Newly-wed? Here are our top Honeymoon Destinations just for you

I must confess something, I love weddings. I’m a true-blue romantic at heart. Maybe, in some alternate universe, I would have been a wedding planner—helping brides plan dresses, flowers, menus, programmes—everything.

Even the honeymoon. What am I saying? Especially the honeymoon! Those golden post-wedding days when a hubby and wifey first get together after the pressure of their BIG Day. They can finally relax and enjoy themselves and each other.

Make sure, though that you are on the same page when it comes to finances and your budget. If you’ve not yet seriously discussed this with your partner, head over to this piece: Have the TALK (About Money) Before You WALK Down the Aisle.

Now, let me tell you this. On the one hand, where you have your honeymoon isn’t that important. Since this is such a special time between you and your new lawfully wedded spouse, you’ll probably be very much wrapped up in each other.

BUT, having said that, where you have your honeymoon is also very important. Listen to me carefully, planning is everything. A good plan means more than half the battle’s been won.

So, if you’re planning your wedding and need some recommendations for the best honeymoon destinations, you’ve come to the right place. The truth is, the best honeymoon destination for you depends on what kind of couple you are, and what you are looking for. Read on and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Ready to dive in and read about honeymoon destinations? Let’s do this. But before we go there, here are some important things for you to know if you are traveling with your partner for the first time.

Paris

Ahhh… the city of lights, also known as the city of love. Who wouldn’t want to go to Paris? This city breathes romance from every pore. It will be pricier than nearer destinations, but it will be worth every cent you spend. After all, this newly-wedded blissful time will only come about once in your lifetime.

Why Paris? Because it’s beautiful, historical and incredibly romantic. There are so many places that are must-sees: the Eiffel Tower (of course!), Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe… not to mention all the museums, such as the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay. And Versailles, a walk around the garden at Versailles on a lovely spring day is my idea of bliss.

Flights to Paris are not that expensive, coming in under S$1000, and you can always look for promos to get even better deals. Accommodations are also plentiful and quite affordable, whether you choose a hotel or an Airbnb.

Who should go to Paris on their honeymoon: people who have always dreamed of seeing Paris, who are interested in culture and the arts, as well as history. If you have a chance to see Paris at least once in your life, doing so on your honeymoon is an excellent choice.

The Maldives

Some people really, really love the ocean. Full disclosure: I’m one of those people. My dream is to one day actually live on the beach and see baby turtles hatch.

I think many of us have seen the water bungalows and brilliant turquoise ocean in the Maldives and wondered when we can pack our bags and get there.

The best thing about the Maldives is that it only takes a little over four and a half hours from Singapore to get to this sunny paradise, and flights cost around S$500 per person, which is a great deal. I honestly think that people believe that it’s hard to get to the Maldives and that all the accommodations are luxury places that are terribly expensive. Well, a quick check on travel sites such as Expedia, Skyscanner, and Trip Advisor, will immediately tell you otherwise.

The Maldives does have a wet and dry season (doesn’t that sound familiar?) but visitors say there are enough sunny hours even during rainy season so going there at any time of the year is all right.

Who should go to the Maldives on their honeymoon: People who love to swim, snorkel, surf and/or dive. If you and your sweetie like marine life, you will love the Maldives. There are submarine tours and snorkeling safaris available as well.

Japan

Japan is on the travel bucket list of a lot of people. There are so many things to see and do in this wonderful country, such as climbing Mount Fuji, visiting the friendly deer at the park at Nara, seeing so many shrines and temples, and yes, going on a food trip.

I’ve been to a number of Japanese restaurants in different countries, some even staffed by chefs from Japan, but I do long to go to the birthplace of Japanese cuisine itself. This is definitely something to look forward to.

If you are getting married early in the year, in the spring months, you get to go to Japan in cherry blossom season for your honeymoon. That sounds pretty romantic to me.

Japan is only around 7 hours away from Singapore, and air tickets range between S$650 to S$800. Again, there is no shortage of accommodations to try.

Who should go to Japan on their honeymoon: People who want a combination of good food, adventure, history, and culture.

Australia

Where to begin with the land down under? Australia is huge, and so for our purposes here, let’s concentrate on Sydney. Such a wonderful city with a welcoming atmosphere and no end of things to do.

Getting there is no problem, one eight-hour flight and there you are. The cost of flights is almost unbelievable, around S$ 400 per person. Pro-tip: tell the flight attendants you’re on your honeymoon and they may just upgrade your seats to business class. Or, toast you with a glass of champagne, at the very least.

Taking a walk around Sydney has many charms. One of the things you can’t miss is the Opera House at night. Cross the Harbour bridge, look for Lady McQuarie’s chair in the Botanical Gardens, or just spend time looking at the local flora and fauna. If you have a picnic by the harbor, watch your food. The gulls are always hungry!

And, don’t forget to take a trip to the Blue Mountains, which is only around three hours via train. The Blue Mountains are magical—so you may want to spend one night there.

Who should go to Australia on their honeymoon: people who love the sights and sounds of a very friendly city.

Our honorable mentions:

• Hawaii—for beach lovers
• Italy—for the food, wine, and scenery
• The Philippines, Bali or Thailand—great beaches, nearby and less pricey

Have a lovely honeymoon! I hope that it’s as gorgeous and amazing as you deserve for it to be.