Photography: ResortCollection.com
After months of hard work planning for a successful wedding, it's finally time to take a well-deserved break with the person you said 'I do' to. Organising a romantic vacation is just like wedding planning — an ideal honeymoon getaway requires some strategy and months of preparation in advance. So before you book your trip to see the Eiffel Tower or cruise down Venetian canals in a gondola, here are some tips to consider for a fantastic honeymoon you and your spouse will both enjoy.
Start your planning early
This seems intuitive, but you would be surprised at how many couples procrastinate and leave planning their honeymoon to the very last minute. Don't get so caught up in the wedding that you end up neglecting your honeymoon preparations. Start looking at honeymoon destinations at least half a year in advance. That gives you ample time to consider air ticket fares and accommodation prices, and you won't panic when your first choice of plans don't work out.
Agree on a budget
… and stick with it. Going on your honeymoon is undoubtedly exciting, but also expensive. Aside from flight and accommodation, beware of costs for transport, food, tips and activities. Not checking these out may result in spending beyond your expectations. On the other hand, do not shortchange your honeymoon by overspending on your wedding. You may end up with an unpleasant honeymoon experience when your budget cannot afford your dream honeymoon.
Share your plans
You may be tempted to plan the entire honeymoon yourself because you are more efficient than your spouse, but this break should be enjoyable for the both of you. Get each other's opinions on destination, itinerary and accommodation — discussing your plans together will allow you to schedule activities that suit both your preferences. Though planning should be a joint effort, you may consider allowing the more organised person to keep track of your bookings and make sure that you have all the information you need on hand for easy reference.
Cross reference sources
If you find something you like — a hotel resort or honeymoon package tour — online, don't be so quick to book it! Search for the same resort or tour across several websites to make sure the information provided is up to date and that you are getting the best prices possible. You won't miss out on any new promotions or have the displeasure of encountering a hiccup in your plans because what you wanted isn't available anymore. You can also avoid paying more by using flight or hotel price aggregators which cross references several websites' prices to give you the lowest possible, such as trivago.com or cheaptickets.com.
Talk to travel agents
Many couples prefer to organise their own honeymoon rather than pay for a travel agent to do it for them, because it's more expensive, right? That is not always the case; travel agents who are experienced in honeymoon packages may have knowledge about the best deals for accommodation and flights, or even get you a room upgrade at your hotel. They are also more likely to plan for things you might miss — transport, tips and liaising with their contacts overseas to ensure your smooth holiday, especially when your destination does not speak your language.
Call hotels directly
Instead of doing an online booking for hotels, calling in person and speaking to the hotel's staff can ease your planning. Which room should you book for a stunning ocean view or what tours can the hotel arrange for us? Websites may not be able to tell you if your room faces the sea, or a carpark lot, but the hotel staff will have all the answers you need. Also, remember to mention that you are booking the hotel for your honeymoon. If you're lucky, you might get a free upgrade or at least some flowers and a bottle of champagne waiting for you when you arrive.
Give yourself room to breathe
We've seen plenty of honeymoons on screen: The couple in a getaway car, riding off into the sunset and spending a romantic week in Paris or sunbathing on a private beach somewhere in the Caribbean. In reality, experts recommend that you take at least a day off between the wedding and jet setting off on your honeymoon to rest. Wedding preparations and the wedding day itself are understandably exhausting, so you and your spouse should charge up on energy to enjoy your honeymoon to the fullest.
Look for holiday packages
Honeymoon packages may save you the hassle of planning everything yourself, and work for couples who simply don't have the time to do all the research needed for every part of their honeymoon. If you want all the services provided in the package, it may turn out to be a better deal as you no longer have to consider miscellaneous fees. However, be sure to check what the package provides and what it does not. Couples who do not want a complimentary fruit basket, couple's spa session or extra services may be better off without a package.
Schedule some downtime
Last but not least, allocate breaks between your activities or a lazy day in, where you and your spouse can spend quality time together. It is tempting to schedule fun activities back to back as most people would do on vacation in order to maximise your stay, but your honeymoon should be a retreat without the fuss and rush you experienced while preparing for your wedding. Try a half-day tour or schedule activities in the first half of the day, then sunbathe by the pool or at the beach, or simply stay in bed in the later afternoon.
