Written by Megin Potter

Photos by Abby Films + Photo (unless Noted)

Beyond the Beach

For years, the picture of the “perfect honeymoon” has looked fairly predictable: a beautiful beach, an all-inclusive resort, a couple of cocktails and a week spent doing as little as possible.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that honeymoon. More recently couples I speak with are looking for something different.

They still want romance. They still want beautiful hotels, great food and time to relax. But they also want to experience something together.

That is one of the reasons I think Asia deserves much more attention from honeymoon couples.

A well-planned Asian honeymoon can include a private villa one day, an incredible food tour the next, ancient temples, tropical beaches, high-speed trains, spas, bustling cities and quiet resorts—all on the same trip.

And unlike a trip where the resort itself is the destination, an Asian honeymoon can feel like the beginning of an adventure together.

Japan

Japan

For the Couple Who Wants to Experience Everything

Japan may not immediately come to mind when someone says “honeymoon,” but it probably should.

Imagine beginning in Tokyo, exploring one of the world's most exciting cities, eating incredible food and looking out over the skyline at night. A few days later, you could be riding the bullet train to Kyoto, wandering through historic neighborhoods, visiting temples and gardens, participating in a tea ceremony or staying in a traditional Japanese ryokan.

Then there are the experiences that turn the trip into something memorable: soaking in a private onsen, taking a Japanese cooking class together or simply getting intentionally lost on the streets of Kyoto.

Japan also changes dramatically with the seasons. Spring brings its famous cherry blossoms, while autumn brings colorful foliage throughout places such as Kyoto. Cherry-blossom timing can vary considerably from year to year, so couples planning specifically around the blooms need some flexibility.

Japan is especially appealing for couples who don't want to choose between luxury and exploration. You can have both.

Phuket, Thailand

Thailand

A Little Adventure, Then a Lot of Beach

Thailand works beautifully for couples who want variety.

You might start with the energy, restaurants and nightlife of Bangkok before slowing things down in the islands.

Phuket and Krabi offer tropical scenery, resorts and access to islands such as Ko Phi Phi, while private excursions can turn a traditional beach vacation into something much more personal.

Another option is to add northern Thailand before heading south. That creates a honeymoon with very distinct chapters: city, culture and adventure followed by several days where the most difficult decision might be whether to visit the spa or the pool.

That combination is important.

One mistake I sometimes see couples make when planning a honeymoon is trying to fill every hour because they have traveled such a long distance. Your honeymoon doesn't have to become an endurance event.

Plan the experiences you don't want to miss—but leave room to actually enjoy being newlyweds.

Ubud, Bali

Bali

The Classic Romantic Escape

If your vision of a honeymoon includes private pools, tropical surroundings, spa treatments and dinner overlooking an incredible landscape, Bali deserves a serious look.

But Bali is much more interesting when you don't treat it simply as a beach destination.

Ubud, for example, puts couples among rice terraces, jungle landscapes, Balinese culture, wellness experiences and intimate resorts. Private villas and pool accommodations are a major part of Bali's honeymoon appeal.

From there, couples can combine the interior of the island with several nights closer to the coast.

That's the type of honeymoon itinerary I like: don't make the couple choose.

Give them some sightseeing and culture. Give them an incredible resort. Give them a day to explore. And give them another day when absolutely nothing is scheduled.

Bali can provide that balance exceptionally well.

Your Honeymoon Doesn't Have to Look Like Everyone Else's

The biggest advice I give couples is simple:

Don't plan the honeymoon you're supposed to take. Plan the honeymoon that fits the two of you.

If your perfect day is sitting beside a private pool in Bali, do that.

If it's eating your way through Tokyo, do that.

If it's taking a boat through Thailand, do that.

And if your ideal honeymoon combines all of those ideas - adventure, culture, food and several days of doing absolutely nothing—that's possible too.

For couples traveling from the Northeast, Asia obviously requires more travel time than many traditional honeymoon destinations. I generally view that as a reason to plan the trip carefully rather than a reason not to go. With the right itinerary, accommodation’s, transfers and pacing, the travel becomes part of a much bigger experience.

Your wedding may last one day.

Your honeymoon is your first opportunity to go somewhere, slow down and experience something completely new together.

Why not make it somewhere you'll be talking about for the rest of your life?

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