Planning your honeymoon is one of the most exciting parts of your wedding journey. After months of planning, organising and celebrating your big day, it’s finally time to slow down, reconnect and enjoy the start of married life together. And what better way to do that than with an unforgettable honeymoon?

But with so many incredible honeymoon destinations within easy reach of Dubai, where do you even begin? Are you dreaming of a luxurious overwater villa in the Maldives, an adventurous African safari, a romantic escape to the Arctic or perhaps somewhere a little more unexpected?

As part of Bride Club ME’s Give Back Series, we’re delighted to introduce Camilla Hajek, an award-winning, Dubai-based Travel Counsellor who specialises in creating bespoke holidays and honeymoons tailored to her clients’ individual tastes, travel styles and budgets.

Having called the UAE home for almost two decades, Camilla brings a wealth of travel knowledge and a genuine passion for helping couples create unforgettable experiences. While she’s particularly well known for her expertise in Lapland, her destination knowledge extends far beyond the Arctic Circle.

We caught up with Camilla to discover her top honeymoon destinations from Dubai, the latest honeymoon trends, common planning mistakes and her expert advice for couples preparing for that all-important first holiday as newlyweds.

Whether you’re dreaming of barefoot luxury, cultural discoveries or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, read on for some serious honeymoon inspiration!

Tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to become a Travel Counsellor.

I’ve lived in the UAE for almost 20 years and have three children. I’m a single mother, so I wanted something that was flexible and worked around my children. I also fancied a career change after many years in retail, and absolutely love to travel, so I went for it. I now get to work with lovely clients and chat holidays all day, as well as indulge in my own travels as “client research”, it’s been a game changer and I love it.

Above: Camilla Hajek – Travel Counsellors UAE

When couples come to you for honeymoon advice, what are the first three questions you always ask before recommending a destination?

Firstly, what type of honeymoon are you after? Do you want action and adventure, such as a safari, or do you prefer a “drop and flop” all-inclusive holiday on a beach? I can then learn and understand your holiday style and what you’re looking to get out of it.

Secondly, where have you been before and what did you love/hate? Knowing your preferred resorts and locations helps me pinpoint what you enjoy and how I can replicate that somewhere new.

And finally, BUDGET. Honeymoons can be a short-haul value trip or a once-in-a-lifetime bucket-list holiday. Let me tailor accordingly.

For couples travelling from Dubai, what are your top three short-haul honeymoon destinations and what makes each one so special?

We are lucky in the UAE to be close to so many incredible destinations. The Maldives is the obvious choice. There are dozens of incredible luxury couples’ resorts, so we are spoilt for choice. I recently stayed at Ozen Reserve Bolifushi and it was sensational. The crystal-clear turquoise waters, snorkelling, gourmet food and premium villas with their own butler are out of this world.

Next up would be Seychelles for its raw natural beauty and seclusion. Powdery sands, granite boulders and the world’s most beautiful beach, Anse Source d’Argent, take some beating.

Finally, Mauritius. This would probably suit a more active couple as there’s lots to do, including golf courses and nature parks, and it’s a much larger island. There are some incredible hotels there, such as LUX*, Four Seasons and One&Only.

If couples are looking for the ultimate bucket-list honeymoon, what would be your top three long-haul recommendations, and why?

Japan is having a bit of a moment, and if you wanted a more fast-paced itinerary with lots to see and do, I would recommend a tour of Japan, taking in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. A real mix of culture, nature and city life.

Bora Bora is as far-flung as it is beautiful and takes over a day to reach, but is known for its outstanding beauty, lagoons and dramatic backdrops.

Lastly, Costa Rica offers incredible wildlife, cloud forests and stunning beaches.

Are there any hidden gems or lesser-known destinations that you think deserve far more attention from honeymooners?

If the Maldives is out of budget, don’t sleep on Zanzibar. It’s a real cultural gem in the Indian Ocean, with the bluest waters, amazing snorkelling and UNESCO World Heritage-listed Stone Town, which is such an interesting place with lots of Omani architecture mixed with Swahili charm.

I’d also look at Vietnam, it’s so diverse and offers so many different experiences, from exploring the French Quarter of Hanoi to historical monuments, beachfront cities and green valleys.

You’re particularly well known for your expertise in Lapland. Many people think of it as a family destination, but can it also make an unforgettable honeymoon? What makes it so magical for couples?

