How to organise the perfect honeymoon

Your honeymoon is supposed to be a holiday of a lifetime so there are many things to consider when choosing and organising your dream trip.

Advice on how romantic it will be, how to avoid confrontation with your other half and, for the modern newly-weds what will stand out on social media, could all help to make the journey extra special.

Lonely Planet has now released a new step-by-step guide for happy couples on how to plan their first trip of married life, with answers to all of these crucial questions.

Your honeymoon is supposed to be a holiday of a lifetime so there are many things to consider when choosing and organising your dream trip – from how to avoid arguments to where to go for Instagram-worthy snaps

Whether you seek total serenity on a far-flung beach, or a culture-infused adventurous island hop, a honeymoon offers the opportunity to spend longer exploring new terrains together as a couple.

From the mountains of Japan to deserts of Namibia, the travel experts at Lonely Planet have curated a selection of trips to suit every pairing. 

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The team has shared their favourite romantic road trips around the world and the top five Instagram-worthy honeymoon locations, as well as tips for mastering ‘the art of compromise’ and how to organise the big trip in advance. 

Read on to find out more about how to plan the perfect honeymoon.. 

Top five Instagram-worthy honeymoons 

Japan 

Japan’s world-famous cherry blossoms, the landscapes of the Hakone mountains and the the temples of Kyoto make it the top Instagrammable holiday 

The guide suggests Japan’s world-famous cherry blossoms, the landscapes of the Hakone mountains and the temples of Kyoto make it the most spell-binding location to capture and share on Instagram. 

They said: ‘You’ll find endless photo opportunities in the incredible beauty of the Japanese countryside. 

‘Stop to smell the shocking blooms during the Sakura and compose perfect images among Kyoto’s manicured gardens and bamboo forests.’ 

Mexico 

A trip along Mexico’s southern Yucatán Peninsula is highly recommended to catch a glimpse of the aquamarine waters 

A trip along the southern Yucatán Peninsula is highly recommended to catch a glimpse of the aquamarine waters. 

The chance to sample fresh food at incredible Mexican street food stalls will also add a thrill to any trip.

Lonely Planet said: ‘Colour lovers rejoice! Fall in love with the hues of Mexico and find artistic inspiration in everything from the brightly-painted buildings, to the traditional folk art and national dress.’  

Namibia 

The Namibian desert, along the country’s skeleton coast, is the perfect spot for a honeymoon camping trip 

The striking landscape of Namibia is the backdrop to an unforgettable break and this is enhanced by its diverse wildlife which includes a large cheetah population.

The guide said: ‘Travel through Namibia’s epic landscapes, from the Mars-like red dunes and dramatic open flats to the spooky shipwrecks of the skeleton coast. 

‘Camp in the desert and get a shot of the kind of sunset you’ve only seen in nature documentaries.’ 

Iceland 

Iceland continues to be a hit with honeymooners thanks to its beautiful landscapes, and winter honeymooners might even get to see the Aurora Borealis 

Iceland was one of the top travel destinations of 2016 and it continues to be a hit with honeymooners thanks to its otherworldly landscapes.

They said: ‘See things you’ve never seen before: steam exploding out of the ground, dramatic mountains covered in untouched snow, roaring waterfalls, and shaggy ponies running wild. 

‘And if you’re really lucky, winter honeymooners might get to see the phenomenon that is the Aurora Borealis.’ 

New York 

Thanks to the luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants and world-class shopping, New York also makes into the top five  Instagrammable honeymoon locations

It’s hard to find a holiday destinations list that doesn’t include New York, but thanks to the luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants and world-class shopping, the city also makes it to number five on this selection of photogenic spots.

The experts said: ‘ Get stuck in to the eclectic markets, cheers with cocktails on rooftop bars, and take the weight off at a Brooklyn coffee shop, where you’ll be served the most Instagram-ready latte you’ll ever see.’ 

THE ART OF COMPROMISE  

Compromise, don’t sacrifice

If you love adrenalin sports while your partner is more head over heels for architecture, then work together to plan a honeymoon that takes into account both passions. 

