The honeymoon benchmark: private overwater villas, glass floors over turquoise lagoons, and resorts on their own islands where it’s just the two of you, the reef and a butler. Pricey, but unmatched for pure switch-off romance. Many resorts offer honeymoon perks if you mention it when booking.

Whitewashed villages tumbling down the caldera, blue domes and the most famous sunset in the Mediterranean. Stay in Oia for the views, splash out on a cave suite with a private plunge pool, and time dinner for golden hour. Endlessly romantic and unmistakably Greek.

The Pacific’s answer to the Maldives, with that towering green peak rising from an impossibly blue lagoon. Overwater bungalows, snorkelling with rays and a sense of being gloriously far from everything. It’s a long way and a big spend, but a true once-in-a-lifetime.

Lemon groves, pastel cliffside towns, long lunches and aperitivo with a sea view — Positano and Ravello are pure Italian romance. Pair it with a few nights in Rome or Capri, and you have a honeymoon of food, beauty and dolce vita in equal measure.

Private-pool villas in the jungle, clifftop sunset bars and spa days at a fraction of the Maldives’ price make Bali the best-value romantic escape going. Mix Ubud’s rice-terrace calm with a few nights by the sea. Plan it with our Bali travel guide.

For US couples, Maui is the dream long-weekend-or-more honeymoon: golden beaches, the Road to Hana, sunrise above the clouds at Haleakalā and whale watching in season. No passport, world-class resorts, and the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.

The original city of love, and it still delivers: Seine strolls, candlelit bistros, Montmartre at dusk and the Eiffel Tower sparkling on the hour. Perfect alone or as a romantic start before heading south. See the best things to do in Paris.

White beaches, turquoise lagoons and lush mountains, with luxury resorts that often cost less than the Maldives and more to do beyond the sun-lounger. A brilliant choice for couples who want beach bliss plus a little hiking, snorkelling and culture.

For couples who’d rather wander than sunbathe: lantern-lit lanes, serene temples, bamboo groves and cherry blossom or autumn colour in season. Stay in a traditional ryokan with a private onsen. Pair it with neon Tokyo and its unmissable experiences.

Tanzania, Kenya or South Africa deliver the most thrilling honeymoon of all — game drives at dawn, sundowners over the savannah and luxury tented camps under huge skies. Many couples pair a safari with a few beach days in Zanzibar or Mauritius for the perfect contrast.

Five-star beach resorts, sky-high dinners, desert sunsets and serious glamour make Dubai an easy, sunny luxury honeymoon — and a brilliant stopover en route to the Maldives or Asia. See the best things to do in Dubai.

For active couples, Costa Rica blends rainforest adventure, hot springs under a volcano and laid-back Pacific beaches into one romantic, good-value trip. Stay in a boutique eco-lodge, soak in Arenal’s springs, then unwind on the coast. Pura vida, together.