The Ultimate Guide to the Perfect Honeymoon
Tropical beaches, luxurious spa treatments, and exquisite wines — the honeymoon has evolved into more than just a trip before settling down as a couple. Of course, planning the perfect honeymoon can be a daunting task. With so many options available, deciding where to go can be challenging.
For today’s modern couple, the perfect honeymoon can come in many shapes and sizes. Whether that involves trying new cuisine, spending a day together in the countryside, or diving into local history. What one couple may consider the ultimate in luxury could be completely different from another’s. Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules when planning your honeymoon.
That’s why we’ve put together this ultimate guide to planning your perfect bespoke honeymoon adventure.
Start Planning Early
Too many people wait until the last minute to plan their honeymoon, and that’s a mistake. Honeymoon planning is a big task, so it’s best to plan when you can concentrate on the big picture. You’re going to busy with the wedding, so you’ll want to make sure you have time to enjoy your honeymoon. That means planning ahead. The more time you give yourself to prepare, the more options you’ll have when it comes to choosing the location, hotel, excursions, and more.
What’s Your Perfect Honeymoon?
Landing on the perfect honeymoon isn’t always easy. Whether dreaming of sandy beaches or exploring local cuisine, start by thinking about what type of vacation will make you happy. Make sure to consider what speaks to both of your personalities and travel preferences.
Let’s explore a few honeymoon styles to help you find your ideal vacation:
Adventurous: If you’re looking for an adventure-filled getaway, we recommend exploring somewhere new. Maybe go skiing or snowboarding at a world-class resort, or go hiking through mountains and rainforests! To find your perfect adventurous honeymoon, answer the following questions:
- What are your interests? Do you enjoy outdoor activities, or would you rather stay indoors? If so, how active do you want to be on your honeymoon?
Romantic: For those seeking romance, choose an exotic location where nature can be enjoyed in solitude (think lakeside cabins or secluded beaches). Or go somewhere bustling and full of beautiful architecture like Paris. While there, couples can enjoy romantic dinners and stroll the city. To learn what romantic respite is calling your name, answer the following questions:
- What do you consider romantic? What’s your love language? Would you prefer to spend your quality time in public (group activities, public restaurants) or in private (room service, private boat)?
Relaxing: For a relaxing honeymoon free from distractions, it’s best to choose somewhere quiet and serene so that newlyweds don’t have any worries except each other. To discover what relaxing retreat is right for you, answer the following questions:
- How do you like to relax? Would a relaxing retreat be more appropriate for a honeymoon, or would an adventurous trip be more exciting for both of you? How much freedom do we want while traveling together—will this trip include multiple stops on different days or just one destination without any time constraints throughout the entire day/weekend/etc.?
No matter what honeymoon you choose, there are still plenty of things to consider before packing your bags!
Picking a Destination
Once you’ve decided on your honeymoon style, it’s time to pick a destination. When choosing the perfect honeymoon destination, there are many factors you should consider.
First, think about how much time off work you’ll need and whether your schedule will be flexible enough for sudden changes in plans. Don’t forget to factor in possible flight delays or cancellations that could affect your plans.
If you have a substantial amount of time you can take off for your honeymoon, consider taking a multi-destination trip! With a multi-destination honeymoon, you’ll have the chance to explore a variety of destinations while still having enough time to relax and enjoy yourself. Experience different cultures and landscapes while spending time with your new spouse.
Next, determine whether you want to stay close to home or travel abroad. If you plan to travel overseas, make sure to factor travel time into your plans. While the Maldives is a gorgeous honeymoon destination, if you only plan on staying for a few days, the two days of travel time might not be worth it.
Choosing Your Accommodations
Finally, decide what you want your accommodations to look like. While affordability is important, so are other factors like convenience and comfort. Many hotels offer different room types depending on what kind of experience their guests are looking for. i.e., if you’re looking to get the royal honeymoon treatment, look for resorts that offer a honeymoon suite or package. Overall, you want to choose a place that will meet all of your needs and wants for a perfect honeymoon.
