A lot of couples still think that for a honeymoon you “should” go to the Maldives or maybe Greece, because that is what everyone sees on Instagram and it is the go‑to answer when you type “honeymoon” into Google.

And for some people, that is genuinely their idea of a perfect honeymoon.

But there are just as many couples who would be absolutely done after a day or two of lying on a beach. You want to get out and explore, you want food, culture, a bit of a buzz. If that is you, then a resort that is designed around complete relaxation and switching off from the world might not actually suit you, no matter how beautiful it is.

Your honeymoon is more than just another holiday. It is your first journey together as newlyweds and you deserve so much more than just picking whatever pops up first on Google. I will help you work out what genuinely suits you as a couple, so you do not end up going where you

New life is an adventure, so your honeymoon should feel like one as well… just in a way that actually fits your personalities, not a tick‑box cliché.

A Real Couple Who Thought They Wanted The Maldives

I had a couple recently who came to me saying they wanted to do the Maldives, because that is what everyone does for their honeymoon, isn’t it?

Once we started talking properly, something completely different revealed itself.

They love trying local food and finding different little places to eat, not eating in the same restaurant every night.

They had mentioned maybe stopping somewhere like Dubai or Sri Lanka on the way, but when we looked at the flights it was turning into a trip with several separate long‑haul legs. What they really wanted was to get the big flight out of the way, arrive, and then stay in roughly the same part of the world, not be hopping on and off planes the whole time.

So instead of trying to force a Maldives‑plus‑stopover plan that did not really sit right, we took a step back and looked at what they actually wanted their days to feel like:

- Some city buzz, food and culture

- Some scenery and “wow” moments

- Some proper chill‑out time at the end

- Enough going on that they would not get bored, but not a route march

When you look at it like that, you can suddenly see that there are lots of places that would work, and the Maldives might not be top of the list after all.

For them, Thailand turned out to be the perfect fit:

- A few nights in Bangkok at the start, so they get that city buzz, amazing food and a bit of culture.

- Then down to Krabi, which is still beautiful and coastal, but with more going on, more places to explore and trips that will show them that proper picture‑postcard Thailand.

- And then they finish on Koh Lanta, where they can slow right down, still have gorgeous sunsets and sea, but with the option to get out and about if they fancy it.

They haven't gone yet, but they are genuinely excited about this trip in a way they never really were when we were just talking about “two weeks on an island”. It has gone from “we should probably do the Maldives because that is what you do” to “this feels like us.”

That is the bit I care about. The destination is important, but it is the process of getting to the right destination for you that makes the difference between “nice honeymoon” and “that was so us”.

Japan: For Foodies, Culture Fans And Non‑Beach People

Japan is such a good option if you are more excited by food, culture and people‑watching than you are by lying by a pool.

If you two are the ones who always end up wandering off down side streets, trying all the street food and wanting to see “how other people live”, Japan is very likely your kind of place.

Why Japan works for a honeymoon

You can mix big, buzzing cities like Tokyo with calmer places like Kyoto, add in a night or two in Hakone for hot springs and mountain views, and maybe include Osaka for even more food and nightlife. There is so much to do together: izakayas, temples at dusk, markets, neon, quiet little backstreets, trains that actually turn up when they say they will.

Things to know:

- It is not a budget destination, but you get a huge amount back in experiences and memories.

- You really do not need to do the whole country on your first trip. For a honeymoon, something like Tokyo – Kyoto – Hakone – Osaka is usually more than enough.

- If you like the idea of doing something completely different and going off the usual route, there are also less obvious areas and islands we can look at, such as Shikoku, Miyajima, Hokkaido or Okinawa. We only add those in if that style of trip genuinely feels like you, not just for the sake of it.

- Timing does matter. Cherry blossom looks incredible in photos, but it is busy and prices go up. Autumn can be absolutely beautiful too, without quite as much chaos.

When I am planning Japan honeymoons, a big part of my job is stopping you from running yourselves into the ground. It is very easy to cram your days so full that you never actually stop to just be there together. I will help you find that balance.

Thailand: A Proper Mix Of City, Culture And Beach

Thailand is a great choice if you like the idea of some beach time, but you know full well that if you just went straight to a resort for 10 nights you would be climbing the walls by day three.

Why Thailand works for a honeymoon

- You can put together a really nice flow:

- Start with a few nights in Bangkok so you get that city buzz, the street food, the temples, the markets and a little bit of chaos in the best possible way.

- Then maybe head up north to somewhere like Chiang Mai for a completely different feel: greener, more relaxed, cooking classes, temples, possibly an ethical elephant experience if that is something you want to do.

- Then finish down on the coast, somewhere like Krabi, Khao Lak, Koh Samui or Koh Lanta, depending on the time of year.

So you still get your sunsets, your cocktails looking out to sea and that “honeymoon” feeling, but there is actual variety, stories and shared experiences in there too.

