We perceive honeymoons as a romantic tradition for newly weds to enjoy each other. And sometimes to recover from the stress of preparing their wedding!
Well, that's not at all how it started, alas. It was initially all about social conventions and status.
19th-Century "Bridal Tours": Upper-class couples in Britain first began the practice in the early 1800s by taking a "bridal tour". They traveled together, sometimes joined by friends or family members to visit relatives who had missed the wedding. That does not sound terribly romantic.
Shifting to Solo Travel: By the 1870s, couples started traveling alone instead of bringing an entourage. It became a way for affluent families to show off their wealth and social status. Maybe they enjoyed themselves too.
Mass Tourism in the Late 1800s: During the Belle Époque in the late 19th century, railroads and the growth of the travel industry turned the honeymoon into a widespread leisure voyage rather than a family-visit duty. And more people could afford it, as it was also more affordable to take the train than a coach, or one's own carriage with coach and all.
But the word appeared before the tradition, at least as we know it now. In the medieval times, couples were gifted a month's supply of mead (a fermented honey drink) to encourage virility and conception, though the actual vacation trip did not emerge from this ancient custom.
Where did they go?
The European "Grand Tour": For the wealthy British and American elite, Italy (specifically Venice and Florence), Paris, and the Swiss Alps were the ultimate romanticized targets. Lord Byron’s poetic travels heavily inspired couples to see Italy as the epicenter of romance.
Niagara Falls: In North America, Niagara Falls emerged in the 1830s as the first true domestic honeymoon hot spot. Rich newlyweds flocked to see the epic natural wonder, eventually earning it the official moniker "The Honeymoon Capital of the World" by the early 1900s.
Following World War II, a booming middle class and expanded car ownership completely democratized the honeymoon.
The Pocono Mountains: Located in Pennsylvania, this region became the new American capital of love. Resorts like The Farm on the Hill opened in the 1940s, and by the 1960s, properties introduced iconic heart-shaped bathtubs and champagne-glass whirlpools. These resorts operated almost like social summer camps for newlyweds, featuring group activities and communal dining.
For the Hollywood elite in the 1950s and '60s, desert enclaves like Palm Springs, California, became the preferred destination to escape the paparazzi and lounge by modernist pools. Meanwhile, international jet-setters began populating spots like St. Tropez, Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico which exploded in popularity after Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton famously visited.
Commercial aviation and all-inclusive packages shifted the honeymoon focus entirely toward relaxation, privacy, and tropical climates.
By the 1980s, Hawaii, Florida, and the Caribbean became the dominant choices for standard couples. In recent decades, couples seeking ultimate seclusion have looked to far-flung destinations like the Maldives, Bora Bora, Bali, and the Seychelles—characterized by private overwater villas, infinity pools, and idyllic beachside dining.
