Obviously this depends on where in the world you are and what your budget is but then again you’re only going to be married once, aren’t you? So you may as well make this a trip to remember. We’ve put together some unusual ideas for you to think about.

How about this for a trip to remember: Machu Picchu, Peru. There is more to this wonder of the new world than the Inca settlement in the clouds, though that in itself is a sight to see. In the town of Machu Picchu there is a hotel, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu. Set in the cloud forest this hotel features individual cabins with open fires and a first class service. There are over 1,000 species of orchids in the grounds plus a bear (release to the wild) sanctuary. But the reason I mention this place is because they can also arrange a blessing, at night around a fire, with a local Shaman. You can have your relationship blessed by the mountains, sky and earth, in traditional Inca language and style. To find out more about this trip visit Amro Holidays who specialise in gay and lesbian adventures around the world. amroholidays.com

Perfectgayhoneymoons.co.uk is another good site to search out and browse through if you are looking for ideas; they can arrange civil partnerships as well as honeymoons. Some of their suggestions include: Australia, The Caribbean and places in Europe. Greece is on their list and what could be more romantic than walking on golden sand along the shores of the Aegean where Homer sang and Odysseus sailed. Greek hospitality is known throughout the world and recently the country conducted its first civil partnership, same-sex wedding on the small island of Tilos. Nearby is the island of Symi, neo-classical in design and unspoiled this is one of the most romantic islands in the Aegean. (www.symidream.com/wp)

According to a planetout.com survey, most people they asked said they would like to visit Hawaii after their civil ceremony and wander the beaches, feel the balmy breeze in their hair and take in the beautiful scenery. The Maldives are another out of the way place to be perfectly alone, in your own cabin over the crystal clear water; just you and your partner and the sound of the sea.

Of course, you may wish to tailor your honeymoon to your preferred hobby or lifestyle: Clubbers go to the Canary Islands or Ibiza, Mykonos or London. Those who like to really chill could find hazy happiness in Amsterdam and for those for who trust is more important than monogamy there is Berlin with its late night bars, night-spots and fetish clubs. All of these places have sights to see, history and museums too so you could combine a cultural visit with some romantic dining, maybe on a canal boat in Holland or on the boulevards of Paris.

The world really is your oyster but there are things to consider other than romance. Gay and lesbian couples want to feel safe when they travel and just because your country allows civil partnerships doesn’t mean that you will be welcomed everywhere in the world. Don’t be afraid to check with your Foreign Office as to where is currently safe for same sex couples to be and take sensible precautions when out and about in public, sadly these still include visible signs of affection in many places.

But, at the end of the day, the choice is yours. In a recent poll by a gay holiday company the top destinations were:

Sydney, Australia (Mardi Gras, flights over Sydney harbour, the lonely outback…)
Rio de Janeiro (Carnival, beaches, clubs…)
San Francisco (Gay history, the bridge, the romantic hills…)
Mykonos, Greece (Sun, sea and… Well, I’ll leave the rest up to your imagination.)