After popping the question, thoughts turn to two things - how to even begin planning the wedding and where to go for the honeymoon?
While we can't help you with your wedding preparations and who should sit where for the wedding breakfast, we can help you with your choice of honeymoon destination.
With the average honeymoon costing nearly £5,000, it is the second biggest spend for any wedding couple so making the right choice is key.
It's important you understand what you want the focus of your luxurious honeymoon to be because that will help to determine where your destination should be. If it's culture you are looking for then maybe Florence, or if it's pure relaxation near a beach that you crave, then is the Maldives the right approach for you?
There's just so much to think about!
And so with that in mind, we asked our experts here at the Inspiring Travel Company what destinations are hot for honeymoons this year.
Here’s what they had to say…
1. Mykonos and Santorini
A post-nuptials holiday needn’t just be long-haul. There are plenty of heavenly getaways perfect for a romantic honeymoon right on our doorstep here in Europe. There's also a chance that your preferred long-haul honeymoon destination is ‘out of season’ following your wedding. If so, Europe makes for a great mini-moon destination to warm you up for your luxury island escape later in the year too.
Our team here at Inspiring HQ reckon a great destination for a 'minimoon' is the Greek islands, in particular, a Mykonos and Santorini twin-centre.
Europe Product Manager Gabrielle Cowley says: “I’d suggest a stay at the Grace hotels; Grace Mykonos and Grace Santorini. These boutique hotels offer super chic surrounds and sublime views…perfect for sunset champagne to toast the start of your marriage.”
Santorini is a picture-perfect destination for a honeymoon. Dramatic red cliffs dropping off into the deepest of blue seas offer an exquisite contrast to the gleaming white houses, which tumble down hillsides towards the sparkling Aegean.
The open-air rooftop restaurant of the Katikies hotel is a perfect place to regard the breathtaking vistas Santorini has to offer. With tables only available to guests and a no-child policy at the hotel, you are guaranteed a peaceful romantic dinner every night. Like many of our partners, Katikies offers a range of accommodation from stylish and spacious Double Rooms to the truly decadent, but equally elegant, Master Suite. There is a luxury honeymoon option for you, whatever your budget.
Flight Time: 4 hours 5 minutes from Manchester
Currency: Euro
Best Time to go for sunshine: Year-Round
Top Activity: Watch the sunset whilst eating greek food overlooking the caldera
Does Breakfast at the Grace Santorini seem inviting for your honeymoon?
2. Maldives
It’s for good reason that we send hundreds of couples on their dream honeymoon to the Maldives every year. These luxurious islands offer an incredible escape from it all, making them the perfect antidote to all that wedding planning!
Indeed, if you’re picturing a decadent beach holiday in an exotic setting, then a luxury Maldives honeymoon simply won’t disappoint. The archipelago is made up of 1,200 islands, each with crystalline waters, powdery white sands and welcoming people. So, if you and your partner’s idea of a heavenly honeymoon destination consists of experiencing the height of luxury on white-sand beaches lapped by clear blue waters, first-class dining, relaxing spa treatments and lazy days spent sipping cocktails, then look no further than the holiday destination of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It's the perfect location for romance and escape.Our Indian Ocean Product Manager Zoe Saunders thinks that the Anantara Kihavah is a great choice for a Maldives honeymoon thanks to its ‘Honeymoon & Anniversary’ offer which includes spa credit and a bottle of champagne.
An all-inclusive stay at LUX* Maldives guarantees the height of honeymoon luxury. This relatively large island resort offers 4 km of unspoilt beaches, giving you the space to explore and find a private spot to snooze in the tropical sunshine. And in the evenings? Enjoy a culinary experience to remember or a delicious light bite at one of the seven restaurants before taking a walk under the stars to the resort’s open-air cinema. Dinner and a movie as you’ve never known it.
If you're looking for a honeymoon destination that is a little more off the beaten track then take a look at Six Senses Laamu which is the only resort in the Laamu Atoll. With fewer surrounding resorts there's very little passing sea and air traffic, guaranteeing you peace and quiet while you enjoy the most unspoilt area of the Maldives.
