Lavish honeymoons are returning following a Covid pandemic lull with many couples exceeding budgets and spending more on wedding celebrations. A study found that a staggering 97 per cent of honeymoon plans were impacted by coronavirus, with nearly two-thirds of those polled forced to cancel or postpone their post-nuptial trips.
The most popular option is lounging in luxury within an all-inclusive resort (45 per cent) and booking romantic activities such as hot air balloon rides or sunset boat cruises (40 per cent), according to travel specialist Expedia.
Top honeymoon trends uncovered by the Expedia survey of 2,000 UK couples, included:
- Trip-stretching: Some 45 per cent are more likely to take a longer honeymoon than they originally planned to make the most out of the missed travel opportunity during the pandemic.
- Splash the cash: Two fifths will throw aside the budgets and spend more money on their honeymoon, with 50 per cent more interested in spending extra money to visit a bucket list destination.
- Trips instead of toasters: Some 60 per cent are more likely to add a honeymoon fund to their wedding gift list, prompted by the pandemic to prioritise their once-in-a-lifetime trip over traditional registry items.
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Mini moons: Some 60 per cent of couples took a “minimoon” with plans to take a second honeymoon later in the year.
The most popular honeymoon destinations uncovered by the Expedia survey are:
- Maldives
- Caribbean
- Italy (e.g., Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terra, Rome, Florence, Venice)
- USA
- Seychelles
- Hawaii
- Greece (e.g., Mykonos, Santorini, Athens)
- New Zealand
- Canada
- Australia
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