Photo by angela7dreams

You may think that going on a honeymoon is just like going on any other vacation. Not really. It’s your first holiday away together as a married couple and your first opportunity to spend some real quality time alone together after your wedding. Here are five of the best travel tips for a great honeymoon.

1. Book Early

Although you may be all about wedding planning during the year or more before you’re the big day, you need to step back at some point and think about booking your honeymoon. The earlier that you book, the better chance you have of getting everything you want for the best price possible. When thinking about booking, consider everything that you need to reserve including hotels, airline tickets, and rental cars. When booking, casually mention that you are going on your honeymoon. Many of the people you are speaking to may want to do something nice for a pair of newlyweds and you may be able to receive some great perks because of it!

2. Get Your Paperwork in Order

If you are travelling abroad, make sure that you have all of your paperwork in order, including a current passport. As well as your paperwork, also make sure that you have all of your vaccinations if you are going somewhere that needs them.

3. Make Lists and Be Smart When Packing

Before putting one piece of clothing into a suitcase, make a list of everything you need. As you are making your list, also make a list of essential phone numbers and bring them with you in case something arises and you need to contact home quickly on your honeymoon. Pack in your carry-on some clothing that you will use on the first one or two days of your trip, depending on how much room you have. You may need to use these in case the airline loses your luggage.

4. Relax and Have Fun!

Just like your wedding, you need to prepare yourself in the event that something goes wrong. Surrender to the thought that some things are completely out of your hands and be willing to face it with a calm attitude. Chances are anything that goes wrong is fixable, so have fun with it and be willing to go with the flow.

5. Bring Home Memories

This is going to be the best time in your life so far and it would be a shame to leave it all behind. Bring home souvenirs that are very special to you and at least one that’s not from a gift shop. Leave the “Viva Las Vegas!” tee shirts for your family back home and bring home a jar of sand from your favorite beach instead.

Photo by salimfadhley

Chances are you have never been to the resorts that you are considering for your honeymoon and so how do you tell if you will be happy there and if it will give you everything you are looking for? With some careful planning and by asking yourself a few key questions, you will be able to decide what is going to be the perfect honeymoon resort for you. Below are the top twelve things to look for.

1. Different Types of Resorts

You first need to decide what type of resort you want. There will probably be at least a few resorts at the destination where you will be staying but they will all offer different services. Do you want a small, intimate resort or a large one with lots of amenities and where you’ll be able to meet new people? Do you want an all-couples resort or an adults-only resort? Deciding on what you want will help you narrow down the playing field.

2. Price

Chances are that you budgeted for your honeymoon just as much as you budgeted for your wedding. You probably know to the cent how much you have to spend before you go. Even if you received cash from some of your guests as a wedding present, you don’t want to spend all of this on your honeymoon. It’s extremely helpful to come home to a little bit of money to start your lives off together! Don’t let price be the total factor in the resort you choose but do give it careful consideration.

3. Location

You don’t want to be so far away that you are going to need to travel for an hour before you start to see other civilization but you might not also want to be so close that you are kept awake listening to noise all night long. Choose somewhere that allows you to walk or drive to nearby sites very easily but where you will still be somewhat secluded.

4. Amenities

Most resorts will offer amenities such as a twenty-four hour front desk, in case you need something at 3:00 am, Jacuzzis, saunas, steam room, fitness centers, swimming pools, and internet access. Having amenities available to you on the resort will make your stay there much more enjoyable and much more convenient. Resorts will generally list their amenities on their brochures but if they don’t be sure to ask. The more amenities they offer, the better time you will have!

5. Food

You will probably eat at the resort a lot on your honeymoon. When you are booking, find out what kind of food they provide and see if it sounds like something you would like. It would be a shame to visit a resort in the Bahamas for example only to find out when you got there that they mainly offer seafood and you have an allergy.

6. Package Deals

A lot of resorts will offer inclusive package deals that will make your honeymoon so much easier and carefree! These packages often include the price of the room, at least one meal a day for both of you, and quite often, discounts on the areas attractions. Package deals are great for honeymoons when you don’t really want to be worrying about money and want to focus on spending time with your new husband!

7. Dollar Value

Even if you get a package deal, you won’t be able to spend your entire honeymoon without dipping into your pocket change a little bit. Make sure that you are going somewhere that will give you a fair return on your dollar. This may not seem like such a huge deal when you are sitting at home excited about booking your honeymoon but when you take your currency in to be exchanged, you don’t want to be shocked at how little you get back.

8. Activities

Many resorts are tailored to certain activities, such as golf resorts. If you are both golf enthusiasts, this type of resort would be perfect for the two of you but even if you aren’t, the resort should offer some sort of activity that you can participate in without having to leave the resort. Tennis courts, basketball courts, game rooms, and media rooms are all often available on many resorts and these will provide a nice way to relax and unwind after a day of touring the sites.

9. Weather

What will the weather be like when you are going? You don’t need to know the forecast for the exact days you will be there but do have an idea of what the weather in that month is generally like. You don’t want to go to a beach resort only to end up staying in your room because its rainy season and you don’t want to go to a ski resort only to find that there’s no snow on the mountains.

