Why couples are planning trips around experiences rather than destinations

Today's newlyweds are choosing adventures that reflect their passions rather than simply checking destinations off a list. The shift is changing how honeymoons are planned – and highlighting the value of expert travel advice.

Planning a trip usually starts with choosing a destination and then booking hotels, excursions and activities around it. But today’s honeymooners are rethinking that approach. Instead of starting with where to go, they’re first asking: what do we want to do ?

From chasing the Northern Lights to taking cooking classes, experience-led honeymoons are reshaping how couples travel after saying “I do.” This shift, says Laurie Keith, President of Romantic Planet Vacations in Beamsville, Ont., reflects how well-travelled many modern couples already are. “Today’s newlywed market considers all-inclusive beach getaways part of their normal travel routine.

They view their honeymoon as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to break out of the normal travel mold and do something more meaningful together.” MEANINGFUL MOMENTS Rather than focusing solely on luxury resorts, couples are increasingly planning honeymoons around immersive experiences and personal passions. For some, that means glacier hikes or wildlife encounters.

For others, it’s simply about slowing down and discovering somewhere new together. Keith says demand has grown for destinations that feel less mainstream. “We’re seeing more interest in places like Naples, Porto, Budapest, Copenhagen and Reykjavik, and Japan has been in high demand for the last couple of years,” she says, adding that China is also emerging as a unique destination among newlyweds.

“The less familiar the destination is to these couples, the more intrigued they are to explore it together.” Closer-to-home adventures are also gaining traction. One standout trend is Northwest Territories, where honeymooners can experience the Aurora Borealis in remote wilderness settings.

“The thought of snuggling up together while nature performs an arctic dance in the sky full of colour leads to one of the top honeymoon experiences in Canada,” says Keith. PLANNING MAKES PERFECT According to Keith, experience-led honeymoons often require more in-depth planning, which is why couples are increasingly turning to travel advisors to help curate these highly personalized itineraries. With 22 years of experience as a honeymoon expert, she recommends securing the trip with a deposit 8–11 months prior to departure.

For budgeting, set aside a minimum of $2,000 per person for airfare and $200–$300 per person, per day for basic accommodations, meals, transfers and sightseeing. To help save costs, Keith says couples can set up a honeymoon gift registry, dip into their airline rewards points or travel during the off- or shoulder season, which can shave up to 20% off. “However, I would never suggest cutting out the experiential part of the honeymoon like room upgrades, cooking classes or private airport transfers,” she says.

“These truly enhance the overall experience and are what couples rave about and remember for a lifetime.” Lead image caption: A couple admires the Northern Lights in the mountains of Reine, Norway