The idea of honeymooning first originated in Britain in the early 19th century, whereby upper-class couples would take a bridal tour, sometimes accompanied by friends or family, to visit relatives who were not able to attend the wedding. The custom soon spread throughout Europe, and honeymoons as we know them today – a hedonistic voyage of celebration and romance – started to boom in the late 1800s, in turn, kicking off our insatiable appetite for tourism.

Just as grand, extravagant weddings have really seen a post-pandemic comeback, newlyweds are now spending nearly as much time, money and effort planning their honeymoons as they are on the big day itself. While over the last few years, social media has dictated many a couple’s honeymoon destinations, all for the love (and likes) of that one hero shot, those in the know are shying away from such prescriptive travel-peacocking, and instead, seeking out more authentic, meaningful, and private travel experiences.

This, along with wanting to make a positive impact on the destination they are visiting, is without a doubt playing a big role in setting the parameters of that all-important trip. With twin-stop and two-part trips gaining even more traction too, there’s one thing for sure: the honeymoon period means big business. Here are the honeymoon destinations and romantic trends to know about if you’re getting married in 2024.

Mini-moon, mega-moon

One 2023 trend that seems to be going strong into 2024, is the idea of starting with a classic short break or ‘mini-moon’ in an easily accessible location before booking a second ‘main’ or ‘mega-moon’ later down the line. Whether this is to avoid rainy seasons, peak times, save money, or even provide something to look forward to later in the year, the two-part honeymoon craze looks here to stay.

Palazzo Avino

To get the most out of the initial long weekend or short trip, couples are making several pit-stops in one relatively small area. Croatia, Spain, France, and Italy all offer myriad opportunities for coastal carousing, city sightseeing or island hopping – all with superb food, culture and sunshine guaranteed (if timed right).

Jo Vickers, founder and CEO of JV Public Relations, a pre-eminent name in the world of exclusive travel, cites the Amalfi Coast as a popular and perfect example of somewhere to achieve this holiday. “A stay at Palazzo Avino in Ravello continues to see a rise in those booking honeymoon breaks at the property, twinned with Capri and other coastal towns,” she says. “This trend comes paired with a rise in demand for properties to provide authentic experiences on-site, too. Palazzo Avino, for example, is adding to its luxury offering by opening its own cookery school and winery for guests to add to their experiences during their stay.”

Jaime Benton, a London-based travel agent at MB Luxury Travel says she is seeing an uplift in the Greek islands for both weddings and honeymoons during the early summer months, particularly in Mykonos. “My favourite recommendation due to its exclusivity, service and more remote location is Cali Mykonos. It offers travel via boat around the island and the suites are magnificent. Combining this with Santorini, the Grace Hotel makes a good pairing, and offers everything and more for a honeymoon destination. Whilst Mykonos offers a party vibe, the latter provides the calm and relaxing side of the trip.”

Twin centre adventures

As idyllic, romantic, and breathtaking as ever, the Maldives still leads the way when it comes to top bucket-list honeymoon destinations. “When it comes to the Maldives, most people are focussed on the same thing: accessibility from the mainland, top service, and exceptional food,” says Jodie Collett, Indian Ocean specialist and founder of By Jodie Travel, an affiliate of 360 Private Travel. 

“There was a huge boom in travel to the Maldives during Covid as it was one of the only destinations that was open to overseas guests, especially from the UK. While it has plateaued slightly, it remains top of the list for honeymoon destinations.”

In her experience, couples are tending to team a Maldives holiday with something more adventurous to get the best of both worlds. “Sri Lanka is becoming increasingly popular in this way,” she says. “Brimming with authenticity, culture, history, and the most charming locals you’ll ever meet, there is so much to do, from safari to sightseeing. So, you can tick the adventure box in Sri Lanka, and then hop on a plane to the Maldives to unwind in paradise, which is only an hour’s flight away.”

“Waldorf Astoria Maldives ticks every box, especially in terms of accessibility and the huge choice of restaurants (12 including international culinary gem Zuma). The hotel collects you directly from Male by luxury yacht, and the villas are some of the most impressive in the region, boasting incredible high ceilings and huge pools in every room. It also has covered padel courts so guests can play any time of day, which has been extremely popular.

