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Take your honeymoon to the secluded shores of the Galapagos

After months of preparation and organizing with family, friends and planners, take your first few weeks of marriage to a place where you can truly begin your new adventure together – an archipelago of not only stunning beauty, but also unworldly diversity, where everything from the sand that borders the crystalline waters to the beaks of the finches bursts with variety and color. The Galapagos Archipelago is a land frozen in time, where outside of its sleepy towns, nature is almost entirely untouched by man. Wildlife grows, evolves and simply wanders around, ignorant of any danger greater than the Galapagos Hawk. Lose yourself on the isolated beaches, dive among some of the richest and most pristine waters on earth, and allow yourself to devote your undivided attention to the one person who you have dedicated your life to. The perfect setting The call of the magnificent frigatebird floats along the sea breeze to where you sit on the balcony of your beachfront hotel room, with a mug of locally-grown coffee snug between your hands. Walking down to the white sand beach, the sun sparkles against black rocks dotted with gorgeous Sally Lightfoot Crabs; in the distance, you can see a group of blue-footed boobies dive into the ocean, fishing for an early lunch. Later in the evening, after a day of kayaking and trekking across the islands, you return to your hotel for a relaxing massage and to catch the last rays of sunlight as they span across the open expanse of ocean and bathe the sea lions, marine birds and rocks in rich golden hues. Enjoy a poolside dinner with the love of your life under the twinkle of the fading light, which gives way to a blanket of stars, unobscured by the light pollution of distant cities. The Galapagos Islands are typically known for their role in molding our understanding of biology and evolution; however, people rarely consider the tremendous beauty seen in the diversity and natural peace of the islands, not to mention their tropical waters. Just 3% of the archipelago is inhabited, leaving nature to flourish. Whether on land or diving under the seawaters, during the clear light of day or bathing beneath a sea of stars, the Galapagos offers spectacular photo opportunities at every turn, and of life that is found nowhere else on the planet. Outstanding cuisine However, if you decide to take the evening into town, Puerto Ayora, located on the island of Santa Cruz and the largest town in the Galapagos Islands, has a charming local culture known for its excellent and varied cuisine. Restaurants range from small mom-and-pop eateries where you can delve into local flavors, to fine dining that blends local ingredients with international recipes and, if you’re lucky, cooked by a cordon bleu-qualified chef. The Galapagos Islands have also been making an effort to move towards a more sustainable lifestyle, so it is probable that the exotic fruit or vegetables you enjoy were produced locally on a sustainable farm. An adventure for two In addition to being a refreshing holiday at a secluded beachfront hotel, don’t forget that while in the Galapagos Islands, almost every animal, plant or geological structure you see is only the surface of decades of biological, geological, marine and historical research and investigation, which guests are welcome to dig deeper into if they choose. In between drinks in your ocean-view suite and lounging on the beach, you can explore some of the most unique marine and terrestrial life in the world, as well as lava tunnels, enormous sinkholes and underwater caves. In fact, the Galapagos National Park and Galapagos Marine Reserve were designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO thanks to the unique marine environment, stunning geological formations, the importance the flora and fauna have in our understanding of evolution, and finally, the incredible biodiversity the islands have to offer. On the other hand, if you choose to enjoy this rich biodiversity from a more luxurious position, select hotels offer their guests the opportunity to explore the depths of the islands from the vantage of a private yacht. Explore the islands from the leisure of one of these beautiful vessels; not many can say they have observed Galapagos flamingoes and flightless cormorants while sipping a gin and tonic! Don’t let the opportunity slide From watching your spouse swim with penguins to relaxing beneath an exotic sunset, the Galapagos Islands is full of those little moments that last a lifetime. Give your loved one the adventure and peace they deserve as you start the next phase of your life together. Adrián Peñafiel is Corporate Commercial Vice-President at Metropolitan Touring. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Adrián Peñafiel

Adrian Peñafiel Schweitzer is the Chief Commercial Officer at Metropolitan Touring. He manages multiple facets of both the financial and commercial areas, specializing in offering clients the best experience available. Adrian is a passionate explorer and educator that views the Galapagos as one of the greatest places to visit. He’s also a family man, a big fan of the NFL, mathematics, and the Galapagos BIG15 group of iconic species. For 6 decades, Metropolitan Touring, a regional DMC with offices in Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia, has offered transformative experiences in iconic destinations such as Galapagos, Quito, Machu Picchu, and many more.

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4 Comments

  1. I’d always thought of the Galapagos as a nature destination rather than a place for a romantic break. It’s good to think of the islands in a different light.

  2. I totally agree that Galapagos would be a great honeymoon destination, but I can’t imagine the planning you went through! I’m terrible with planning and prepping holidays because I find it so tedious, but I’m sure this destination makes it all worth it. I had no idea that the island was so romantic and luxurious, they really don’t show that in the wildlife docs!

  3. This would be an ideal honeymoon destination. The island looks so luxurious and romantic. I’d always thought of it as just a nature and wildlife destination before reading this article. The cuisines looks very impressive too!

  4. I’d love something like this for my honeymoon, as someone who can’t say no to sun, sea and relaxation. Being active and exploring is great but sometimes you just want to slow things down a bit, and there’s still plenty to do at a more gentle pace. It’s no wonder the Galapagos get such a luxury rep, such beautiful landscapes and gorgeous waters. I’d like to visit the Galapagos National Park and the marine reserve. It’s good to know the environment and animals are being well looked after. For lack of landing a husband just yet, I wouldn’t say no to a Solo-moon, and go by myself. More chance to do whatever you want then ;)

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