Flight Time: 10 hours 25 minutes
Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa
Best Time to visit: November - April
Relax on your honeymoon at the LUX* Maldives
3. St Vincent & The Grenadines
While you may have considered the Caribbean for your 2017 honeymoon, you may not have yet discovered Petit St Vincent in St Vincent & The Grenadines. Why? Well, because this desert island is one of the region’s best-kept secrets; a place where there is nothing to disturb the peace but the gentle sound of the Caribbean Sea lapping the golden sands outside your private villa.
If you're looking to discover life underwater on your honeymoon then Petit St Vincent also has a world-class diving centre. The Jean-Michel Cousteau Caribbean Diving centre offers scuba diving with a focus on marine conservation and sustainability. Even if you're not already a pro at diving, the centre also offers PADI certification and diving lessons to introduce you to the sport.
On top of all this - the island of St Vincent has a policy of no phones, televisions or internet; so you can truly switch off during your honeymoon. Heaven!
Flight Time: 12 hours
Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar
Best Time to go for sunshine: Year-Round
Top Activity: Once you are a pro at diving visit the marine park at Tobago Cays and dive into sparkling seas to see turtles and enchanting corals.
If completely switching off is your thing for your honeymoon then maybe consider Petit St Vincent
4. Lake Como
The ‘Grande Dame’ of Italy’s stunning Lake Como. With picture-perfect villages and steep mountain views, it's no wonder that Lake Como is the go-to destination for the rich and famous.You might even recognise some of the views - the 2006 James Bond movies, Casino Royale, starring Daniel Craig was filmed here.
The Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a long-time favourite for a short-haul honeymoon with oodles of style and luxury. Highlights include the Honeymoon Suite Maria with its four-poster bed looking out over the famous lake and marble whirlpool tub, romantic al fresco dining at La Terrazza Restaurant and the super-luxe private spa suites that are perfect for a relaxing massage for two.
Flight Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Currency: Euro
Best Time to go for sunshine: March - November
Top Activity: Why not splash out and rent a sports car and discover quaint villages in style?
Glorious views on your honeymoon at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo
5. St Lucia
The Caribbean island of St Lucia has been a top honeymoon destination for our clients over the past 43 years, and it remains a top contender for a romantic break to this day. St Lucia’s towns burst with life and colour, inviting you to while away your time making new discoveries and new friends. But for a secluded honeymoon, we’d recommend a base in the island’s tranquil south with its tropical rainforests, idyllic beaches and emblematic twin volcanic peaks, the Pitons.
If you are looking for that little bit extra in St Lucia as a honeymoon destination, our Senior Product Manager for the Caribbean Helen Tabois says: “Why not try something a little different by twinning two luxury hotels in St Lucia?
Ladera and Cap Maison both offer something different that would make your honeymoon truly memorable. The contrast of views is dazzling; from Ladera’s unobstructed vistas of the Piton Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to Cap Maison’s prime sea sunset position.”
Added to this, Jade Mountain’s set of exquisite Infinity Pool Suites perch above the wider resort of Anse Chastanet. Taking the term ‘sea-view’ to new levels, at Jade Mountain the ocean forms your room’s fourth wall so the private infinity pool, just a few steps from your bed, seems to merge into the Caribbean Sea. Looking out on the Pitons, but not overlooked by another soul, privacy has never felt so expansive.
Flight Time: 8 hours 35 minutes
Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar
Best Time to go for sunshine: Year-Round
Top Activity: Discover how chocolate is made by visiting one of the many working cocoa plantations
Imagine relaxing on your honeymoon in this infinity pool
6. Halkidiki
Searching for a stunning beach honeymoon just a few hours from the UK? Gabrielle suggests the Danai Beach Resort & Villas in Halkidiki.
This boutique hotel has the feel of a long-haul tropical resort, yet just a 3-hour flight from the UK. The beach is incredible, being completely private to the resort and with private beach cabanas available to add extra luxury to the experience.Add the luxe-factor to your honeymoon with a private dining experience on the beach, complete with live classical music, candlelight, sumptuous cuisine, and even fireworks!