“Joali is about 35 minutes from Male by seaplane, but worth it for the unbridled luxury. Family-owned, the thoughtful interiors are second to none, and there is a huge focus on art: from pottery classes to painting.

“Vakkaru is also a personal favourite, and it is great for couples. Set within a stunning and well-maintained island, it used to be a coconut plantation. Situated in Baa Atoll, which is close to Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO heritage site, you can swim with manta rays and all other sorts of incredible sea life. The food is sensational, as is the overwater spa.”

Vakkaru

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

In Sri Lanka, Collett recommends staying at Chena Huts in Yala for a luxury safari experience. “You can be sitting enjoying a romantic meal and an elephant will just walk past you. Yala has the highest density of leopards anywhere – plus all the rooms have their own pools. For something a bit different, Ceylon Tea Trails boasts beautiful colonial-style bungalows in the tea country, Hatton. Full of old-world charm, you won’t want to miss the daily afternoon tea. And don’t miss Amangalla, a boutique luxury property in Galle, set within a UNESCO-protected Galle Fort. Elegant and historic, guests can tour around the romantic 300-year-old city.”

Authentic, immersive, and experiential

While people are more comfortable than ever visiting far-fetched honeymoon destinations, achieving a unique and authentic experience seems to be a top priority. “In short, gone are the days where people want to simply ‘fly and flop’, and return home without an exceptional story to tell their family and friends,” says Jo Vickers. “The focus has shifted, and guests are now looking for the ultimate itinerary, too. Couples are seeking out honeymoon destinations that offer a true sense of place, with a plethora of experiences to match. They want to avoid the crowds and embrace the culture of their location, often in a private and hyper-personalised fashion.”

Vickers recommends Nay Palad Hideaway in the Philippines as a perfect example of this, presenting an entirely inclusive offering on a luxury private island, with every detail still centred around celebrating its location, richness of culture and surrounding nature. “Here, guests are invited to learn to surf, cook, fish, swim, meditate and much more,” she adds.

Benton adds: “We have seen an uplift in couples picking Bali as their honeymoon destination of choice, travelling to Singapore for a couple of nights first and enjoying the famous Marina Bay Sands and Raffles’ iconic Singapore sling, before hopping on a short flight to Bali for a two-week experience. The holiday is totally unique and offers impeccable value for money if timed towards the end of the summer.”

Foodie-moons

As people seek out holidays with cultural immersion, gourmand couples are planning their honeymoons around meals rather than destinations. "Food and travel are intrinsically linked, when you experience the cuisine of a destination you can learn all about its history, culture and traditions – one bite at a time. Whether you’re a seasoned epicurean or not, fine-dining or authentic street food, if you really want to get under the skin of the country you visit, go through your stomach," says Nicole Humphreys, Marketing Manager at luxury tour operator Carrier.

Perfectly suited for foodie couples, food-oriented honeymoons centre around the full spectrum of dining options, from street food and farm-to-table fare to Michelin-star tasting menus. "We know that Carrier clients place food and wine high on their list of reasons to travel and we’ve seen an increase in foodie experiences being included in our itineraries," says Humphreys.

Williams recommends Carrier's Tastes of South Africa tour for couples in 2024. This itinerary will find you sampling the country's freshest flavours: from new takes on native recipes in Cape Town and secret supper clubs to wine tasting in rustic Bomas. The depth and breadth of foodie traditions, ingredients and local cooking talent means your epicurean adventure will never lack variety in South Africa.

Positive Impact


Lastly, while the continuation of private, exclusive, and hyper-personalised honeymoon destinations, whether short or long haul, are still top dog, many are wanting to play an active role in positively impacting their destination.

Brando

The Brando in French Polynesia, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, has more than proved its sustainability credentials and commitment to preserving the surrounding coral reef. “It is unlike anywhere else in the world,” says Vickers. “There’s even a team of scientists on the property that monitor and care for sea life and teach guests about the wonderful animals. They have a turtle sanctuary and bird island, and the flora and fauna are a massive focus. Guests are all but guaranteed an immersive experience during their stay.

“These types of trips are unquestionably coming out on top,” she continues. “The ability to book a money-can’t-buy experience in a magical location, in the knowledge that simply by being there you will have a positive impact on an area is often enough to tip the balance.”

Read more: The hottest new hotels opening in 2024