Being spontaneous is a lovely thing, especially when it comes to traveling. To take off without a plan and see where the road will take you can be a marvelous and romantic experience. However, if you are not one of those nonchalant couples ready to laugh at their poor honeymoon choices, in the middle of monsoon season in some sleazy hotel, timely planning is of utmost importance. Remember that this is no ordinary excursion, this is your very first trip as newlyweds, so make sure to make it romantic, interesting and memorable.
Plan timely
When is the best time to start planning a honeymoon? Perhaps a day or two after the proposal. Assuming that this won’t be years-long engagement, be wise and plan your honeymoon before you start to plan the wedding. That way you will go through the horrors of wedding planning knowing that right after you deal with the color of napkins, cakes, reception and useless wedding gifts, a wonderful and relaxing journey awaits both of you. A great thing to look for while sending invitations and browsing endless catalogs of flower centerpieces.
Teamwork
Planning a honeymoon takes no more or less than a team of two. Leaving it to your future spouse to make all the arrangements is more than risky, for you may end up roaming around Ethiopian churches in the ground, while all you wanted is to feel the breeze on the Mediterranean. And you thought you knew each other well. Figure out where both of you wish to go as well as what kind of trip is going to be. Romantic and relaxing or active and recreational. Find common ground, combine your interests and start from there.
Fix the budget
Decide how much money you are willing to spend and fix the honeymoon budget for the tickets, accommodation as well as daily expenses, whether excursions, some unforeseen activities or plain shopping. That way you will ease the search while it will keep you focused. If you start to book flights and hotels months before, you may even end up with some extra money to spend. Do not change the budget due to the wedding rising expenses. It is one day compared to a trip of a lifetime.
Do your research
Once you have a destination and a budget start browsing for suitable hotels or a different type of accommodation. Look for reviews on hotels in the area, check out some travel blogs since they can be a great source of information and new ideas. Connect with people that already visited the place and ask for their impressions as well as for some tips.
Book ahead
Booking months ahead means you will get better prices for tickets as well as for accommodation. Remember to highlight that it is a honeymoon trip. Special treatment for honeymooners on a flight is possible and rest assured that hotel staff will provide you an excellent service. Some hotels already offer a honeymoon package which means that you’ll be getting some complimentary services like free drinks, dinner or better rooms.
Get ready
Depending on where you are going start to prepare passports, visas and vaccination plan if needed. Buy all the necessities, even if it seems too early since you won’t be in the mood for shopping after the wedding. Again, depending on a destination start buying bathing suits or skies, hats, sunscreens and of course a good camera. Perhaps now is the time to look for best shapewear online, since you should look hot and seductive, now more than ever.
Prepare and pack
See if you can exchange some amount of money for the local currency of destination you are visiting. Remember to bring probiotics, insect repellents, medicines and first aid kit. Have a photocopy of all your documents and keep them close. Make sure to pack enough but not too many clothes according to weather conditions of destination and do not go overboard with luggage. If it is going to be a long flight, get some travel pillows.
Upon arrival
Once you get there, hold your hands and plan the days as they come. If in a mood for sightseeing, go out, bring a camera and enjoy the scenery. On a rainy day spend time in spa center or even better, in bed. Look for interesting events, go out in the evening and make new friends, but manage to have enough privacy and to spend quality time together.
Conclusion
Going on a honeymoon is more than just a traveling to a place with heart-shaped pillows. It is a symbolic voyage that newlyweds take to celebrate a much longer and challenging journey they have just begun. First steps on this long road should be light and pleasing, so make sure to plan it right and to make it extraordinary.