Top 10 tips to ensuring a picture perfect honeymoon.
1 – You have met your life long partner. Wedding date is set and now you are discussing the honeymoon. Today, many couples decide on their honeymoon together and it’s important to include interests from both bride and groom so that there is a happy balance. Chat to your partner so that if the groom prefers bush and wild life and the bride prefers white sandy beaches and relaxation, together you can work the itinerary so as to ensure that you walk away with a package that will thrill both of you.
2 – Try to decide on a realistic budget and list what you would like the budget to cover.
3 – ALWAYS do honeymoon homework. Find out about specials and low season months. Honeymoon Homework entails knowing everything there is to know about the destination that you plan to visit. The airlines offered, the flying time, the hotel, stop over’s, the amount of hours that you have to stop over for, the surrounding areas, the room you would like and exactly what you are allowed to take with you.
4 – Choose an agency that is well connected with the destination that you have in mind. Nowadays, you can quickly find a honeymoon specialist and it’s not uncommon to request references. Make an appointment to see your planner or send a very detailed email through to him/her with full details of the itinerary that YOU have in mind with departure dates and your budget. Ask about specials. Your consultant will then be able to give you good advice and she will take your departure date and budget into consideration when she quotes you.
5 – Your honeymoon planner will send you at the very least, two options and she will base them on the requirements, departure date and budget that you emailed through to her. Go over these with your partner. Make notes of questions either of you have and make very sure that you understand exactly what your package includes and how much is being quoted PER PERSON for these inclusions.
6 – Take note of the room category being quoted and always ensure that your consultant notifies the resort to make absolutely sure that you get a double bed. Read through your quotation carefully and make sure that return flights together with the departure taxes are included. Many agencies don’t include the taxes and clients don’t think about these if not regular travellers. Make sure that there is going to be someone to collect you at the airport and ask about emergency contact details at your chosen destination.
7 – Ask your consultant to find out and get rates for special little extras like a romantic sunrise breakfast on the beach or a day trip to a private island. Ask about honeymoon extras because many resorts and hotels will include flowers, sparkling wine, romantic dinners and sometimes even a tour for honeymoon couples.
8 – Ensure that you tell everyone that you are on honeymoon. You will really be surprised at how much more you receive from people and how friendly hotel staff is toward you. Your consultant will let the airline and hotel know prior to your departure but it doesn’t hurt to tell others along the way. Remember….EVERYONE loves a couple in LOVE.
9 –Make sure that you pack according to the requirements of your chosen destination. Make sure that you take the appropriate clothing along. Things like medication, sun block, sun glasses and cameras can be costly in foreign destinations so always best to take them along with you and always make sure that you take an empty carrier with you (for all those wonderful goodies you’re going to buy whilst on honeymoon). Highly important to pack a hand luggage suit case that will carry everything required to make a night and a day comfortable IN CASE anything happens and your luggage goes astray. At least you will have a few items to fall back on while waiting for the airline to trace yours.
10- Lastly, make sure that you have all your travel documentation required for YOUR chosen destination. Visas and passports, health requirements etc. Also make very sure that you reconfirm all your flights and make a last minute call to your consultant in case any flight schedule has had changes and ALWAYS put your travel documents in a very safe place, all together.
Written by Marrilyn
The Travelling Bride
Read More
