When should you go?

One of the biggest considerations is time of year, and it often gets overlooked when couples are in the throes of wedding planning. UK summer weddings are incredibly popular, but if you have your heart set on a particular honeymoon destination you also need to think about what the weather will be like there at that time.

As a very general rule of thumb:

• Destinations above the equator tend to follow similar seasons to us
• Destinations below the equator are usually the opposite season

It is not the most romantic part of planning, but choosing the right month for the right destination can make all the difference between “nice” and “unforgettable”.

Talking about budget

Budget planning can feel like a delicate subject, but it is absolutely vital to discuss it openly: both with each other and with your travel professional.

It is one of the very first things I ask my honeymoon clients. Knowing your rough budget means I can:

• Tailor suggestions that genuinely fit
• Avoid showing you options that are not realistic, which only leads to disappointment later

One of the great benefits of booking with a Travel Counsellor is the option to use our Honeymoon Gift Registry. If you already have everything you need at home (who really needs more plates?), you can invite your guests to contribute towards your honeymoon instead of traditional gifts. It is a lovely way for family and friends to be part of your trip, and it works brilliantly for many couples. If this sounds interesting, just ask and I can talk you through how it works.

Honeymoon perks you will love

Who does not love a little extra treat?

When you book your honeymoon with me, I will make the most of every possible perk to make your trip feel even more special. Hotels and tour operators often offer honeymoon extras such as:

• Complimentary room upgrades
• “Bride stays free” or similar offers
• Complimentary excursions
• Complimentary spa treatments
• Private or romantic beach dining

I always liaise with the hotels before you arrive to highlight that you are honeymooners and to request any special touches available.

I can also offer a personal consultation so you are both involved in the planning from day one. This can be arranged at a time to suit you, including evenings and weekends if that is easier around work and wedding prep.

Some of my favourite honeymoon ideas

The Maldives

The Maldives is the classic, poster‑perfect honeymoon destination and for good reason. It is the ideal place to relax, unwind and truly get away from it all. Prices and styles vary enormously, from simple rustic retreats to ultra‑luxury private islands.

Before you disappear down a rabbit hole of turquoise lagoons and white‑sugar‑sand beaches, I would really recommend speaking to someone who can match the right island to your requirements and budget. That way you fall in love with the one that genuinely fits you.

If you are worried that two weeks on a tiny island might be too quiet, we can easily twin the Maldives with another destination. Popular combinations include:

• A city or desert stopover in the Middle East
• Culture and wildlife in Sri Lanka

This gives you a lovely mix of exploration and relaxation: some adventure and culture first, then pure beachside chill at the end.

Safari

If you have always dreamt of seeing the Big Five on safari as part of your honeymoon, this could be the perfect option.

Safaris can vary massively in terms of what you see, where you go and the best time of year to travel, so it is important to talk to someone who knows the destinations and seasons well. Africa is usually the go‑to for classic Big Five sightings, but you can also do things a little differently.

For example, Sri Lanka offers wonderful opportunities to see elephants, incredible birdlife, sloth bears and leopards. Imagine:

• Breakfast in the bush surrounded by zebra and buffalo
• Evenings listening to lions calling in the distance from your tent

These are the kinds of memories that stay with you forever and make for an unbelievably special honeymoon.

Italy

I absolutely love everything about Italy: the food, the culture, the scenery and the people. It is probably one of the most romantic countries in the world, which makes it a beautiful choice for starting married life together.

Italy offers so much variety:

• Romantic city breaks in Rome, Florence or Venice
• Rolling hills and vineyard stays in Tuscany and Umbria
• Sparkling lakes like Garda and Como
• The glamour and views of the Neapolitan Riviera and Amalfi Coast

It is also very easy to reach from the UK, which makes it ideal if you are looking for a shorter honeymoon or a mini‑moon right after the wedding.

The Caribbean

There is so much more to the Caribbean than “just” the beach, and choosing the right island is key because they all offer very different experiences.

As a Caribbean specialist, I have been lucky enough to visit many of the islands several times. Some of my own highlights have included:

• Segway tours
• Catamaran cruises
• Mountain and rainforest walks
• Jeep adventures
• Snorkelling and time on the water

On top of that, there is the music, the incredibly friendly locals and that wonderful feeling of hearing steel pan drums with a cocktail in hand on the sand. It is something everyone should experience at least once in their life.

Mauritius

For a relatively small tropical island in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius packs in a huge amount.

Many honeymooners are drawn in by the stunning beaches, but there is far more to it than that. The population is a mix of European, African, Indian and Chinese heritage, which creates:

• A fascinating blend of cultures
• Fantastic, diverse cuisine
• A genuinely warm and welcoming atmosphere

Hotels in Mauritius tend to offer excellent standards and very good value. Many properties have:

• Private pool suites or villas
• Swim‑up rooms
• Lots of thoughtful honeymoon extras and benefits

It is a brilliant choice if you want that idyllic island feel but with plenty to see, do and taste beyond the beach.

Bali

I have saved this one until last because Bali is where I honeymooned myself, many years ago, and it still has a special place in my heart.

Bali offers:

• Beautiful temples and shrines
• Emerald rice terraces
• Lakes, waterfalls and volcano views
• A real sense of culture and spirituality

I would highly recommend hiring a car and driver, as we did, so you can really get out and explore at your own pace. Accommodation choices range from:

• Charming “treehouse” or jungle‑style resorts
• Boutique villas with private pools
• Contemporary, minimalist beachfront hotels

There is something to suit almost every taste and budget, which makes it a very flexible option for honeymoon couples.

Bringing it all together

There is an incredible amount of choice when it comes to honeymoon planning. From barefoot‑in‑the‑sand islands to wildlife adventures, iconic cities or romantic European escapes, there truly is something to suit every taste, budget and dream.

Working with someone who knows the ins and outs of planning, understands the seasons and destinations, and can unlock those special honeymoon perks is one of the best ways to make sure this once‑in‑a‑lifetime trip is remembered for all the right reasons.  In my 35+ year career, I've lost count of how many couples I've helped plan the perfect trip!  If this has sparked ideas for your own honeymoon, what are you waiting for?
Get in touch to arrange a consultation and we can start planning together, so you end up with the honeymoon you have always dreamed of.