Things to know

- The word “ethical” gets used a lot in Thailand, especially around elephants. I am very particular about what I will and will not recommend.

- Monsoon seasons are different on each coast, so choosing the right area for your dates is important. This is where proper planning comes in.

- Internal flights and transfers can look like a headache when you try to piece it together yourself. When I am designing it, I worry about the joins so you do not have to.

If you are the couple who wants markets, massages and street food as much as you want a pool and a sunset, Thailand can work brilliantly.

Costa Rica: Wildlife, Waterfalls And Wild Beaches

Costa Rica is for you if you like the idea of being out in nature and you are not afraid of getting a bit muddy or having a monkey shout at you from a tree.

Why Costa Rica works for a honeymoon

- You can be in the cloud forest one day, ziplining or walking across hanging bridges, then soaking in natural hot springs the next.

- There are plenty of chances to see wildlife together: sloths, toucans, frogs, all sorts.

- Then you move to the coast for more of that laid‑back, surf‑town, “no shoes required” kind of beach time.

It can feel like three holidays in one, which is exactly what some couples want for a honeymoon.

Things to know

- Travel days can be longer than you would get in a simple beach holiday. The roads are not always fast, but the scenery makes up for it.

- This is not the destination for you if you want everything manicured and perfect. You are in the rainforest. Nature is very much in charge, which is exactly what makes it brilliant for the right couple.

- It is ideal for couples who get more excited about hiking to a waterfall than they do about reserving a sunbed at 6am.

When I am putting together a Costa Rica honeymoon, I am always thinking about how to give you that variety without you feeling like you are constantly on the move. A couple of really well‑chosen bases is usually better than trying to “do it all”.

Safari Plus Beach: Big Moments, Then A Soft Landing

For some couples, a safari honeymoon is the ultimate dream. Early mornings, game drives, sundowners, starry skies and that feeling of “we cannot believe we are actually here.”

- You are sharing those real “wow” moments together: your first lion sighting, elephants wandering past, the sound of the bush at night.

- The smaller lodges can be incredibly romantic, with beautiful views, great food and that feeling of being properly looked after.

Things to know

- Safari days are full‑on. You are up early, out on drives, usually eating and sleeping very well, but it is a lot to take in.

- It is not the kind of trip where you stay up partying every night, so it suits couples who are happy with early nights and big mornings.

- The terrain can be very rough in places and you will need a lot of coffee, but that is also part of the fun if you know what you are signing up for.

- It is one of the more expensive honeymoon styles, but if wildlife is your thing, it is hard to beat.

- Choosing the right country, reserve and lodge for your time of year is absolutely key. There is no “one size fits all”.

If you are the couple who bonds over experiences and stories – the ones you will still be telling in years to come – a safari plus beach combination can be a really special way to start married life.

When A Classic Beach Honeymoon Is The Right Answer

All of this said, there are couples for whom the Maldives, Mauritius, Zanzibar and those pure beach honeymoons are exactly right. If you:

- Are exhausted from wedding planning and life in general

- Genuinely love the idea of doing very little

- Like the sound of minimal decisions, no stress and maximum relaxation

then disappearing into your own little bubble of paradise for a week or two might be perfect.

The important thing is that you choose it because it suits you, not because you feel you ought to.

How Do You Know What Fits You?

This is usually where I come in.

When I am planning honeymoons, I am not just asking “where do you fancy?”. One of the first things I will ask you is:

What do you want your days to look like? Do you want to open your eyes and see palm trees, hear wildlife noises outside your window, or wake up to the buzz of a city below you?

I will also ask:

What is going to make this feel more like a honeymoon and less like a standard holiday? Is it an upgraded room type, somewhere you have never been before, a certain level of hotel, or being in the heart of the action instead of on the edge of a resort?

- Do you light up more when you talk about food and cities, or beaches and spas?

- Are you introverts who want peace and privacy, or do you like a bit of atmosphere and people‑watching?

- How much “effort” do you want to put into your days once you arrive?

- Looking back at your trips together so far, which ones have you loved the most and why – and just as importantly, what do you definitely not want again?

Your first journey together as newlyweds should feel like it was built around you, not around a generic idea of what a honeymoon is supposed to look like.

There are so many little touches we can add to make it more than “just another holiday”: experiences you would not have found on your own, special meals, hidden corners, and yes, a lovely room and a pool too if that is part of your dream. It just does not have to be the only part.

Ready To Start Talking About Your Honeymoon?

If you are reading this thinking “That is us, we would be bored stiff in the Maldives”, that is usually a very good sign you are more of an experience‑led couple.

Tell me whether you are more “Japan/Thailand/Costa Rica”, “safari plus beach”, “island bubble of paradise”, or “we honestly have no idea yet but we know it has to be special”

From there, I can suggest a few ideas that actually fit your personalities, not just the usual honeymoon hotspots, and put together a plan that feels like the start of your next chapter, not just a nice break.