How to Prepare for the Perfect Honeymoon

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After the stress and craziness of your wedding, the honeymoon is supposed to be the easy part, where you finally get to relax and be by yourselves. If you’re as organized as possible, you can finally get that paradise peace you deserve as a reward. Here is a basic checklist to help you to prepare for your dream honeymoon.​

Choose a destination
This is the first thing you need to do. Draw up a list of the preferences you and your new-to-be spouse have in common when choosing a holiday. Think about the type of activities you like to do, the climate and the environment. Decide how much you want to see of different sorts of places, like beaches, mountains, cities and nature reserves. If you both like the mountains, consider a skiing holiday, if you prefer natural beaches try the best hawaiian island for honeymoon. There are endless possibilities. 

Distance and length of time you have are common factors in choosing a destination. How long do you have off work for example? It might not be worth traveling half the way around the world for a few days’ vacation. If you’re finding it difficult to make a decision try taking a quiz as a couple to help find your ideal honeymoon destination. 

Accommodation

Once you’ve picked a place you need to decide which type of accommodation suits both of you. Obviously you’ll want some alone time but would you prefer a hotel or apartment, cabin lodge or even camping? Think about the type of package you want, all-inclusive, half board, or just a quiet room somewhere.

Dates

It’s more and more common nowadays to wait a little while before you rush off on your honeymoon. This could be due to a number of factors such as work, season and family responsibilities. Once you’ve decided on a destination do your research. What is the weather like there at different times of the year? There could well be a rainy season if it has a more tropical climate and winter could be at a different time of year. Choose the dates carefully according to the best weather and the best prices. 

Budget

Of course, you want to have an amazing time and treat yourselves on your honeymoon but you need to remember as well that this is the start of your lives together as a married couple. Plan a realistic budget with enough money left over for the rest of your plans. There are several apps that can help you to plan a budget, so why not let technology do the hard work for you? 

Visas

An important thing you don’t want to leave to the last minute is visas. Do you need a visa to travel to your destination of choice? If so, don’t worry, this can be easy to sort out. Don’t forget to budget this into your costs as well. If you need more information check online to determine if a travel visa is necessary, and what the restrictions will be. 

Guidebook

It’s advisable to get a guide book, either if you want to plan your itinerary to the T before you go, or leave a few things up to spontaneity on the day. This way you’ll be able to take information and suggestions with you. You might not get great wifi or phone reception while you’re out there so it’s a good idea to have a backup. Another advantage is that you’ll have some maps in there and the names of places, if you have trouble pronouncing them or get lost, and need to ask for directions. The Lonely Planet books are generally very extensive and have all the information you need from dining and going out, safety, excursions, costs, and cultural particularities. 

Local Festivals

It’s up to you whether you want to travel to your honeymoon spot during the time of local festivals or not. This can be a great way to experience local culture and get the most out of your trip. If you would prefer to stay somewhere quiet then it’s best to know when you can avoid these. 

Festivals can be a fantastic way to get a fully immersive cultural experience from your honeymoon so have a look at some suggestions. It could well be an unforgettable time. 

Money and Spending

Make sure you are fully prepared on how to use money when you arrive. Do your research to check if you can pay by card or if you need local currency in cash. Start checking the exchange rates a month or so before you go and try to get the best one. Find out where you can get the best rates near you, and don’t just leave it until you get to the airport. You can order your currency online securely to save you time and concern. 

Book Trips In Advance

If you’re planning excursions or moving around while you’re there, either do your research thoroughly or even book all tickets in advance. The trains and buses might not be as reliable as what you’re used to so try to avoid as many setbacks as possible. If you’re traveling in Europe, for example, there are comparison websites and apps that can help you out with this such as Rome to Rio, which shows you all the possibilities including flights, trains, buses and by car. 

Pack Sensibly

It’s easy to carried away when packing for the trip of a lifetime but do you really need more than three pairs of shoes? Write a list then narrow it down again. You should ideally leave space in your suitcase for when you go shopping while you’re there. 

Trust the Professionals

Just like your wedding planner, there are people you can hire to help you plan your honeymoon. It’s a lot to think about and with expert advice, they can help to break down the options for you. You’ll only get to do this once and you want it to be as memorable as possible.