If you’re planning a honeymoon, first off—congrats! You found someone willing to tolerate your quirks long enough to sign legal documents. Now comes the fun part: deciding where to go when the wedding chaos dies down and you both remember you actually like each other.
But here’s the truth no one puts on Pinterest: the honeymoon isn’t about the “perfect” resort or the “most romantic” destination. It’s about finding that sweet spot between fantasy and reality—somewhere between overwater champagne dreams and your bank account quietly whispering, “please don’t.”
That’s where I come in.
As someone who’s planned honeymoons for couples who’ve done everything from sleeping under the Northern Lights to renting a private yacht off Capri, I can tell you there’s a formula to doing it right—and it’s not what you think.
Step One: Don’t Copy Other People’s Honeymoons
I’ve seen couples spend months copying TikTok “honeymoon inspo” only to realize they hate half the things those influencers pretend to enjoy.
Do you really want to spend your honeymoon getting eaten alive by mosquitoes in a jungle treehouse just because it looks good in drone footage?
Your honeymoon should reflect you. If you’re both foodies, skip the all-inclusive with the sad buffet and head to San Sebastián, Spain—one of the best culinary cities in the world.
If you’re adrenaline junkies, trade the beach loungers for a helicopter over New Zealand’s glaciers.
And if your vibe is total laziness? Maldives, Bora Bora, or anywhere that brings you drinks before you even think about them.
Step Two: Splurge Smart
You don’t have to spend six figures to feel like royalty. You just have to know where to splurge.
- Flights: Upgrade to business class one way. Arrive rested, come home broke—it’s the best of both worlds.
- Hotel: Book one or two nights in the most jaw-dropping suite, then move to a regular room. Instagram still thinks you stayed there all week.
- Experiences: Spend on moments, not stuff. A private sunset sail or dinner on a sandbar will outshine any designer luggage.
Step Three: Think Beyond the Beach
Yes, tropical honeymoons are classic, but so is overpaying for fruity drinks and getting sunburned.
Some of the best honeymoons happen in places people don’t expect.
Japan: Imagine sipping sake in an onsen while snow falls outside. Kyoto’s ryokans (traditional inns) are romantic without trying too hard.
South Africa: Safari mornings, wine country afternoons, and coastal sunsets—plus your money stretches further than you’d expect.
Iceland: Waterfalls, lagoons, volcanoes. Perfect for couples who like adventure and photos that make their friends furious with envy.
Croatia: Mediterranean vibes, ancient cities, and yacht life without the Saint-Tropez price tag.
Step Four: Play the Off-Season Game
You can either go when everyone else does—or go when it’s better and cheaper.
Bali in March, Greece in October, the Caribbean in May—same sun, half the crowds. You’ll thank me later when you’re not waiting 45 minutes for a table or dodging Instagram influencers in matching swimsuits.
Step Five: Combine Romance with Real Life
A honeymoon shouldn’t feel like a performance. Forget trying to “curate” your love story for social media—focus on creating memories that actually mean something.
- Take a cooking class together in Tuscany.
- Rent scooters in Thailand and get lost on purpose.
- Stay in a cabin in Patagonia and do absolutely nothing for three days.
Those are the stories you’ll still tell years later—not the staged ones.
Step Six: Don’t Skip the Planning
Spontaneity sounds sexy until you’re stranded at a closed ferry terminal because “it looked fine on Google Maps.”
Plan enough so you’re not stressed, but leave gaps for surprises. The best honeymoons balance structure with freedom.
Pro tip: tell your hotels it’s your honeymoon (even if it’s a month later). You’d be amazed what a few magic words can get you—free champagne, upgrades, candlelit dinners, or the occasional towel swan army.
Step Seven: Where to Go (and Why)
Let’s break down a few destination categories depending on your vibe—and your budget.
1. Classic Beach Honeymoon (Luxury Edition)
- Maldives: For when you want total privacy, turquoise perfection, and overwater villas so nice you’ll cry when you leave.
- Bora Bora: French Polynesia’s gem. Iconic, serene, and yes, as expensive as it looks. Worth it for milestone trips.
2. Classic Beach Honeymoon (Budget Edition)
- Mexico (Riviera Maya, Tulum, Isla Holbox): Beautiful beaches, world-class resorts, and killer tacos.
- Hawaii (Maui or Kauai): Domestic flights, tropical beauty, and no passport panic.
3. Culture + Adventure
- Italy: Because nothing says romance like getting lost in Venice or eating your body weight in gelato.
- Peru: Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and that mix of ancient culture and luxury lodges.
- Vietnam: Boutique hotels, amazing street food, and Halong Bay cruises that cost less than dinner in Paris.
4. Chill Luxury with Edge
- Portugal: Gorgeous coastlines, wine, and charm without the crowds.
- Morocco: Desert glamping near Marrakech—romantic, cinematic, and surprisingly affordable.
- Turkey: Cappadocia hot air balloons followed by spa hammams. Enough said.
Step Eight: Don’t Forget the “After”
Too many couples blow all their energy (and money) on the trip, then come home to reality with a thud.
Plan something small to look forward to after you return—like a weekend getaway or even a “honeymoon part two” six months later. Keeps the spark alive and gives you a reason to keep your passport handy.
Step Nine: Pro Insider Tips (Because I Actually Do This for a Living)
- Always book at least one transfer day after your wedding. You’ll be hungover, tired, and wondering who half your guests were.
- Avoid red-eye flights right after the reception. Nothing romantic about passing out on each other in coach.
- Splurge on travel insurance. Not sexy, but neither is food poisoning in Fiji.
- Don’t overpack. You’ll wear half of what you bring, and it’ll all smell like sunscreen by day three.
- If you’re going somewhere international, get Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Trust me, nothing kills post-wedding bliss faster than airport lines.
Step Ten: Remember Why You’re Going
At the end of the day, the honeymoon isn’t about impressing anyone or ticking boxes. It’s about starting your life together in a way that feels like you. Whether that means private islands or road-tripping through the Rockies, it’s your story to write.
The goal is simple: return home with memories that outlast the tan and stories that still make you both laugh twenty years from now.
So dream big, plan smart, and travel like you deserve it—because you do.
Final Thought:
You only get one first honeymoon (well, hopefully). Make it count.
Go somewhere that reminds you life’s supposed to be enjoyed—not survived.
And if you ever need help planning it? Let’s just say—I know a guy.
Dave Galvan, Author of many things travel, runs Time For Your Vacation, Dave The Tour Guide and Black Key Elite
Time For Your Vacation 
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