WANT your marriage to last? Go to Italy on honeymoon…
Newlyweds who have their first break in Italy are the most likely to have a happy marriage, new research has revealed.
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Becky Stanton and her husband James in Italy after they got married in 2018
Antonia and Chris also holidayed in Italy after tying the knot
The boot-shaped country came out top in a survey, with 88 per cent of couples reporting to still be ‘happily married’ after holidaying there.
Hyatt polled 2,000 couples on their honeymoon choices and cross-referenced this with the ‘success’ of their current marriage.
And maybe it should come as no surprise after a host of Hollywood stars and Glastonbury headliners have in the past decided to celebrate their nuptials there.
Last year, Brit popstar Charlie XCX headed to Sicily for her second wedding, and more recently, Dua Lipa and Callum Turner have been rumoured to be tying the knot there too.
Second on the list was Thailand, with 87 per cent of people who honeymooned there reporting they are happily married, while Indonesia followed in third at 85 per cent.
Jamaica (84.6 per cent) was fourth, ahead of Portugal (84.2 per cent), and the USA (81.9 per cent) was next, just ahead of Japan (81.8 per cent).
The insight into honeymoon destinations comes as part of Hyatt’s Vows & Venues study, which delved into how wedding and honeymoon preferences are changing.
According to those surveyed, the perfect honeymoon lasts 13 days, with the ideal amount to spend on the getaway coming in at £9,610.
TOP 10 Honeymoon destinations where couples report they are still ‘happily married’
Italy (87.5 per cent)
Thailand (86.7 per cent)
Indonesia (85.2 per cent)
Jamaica (84.6 per cent)
Portugal (84.2 per cent)
USA (81.9 per cent)
Japan (81.8 per cent)
= Maldives (81.3 per cent)
= Mauritius (81.3 per cent)
Spain (79.6 per cent)
Michel Morauw, Managing Director North EAME at Hyatt said: “A honeymoon is typically the first major trip couples take after getting married, so it’s no surprise that people remember where they went and how that trip felt.
“While Italy ranked highest in this survey, it’s clear that every couple wants a destination that feels special, memorable and allows them to get away from everyday distractions.
“Whether couples are looking for a sun-soaked beach resort, cosmopolitan city hotel or secluded luxury retreat, at Hyatt, we’re dedicated to creating stays that newlyweds will remember long after their trips ends – no matter the location they choose.”
One happy couple that tied the knot and then spent their honeymoon in Italy was Becky Stanton, 39, and her husband, James, 38, from Wiltshire.
Becky and her husband James spent their honeymoon on the Amalfi coast
Nina Motylinski Davies and her husband Jonathan in Rome on their honeymoon
They got hitched in 2018 before spending five days on a romantic honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast.
The couple think that the people and food of Italy make it the perfect place for any newlyweds. Becky said the infectious romantic Italian way of life, made them ‘savour every moment’
After tying the knot in Lake Garda, the couple headed along the coast and Becky said: “I feel like Italian life is slow in the best way possible. It feels so connected and grounded, and that’s how they made us feel.”
The most important part of almost every bride’s big day is the wedding dress, and Becky said that despite having a husband who is a major in the army, she felt the need to get extra protection for her dress… and booked its own seat on their flight.
Becky booked her wedding dress its own seat on the flight
Antonia and Chris said their honeymoon was one of the most romantic trips away they’ve ever had
The mum-of-one said that their intimate wedding with around 50 guests is still being talked about eight years on from the big day.
She said: “It’s this beautiful memory that we have together. Our friends always say it was the best wedding they’ve been to, but I don’t think that’s because of us, I think that’s because of where it was.”
Another happy couple are Nina Motylinski Davies, 44, and her husband, Jonathan Davies, 50, who have now been married for 14 years after honeymooning in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.
Nina, from Eastbourne, said Italy is the ‘anchor for romance’ and would love to go back to renew their vows in the near future.
Nina honeymooned with husband Jonathan in Italy 14 years ago
The pair is still happily married in 2026
She said: “It is the country of love. It was so romantic, everyone was around holding hands, and everyone just looked like they were in love.
“You just feel so wrapped up in it and the love of the country. There are other places, like you have the big showy places but it’s just not the same. In Italy, there is just more depth and more culture.
“You also have such an amazing history there and all the old buildings. It’s a place where people have been in love for centuries, and you walk in the footsteps of those people who have been in love there for lifetimes before.”
Antonia Gillespie, 38, and her husband, Chris, 41, chose to moon in Italy because of the breathtaking scenery.
TOP 10 Favourite honeymoon destinations
UK (34 per cent)
Italy (12 per cent)
= Spain (8 per cent)
= Maldives (8 per cent)
= USA (8 per cent)
= France (4 per cent)
= Greece (4 per cent)
= St Lucia (2 per cent)
= South Africa (2 per cent)
= Portugal (2 per cent)
The couple from Halesowen, in Birmingham, said it made them feel the ‘most in love they have ever been.’
The mum-of-one said the couple felt ‘even more in love than they ever have been before’ and it even brought out the sometimes-unseen romantic side of her husband.
She added: ‘Chris would always open every door, pull out the chair before we went to dinner, just all the little romantic things that I guess with kids sometimes get forgotten about.’
Completing the top ten list of destinations where people report they are still ‘happily married’ were the Maldives and Mauritius in joint ninth at 81.3 per cent, followed by Spain at 79.6 per cent.
Chris rediscovered his romantic side when cruising through Italy
Antonia and Chris said communication and shared interests are the keys for a long lasting happy marriage
But whilst it seems Italy hosts the couples who are most likely to say they are ‘happily married’, the most common honeymoon destination is the UK, with over a third (34 per cent) of respondents staying on these shores post their wedding.
However, just over three-quarters (76 per cent) of those who honeymooned in the UK reported a happily ever after.
When asked about their perfect honeymoon, it seems that people are still content to sit on a sun lounger, with nearly half (45 per cent) saying a beach break was their ideal post-wedding trip.
It also said the weather was the top reason for honeymoon destinations (47 per cent) and value for money next (45 per cent).
Other important factors include if it’s a romantic destination (24 per cent), how long it takes to get there (21 per cent), access to local attractions (19 per cent) and how the pictures will look on social media (5 per cent).
And when it comes to the place we stay, the most important aspect according to respondents is that a hotel has an all-inclusive option (40 per cent) and is close to the beach (27 per cent).
Apparently, we’d also love a private pool or hot tub (19 per cent), breakfast in bed (12 per cent) and fine dining (10 per cent).
The Hyatt Vows & Venues study also showed a shift in how newlyweds celebrate, with over a third (35 per cent) considering a “buddy moon” – where close friends join a newlywed couple on all or part of their honeymoon.
Half of us would consider an “early moon” (a pre-wedding getaway), and 47 per cent are open to “mini moons” (shorter trips) or a multi-location moon (hopping between destinations).
Morauw added: “Hyatt is well placed to serve this demand across its portfolio of properties in Italy, Thailand, Spain, France and beyond, offering the space, service and expertise to host honeymoons, destination weddings and the celebration moments in between.
“With romantic locations, specialist honeymoon packages, tailored experiences, and unrivalled hospitality, we create bespoke getaways that reflect each couple’s unique love story.”
