Honeymoons are the ultimate indulgence trips. Often, you go just with your partner (although some newlyweds do bring their children along where appropriate), and relax, spend money and time, and go out of your way to taste a little luxury, even if it’s just a nice bottle of champagne ordered through room service.
But what about the prospect of a second honeymoon? It’s more common than you think, and of course, you have the right to frame any trip in any context you’d like. Some couples like to do this as a more “mature” option, perhaps going alone now their children have grown up, after they’ve reconfirmed their vows, or even if they’ve split up prior only to come back together.
Either way, a second honeymoon gives you the chance to get out of the post-wedding obligation mindset, and enjoy your trip now your tastes have changed and developed a little. So, where might you begin? Well, if you have a good idea, go for it! If not, we’ve offered a few helpful suggestions below:
A Sporting Holiday
If you both enjoy being active, a sporting trip can be a fun way to spend time together that feels lighthearted and natural. You might like the idea of a golf getaway, where you can take things slow, talk between holes, and laugh at each other’s inevitably bad swings – don’t worry, you don’t need to be a perfect golfer to head on an experience like this. It’s just a nice mix of doing something together while still keeping the pace calm and open.
Some couples choose somewhere like Black Bull Golf Course for exactly that reason. According to other visitors, it’s great for a trip like this, because the setting feels peaceful, with wide nature and fresh air, and the space gives you time to talk and unwind. After a round, you could relax for lunch at the clubhouse, or not golf and just try the walking trails, or head into town for a quiet evening meal. Of course, sporting holidays also include experiences like skiing trips, which could be a blast in their own right.
A Cultural Visit
If you and your partner want to see how your experience of exploring the world has changed with age and some relationship history behind you, choosing a destination rich in culture is a fantastic idea. You could spend a week or two exploring Rome, perhaps hiring a guide for a day to learn about the ancient history of the Coliseum and the Forum. It’s often helpful to prepare a little beforehand, so you know exactly which museums or historical sites you want to prioritise seeing, ensuring you make the most of your time. You’ll find it incredibly fulfilling to share these moments of discovery together if you do it right.
Just keep in mind that when you go this route, you’re looking for experiences that enrich your curiosity, so while hitting the main landmarks is fun, it’s also good to give yourself some wider room to explore. So in this example, you could spend the mornings touring the Vatican and the afternoons enjoying a slow, authentic Italian meal where it’s encouraged to take your time (and the food coma doesn’t give you a choice anyway).
A Family Tour
While the original honeymoon is usually just for the two of you, a second one can absolutely include the whole family. If your kids are older, maybe you take them on that road trip across the US or Canada you always talked about, or of course, heading to wider Europe if that’s closer. You have the chance to show them places you love and even have new family memories that you’ll all look back on fondly.
You might find it helpful to look into something like an all-inclusive resort geared toward activities for all ages, so everyone feels like they’re welcome and the space is appropriate for families. Maybe there are ziplining courses for the teens and quiet pools for the adults. Fully inclusive adventure weekends or cruises can count in this. As with everything in this list, you can shape the experience to your needs.
A Novel Transport Experience
You’d be surprised, but sometimes, the best part of the trip is how you get there. You might enjoy booking a journey on a classic train, like the Orient Express route through Europe or a scenic rail line across the Rocky Mountains. The novelty of the transport then becomes something of the central focus, allowing you to slow down and enjoy the changing landscape outside your window. It’s certainly a very romantic and relaxed way to travel for an event like this.
Similarly, a small river cruise or canal boat trip has a sense of magic about it, especially if you imagine spending a week navigating the canals of France, stopping in small villages and buying local cheese and wine every day.
A Weather Challenge
If your first honeymoon was somewhere warm and beachy, you might want to have an opposing experience and embrace a weather challenge. We’re not suggesting you go and storm chase of course, but maybe you head north to Iceland in winter to experience the Northern Lights. You’ll be spending a lot of time bundled up and sharing hot cocoa, which is incredibly cosy and intimate.
This option, and suggestions like it, are fantastic for getting out of your comfort zone together and facing a thrilling new environment. Some more examples could involve booking stay in an ice hotel or go deep-sea fishing in a cold climate. It’s often good to choose a place where the weather defines the activities, like a dog sledding trip in Alaska if you really want to push the boat (or sled) out. What an adventure you could have with a little courage!
Ultimate Luxury
If you want to recapture that feeling of total, guilt-free indulgence, you could make the second honeymoon all about ultimate luxury. Save for a while, and go all out with a top-tier room in a five star hotel and eat indulgently. We won’t judge you. Go for it!
With this advice, we believe your second honeymoon will be an absolute blast.