Honeymoon calendar:

When to go where?

When it comes to planning your honeymoon, timing is everything.

Here's our honeymoon destination picks and the best time of year to visit.

December-February

Snow adds sparkle to far-north honeymoons – choose Lapland or Alaska for aurora and activities.

Around India and Southeast Asia is largely blissful – think Keralan backwaters, Sri Lanka, west coast Thailand.

Caribbean is hurricane-free, balmy and beautiful. For luxury, try St Lucia; for adventures, Costa Rica.

Cape Town is a hot city choice. Some parts of southern Africa are rainy; you’ll find cheaper, greener safaris in Botswana or Zambia – just pack an umbrella.

March-May

Europe awakes! Beautiful in Paris, Rome, Andalucia’s hills, Tuscany and Turkish coast.

India sweats (though good for tiger spotting); Indochina veers towards monsoons – pick Indonesia instead.

Autumn hits the south – good for exploring. Toast the grape harvest in Argentina’s Mendoza or Australia’s Hunter Valley.

Japan’s cherry trees bloom. China’s a delight: clear skies, pleasant climes.

June-August

European hotspots heave – sun seekers should try north Mallorca, Alpine lakes, off-beat Greek isles. Scandinavian days are long and lovely.

Peak months for Peru – it’s dry and warm, but also the chilliest (and busiest) time to do the Inca Trail; try Ecuador and Bolivia too.

Australia’s Top End is dry; Queensland’s ideal in so-called ‘winter’. New Zealand equals skiing!

North America? Time for a national parks road trip. Coast-lovers, consider Cape Cod, northern California or Nova Scotia.

African safari season – dry, good sightings; head to the Masai Mara/Serengeti to see the Great Migration.

September-November

Mellowing temperatures and kids back at school mean Europe is lovely – try Barcelona, Sicily, Umbria, the Croatian coast, Cornwall or Provence vineyards,

Fall colours inflame New England and Québec (Japan too); crowds thin at US sights after Labor Day.

South African spring – super along the Garden Route; Namibia’s wildlife is abundant.

Asian monsoons peter out in October – head to the Philippines, Vietnam or Laos.

Cooling days make Oman’s coast and Jordan’s deserts divine.

Lonely Planet’s first dedicated honeymoon guide is packed with advice for travel-lovers who want their honeymoon their way.

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