Your honeymoon is the one trip where "too extravagant" does not apply. These seven destinations cater to couples who want their first trip as a married couple to be genuinely once-in-a-lifetime.
1. Maldives — The Classic
There is a reason the Maldives tops every honeymoon list. Private overwater villas with plunge pools, underwater dining, couples' spa treatments over the ocean, and private sandbank dinners under the stars create a romance template that no destination has surpassed. For the ultimate experience, book a one-island, one-villa resort like Milaidhoo or Velaa Private Island. The seclusion is absolute.
2. Amalfi Coast, Italy — Dolce Vita
Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi cling to dramatic coastal cliffs above the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea. Drive the winding coast road in a vintage Fiat convertible, sip Limoncello in cliff-edge restaurants, and stay at converted monastery hotels with terraces overlooking the coast. Hotel Caruso in Ravello has an infinity pool that appears to float above the Amalfi Coast — possibly the most romantic pool view in Europe.
3. Santorini, Greece — Sunset Magic
The caldera sunset is the most romantic natural spectacle in the Mediterranean. Stay in a cave hotel in Oia or Imerovigli, book a private sunset sailing catamaran, and dine at a clifftop restaurant as the sky turns from gold to purple. The combination of ancient beauty, blue-domed churches, and volcanic drama creates an atmosphere of timeless romance.
4. Bora Bora, French Polynesia — The Dream
Mount Otemanu rising above a lagoon of impossible blue, overwater bungalows with glass floors, and a Polynesian culture of warmth and celebration. Bora Bora is further and more expensive than the Maldives, but the dramatic volcanic scenery adds a dimension that the flat Maldivian atolls cannot match. The Four Seasons and St. Regis set the standard.
5. Kyoto, Japan — Zen Romance
A non-traditional but deeply romantic honeymoon. Stay in a luxury ryokan (traditional inn), bathe in private onsen hot springs, walk through bamboo groves and temple gardens, and experience kaiseki dining — edible art served course by course. Cherry blossom season (late March to early April) adds a layer of natural magic. Hoshinoya Kyoto, accessible only by boat, is Japan's most romantic accommodation.
6. Seychelles — Wild Romance
Granite boulders on pristine beaches, giant tortoises, lush jungle, and fewer tourists than the Maldives. The Seychelles feels wild and undiscovered despite offering world-class luxury. North Island and Fregate Island are private island options for the ultimate seclusion. The snorkelling is exceptional — warm, clear water with healthy reef systems.
7. Swiss Alps — Mountain Romance
For couples who prefer mountains over beaches, the Swiss Alps deliver winter romance — horse-drawn sleigh rides, fondue by firelight, skiing under blue skies, and cosy chalet evenings with mulled wine and mountain views. The Chedi Andermatt, Gstaad Palace, and Badrutt's Palace in St. Moritz set the luxury standard.
Honeymoon Tips
- Tell everyone it is your honeymoon: Hotels, airlines, and restaurants regularly provide complimentary upgrades, champagne, and special touches for honeymooners.
- Book at least 6 months ahead: The best honeymoon properties sell out for peak romance seasons. Maldives (December-March), Santorini (June-September), and Bora Bora (May-October) have limited luxury inventory.
- Consider a honeymoon registry: Instead of traditional wedding gifts, guests contribute to specific experiences — a sunset dinner, a spa treatment, or a diving excursion.
ZFORB honeymoon packages include exclusive honeymoon perks — room upgrades, spa credits, private dining, and champagne on arrival — at the world's most romantic hotels. Explore membership and start planning the trip of a lifetime.
