The Royal Itinerary – A Perfect Honeymoon

Redefined for Romance

Honeymoons traditionally fell into two categories: major relaxation, with couples doing absolutely nothing, generally on a beach somewhere while recovering from months of arduous wedding planning, or an itinerary so jam-packed with activities and travel that newlyweds needed another holiday to recuperate.

According to Brides.com, an online resource for all things wedding-related, the modern approach to honeymoons is about finding the balance between rest on the one hand, and exciting adventures in different locales on the other – all while learning something new along the way.

The Royal Itinerary

Our Royal Itinerary perfectly suits the needs of the modern honeymooner – offering a mix of bush, beach, winelands and urban discoveries with a mix of adventures and experiences – tailored to each couple’s taste and preference.

Cape Town Capers

Voted the most beautiful city in the world more times than the locals can count, Cape Town is a great place to start your honeymoon sojourn. The Silo Hotel at the V&A Waterfront is a landmark destination with easy access to all the city’s main attractions.

Spend three nights in our spacious pillowed-glass suites with breathtaking views of Table Mountain and the working harbour. Occupying six floors above the Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa), the hotel is a living art gallery – a celebration of the works of artists across the continent lovingly created by Founder, Liz Biden.

While you are spoilt for choice with Waterfront restaurants, from seafood to South African and everything in between, you might want to sample the delicious dishes at home base. Under the talented eye of Head Chef Veronica Canha-Hibbert, sublime dishes are served at the stylish Granary Café, or opt for sharing a meal in the laid-back Willaston Bar. The new thali-style menu offers many reasons to linger. End your evening with a nightcap on the Silo Rooftop under the stars, surrounded by the thousands of twinkling lights that illuminate the Mother City below.

From the Silo, Cape Town has so much to offer honeymooners – how about a sunset picnic on one of the many nearby beaches? You can book a private cable car ride up Table Mountain for incredible views, take a romantic stroll through the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or a champagne cruise with oceanside views of the harbour and Table Mountain. A scenic drive along Chapman’s Peak in a classic car is another way to celebrate life in the city.

After a day of activities and exploration, find solace back at The Silo Hotel with a delicious meal and the warm comforts of your luxury, art-filled suite.

Franschhoek For Nature (and Foodie) Lovers

La Residence in the Franschhoek Valley feels like it was designed with honeymooners in mind. The epitome of romance, this 30-acre estate, surrounded by vineyards and mountains, offers both privacy and luxury in a bold setting that celebrates creativity, beauty and connection. Individually designed luxury suites, resplendent with art and antiques, overlook the vineyards, mountains, and spectacular gardens. Enjoy a stroll around the farm, or a gentle bike ride across the estate; a picnic lunch on the lush lawns can be organised, or dine in style overlooking the infinity pool and the mountains.

Visit the nearby village of Franschhoek with its art galleries, boutiques and award-winning restaurants, or jump on and off the Wine Tram that moves between the various vineyards for delicious wine tastings. For something completely breathtaking, take a helicopter wine tour over the valley and across the Peninsula. If you prefer your adventures grounded, there are various hikes you can do in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve – our team will pack a delicious lunch at one of the many gorgeous viewpoints. Spa couple treatments are a great way to relax, either in the comfort of your suite, in our double treatment room, or in the Tea House overlooking a tranquil pond.

After a delicious dinner either in town or at La Residence, the day ends gracefully around a crackling fireplace sipping local wines and wondering how life got this good.

Laid-Back Beach Life in Hermanus

From the winelands to the beautiful Overberg coastline, Birkenhead House is a clifftop retreat overlooking Walker Bay, where southern right whales arrive annually to calve and play in the protected waters. The hotel is intimate yet cosy, with a relaxed atmosphere that extends beyond the hotel. There are numerous beautiful beaches in the vicinity and walks along the cliff path are a highlight, with outdoor art fixtures to investigate along the way. Stop off in town at one of the many art galleries, explore the local market or choose to dine at a restaurant with a view of the bay – where whale sightings are sometimes served up with your chardonnay.

For a bit of adventure, kayaking among kelp forests or an ocean-going boat trip to view the whales are other excellent options. The nearby Hemel en Aarde Wine Valley provides intimate cellar tours where you can taste cool-climate wines and enjoy the beautiful produce of the region. Hermanus is known for its incredible seafood, and there are mussel-picking and seaside foraging experiences for guests who want to play an active role in creating their own romantic dinner back at Birkenhead House.

The Best of the Bush in The Greater Kruger

You’ve done the city, the winelands and the beach – so three nights at Royal Malewane promises a magical finale to the honeymoon. There are three different lodges to choose from – Malewane Lodge, Farmstead, Waterside, and the newly launched Masiya’s Camp.

Game drives begin before dawn, with your first elephant sighting, the haunting call of a fish eagle, and/or a walk through the pristine bushveld, offering a unique perspective on nature in an untamed wilderness setting. Sundowners on evening game drives are accompanied by magnificent sunsets, and stargazing safaris offer quiet moments of gratitude and togetherness under an African night sky.

Every meal is an event to be savoured at Royal Malewane – bush breakfasts served under massive marula trees after morning drives, candlelit dinners in the open-air dining room, or tapas delights whenever you feel like it. For those seeking a deeper understanding of the Greater Kruger, various wildlife conservation activities are available, along with visits to local community projects. A romantic flight over the Blyde River Canyon is also an option, as you soar over mountain peaks and get a commanding view of the exquisite landscape below.

In between game drives and activities, wellness treatments at the Royal Waters Spa just add to the feeling of embracing new beginnings in an abundant landscape where every moment brings a reminder of what it means to be present, and together.

For more information about The Royal Itinerary, which is especially tailored for honeymoons and romantic getaways, please contact our Reservations Team.