All-inclusive resorts are popular among couples who want to relax and enjoy the finer things in life. They can be an excellent option for honeymooners looking for an easy, carefree experience that’s all about having fun and relaxing.
Boutique hotels are also an excellent option for honeymoon accommodations. Boutique hotels are smaller than other chain hotels; they usually feature unique decor, high-end amenities, and personalized service. Furthermore, boutique hotels typically offer more privacy since they’re not as large as major chains.
Of course, the hotel’s location is essential for your overall honeymoon experience. If you’re planning on spending most of your time sightseeing or enjoying restaurants and bars, look for a place close to tourist attractions. If you want to spend more time relaxing on the beach or poolside, look for hotels closer to those amenities. Additionally, you should also factor in the distance from the airport when choosing your ideal location!
Set the Budget
Many factors can affect the cost of your honeymoon — from the location of your destination to the activities you choose to participate in. For example, while some couples are happy spending their entire first year together at home after marriage, others want to get away for their honeymoon as soon as possible—that’s why timing is key!
If you are looking to jet off right after your wedding day, make sure you consider the seasonality of your destination. During the high season, you can often expect the best weather, but also the highest prices and amount of tourists. But, if you’re flexible with your dates and departure points, you can often find excellent deals as well as fewer visitors.
If you’d rather pay for your honeymoon upfront, consider staying at an all-inclusive resort. These resorts allow you to stay at one location while paying one price that includes everything from room service and drinks to activities such as snorkeling or horseback riding. Furthermore, if you’re considering going abroad for your honeymoon, but your budget is tight, consider destinations that offer more value for your dollar.
Use a Travel Advisor
Honeymoons are supposed to be a time when you and your spouse can relax, recharge and enjoy yourselves. But they can also be a stressful experience if you don’t know what you’re doing. So before you book your trip, make sure to use a travel advisor.
A good travel advisor will take the stress out of planning a honeymoon. They know where all the best hotels are located, which restaurants are worth trying, and what excursions are fun for couples. Not only can a travel agent assist in planning itineraries and arranging activities during your stay, they often have access to exclusive deals and perks not available to the general public. Last but certainly not least, using a travel agent means peace of mind! When booking an exotic location such as Fiji or Bali, it’s nice knowing you have an advocate available 24/7 if anything goes wrong while you’re away.
Before You Go
Before you leave for your honeymoon, you should do a few things to ensure that everything goes smoothly. First, ensure you have all the documents and paperwork you need to travel and enter another country. Your travel advisor can check with the country’s embassy or consulate before you travel, so there aren’t any surprises when entering that country.
Next, make sure you obtain travel insurance. Remember: life is short, and travel can be unpredictable. Plus, for such an important trip, it makes sense to invest in travel insurance should anything arise.
Finally, we recommend keeping things simple when packing for your honeymoon, especially if traveling to multiple destinations. Don’t get us wrong—We love a good vacation wardrobe, but packing clothes versatile enough that they can mix and match will make dressing stress free!
Conclusion
Whether you want to bask in the sun on the beach for a few days, adventure in faraway cities, or try something a little more unique, we promise there is a perfect honeymoon for every couple. Searching for your ideal honeymoon takes time, but it will be worth it in the end. We hope this guide has equipped you with all the information you need to plan your perfect honeymoon, and we wish you all the best on your upcoming nuptials!
Ready to book? Esprit Errant can secure your spot in paradise, as well as gain access to exclusive amenities to ensure your vacation is like no other. If you are ready to plan your honeymoon, click here to get started!
Want more information on some of our favorite honeymoon destinations? Check out the following travel guides:
The Top 10 Luxury Resorts In The Maldives | Top 15 Honeymoon Hotels In The World | 10 Over Water Bungalows NOT in the Maldives | The Best Resorts in Turks and Caicos | Mauritius: The Best Luxury Travel Guide | 8 Hidden Luxury Travel Gems You Must See | Lake Garda: Everything You Need To Know | Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres: Luxury All-Inclusive Review | Dubai Luxury Travel: Everything You Need To Know