Mix and match

If you’ve got your hearts set on different destinations, take a look at popular flight paths and stopovers.  

Find a destination that offers extremes

If you want a North American honeymoon while your partner dreams of Brazil, ask why. 

If you’re looking for an epic road trip and your partner wants to explore lush rain forests, Argentina offers both.

Do what you love

If your travel styles just don’t match, think about the things you enjoy doing together at home. 

Be okay with the roles you play

Is one of you a control freak while the other is more mañana? If you insist on organising everything alone, don’t complain that it’s tough. 

Enjoy the journey

Don’t over-romanticise – it might also come with delayed flights, rainy days and tummy bugs, but the important thing is to enjoy your journey together. Bumps included. 

Source: Lonely Planet 

Top five romantic road rips  

Amalfi Coast, Italy

The quaint town of Positano can be found along the famous Amalfi coastline in Italy 

The Amalfi coastline near the Italian city of Naples runs from Sorrento to Ravello, via Positano, Amalfi and Praiano. 

The guide said: ‘The spectacular coastal route has more than a passing waft of glamour thanks to its reputation as a bolthole for writers, film stars and fashionistas.’ 

Icefields, Parkway, Canada 

The Icefields Parkway stretches 144 miles through the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site between Banff and Jasper

The Icefields Parkway stretches 144 miles through the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site between Banff and Jasper. 

They said: ‘Valleys are splashed with turquoise lakes and waterfalls, and more than 100 glaciers dot the way; hiking trails allow further exploration and wildlife such as moose and elk roam.’ 

Pacific Coast Highway, US 

The 655-mile long Californian road called the Pacific Coast Highway hugs the Pacific Ocean in dramatic fashion

This 655-mile long Californian road hugs the Pacific Ocean in a dramatic fashion, offering spectacular coastal views.

The said: ‘It’s the California stretch that’s billed as one of the world’s best road trips. 

‘Start in San Diego and finish north of San Francisco in the cliff-side town of Mendocino to take in hidden sands, beach towns and rugged Big Sur.’

Scotland’s NC500

Scotland’s North Coast 500, known as NC500, gives access to stunning beaches, lochs and mountains 

North Coast 500, known as NC500, runs from Inverness to the Kyle of Lochalsh on the West Coast, via the rugged north coast to John O’Groats, before heading down the east coast, completing the loop in Inverness.

They said: ‘This new driving route [gives] access to stunning beaches, lochs and mountains.

‘You might spot dolphins, seals and puffins – not to mention castles, a whisky distillery and remote smokehouses.’ 

Argentina’s Ruta 40  

Ruta 40 is the longest route in Argentina and one of the largest in the world, with a hugely diverse landscape 

For an intoxicating road trip filled with gastronomy stops Argentina fits the bill.

Ruta 40 is the longest route in Argentina and one of the largest in the world, running fro the top of the country down to Patagonia. 

The guide said: ‘The diversity of landscapes is extraordinary, from desert lunarscapes north of Salta to fertile vineyards in Mendoza, via alpine forests in the Lakes District around Bariloche and down to the Perito Moreno Glacier.’  

HONEYMOON PLANNING TIME LINE  

One year before your honeymoon

Dream. Think about where you’ve always wanted to go to celebrate your marriage, and get inspired by guidebooks, magazines and websites.

Nine months before your honeymoon

You’ll likely know at this point what funds you’re hoping to allocate to your trip and can compare your budget against that dream list of destinations.

Six months before your honeymoon

Properly slot in your travel dates after calibrating for personal commitments and taking into account the optimal time for visiting your destination. 

Four months before your honeymoon

Cement the foundations of your plans, scouting airplane tickets, booking hotels, visas and park permits, and firming up a broad itinerary.

Two months before your wedding

If you’ve decided to ask your guests to help fund your dream trip, now is the time to create an online registry detailing tangible activities to be undertaken. 

One month before your honeymoon

Once you begin the 30-day countdown you can take to your social platforms to snoop for upcoming events and trending bars, and even find friends that might be criss-crossing your itinerary. 

Source: Lonely Planet 

Reproduced with permission from The Honeymoon Handbook, © 2017 Lonely Planet