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The Honeymoon Trap
by
You proposed or got proposed to, you planned your wedding to perfection and now you are a man and wife. Now its time to plan the next step… the honeymoon. After all, like the first kiss, the first honeymoon is something you’ll always remember. So let’s start off with this quick guide to planning your vacation.
 A honeymoon is your time together after all the hustle and bustle of the wedding. It time for you to unwind, relax and spend some quality time together before getting back into the daily grind. So choose a perfect location where you will be most likely to do all of the above.
The place: Choosing the best place to honeymoon.
Choosing the right place for your honeymoon can be quite a tricky thing. So before you start there are few basic things that you need to ascertain well in advance.
Choosing the right place for your honeymoon can be quite a tricky thing. So before you start there are few basic things that you need to ascertain well in advance.
- Have a rough estimate on how much you can afford to spend on your honeymoon. Calculate you existing expenses, money spent on the wedding, future payments due and have a rough estimate on how much you can ‘really’ afford.
- Local, national or international? That is the question… decide on whether you feel like simply hiding away for a while, going to a local or nearby honeymoon spot or flying abroad.
- How long can both of you afford to take off from work or studies? Work out how much time you can really afford to be away from everything without messing up work or other commitments
- Do you want an active or a passive honeymoon? In an active honeymoon, you might want to drive across the country, indulge in some outdoor activity together; generally the younger and more adventurous couples prefer this. In an passive honeymoon... just fly to your destination and enjoy a lazy cozy time together, especially recommended for those with busy lifestyles
- Chart the deadlines, when do you have to book? What are the visa formalities if you are flying abroad etc.
Decided to travel abroad?
Going overseas for your honeymoon can be fun… the exotic locales, the call of the unknown and being together in a place where no one knows you can be quite tempting. But it will also mean long flights and dealing with a lot of formalities and also can be quite an expensive proposition. But if you or your partner has your heart set on a specific destination, then go for it!
The first step would be to ensure you get all the required details and the best way would be to use a reputable travel agency in your local area. Do some basic research and ground work and plan your place first… these days all you have to do is just log onto the net to get all the info you want.
Decided on a local getaway?
A part of what we will discuss below will apply even if you have chose to go abroad... the options on where you want to go.
Is lazing on the beach with a tall cool drink more your style? Or are you packing your back-back and hiking up the mountain trail? Or is blazing a trial through the jungle your favorite pastime? Decide mutually what you want to do.
Where do you want to stay? Do you want to stay in a hotel and get full service or do you want to stay in a self-contained secluded cottage high up where no-one can find you? Decide on the type of accommodation you want to stay in.
Our advice is to start by narrowing down the type of accommodation you want to stay in and then think about the type of honeymoon you want (do you want to go bushwalking, diving, skiing, sightseeing, or simply laze around). Look for places that meet your needs, then make a shortlist of, say 10 and contact those properties to find out. Call them or email them and find the answers to these questions:
- Are they available?
- How much do they cost?
- Do they have the facilities you are looking for?
There is no point ending up in Hawaii, if you are looking for a wilderness escape. So look around till you find something that best fits your needs and wants. Look out for places which offer specific ‘Honeymoon packages’. They will know what you need and treat you the way you want to be treated.
Finalizing your great escape!
The following pointers should give you a better idea about how to finalize all the preparations for your honeymoon…
- Shop around for your accommodation, either directly or through a travel agent, see who offers a better deal
- Ask friends and family for recommendations (especially friends who have recently gone on their own honeymoon)
- Book your tickets and car rental through a travel agent. A travel agent can help to put a package together depending on what you want. Travel agents typically take a percentage of the value for each of the items they book but will make sure all the bookings are done seamlessly.
Book well in advance, especially if you are trying to book during holiday season.
- Book well in advance, especially if you are trying to book during holiday season.
- Read the terms and conditions of bookings regarding cancellations and deposits.
- Ask for a written booking confirmation.
- Advise the property if you will be arriving late, or have any special requests, well in advance.
- Confirm payment options (can you pay by credit card, cheque and/or cash)
- Remind them it is your honeymoon, you never know what extra special touches they might add
So here’s wishing you all the best at starting a new chapter in your life…
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