Oh, it’s absolutely a couples’ place, there are some really romantic luxury properties nestled in the Arctic Circle, surrounded by snow-covered fells that would make it perfect for a honeymoon.

I’d avoid December when it’s packed with Christmas families and go instead between January and March, when it’s quieter and less crowded. The snow-covered forest, roaring log fires and winter activities such as reindeer safaris, snowshoeing and ice fishing make it a really unique and fun trip.

Have honeymoon trends changed over the past few years? What are couples looking for in 2026 compared with five years ago?

I think previously, couples just went for a sunny beach holiday, whereas now they’re a lot more adventurous and thinking outside the box. Whether that’s a city break, tour of the Greek islands, cruise around Alaska or a USA road trip.

Many couples struggle to decide between a relaxing beach honeymoon, an adventure-filled itinerary or a multi-centre trip. What advice would you give when choosing the right style of honeymoon?

Typically, the honeymoon is meant to be the time for couples to bond and recharge after a stressful wedding lead-up. If your usual holiday style is to relax, then now is not the time to change things up or try something different.

Stick to the style of trip you love and make sure you have plenty of quality couples’ time and time to rest. Weddings and hosting lots of guests can be exhausting, the honeymoon is all about the couple.

What are some of the biggest mistakes couples make when planning their honeymoon, and how can they avoid them?

Trying to do it all yourself. This is a big trip, usually a higher budget than most holidays, and while you’re busy with wedding planning, let an expert arrange everything for you.

The last thing you want is to arrive in the Maldives having forgotten to book a seaplane transfer. Use a travel agent, it’s what we’re paid to do and know best. We usually get better rates and have relationships with hotels, so we can get you a free upgrade, massage or other perks.

How far in advance should couples ideally book, and are there certain destinations that require much earlier planning than others?

As early as possible. The best resorts sell out and increase in price nearer the time, and we want time to plan and make everything perfect for you.

Longer cruises and certain hotels get booked up to a year in advance. And for more complex trips like safaris, there are a lot of moving parts, so the sooner the better.

What are the biggest advantages of booking through a Travel Counsellor rather than organising everything independently online?

We take care of everything, from the moment you arrive at the airport to when you come home. We take a full brief and present various options within your budget. We will suggest things you may not have thought of, and include everything from airport transfers to excursions, as well as visa and immigration advice and a full itinerary.

You’ll have a transfer waiting for you when you disembark from the plane. We speak to the resort prior to your arrival to manage any special requests and leverage our relationships to make sure your stay is perfect.

And if anything goes wrong, I’m just a call or WhatsApp away, no call centres or waiting on hold. You’re well and truly looked after, and it doesn’t cost you anything. In fact, we can usually price match or beat most booking platforms. We even have an app to keep all your tickets in one place.

Finally, if you could send every Bride Club ME couple to just one honeymoon destination, regardless of budget, where would it be and why?

The Maldives, I truly think it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth and everyone should go at least once. I’m off on my fifth trip this year.

Quick-Fire Round

Favourite honeymoon destination? The Maldives

Most underrated destination? The Philippines

Best honeymoon for under AED 30,000? Zanzibar

Best destination for luxury lovers? Seychelles

Best destination for adventurous couples? African safari

Best destination for foodies? Italy

Your dream destination that’s still on your own bucket list? The Seychelles

Ready to Plan Your Dream Honeymoon? Get in Touch with Camilla!

From romantic island escapes and luxury beach resorts to adventurous safaris and unforgettable bucket-list experiences, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all honeymoon.

As Camilla reminds us, the most important thing is choosing a honeymoon that reflects you as a couple. After all, this is your opportunity to unwind, celebrate and create memories that will last a lifetime.

If you’re planning your honeymoon from Dubai and feeling a little overwhelmed by the options, why not leave the research and logistics to an expert?

Camilla Hajek of Travel Counsellors can help you plan a personalised honeymoon, taking care of everything from finding the right destination and accommodation to organising transfers, excursions and those extra-special romantic touches.

Contact Camilla Hajek – Travel Counsellors UAE

Email: [email protected]

Phone/WhatsApp: +971 56 172 7378

Website: www.travelcounsellors.ae/camilla.hajek

Whether you already have your dream destination in mind or need a little inspiration, reach out to Camilla to start planning your perfect honeymoon.

Happy honeymoon planning, lovebirds!