Honeymoon Vacations

More often than not, booking a honeymoon takes a backseat to planning your wedding, but don’t let it be an afterthought. After tireless months of planning, this is your chance to finally relax and spend some alone-time with your new hubby. With some careful planning, your honeymoon will be equally as memorable as the wedding itself.

The first step in planning your honeymoon should be to sit down with your beau and discuss what type of vacation you’d like to embark on. Do you see the two of you soaking up the sun in a tropical locale, venturing on an African safari, exploring a bustling city, or simply shacking up in a remote location with nothing but a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door? Here’s a rundown of the top honeymoon destinations to help determine which getaway best suits your interests:

Beach Bums

If you fall asleep every night to a stress-relief CD of gentle ocean waves playing in the background, perhaps a tropical retreat is in order. A vacation to the beach can be as secluded as a private-island sanctuary or as interactive as an all-inclusive couples resort. Choosing a remote location gives you the flexibility to do it all or nothing at all-spend the day snorkeling around a coral reef, escape to an intimate location for a romantic picnic, or simply sprawl out in the sand and enjoy each other’s company. If you are social butterflies, flock to an all-inclusive resort to mingle with other newlyweds while engaging in a little friendly beach volleyball or obstacle course competition. Either way, a few steamy nights in a tropical location are sure to ignite romance.

Adventure Fanatics

You don’t have to be a seasoned globetrotter like Bear Grylls to crave a little excitement in your lives. Pack your bags and head for the hills…or the jungle…or the rainforest…or wherever your adventuresome hearts desire Newlyweds looking to take a walk on the wild side on their honeymoon have a world of options, from an African safari or trip down the Nile River to a cross-country excursion with nothing but your backpacks and a map. Exploring new places together will help to strengthen your relationship and fuel your libido.

Relaxation Addicts

What better way to unwind after a whirlwind of planning than with a soothing couple’s massage? If an invigorating yoga class and a therapeutic mud mask are part of your daily regimens, perhaps a trip to a wellness spa is the perfect remedy to rejuvenate your spirits and relax your souls. Take a leisurely hike through the mountains, treat yourselves to a couple’s massage, then dine on a wholesome meal of fresh organic cuisine over candlelight. Start your life together the right way with honeymoon travel that’s soothing to the soul.

Two if by Sea

Can’t decide between adventure or relaxation? Why not have it all? Cruise ships give you the luxury of limitless on-board activities and the convenience of being transported to an exotic location. Sip margaritas while lounging on the deck between buffet lines and gambling, then jump ship at your destination and steal a moment away on the beach with your sweetie.

City Trekkers

For couples always on the go, a vacation to a new city presents endless opportunities for entertainment. Brush up on the city’s history prior to your visit and map out some must-see sites. Quench your thirst for knowledge with a visit to an area museum; discover the local art and music scene together; savor delectable cuisine and wine by candlelight at a renowned restaurant; or satisfy your need for excitement with a night out on the town. A trip to the city can be as exciting or relaxing as you desire.

Incurable Romantics

Hopeless love birds may opt to spend a honeymoon in total seclusion. Flee to a cottage on the beach or a cabin in the woods and spend nights cooking a romantic dinner together after watching the sun set. Turn off your cell phones, unplug the TV, and escape to an exclusive locale where your only agenda is to spend some one-on-one time with your hubby.

Get even more advice and insight on the top honeymoon destinations

Cori Russell
http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/how-to-pick-the-right-honeymoon-destination-for-your-travel-personality-686751.html

read comments (0)

Hi, I bought a timeshare last year and recieved a "bonus" week. I planned to use that week for my honeymoon. I called to book it and found out that I can only go 60 days in advance unless it is an off grid area. The only beach off the grid is Myrtle Beach. Not what I want for my honeymoon. So I am thinking of paying for the honeymoon upfront but now have no idea where to go. I don’t have a lot of extra money to spend because we are paying cash for the wedding costs and no family is helping us. Any suggestions? Please don’t suggest waiting either, I am more traditional and want the experience of the marriage and then the honeymoon right away. We travel a lot generally (or try to) so to me it would just feel like a vacation to do that, not a honeymoon.
I can’t trade my week because I bought the every other year plan.
Otherwise that would be a great idea.

If you bought a timeshare, you should have the week you own to trade. Use the trading power of the week you bought (not the "bonus"), you can get what you really want.

If you really want to use your "bonus" week, it’ll still work if you’re willing to postpone booking ’til 2 months in advance and stick to places with plenty of inventory. Why they are limiting you to 60 days for your "bonus" is because they’re just getting rid of excess inventory they’re going to be stuck with anyway.

There are literally THOUSANDS of timeshares in a place like Orlando - you will always, always, always be able to get something (probably pretty nice) inside 60 days. A dream destination in Hawaii - probably not - but Orlando, some place in Mexico - almost certainly.

If money is an issue, stick with your plan. It may require you to a be a little more flexible, but it’ll work out fine. If you don’t know where you want to anyway, what’s the big deal? You’ll still be able to go someplace nice, and after all, a honeymoon is about who you’re with, not where you go.

read comments (4)

This is my first camera of this size/type that I purchased for my trip to Hawaii coming up soon (wedding/honeymoon/vacation) =)

One of my concerns is how to travel with, and pack this camera as a carry on? I’m a very petite woman and will probably have my laptop in my carry on bag also, not to mention my wedding dress.

Two, no three item that are expensive that I really don’t want to damage. I feel the camera is too large and bulky for me with the 18-105mm lens, but want to have beautiful photos.

Tip and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Getting another camera is not an option.

MP,

I try to travel as much as possible and rule number one is that my photo equipment MUST be with my carry on luggage. What I have done is bought a carry on that is as big as regulations allow (can very slightly with different airlines). My carry on is has wheels so it can roll, a must with the weight of my carry on.

Then inside my bag is a somewhat narrow compact backpack style camera bag which is a Lowepro brand bag and the model is called the flipside (I think the Flipside 300 mdoel). In that camera camera bag is two cameras and anything else valuble I can squeeze in. The rest of the carry bag space is filled with a travel tripod and some other items, a little clothes and some cords/chargers.

I wish there was still room for my laptop in the carry on bag but at that point there is not. So I have have a laptop bag with the laptop computer, ipod, other person items. You are allowed along with your carry on bag a purse, briefcase, or laptop case.

On two rare occasions, I have boarded a smaller place with smaller overhead storage and was told I would have to check in my carry on bag - so I just take out the backpack camera bag for the overheard storage and let them check the carry bag without having the cameras in it.

When I arrive at my destination I do have in my large checked in luggage a smaller camera to carry my cameras.

Wedding dresses are a matter I think I can be no or of little help with.

Below I provided some links that may be of help; ebags site is great for research styles and types of luggage, 2 sites to very popular camera bag makers (Tamrac & Lowepro). Photo.net where you can post questions to other photographer who deal with travel issues. Also a few photo sellers in case you need to price shop an item.

Have a great trip, and wedding.

Mark

read comments (3)