Planning the Perfect Honeymoon

As seen on The Today Show

• What do you want to do on your honeymoon?
  • Determine if you and your new spouse are looking for rest & relaxation to recover from the stresses of wedding planning.
  • Do you both want to be busy from morning to night?
  • Or, do you want a combination of the two?
    Just make sure that you’re both on the same page in terms of activity level so no one feels obligated.
    
• Where do you want to go?
  • Are you looking for a city hotel stay, with activities right outside your door?
  • Or, do you want a remote resort stay, where you can completely unwind?
    
• Most importantly, agree and stick to your budget.
  • Most people want to splurge when they get there, thinking “I’ll only have one honeymoon.”
  • A reasonable notion at the time, until you get the bill two weeks later.

• A great way to achieve the honeymoon of your dreams, especially at a time when travel is becoming more expensive. Plus, with people getting married later in life, they don’t need more household items.
  
• Work with a honeymoon specialist to design the ideal trip, and then components are itemized online.
  
• Wedding guests can contribute to these honeymoon items by purchasing everything from a night’s stay to a champagne breakfast in bed, airfare or a round of golf and spa treatments. They can spend $25 or $400.
  
• Look for registries that are affiliated with reputable travel agencies – they provide convenience to your guests as well as expert planning guidance
• Distinctive Honeymoons (NY)
• Casto Travel (CA)
  
• Postcards from the destination offer a fun alternative to “thank you” notes and you can write them on the plane ride home.

Everyone wants a luxury honeymoon, but it’s not always an option with luxury pricing. If you’re looking to indulge, but still want value, consider taking your honeymoon during the off-season. By shifting your travel dates even a couple of weeks, you can end up with considerable savings:

• Caribbean/Mexico in the summer and Europe in the spring and fall –
  • Take a look at CuisinArt Resort & Spa in Anguilla in the Caribbean You’ll spend 7 nights staying right on the beach, you’ll get 3 lunches and dinners, even dinner at the chef’s table, a sunset sail, couple’s massage, all in this fabulous 5-star resort.
  • Go in the low season (May-Sept & early Nov) and you’ll pay approx $585/night.
  • This same package in the high season goes for almost $1,000 a night.
    
• For the first time last year, Italy edged out Hawaii as the number one honeymoon destination.
  • Consider Palazzo Sasso, a stunning hotel set in a 12th-century villa located on the Amalfi Coast, arguably the most romantic place in the world.
  • Go in March, when you’ll pay approx $370/night.
  • The same room goes for approx $615/night in May-Oct. – 40% savings
    
• Consider Switzerland for a better European value. Why? They are on the Swiss Franc and not the EURO.
  
• Cruising and fixed dollar rates will often offer better value – no surprises with the exchange rates.
  
• And remember that the other hemisphere runs opposite to ours and sometimes offers better values.

• Brides – book your plane tickets in your maiden name to avoid problems at the airport.
  
• Photocopy and scan your passport –
  • Bring a photocopy of your passport if traveling internationally to carry with you while you keep the original locked up safely. Scan your passport and send it to a family member so that you have an electronic copy on file in case the original is lost or stolen.
    
• Credit cards offer the best exchange rate
  • Use them whenever possible, even to get cash at the destination – still a better exchange rate. Credit cards will offer the best exchange rates if traveling internationally, even when getting local currency.
  • Call credit card companies prior to departure to alert them of travel plans and potential unusual spending so they don’t suspect theft and not authorize the processing of purchases.
    
• Plan your carry-ons wisely: Take jewelry, change of clothes and medication on board with you in case your bags get lost in transit.
  
• Or, ship your luggage and save yourself the hassle
  • No baggage fees, weigh restrictions, schlepping or waiting
  • Ship approximately one week prior to departure – door-to-door service – no last-minute packing and ensures your bag arrives