The honeymoon: an adventure the size of a dream
With the coming of the summer holidays, we take the opportunity to talk about travel. In particular the honeymoon, the first and most important trip in the lives of newlyweds.
Over the last 10 years, the preferences and habits of couples have changed. Instead of the classic honeymoon, which is romantic and relaxing, people prefer experiencing trips, to totally immerse themselves in the culture and the country of destination. For everything to go perfectly, the itinerary must be planned carefully and several months in advance, taking into account the budget and the time frame.
The newlyweds’ new habits
According to the Observatory of CartOrange, a travel consultancy company, the honeymoon is increasingly emerging as an immersive experience, tailor-made for the couple. Short stays in luxury facilities are alternated with extended holidays, which often become an opportunity to discover faraway places. The couple’s favourite destinations include Japan, Australia, Canada, the United States, South Africa, Thailand and Peru. The honeymoon takes on the connotations of an exciting adventure, rather than a romantic getaway, and the sea is only present in 67% of cases.
Excursions to parks, desert areas and tropical forests are growing, in search of breathtaking scenery and unspoilt nature. The chosen periods are changing, with departures even in the cold months, as more and more couples are choosing autumn and winter to celebrate their marriage. The average age of newlyweds is between 25 and 39, but more than 22% of travellers are aged between 40 and 59. There is an increase in the number of trips for second weddings and for the over-70s, who often decide to renew their vows and leave with their kids. Some couples take the opportunity to go on an extended trip with friends, a nascent phenomenon known as buddymoon.
How to choose a destination
The first consideration undoubtedly concerns the preferences of the newlyweds. Many love exotic destinations with crystal-clear waters and fine sandy beaches. For a holiday that combines sea and culture, the preferred options are Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Malta. Those, on the other hand, who wish to rediscover the beauty of their own land, prefer nearby destinations such as Sardinia and Sicily, which offer postcard views and locations rich in history.
Another discriminant is the period. In spring, favoured destinations include the Bahamas, the Caribbean, French Polynesia, Canada, India, Nepal, Central and South Africa. The season is also ideal for visiting European capitals and discovering Japan, a popular destination for newlyweds. During the summer, countries such as Ireland and the United Kingdom have moderate temperatures, ideal for touring. The period also lends itself to a honeymoon with naturalistic appeal, for example to Kenya, Madagascar, the Azores or Bermuda. An original alternative could be to visit cold Alaska or Scandinavia, perhaps combined with an atmospheric cruise through the Norwegian fjords. Autumn is perfect for an on-the-road trip, discovering destinations such as Australia and the United States, which offer boundless spaces and an immense variety of landscapes. October is the ideal month to visit Chile, Argentina and Brazil, while November marks the start of the dry season in Mexico, Ecuador and Venezuela. To explore the coast of Peru, the best time is the Southern Summer (December-April), while from May to September the climate is more favourable in continental Peru (Machu Picchu and the Andes). Winter lends itself to a trip to Cambodia and Vietnam, to visit Zanzibar, Tanzania, the Gulf of Thailand, Malaysia and some European nations with a more temperate climate, such as Portugal and Spain.
The trip on the wedding list
One of the trends of recent years is to include a trip in the wedding list. The guests participate with a contribution, which they can pay to the travel agency or to a dedicated account specifically opened by the bride and groom. If one decides to include the wedding list in the participation, the references of the travel agency should be given on a separate card, preceded by a polite request (e.g. Your presence will be the most beautiful gift, but if you would like to give us a gift, you can help us realise our dream…). For those who choose to get married at the Antiche Scuderie Odescalchi, our partners, including the best wedding & event designers in the area, can create a magnificent customised matching graphic design. In addition to themed invitations, the design can include refined wedding list cards, save-the-date cards, customised wedding bags, menus, place cards, tags for wedding favours, etc.
Are you ready to start your wonderful adventure? The Scuderie Odescalchi will accompany you in each phase of the preparations and for the entire duration of the wedding, carefully planning every single detail. This will allow you to tackle the organisational phases without stress and to dedicate more time to planning your honeymoon.
For information and to visit the venue, please contact: info@scuderieodescalchi.it – phone +39 06.9988152 – mobile +39 347.0330807.
