When it comes to honeymoon planning, the world is literally your oyster! If you fancy it, you can go on a cruise around the Caribbean, or trek through the jungles of Central America. You could settle in and never leave your gorgeous cabana on the Pacific, or dress in your best on a glamorous European casino trail.
How are going to get there? Do you want to design the honeymoon of a lifetime yourself? Or do you want the ease of mind of having a travel agent book you an all-inclusive package? Whatever you decide on depends on what aspects of travel are most important to you. Here are some ideas to get you started.
The Design-it-yourself Honeymoon:
Researching, designing and booking your own honeymoon itinerary are great ways to bond with your loved one, much like wedding planning can be! You may be going on a vacation for the first time together and this is a great way to understand what your partner’s travel styles are, what his/her cultural interests are, what activities he/she enjoys most. It is also an exciting way to pool your interests together when researching what you want to do.
The Pros:
o The Do-it yourself is personalized because it was custom designed by you and your loved one to tailor fit to your tastes.
o You’ll save money on great deals in flights and accommodations. Using internet sites such as Expedia.com, you’ll find online deals and cheaper flights.
o You can mix and match your destinations and lodgings if you don’t book a package. Once you’re at your destination, you’ll be open and flexible enough to find that sweet bed and breakfast off the beaten track, or the eco-lodging that wasn’t widely advertised.
The Cons:
o It is a little more work. You’ll have to slot out some more time to design your honeymoon yourself than if you went to a travel agent.
o More research is also needed unless you’re an expert on your travel destination.
o You may not have a frame of reference on hotels, things to do, etc
Tips:
o Begin your planning and research early. Don’t wait until the last minute (because your wedding planning is stressful enough!)
o A great source to begin your research is a travel guide of your ideal destination such as Lonely Planet or Footprints. You’ll find up to date information on money exchange, history, safety, as well as a plethora of information on lodgings and activities
o Want to know what others have said about your travel destination? Type in the name of the country, city, or lodgings at Tripadvisor.com for invaluable reviews from other travelers.
o Delay your honeymoon! I know of a couple who got married in the summer and delayed their honeymoon for the following winter so they had a lot of time to plan and research their ideal honeymoon.
The All-Inclusive Package:
Package honeymoons are great because you are taken care of – and who doesn’t love that? Your travel agent, in tandem with reputable tour operators will ensure that what you want is covered, including small things that you might not think of such as tips and transfers.
The Pros:
o A stress-free, worry-free one-stop honeymoon planning experience.
o The expertise of travel agents who can answer all your questions on your honeymoon destination.
o Travel agents often have access to deals that you might not be able to find on your own.
o You won’t have to worry about how much money to allot for food and drinks. Your breakfasts, lunches and dinners and drinks are all taken care of in your package.
The Cons:
o Depending on where you go and what kind of lodging you’ll be staying in, you are often limited in your choice of activities in an all-inclusive package.
o You’ll have to shop around for the best deals at several travel agencies – which can be time consuming.
o Resort food can be a hit and miss, but you’ll not want to pass it up for local eateries if you’ve already paid for it.
Tips:
o Watch out for hidden costs. Different countries have different gratuity percentages. Ask your agent if your gratuities are included in your package price and find out exactly what’s included.
o Some larger resorts offer special honeymoon packages. Look for what each package offers like champagne upon arrival or a complimentary couples massage.