TravelGetaway Where would you recommend for a honeymoon? Try the fantastic Island of Madeira or the exotic charms of Egypt. Two very different destinations offering the holidaymaker two unique experiences. Both destinations are considered medium haul: you can fly from Dublin and arrive in Madeira in under four hours or fly to Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt and be sipping a mojito by the pool in under six hours. Whats there to do there? Known widely as the Floating Garden, Madeira is comprised of lush green valleys and gardens bursting with orchids, hydrangeas and strelitzias (known as Bird of Paradise to those of us who dont subscribe to Gardeners Weekly). This sun-drenched island packs in a lot for such a small place. Traditional villages, tasty seafood and a fantastic capital mean that Madeira is the perfect getaway for both sun seekers and culture vultures. Egypt ticks all the boxes as the holiday of a lifetime. It offers ancient history and modern holidays in equal measure. Its one place that the intrepid explorer and the sun worshipper are well catered for. Take a trip to Cairo and visit The Giza Plateau, home to the Pyramids, along with the Great Sphinx. Visit Mount Sinai, reputedly the actual site where Moses took delivery of the Ten Commandments. Shopping is great and haggling is the way to go to bag yourself a North African bargain in the wonderfully colourful markets. Be careful what your haggling for as I nearly bought a camel through misuse of my pointing finger (try explaining that to customs). As for relaxation, sun-bathing on the coast of the Red Sea Riviera is a must. A trip to Egypt is not complete until you set a day aside to explore the fantastic underwater reefs. Take a boat trip out to the infamous vertical walls of Ras Mohammed reef just off Sharm El-Sheikh (pictured) its actually one of the premier dive sites and a protected natural park. What makes it special? Madeiras landscape, its green valleys and fantastic floral displays at every turn make this island truly tropical. Egypt immerses the holidaymaker in a world long past and a sense of humility. Is it specifically a honeymoon area or does it attract general tourists? With the ease of getting there (we fly every week all year round) both destinations have quite a broad appeal. How would you get there? Panoramas flights to Egypt depart Dublin every Thursday at 7.30am. Flights to Madeira leave every Sunday at 11.45am. How much would a typical honeymoon cost there? Both destinations can offer a two-week holiday, all inclusive, for under 2,000. What do you get for your money? Flights, accommodation, resort transfers, insurance, all your meals, local drinks and complete satisfaction. www.thomascook.com 2k honeymoon for Amanda Kelly, marketing manager with Panorama, outlines her perfect honeymoon destinations of Madeira and Egypt Tuesday, November 3, 2009 metrolifeextra 19 Be careful what you haggle for I nearly bought a camel be the one that got away winter markets: vienna, berlin, copenhagen shopping breaks: london, new york, dubai weekend escapes: paris, barcelona, rome Andorra from just 289 Austria from just 369 Bulgaria from just 369 France from just 369 Italy from just 389 Andorra from just 289 Austria from just 369 Bulgaria from just 369 France from just 369 Italy from just 389 Valid until 7th November 09 metro lifeextra YouBride Groom Source: TGI ROI 2009 / Urban Life - Wave 12 23% (52,000) of Metro readers are engaged or planning to get engaged soon. On average they intend to spend 16,000 on their wedding & honeymoon. So, if your company wants to be part of their honeymoon experience by advertising in one of 4 special honeymoon features, call Metro Life Extra today on 01 637 5979 index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html