Though undoubtedly exciting, planning your wedding can also be immensely stressful – but the prospect of a once-in-a-lifetime trip with your new life partner can provide the perfect antidote and add to the anticipation of the Big Day.
Our personal experience manager, Claire Baker, has compiled a list detailing some of her favourite honeymoon destinations and the best time to visit them based on her years of experience planning truly exceptional trips for newlyweds.
January & February
Where to go: Argentina or Dubai
Say goodbye to winter gloom and hello to a new year (and married life) with an action-packed adventure on the sun-soaked shores of rugged Argentina or in the desert oasis of Dubai: Both of which offer a beguiling combination of beach, city, and wild natural beauty.Explore Argentina's eclectic capital, Buenos Aires, lose yourselves in the awe-inspiring splendour of Patagonia, or experience a picture-perfect moment at Iguazú Falls, where the scenery is (almost) spectacular enough to make your take your eyes off one another.
Alternatively, head to the sun-soaked shores of Dubai: where you're almost guaranteed good weather and a world of dining, entertainment, and shopping options await. Rub shoulders with the jet-set in star-studded venues, or dine beneath the stars on a first-class desert retreat courtesy of Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa.
Dubai is also home to some of the finest spas in the world, so take a look at a few of our favourite spa hotels in Dubai and start this new chapter as you mean to go on: with a little TLC. Speaking of TLC, our travel concierge services are designed to take an already amazing holiday and turn it into something truly unique — exactly what you need for your honeymoon.
March & April
Where to go: The Maldives or Japan
Dew-covered daffodils and the dawn chorus call for an early Spring escape with your chosen mate – and each of these itineraries will have you singing with the joys of the season.The Maldives sets the bar when it comes to phenomenal honeymoons. Days are spent snorkelling, scuba diving, or simply soaking up the sun in newly wedded bliss, while evenings bring private beach dinners and romantic waterside walks. The bohemian-luxe Finolhu resort in the Maldives offers all that and more (did someone say personal beach bubbles?).
If it's exotic cultural experiences, and exciting cities contrasting with moments of calm reflection in temples you're after, then Japan is the place for you. From the lantern-lit laneways of Kyoto to the sprawling metropolis of Tokyo or alternative Osaka, the 'Land of the Rising Sun' never fails to surprise, offering a travel experience as unique as your love (cheesy, but true).
For an island paradise with a difference, Japan's Miyakojima Island is surrounded by icing-sugar sands and a turquoise sea that rivals the best beach destinations in the world, while offering the kind of peaceful intimacy you need as newlyweds. It's Japan, but not as you know it. Rosewood Miyakojima, set to open in 2024, brings the brand's trademark elegance to a new location nestled on the Japanese coast and we're tipping it to be one of the year's hottest hotel openings.
Get a first look at Rosewood Miyakojima
May & June
Where to go: The Amalfi Coast or Cape Town
Get your early summer fix of stunning scenery and waistline-expanding fayre (if you can't indulge on honeymoon, when can you?!) on the elegant Amalfi Coast, or catch up on your cultural enrichment in exuberant Cape Town.Hire a car and drive what is arguably the most iconic stretch of coastline in Europe, feeling like an 'it' couple as you schmooze with Southern Italy's most sophisticated set. The Amalfi Coast's scenery is made for romance, and strolling through its storied lanes, stopping for mammoth plates of pasta in authentic trattorias, before making your way up to one of the many viewpoints for a sunset Aperol will have you feeling like you've landed in a classic love story. As for accommodation, Le Sireneuse in picturesque Positano provides old-world Italian charm in spades and a gorgeously romantic feel.
Or, for a further-flung foray, make your way to the Cape to discover its magnificent landscapes and ultra-cool nightlife. This is a great choice for couples wanting to combine an active holiday with the convenience and culture of a city-centric break, with a helping of fantastic beaches thrown in for good measure. In the shadow of Table Mountain, The Mount Nelson is set amid nine acres of exquisite gardens and exudes an effortless appeal that transports you to a bygone era. Its popular bar, however, is thoroughly cosmopolitan, again giving you the best of both worlds.
July & August
Where to go: California or Bali
Things are hotting up, and what better way to welcome summer than with a little Californian sunshine? Head to the world-renowned wineries of Napa Valley, where tipples and quality time are top of the agenda.Reimagined Americana and a classic French aesthetic combine at the Auberge du Soleil: one of the region's most sought-after pied-à-terres which draws a sophisticated clientele including the likes of Julia Roberts within its ranks. Indulge in culinary excellence and award-winning wines before retiring to your suite with sweeping valley views for a romantic soak in your secluded outdoor bathtub. The Maison Champagne, in particular, offers a chic enclave with no immediate neighbours where you can enjoy plenty of *ahem* alone time.
Meanwhile, a luxury holiday in Bali is a great choice for your honeymoon; promising beautiful beaches, stellar snorkelling, and superior surfing – while the infinitely Instagrammable setting provides a picture-perfect start to married life. Try the Sandat Glamping Tents in the rainforests of unblemished Ubud for an unconventional accommodation option big on 'wow-factor'. You'll feel wonderfully cocooned and wrapped up in each other at this stylish eco-retreat.
September & October
Where to go: French Polynesia or Oman
Step outside the ordinary and make memories that will echo through the decades to come with these exceptional honeymoon destinations.The leaves may be falling in the Northern Hemisphere, but it's an almost endless summer in tropical French Polynesia. Come for the cerulean waters backed by jade-hued mountains, stay for the rich cultural traditions and delicious fusion cuisine. This is honeymoon heaven on earth, and the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is a great place to start experiencing its wonders.
Meanwhile, Oman's desert delights deliver something different for an Autumn escape. Stay in the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, where opulent interiors and an initiation into the country's ancient culture await. This often overlooked Middle Eastern nation is garnering increased attention from travellers in the know, thanks to its cinematic scenery and multi-layered heritage, and we have it on good authority that this will be the next 'must-visit' destination. So don't sleep on the opportunity to explore it at its most authentic with your significant other by your side.
November & December
Where to go: Thailand or Finnish Lapland
From the 'Land of Smiles' to the 'Land of A Thousand Lakes', round out the year in one of these sense-stimulating gems, where unbridled natural beauty and romantic retreats are the order of the day.Marvel at the otherworldly Phi Phi Islands, get lost in the markets of Bangkok, visit atmospheric shrines and temples or soothe the soul (and sore muscles) during exceptional Southeast Asian spa experiences. Thailand's varied landscapes and the effortless warmth of its people combine to create one of the best honeymoon destinations you could imagine, and it's the kind of place you'll find yourselves drawn back to again and again throughout your married lives. For a taste of classic beachy Thailand, head to Rosewood Phuket. With an enviable location overlooking the turquoise Andaman Sea, a wealth of amenities, and a sought-after spa offering, it is the place to go for a relaxing couple's retreat that encapsulates the best of ever-popular Phuket.
Or, experience a real-life winter wonderland in the snow-covered expanses of Finnish Lapland, where festive vibes and unearthly beauty abound. Keep those fingers crossed, and eyes angled skyward in hopes of witnessing one of nature's greatest spectacles: The Northern Lights. As for accommodation, OCTOLA offers you a personal slice of wilderness without compromising on luxury. Your time here will stay with you forever, trust us.
Your honeymoon is probably the most important trip you will ever plan. Yet, with so many fantastic, romantic destinations all vying for your attention, it can be hard to know where (or when) to go. We hope this guide has been useful to you, but — as always — if there's somewhere particular that you have in mind, call our team of personal travel managers on 0204 586 2296 or enquire online and streamline your honeymoon planning process.
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