How to choose your honeymoon destination
Nazca boobies preen each other at Galapagos National Park. Photo: Shutterstock
Everyone knows the best part about getting married is planning the honeymoon. At least, that’s what we think – although we may be a little bias... But when it comes to choosing that perfect honeymoon destination, where do you even begin? Below we highlight six places that are guaranteed to get your married life off to a memorable start
1. For couples who like food and drink: Cote d'Azur
The south of France has long held a reputation as being glamorous and picturesque, with its beautiful cities, quaint towns full of cobblestone streets, and its world-class cusine. The Cote d’Azur also features azure-blue waters that can, if you catch them at the right time of the year, rival those found in the Caribbean. The beaches of surrounding Nice are hard to beat no matter where you travel along the south coast, but for a charming, rural retreat we would suggest heading for the hilltop town of Èze. Insight Guides' local experts can take you there and create the ultimate honeymoon: simply submit a trip request to get your itinerary started.
2. For couples who like idyllic beaches: Dominican Republic
Let’s be honest: sometimes all we want in a honeymoon is a chance to relax on a beach for a slice of sun, sea and sand. While it’s true that the Dominican Republic has a fair few white-sand beaches to choose from, thanks to its 800-mile-long coastline, it offers a heck of a lot more than that. The friendly hospitality, laid-back Caribbean vibe and sensational landscapes will undoubtedly get couples into the honeymoon spirit.
Plus, if you're keen to spot wildlife and you time your trip right, you can spot migrating blue whales off the coast. An Insight Guides local expert can advise when and where to look-out for them; talk to them today to get your honeymoon on track.
A beautiful white-sand beach on Saona island, the Dominican Republic. Photo: Shutterstock
3. For couples who like wildlife: The Galápagos Islands
Many consider the Galápagos Islands to be a once-in-a-lifetime holiday destination. After all, perched 1000km off the coast of Ecuador, it isn’t perhaps the easiest place in the world to get to. But that’s what makes it all the more fitting for one spectacular honeymoon trip! The islands may have been the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s famous theory of evolution, but things have moved on a lot since the 19th century.
Honeymooners may, however, want to eschew the hotel suites in favour of a luxurious cruise, which transports guests between the 19 islands for an up-close meet-and-greet with wildlife. Lucky for you, Insight Guides offers a wide array of luxury Galápagos Islands trips to choose from.
4. For couples who like romance: Turkey
There are fewer places in this world more magical than the Turkish region of Cappadocia. If you weren’t familiar with the geological processes of the last million years or so, you’d even go so far as to be convinced the region really is from the pages of a storybook, thanks to its ancient rock formations – otherwise known as "fairy chimneys". Once home to local Cappadocians, some of these fairy chimneys now double up as boutique hotels, giving the perfect location for those romantic hot-air-balloon-dotted sunrises. Plan your romantic escapade to Turkey with Insight Guides' local experts.
Hot air balloon flying over rock landscape at Cappadocia Turkey. Photo: Shutterstock
5. For couples who like adventure: Costa Rica
One of you wants to make like a lazy sloth and lounge around on the beach, the other wants to go surfing, zip-lining, whitewater rafting and hiking around volcanoes; before you reach for those divorce papers, rest assured there is a honeymoon destination that’ll cover all bases and please all parties. Step forward, Costa Rica. With some of the most beautiful beaches in Central America, Costa Rica is also well known for its adrenaline-pumping extreme sports, with canyoning and skydiving just some of the activities available. This ultra-luxe Beaches and Volcanoes trip ought to do it.
6. For couples who like nature: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is sometimes overlooked by honeymooners in favour of its many mainland neighbours. But consider this: within Sri Lanka’s 25,000 square miles, it boasts bustling cities, nature reserves, some of the most spectacular beaches in the world, sprawling tea plantations, as well as religious landmarks. It basically caters to all hobbies and interests, whether you’re a beach enthusiast or a wildlife-watching, tea-drinking urban traveller. Better still, it’s a country that’s easy to get to grips with in just a short fortnight. Add that to the fact it’s a short two-hour flight from the striking beaches of the Maldives, and you have all the makings of one unforgettable honeymoon. To remove all the hassle from booking your honeymoon, this epic Insight Guides trip ticks all the boxes. Now the only issue you’ll have is convincing family and friends that, no, they definitely can’t come with you...
Ready to plan your honeymoon adventure? Here's a quick and easy guide to get the ideas flowing:
How accessible would you like your honeymoon destination?
The more difficult to get to, the better → Galápagos Islands or Turkey
Practically a direct flight away → Cote d’Azur, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic
Which of these would you rather have on your trip?
Animals you can’t find anywhere else → Galápagos Islands
A hot air balloon ride with a view → Turkey
Which appeals to you more?
Being wined and dined → Cote d’Azur
Chilling on some beaches → Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic
Fancy some adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities?
Nah, I’m alright thanks → Sri Lanka, Dominican Republic
Bring it on! → Costa Rica
Which of these sounds more appealing to you?
An all-inclusive resort → the Dominican Republic
A multi-location trip → Sri Lanka
Ready to take your dream honeymoon?
Browse suggested itineraries online or talk to a local expert today
Looking for more information?
10 ultimate honeymoon destinations
20 honeymoon ideas in Costa Rica
3 great ideas for a honeymoon in Sri Lanka