How to get the most out of your honeymoon

It’s supposed to be the dream vacation to end all dream vacations, but do you know how to make it the best honeymoon ever? That was the question posed by online travel agents Opodo, and the responses might be a little more surprising than you think.

Cultural experiences are important during the ideal honeymoon according to Opodo's research, but there’s plenty of other options you might want to consider as well. If you're already making plans to walk down the aisle, or you’re simply dreaming of jetting off into the sunset with your partner, then here are the most popular ways to make sure your honeymoon goes off without a hitch.

Get advice

While some people look to how celebrities or royalty choose to spend their honeymoons, the vast majority of people find their honeymoon ideas from friends, family, and social media. Wedding magazines are all well and good, but only 20% of people said that they looked through them for honeymoon inspiration. By far the most popular way of finding out the best destination ideas was through recommendations from friends and family, with just under half of honeymooners following the advice of their nearest and dearest. Social media posts on the other hand account for 26% of peoples honeymoon inspiration, so it’s worth keeping an eye on your Facebook and Instagram feeds.

Plan your activities

You can be as carefree and easy-going as you like, but when it comes to your honeymoon, you’re going to want to plan. A whopping 57% of people said that the secret to the perfect honeymoon was to plan in advance with your partner a list of all of the activities that you want to enjoy. Adventure tours and road trips are popular, but the top most popular way to spend your honeymoon is enjoying the sun and sand. When up to 69% of people state that they’re looking forward to the beach more than any other aspect of their honeymoon, then you know it’s a popular activity between both parties! However, you might be one of the 64% of couples that prefer a bit of cultural experience, so always discuss beforehand exactly what your dream honeymoon will entail to avoid arguments.

Mix things up

While the beach is great (and popular), the most consistent reveal across the Opodo survey was the fact that you should create a honeymoon blend of romance, relaxation, and adventure. When 75% of people call this the ultimate secret to the perfect honeymoon, then you know you should take that advice seriously. So make sure that you plan plenty of beach time, but don’t forget the champagne on arrival (48%), taste local cuisines (78%), and take your pick from spa days, adventure treks and watersports to pack as much into your honeymoon as your budget allows.

The results of the travel expert’s honeymoon survey have thrown up a few surprises, and if you’re currently planning your honeymoon it's worth checking out the stats a little more closely. Take your time to plan, but always leave some room for flexibility, and you may end up wanting to get married again just so that can enjoy another perfect honeymoon.