The traditional honeymoon spans back to the 1500s, and many newlywed couples treat themselves to a romantic vacation to celebrate tying the knot. A honeymoon provides the you with the chance to bond with your partner and relax after the stress of planning your wedding. Because your honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, careful planning will help ensure your trip is full of fun times and fond memories instead of mishaps.
Choose Your Travel Type
Perhaps you've always dreamed of taking a road trip across the country, or maybe a an ocean cruise is more to your liking. Before you pull out a map and start searching the world for destination ideas, spend time talking with your partner about the type of trip you'd like to go on. You could go the traditional route and stay at a resort or rent a cabin nestled in the mountains. If you love the great outdoors, a backpacking trip might be right up your alley. Choosing the type of honeymoon you want will help you decide where to go and assist you in making accommodations for your trip.
Create a Budget
After you've handled the many expenses associated with your wedding -- the venue and catering costs, for example -- you may or may not have a lot to spend on a honeymoon. Many couples harbor the misconception that they have to spend a lot of money to have a good time, but this isn't the case. Discuss your finances together and develop a realistic budget for your trip. Account for travel expenses such as airfare, lodging accommodations, transportation during your stay, food and activities and little extra for unforeseen circumstances that may arise.
Choose a Destination
Once you know how you want to spend your honeymoon, it's time to collectively decide where to go. Sit down as a couple and talk about places you've always dreamed of going and places you think could be fun to explore together. Make a list of your ideas and then thoroughly discuss them. Spend some time researching each destination and weigh the pros and cons of each until you can narrow down your list to your top picks. Compare airfare and average accommodation costs at each destination to determine which fits into your budget best.
Find a Place to Stay
Even if you've chosen to rough it and sleep in a tent on your honeymoon, you'll need to find a place to stay. Search for a hotel, cabin, campsite or similar accommodation in your destination. Look up reviews from people who have stayed there before through travel websites and choose an option that suits your needs while fitting in your budget.
Plan Your Itinerary
From snorkeling in the Caribbean to zip lining in the Amazon, your honeymoon is your chance to try new things together. Research different types of activities near the place you plan to stay and decide on a few that you want to do. Compile an itinerary for your trip that outlines the activities you want to participate in each day. Research restaurants or other dining accommodations around your destination so you know where and what to eat.
Book Your Accommodations
Whether you've chosen to stay at an all-inclusive resort or a private rental, you'll need to arrange for your stay ahead of time. Your travel accommodations, such as plane tickets, need to be taken care of as well. If you plan on partaking in any sort of scheduled activities, such as tours or spa times, you'll probably need to make a reservation before you arrive. Thanks to the Internet, you have the ability to book pretty much everything yourself, but you may wish to enlist the help of a travel agent. A travel agent has connections in the travel industry and can arrange discounts, deals and other benefits you can't score on your own. For example, an agent may be able to arrange room upgrades, restaurant reservations, private guides and cheap premium airfare for you. Forbes states that specialty travelers should utilize the services of a travel agent, so if you have something specific in mind -- such as a safari or an extended cruise -- a travel agent is recommended.
Obtain Necessary Documents
If you're traveling out of the United States, you'll need a passport. Typical processing for a passport takes four to six weeks after an application has been submitted. Expedited processing, which takes two to three weeks, is also available for an additional fee. Purchasing travel insurance is an optional expense that some couples opt for to protect their investment and ensure their own safety should unforeseen mishaps occur, such as illness or injury. You should get travel insurance if you're traveling overseas and your health insurance does not cover medical expenses outside the United States. Travel insurance ensures you'll be refunded if your trip is cancelled due to a natural disaster, terrorist attack or your airline goes bankrupt. Travel insurance will also cover the cost of replacing your belongings if your luggage is lost or stolen.
References
- The Pavilion Resorts: The History of the Honeymoon
- The Knot: Honeymoon Countdown: Honeymoon Planning Timeline
- Travel Insurance Center: Frequently Asked Questions
- Forbes: Why You Need A Travel Agent
- U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs: Processing Times
- Vagabondish: 5 Reasons Why You Should Get Travel Insurance
Photo Credits
- Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images