We have stayed in overwater bungalows that were among the most beautiful places we have ever slept. We have also stayed in ones that were disappointing in ways that matter: poor water clarity directly beneath the deck, structures too close together for any real privacy, interiors that have not been updated in a decade despite room rates that would suggest otherwise.

The couples who find the planning process stressful are, almost universally, the ones who started too late. Not because they made bad decisions, but because by the time they were ready to commit, the options they actually wanted were no longer available.

Some of the most visually stunning properties have access roads that cannot accommodate larger vehicles, which creates real problems for catering trucks and shuttle buses carrying guests. The questions that experienced planners know to ask reveal a picture of the venue that the initial visit rarely provides.

There is no town to wander into. No local restaurant down the road. No market, no nightlife, no encounters with the country outside the resort ecosystem unless you specifically arrange for them. The Maldives rewards self-knowledge. Before booking, it is worth asking honestly: how do you feel about stillness?

In July, Santorini is among the most crowded destinations in the Mediterranean. The famous caldera path from Fira to Oia becomes a slow procession. The sunsets, which are genuinely spectacular, are watched by thousands of people simultaneously, shoulder to shoulder along the wall at Oia. The case is not against Santorini. The case is for Santorini at the right time.