Planning a wedding involves a great deal of decision making. There’s the ceremony and the dress. The attendees and guests. The music and the cake. Arggh!
Suddenly you feel overwhelmed with questions and choices, and you still have one of the most important decisions to make, where to go on your honeymoon!
How do you choose the perfect spot for you and your spouse to start your new life together?
A honeymoon can be the cherry on the wedding cake. But with so many destinations, it can be difficult to decide where to spend your first days of married bliss.
You could choose to watch the sun set from a tropical beach; go skiing in the Alps; explore a European city or even spot cheetahs from a jeep on safari.
The world is truly your oyster when it comes to looking at honeymoons, and to help give you something less to think about I have put together a guide to the most popular honeymoon destinations based on such things as most luxurious hotels and resorts, romance, seclusion, affordability, adventure, nightlife, food and culture.
Here are my picks for the best places to go on honeymoon.
Perfect For… Relaxing In a Tropical Paradise: The Maldives
Barely a dot on the map in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and with most islands only accessible by air, it’s hard to find a location more secluded than The Maldives.
A group of over 1,000 tiny islands, most of which are uninhabited, The Maldives are famous for their pure white sands, blue lagoons and luxury resorts.
Stay somewhere incredible and spend the days lazing around in a hammock, reading, swimming and trying the fresh local seafood.
View more tips on my Maldives travel guide.
Perfect For… Culture Vultures: Venice
If the thought of lying on a beach all day makes you feel antsy, why not visit one of the ancient cities in Europe?
Italy’s ‘floating city’ is packed with things to see and do, and of course eat, and boasts the title of one of the most romantic destinations in the world. In between visiting the sights, make sure to take some time out to sit outside a piazza cafe, sip a glass of fine Italian vino and soak up the atmosphere.
Essentials include hiring a gondola to explore the miles of canals that run through the city and seeing the Venetian Masters in person in one of the cities’ numerous art galleries. Venice is also a heaven for foodies, as the best of fresh and delicious Italian cuisine is served all over the city, accompanied by beautiful views.
View more recommendations on my Venice travel guide.
Perfect For… Scenery: Santorini
With its breathtaking scenery, Santorini lures newlyweds all year round. This is one of the most unique and most visited islands in Europe, and it is also one of the most romantic places my list.
You can spend time with your partner strolling past white-washed buildings, swimming in the Aegean Sea and climbing the cliffs for picture perfect photos and sunsets.
The divine seafood here will make your trip more unforgettable! Whilst Santorini has some of the most incredible resorts and places to stay, really Instagram worthy locations some have private infinity pools with the famous Santorini backdrop behind.
Perfect For… Ultimate Luxury: Bora Bora
Bora Bora is a destination which conjures such exotic thoughts, and when visiting in real life its even better than you might have imagined. Located in the South Pacific, Bora Bora is the most remote location and also expensive places on our list but it is also one of the most exotic.
Think luxurious floating villas over the crystal clear ocean with glass bottom floors to see the marine life passing by. There are so many amazing places to stay in Bora Bora, and if you have the money or just want to treat yourself to a really special destination, then this island should be top of your life of destinations to go.
Perfect For… Thrill seekers: Kenya
Kenya offers all the relaxation of the beach yet all the excitement of safari – combine the two for the perfect honeymoon.
Going on safari across the Serengeti while glamping in luxury canvas lodges is an experience like no other, spotting wildlife by day and lying under the stars by night listening to the chirp of crickets.
It’s then a short journey to Kenya’s stunning coastline, where you can relax after your adventure under a palm tree on the soft Kenyan sands.
For more inspiration for this continent view my Africa travel guide.
Perfect For… Countryside: Tuscany
If you prefer leafy vineyards and cypress trees, than sandy beaches, then this place is your ideal retreat. You can have romantic moments sipping glasses of wine at a local winery before you explore the charming little towns and savor fantastic homemade pasta dishes.
Perfect For… Budget Honeymooners: Croatia
Croatia has emerged as a serious honeymoon contender over the past few years, and is considered a little known secret (though not for much longer), so you won’t be paying out of your nose for luxury.
Croatia has miles and miles of unspoiled coastline on the Adriatic Sea, dotted with beautiful medieval towns and little cafes selling freshly caught seafood. There’s also accommodation to suit every budget, from five star luxury to beachside camping.
The best part of Croatia is that it’s only a short (and cheap) flight away from most European destinations, so you won’t be waiting for long before you’re reclining in the sunshine!
If you need ideas for where to go check out my Croatia travel tips.
Perfect For… City Breaks: Paris
Undoubtedly known as the most romantic city in the world, Paris still lives up to this title and never fail to make lovers’ honeymoon the best moment of their married life. You can choose from among the array of holiday apartments in Paris located around the city fit for your budget and style. You can book at one that is near the Eiffel Tower for a special feel.
There are romantic packages available for couples to make everything convenient for you. You can be welcomed with a glass of champagne and fresh flowers for the ladies and stay at warmly lit hotel rooms with the most comfortable amenities.
Arrange a special dinner at your private balcony with the Eiffel Tower as your backdrop. You can also pamper yourself with a relaxing massage for couples.
Perfect For… Those Who Can’t Decide: Cruise
Not sure whether to visit a city, a beach, a desert or a jungle? Why not go for all of them and take a world spanning cruise?
You could choose from the warm, sunny shores of the Med, the tropical waters of the Caribbean, or even the bracing fjords of Norway. Every day is a different experience when you’re on a cruise, and the days at sea are the best time to take advantage of everything your luxury transport has to offer.
You might not even want to go on port with the mini-cities that float on the ocean. There are loads of options out there to suit every budget, from a quick trip around the sunny Canaries to relaxing on the deck of a decadent floating city rolling past uninhabited islands.
There are lots of places which I could have featured, special mentions to the Bahamas, Greece, Thailand, Mexico, Hawaii and Florence… but wherever you go, at least you know you’ll be in the best of company. I’ve also added some more recommendations below to help you achieve the ultimate relaxing break away.
How to Plan the Perfect Honeymoon
Begin planning early
The sooner the better. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to research your trip it’s actually part of the fun! and you’ll be able to get exactly what you want. (Some places are reserved as much as a year in advance for popular dates.)
Share the planning
After all, this honeymoon is for both of you. If you make all the decisions, you’ll feel guilty if things don’t go perfectly. Conversely, if you donít take part in planning, you may end up dissatisfied.
Set a tentative budget
Talk about your expectations and priorities so you can agree before you go about what you’ll splurge on and where you’ll skimp. This way, you’ll avoid money hassles en route. Suggestion: Splurge on your accommodations. Even if you think you won’t spend much time in your room, you’ll probably be sorry if it’s not special.
Planning to take your spouse’s name?
Unless you’re taking a delayed honeymoon, you won’t be able to amend your passport, drivers license, etc., until after you’ve returned from your honeymoon. Even though you’ll be anxious to start using your married name, it can be a real nightmare if you haven’t legally changed it yet. Instead, use your maiden name on visas, airline tickets, etc., so they match your name as it appears on your official documents.
Relax
Pack a sense of humor. A bit of flexibility can go a long way on a honeymoon. Expect that things won’t always go as planned. Do what you can to remedy the situation, then relax and enjoy your honeymoon. Years, or even a few hours from now, you’ll probably laugh.
Take it easy
The first few days so you can recover from post-wedding exhaustion and focus on each other. Don’t try to do too much remember, you’ll have lots of time to travel together, but only one honeymoon.
Tell the world you’re honeymooners!
Don’t be bashful about your status you’re likely to enjoy special treatment such as complimentary champagne in-flight, or a gift basket in your room.
