TORONTO — The honeymoon is getting a makeover, with couples increasingly swapping the one-size-fits-all beach escape for trips that are more adventurous, wellness-focused, flexible and, in some cases, split into two.
For some newlyweds, that means a quick romantic getaway right after the wedding followed by the big safari months later; for others, it could mean soaking in a Japanese onsen, sailing the Mediterranean aboard a luxury yacht or simply travelling in October instead of fighting the summer crowds. And as 2027 approaches, the honeymoon is looking less like a post-wedding obligation and more like a chance to design the ultimate trip for two.
Here are six trends to watch:
- THE HONEYMOON IN TWO PARTS
Why plan one honeymoon when you can have two?
The rise of shorter, more flexible trips is making the mini-moon an increasingly appealing way to celebrate immediately after the wedding, followed by a longer getaway when time, money and schedules allow.
KAYAK Canada’s 2026 What the Future Report found that nearly 61% of surveyed travellers plan to take several shorter trips this year, while 51% want travel plans they can change at the last minute. The report also found that travellers are increasingly embracing a slower pace, with 67% saying relaxation and mental reset are top priorities and 46% saying travelling more slowly helps clear their head.
That approach can be especially appealing for couples who get married during a busy travel season but want their big trip at a better time of year. A June wedding could be followed by a few nights at a nearby luxury resort, for example, with the real honeymoon postponed until fall for a safari in Kenya or a foliage-filled escape to Japan.
It also gives couples more freedom to make the honeymoon fit their lives instead of forcing everything into one expensive, high-pressure trip.
- SAFARI + BEACH DOUBLE-HEADER
It’s hard to beat a honeymoon that begins with lions, elephants and dramatic sunsets and ends with your feet in the sand.
The bush-and-beach combination continues to gain popularity, particularly in Africa and the Indian Ocean. Kenya and Tanzania are natural starting points, followed by beach time in Zanzibar or the Seychelles. South Africa offers another compelling mix, allowing couples to combine a safari with Cape Town, wine country and a coastal stay.
The trend is also moving beyond Africa. Sri Lanka is emerging as an alternative for couples who want wildlife and beach time in the same trip, with Yala National Park offering leopard-viewing opportunities before a few days on the coast.
The appeal is easy to understand: couples get two completely different vacations in one. One half is about adventure and discovery, the other about doing absolutely nothing – ideally from a beautiful beachfront lounger.
South Africa is also making a notable move up the honeymoon rankings. In Virtuoso’s 2027 Luxe Report, the destination entered the top 10 for honeymoons for the first time, while Greece took the No. 1 spot, followed by Bali and the Maldives.
- NON-JULY HONEYMOONS
Forget the idea that a honeymoon has to happen in peak summer.
Shoulder-season travel is becoming increasingly attractive, particularly for couples who want better weather, fewer crowds or simply a different version of a destination they’ve dreamed about visiting.
A 2026 survey of 100 Canadian travel advisors conducted by Virtuoso found that 74% have clients choosing shoulder-season travel to avoid peak crowds. Nearly 60% said avoiding crowds was the primary reason, compared with 26% who cited lower prices.
That opens up some terrific honeymoon possibilities. Think Japan in autumn rather than spring, Greece in September or October rather than July and Italy in May or October when the pace can be considerably more relaxed.
Japan in particular is having a moment. The destination took the No. 1 spot in Virtuoso’s 2027 global luxury travel rankings, while also ranking sixth among honeymoon destinations. Greece, meanwhile, knocked Italy out of the top honeymoon spot.
For couples who don’t need to travel immediately after the wedding, moving the trip a few months could mean the difference between battling crowds and feeling like they have the place to themselves.
Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Italy
- WELLNESS GETS AN UPGRADE
A couples massage is nice. A honeymoon designed around actually feeling fantastic when you get home? Even better.
Hilton’s newly released 2027 Trends Report, based on a global survey of more than 14,000 travellers, found that nearly two-thirds (65%) actively seek experiences that calm the body and reset the nervous system, while 76% say travel allows them to recharge mentally and physically in ways they cannot easily achieve at home. ]
That could translate into a wellness-focused honeymoon at a destination such as Bali, Thailand or the Maldives, with private villas, couples’ treatments, yoga, healthy cuisine and plenty of time with absolutely nothing scheduled.
Brands such as Six Senses, Aman and COMO have made this kind of high-end wellness experience a major part of their appeal, while resorts in destinations from St. Lucia to Portugal can combine traditional honeymoon romance with spa and restorative experiences.
Expedia Canada’s 2026 Island Hot List also identified St. Lucia as one of the year’s leading islands for romantic escapes, with searches up 125%, while Porto Santo was highlighted for wellness and relaxation.
The new luxury, in other words, may simply be feeling completely rested when the honeymoon is over.
Bali, Indonesia
- LUXURY CRUISING BOOM
Cruising hasn’t traditionally been the first thing that comes to mind when couples picture a honeymoon, but that may be changing as luxury hotel brands take their hospitality to the water.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is one of the most prominent examples, and demand appears to be building quickly. The company reported record year-to-date bookings of US$237 million through the second quarter of 2026, up 46% year over year, while second-quarter bookings alone rose 35%.
And the luxury-yacht field is getting crowded in the best possible way. Four Seasons Yachts launched Four Seasons I in March 2026, with suites featuring expansive terraces and private plunge pools, along with curated culinary, wellness and cultural experiences.
That gives honeymooners an intriguing alternative to a traditional resort: unpack once, wake up somewhere new and have a luxury hotel experience at sea.
A Mediterranean sailing could combine stops in Greece, Italy and Croatia, while an Alaska voyage could pair dramatic scenery with a pre- or post-cruise stay. For couples who want something more adventurous, expedition cruising opens the door to Antarctica, the Galápagos or other remote destinations.
- FORGET THE “PERFECT HONEYMOON”
For years, honeymoons have been sold as the ultimate trip – the once-in-a-lifetime escape that has to be beautiful, romantic, Instagram-worthy and completely flawless.
But the pressure to get everything right may finally be fading.
Hilton’s 2027 Trends Report calls the shift “The Rise of ‘Ish,’” reflecting travellers’ growing willingness to let go of the perfect vacation and define a trip on their own terms. More than half of travellers (54%) say they feel some pressure to have the perfect trip, while 28% are more likely to leave room for spontaneity and figure things out as they go than commit to a fixed itinerary.
That idea fits particularly well with the modern honeymoon.
Maybe the hotel doesn’t have the perfect view every night. Maybe one day rains. Maybe the couple skips the famous restaurant because they’d rather linger over lunch somewhere local. Maybe the honeymoon is split into two trips instead of one.
And perhaps that is exactly the point. For couples starting their lives together, the best honeymoon may no longer be the one that looks perfect on paper – it may be the one that feels unmistakably like them.
Check out Travelweek’s just-released Romance Guide for more feature articles including helpful tips for custom cultural destination weddings, and vows-at-sea essentials.
