charles and Diana spent the crux of their honeymoon on the (now decommissioned) royal yacht Britannia, boarding in Gibraltar, then sailing around the Mediterranean dipping toes into north Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt), before exploring Sicily and the Greek islands.
What they would find: Royal bodyguards might baulk at the second-in-line venturing near recently-revolutionary Tunisia and Egypt. But there is appeal aplenty in the Greek archipelagos, where the shattered volcano that is Santorini boasts dramatic cliffs, as well as in Sicily, where the small town of Taormina nestles softly on its east-coast hillside.
How you can do it: Regent Seven Seas Cruises (02380 68228! 0, rssc.com) has an 'Athens to Barcelona' jaunt, via Santorini and Taormina, set for August. From 2855 with flights.
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