Flight Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Currency: Euro
Best Time to go for sunshine: June - September
Top Activity: For a culture fix, why not visits Mount Athos - it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fancy a luxury honeymoon in Halkidiki?
7. Seychelles twin-centre
The honeymoon choice of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Seychelles are a sublime destination for a luxury honeymoon.
Our Senior Product Manager for the Indian Ocean Zoe Saunders suggests island hopping to make the most of your time in the region. “Take a look at staying first at the outstanding Four Seasons Resort Seychelles which is on Mahé – the main island and where the international airport is situated. You can land here, then enjoy a private car transfer to Four Seasons where all the villas have amazing views out to sea and their own private pools. The second part of your experience could then be to take a helicopter to Six Senses Zil Pasyon to experience one of Seychelles’ many private island resorts.”
Flight Time: 10 hours
Currency: Seychellois Rupee
Best Time to go for sunshine: April - May & October - November
Top Activity: Why not take a helicopter ride over the islands to get a truer picture of the archipelago?
8. Florence
Another short-haul honeymoon destination in Europe would be to head Florence. Florence is one of Italy’s finest cities for a romantic break. To mix it up a little by staying in two very different, yet equally exceptional hotels, Gabrielle suggest Portrait Firenze followed by Il Salviatino. The chic, sleek and arty surrounds of the former is the perfect place to explore this great city, set on the river next to the Ponte Vecchio. Then spend a few days in the lap of luxury at Il Salviatino, in the Tuscan countryside just 15 minutes from Florence. The swimming pools and spa with their spectacular hill views are a fabulous place to relax before returning home to reality.
Flight Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Currency: Euro
Best Time to go for sunshine: April - October
Top Activity: Become a total tourist and visit the Duomo di Firenze (which you'll be able to see from Il Salviatino)
Relax and take in the views at Il Salviatino on your relaxing honeymoon in Florence
9. Necker Island
No honeymoon inspiration list would be complete without a mention of Sir Richard Branson’s private island home in the British Virgin Islands. This is a wholly decadent and luxurious honeymoon destination that's sure to set off married life with a bang.
While reserving the entire island for your honeymoon might be a little on the pricey side post-wedding, we’re delighted to be able to offer ‘Celebration Week’ packages to Necker Island. These one-off stays allow guests to revel in all-inclusive luxury as one of just a handful of visitors on the island. This means when it comes to an 'all-inclusive' honeymoon, there is literally nowhere that epitomises it more than Necker Island. You'll have a choice of accommodation to stay in; you can decide where and when you want to eat and if you want to party late into the night - go ahead, it's your island.
It’s a honeymoon that’s certain to set the bar very high indeed for any future marital holidays!
Flight Time: 15 hours (including transfers for Beef Island Airport on Tortola)
Currency: The island is all-inclusive but if required US Dollars is accepted
Best Time to go for sunshine: Year-Round
Top Activity: Take part in a yoga class as the sun is setting
Ultimate 5-star honeymoon at Necker Island
10. Dubai and the Indian Ocean
Last year one of our bestselling honeymoon trips was for a Dubai and Indian Ocean twin-centre, with a few days in the Middle East’s famous skyscraper city followed by island indulgence in the Maldives, Seychelles or Mauritius. We fully expect this trend to continue as it really does offer the best of both worlds for couples in search of their perfect honeymoon.
Places to look at for your stop-off in Dubai include JA Palm Tree Court and the six-star Burj Al Arab.
Flight Time: 6 hours
Currency: Arab Emirate Dirham
Best Time to go for sunshine: November - March
Top Activity: Climb on top of a Camel and dine under the stars with a traditional Bedouin meal
Decadence on your honeymoon at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai
To begin creating your perfect honeymoon, speak to one of our expert Travel Specialists on 01244 355 600 who will be delighted to offer you their own insight and first-hand suggestions.