10. Security

Most resorts nowadays are gated communities that require a guest or a visitor of a guest to identify themselves through an intercom or by passing a guard at the gate. This type of security can be very important, especially when you are staying in a city that is known for its crime.

11. Friendly Staff

You will be able to tell just by talking to the staff on the phone whether they are going to be trying to make your stay as pleasant as possible or whether you are just one guest out of many. If they seem annoyed or hurried, think about staying at another resort where the staff will be friendlier and help you make your honeymoon all it can be!

12. Medical Services

It’s sad but true that something could happen to one of you while you are vacationing. Because you will probably be out of the country, you may have to pay huge bills if you go to a local clinic or hospital and you may not get the treatment that you need. Some resorts have basic medical care that is very comparable to that of the United States and the services can usually be charged to your health insurance company.

Photo by killthebird

When you are looking for a place to honeymoon, there’s no doubt that you are looking for a combination of two different things. You want a great destination where you will have an amazing time and you want it at an affordable price. Although this may seem impossible, there are many wonderful honeymoon destinations that come at very fair prices. Here are our top ten.

Kauai, Hawaii

All of the islands of Hawaii are excellent choices for a honeymoon. Kauai in particular is a very good choice because it’s one of the more popular islands. This allows the businesses there to offer cheaper prices to its visitors. Accommodations and food is affordable and lying around on the miles and miles of white sandy beaches is free! Have a great time in romantic Kauai while keeping your budget intact!

The Pocono’s

The Pocono’s in Pennsylvania is a terrific honeymoon destination for the adventurous couple that loves being outdoors. There are a number of activities to do in and around the 150 lakes and 7 state parks including fishing, hiking, boating, and camping. There are many all-inclusive packages that are worth looking into as more and more honeymooners are seeking out these mountains for a romantic getaway!

New York, New York

Many people think that New York is a very expensive place to take a vacation. It can be, but only if you don’t plan it right. Booking airfare and accommodations well in advance will definitely reduce costs, especially if you don’t go in a prime tourist season. There are also many things free to visitors such as sitting in a café and watching New Yorkers bustle past and going to Rockefeller Center in the winter and watching the ice skaters or skating yourself! If you take your honeymoon in the summer, pack up a lunch and go for a picnic in Central Park! Extremely romantic and extremely cheap!

Cancun, Mexico

As long as you don’t go during Spring Break, Cancun is a very cheap place to go on your honeymoon. Mexico is known for its inexpensive food and accommodations and if you choose to stay at a resort, there are many discounts and all-inclusive packages that can be purchased. Spend your day on the beach and have a nice, romantic dinner in the evening. While in Cancun, bargain with merchants for a good price on almost anything.

British Columbia

This breathtaking province in Canada has so many wonderful things to do that you won’t know where to start. You can take a railroad ride through the Canadian Rockies or walk along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Shop in many of the fantastic boutiques and spend some time in the outdoors hiking, fishing, or boating. There are many quaint bed and breakfasts in British Columbia and as long as you don’t stay in one of the larger cities, such as Vancouver or Victoria, the prices are guaranteed to be very reasonable!

Wine Country, California

There are few things more romantic than strolling through a vineyard hand in hand with your new husband. Wine Country in California is the perfect place to visit on your honeymoon if you are looking for something that is truly romantic! These vineyards are also very reasonably priced as many wineries have wine tastings that charge no admission and the food is exquisite as local chefs prepare the finest dishes. The tours of the vineyards are often free and with the number of vineyards that Wine Country boasts, finding something to do will never be a problem.

Brazil

On your honeymoon, take a visit to the rain forests and have a truly unforgettable experience! Airfare to Brazil is extremely reasonable. Local shops are not only rich in Brazilian culture but are also very reasonably priced. Those who don’t even like thunderstorms will be aching to catch one here as they are quite unlike anything you have probably ever experienced before. The lightning makes for a beautiful show and the thunder is the perfect backdrop to this.

Europe

Europe may not traditionally be thought of as one of the cheapest honeymooning hot spots but look for seat sales for your airfare. Because Europe is such a popular destination, airlines often offer these to entice visitors. Spend some time backpacking through the beautiful countryside and spend your days on the numerous beaches that can be found just about anywhere. Feel like a princess as you tour some of the world’s most amazing castles that hold tours at reasonable prices.

Mahe Island

This little known island in the Seychelles is one of the most beautiful in the South Pacific. Spend some true quality time with your love as you lay on the isolated beaches, seemingly having the entire world to yourselves. This island is not heavily commercialized although tours are available. You can take a tour on a glass-bottomed boat or get a little more hands-on and put on some snorkeling gear before diving down to play with the sea life yourself!

Disney World

With all of the packages the resort has to offer, it can be quite inexpensive. If you are looking for a peaceful and serene honeymoon, this is not the vacation for you but for the couple that is truly looking to have a lot of fun and play around while on their honeymoon, this is the best place to be! Before you head back home and begin the responsibilities of family life, let loose and find the child within as you ride the many roller coasters the resort has to offer.