Breakup Moon:
why couples are taking a holiday before the divorce
A new trend is gaining ground in the West — the divorce trip. You read that correctly: the honeymoon is no longer the exclusive territory of newlyweds. Couples who have decided to part are now booking it too. The statistics are telling: society is growing considerably more comfortable with the culture of divorce. In the United States, more than 80% of those surveyed see nothing wrong with it, and only 10 to 13% consider divorce morally unacceptable.
Once separation loses its stigma, an industry is never far behind.
Wedding agencies abroad have begun opening dedicated divisions for separating couples — helping to arrange divorce parties complete with themed invitations (Just Divorced, in deliberate echo of Just Married), carefully chosen menus, and entertainment that runs from the ceremonial burning of a wedding dress to a shooting-range send-off for the groom’s suit. More recently, themed travel itineraries have joined the offering. The idea is simple: the couple lives through one last set of shared emotions together, and parts — ideally — on good terms.
One of the pioneers of this particular corner of the hospitality industry is the Dutch hotel group with the rather direct name Divorce Hotel. The premise is straightforward: a couple checks in for a full weekend, works through the outstanding questions with a lawyer — and, if they wish, a psychologist — and by Sunday evening the paperwork is done. What remains is a glass of champagne. ‘People want to mark the moment of separation with some kind of ritual,’ Robin Deutsch of the Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis told the BBC. ‘In my view, it gives them a sense of hope and reconciliation with loss. A new chapter is beginning.’
The trend sometimes works in reverse. A few days in genuinely relaxed and unfamiliar surroundings — a remote luxury resort, an exotic coast — and some couples change their minds entirely. Vijay Thakkar from Mumbai has developed a formal concept around this, building itineraries that include a guide with a psychological background: someone who introduces the couple to the destination and quietly helps them work through what brought them to this point.
The term has already entered the vocabulary: Breakup Moon — the honeymoon of separation.
Reactions on social media are, as ever, divided. The majority of commentators converge on one position: if both parties are genuinely prepared to remain friends, why not? Most of those sharing their own experiences are women, who note that ‘divorce doesn’t make either person a bad one.’ ‘We took the trip after the breakup because it was already paid for, and we had a wonderful time. Not being together as a couple didn’t mean either of us had done something wrong. Sometimes people simply don’t suit each other. But if the connection was genuine and platonic, friendship is possible.’ Others are less convinced: ‘No, and again no. Things can only get worse. You might end up in the headlines for the wrong reasons. Be sensible.’
And they are not entirely wrong. For all its appeal, the Breakup Moon is not for everyone. If a couple does choose this path, certain conversations need to happen first — beginning with the practical (who covers what?) and extending to the personal. The point is that the experience should help, not prolong what is already painful.
Note:
No official data exists on the most sought-after destinations for a Breakup Moon — but we have gathered a list of places that lend themselves particularly well to recovery, reflection, and starting again.
1. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
The ultimate destination for a reset — and, as it happens, a favourite of Justin Bieber. The clarity of the lagoon, the coral reefs, the landscapes that make it difficult to feel anything but present: Bora Bora has a particular talent for displacing unhappiness. For those who want activity, there is snorkelling, sailing, and the national parks. For those who want something more social, the legendary Bloody Mary’s restaurant — founded in 1979 — has never disappointed.
2. Kyoto, Japan
For those in search of stillness, Kyoto has no equal. The meditative gardens, the hush of ancient temples, the slow drift of time — each works quietly to settle the mind and restore an inner sense of ground. The outdoor onsen bathhouses offer something beyond a cultural experience: they are a ritual of release, in the most literal sense. The water carries away what is ready to be let go — including feelings that have simply run their course.
3. Bali, Indonesia
All roads lead ... not to Rome, but to Bali. One of the most sought-after destinations of recent years, it welcomes those who come to celebrate a union and those who come to end one — with equal grace. A gentle climate, vivid landscapes, the ocean — nature here works as a quiet therapist, helping to calm the mind and restore oneself after even the hardest of separations. And for those who need something more vivid, a change of scene — Ubud awaits: its creative spirit and singular energy have a way of reminding visitors that there is more ahead.
