Honeymoon Ideas

Topic number one in honeymoon planning, of course, is where to go. This is where the fun begins. Oh, sure, you two may have different visions of what the perfect honeymoon destination is, but, you had enough in common to get married, right? You can agree on a honeymoon destination.

Rather than try to pick the exact location at first, start by considering the type of honeymoon atmosphere you want. Do tropical beaches appeal to you? For many couples lying on the beach is their idea of the perfect honeymoon. But, maybe lying on the beach is about as exciting to you as filling out your tax form. Everyone is unique. Maybe hiking Nova Scotia, or taking a gondola ride through the canals of Venice is your idea of romance. The key is to ask yourselves some key questions to help narrow down a destination. Such questions might include:

1. What appeals to you, sand and surf, or the privacy and seclusion of a mountain retreat?

2. Are you looking to experience new cultures in distant lands, or do you want something more familiar?

3. Do you want a honeymoon where the primary goal is to simply do nothing but enjoy each other, or are you more the adventurous types who like to hike, scuba dive or explore caves?

4. Are you more the nature types, or are big cities with fine restaurants and theater performances more to your liking?

5. Do you want to say in an all-inclusive resort or cruise, or in a "do-it-yourself" location?

Once you know the type and place, it's easier to develop a budget.

Part of the process, which will affect choice of location and budgeting, is deciding on a time of year. Your wedding can take place in June, but you may want to have the honeymoon in February. You get to relax from all the craziness leading up to the wedding and can take advantage of off-season rates. Cruises and hotels often lower their prices during these periods.

The key to any successful honeymoon vacation is to explore all your options early. Sure, your mind is filled with all the things you need to do to have the wedding come off perfectly. So treat yourself and look into the honeymoon of your choice.

Location, budget and more will all be easier if you take it one step at a time well in advance.

How long should you take for your honeymoon? While the romantic inside you screams "forever," your budget and obligations back home are the determining factor. Many honeymoon and vacation packages usually come in 3-, 4- and 7-night lengths, with the option of adding additional nights if you like.

If your budget is tight, you'll probably want to consider a 3- or 4- night getaway, or even a long weekend honeymoon. You can find many inexpensive 3- and 4- day cruise packages which depart from places like Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami and Galveston, for destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.

Extended weekend honeymoons give you the chance to mark the occasion of your wedding with a little time away from home. You can also then plan to take a longer honeymoon vacation later in the year, giving you time to save more money for a longer honeymoon.

So where will you go on a long weekend honeymoon? Close to home so travel time is short. Consider a honeymoon suite in a downtown hotel as weekend rates can often be a fraction of the weekday rate. Perhaps a Bed and Breakfast would suit you both with some time to relax in a quiet setting. There's probably a mountain community within a few hours drive from you where you can find a cozy, romantic cabin to rent.

What's the best spot for a honeymoon? Well, of course, that's all up to you and your tastes. But, some of the most popular choices for honeymoons, at least according to the number of searches for honeymoons conducted each month on the internet include:

• Hawaii


• Costa Rica


• Mexico


• Tahiti


• Jamaica


• Aruba

Of course, cruises to the Caribbean and Mexico are very popular, as well as the Honeymoon Capitals of the World, Niagara Falls and the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Why choose to have your honeymoon in the exotic Caribbean? The Caribbean Islands are some of the most beautiful island destinations in the world! Palm-fringed beaches, turquoise seas and stunning sunsets, make a Caribbean honeymoon a romantic experience never to forget.

Sunshine and a relaxed atmosphere are common to all the Caribbean Islands. The idyllic white sand beaches (and even black sand and pink sand!) are perfect for soaking up the sun's rays, and the many miles of coastline offer countless other activities. These include swimming and snorkeling in the warm waters, to surfing, diving or water skiing for the more adventurous! There are beautiful coral reefs in the waters around both Cuba and Puerto Rico.

The interiors of the Caribbean Islands feature mountains, waterfalls, hills, underground rivers, caves, tropical rain forests and much more stunning scenery. Protected national parks showcase some of the most impressive landscapes. There are guided tours available to help you explore and discover areas in safety.

Each of the Caribbean Islands has its own special appeal, and the most difficult decision will be deciding between them for your honeymoon! With sunshine, good food and stunning natural features guaranteed, your honeymoon in the Caribbean, whichever island you choose, is sure to be unforgettable.

Some popular Caribbean islands you may wish to consider include:

Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Aruba
Bahamas
Barbados
Bermuda
Cayman Islands
Jamaica
Puerto Rico
St. Lucia
St. Thomas
St. Barts
Turks and Caicos

Want the ultimate in luxurious beach honeymoons? Consider renting a private island all to yourselves. You'll have your own private beach, swimming pool, and a private chef and wait staff to make sure you don't have to lift one finger. Sounds dreamy, right? Well, that dreaminess does come with a price.

One such island you can privately rent is Great Mercury Island, located just off the coast of North Island, New Zealand. Rates start around US $20,000 per night for up to 6 people. So, what does that buy you? Well, for starters, 50 miles of coastline, boasting 12 long, white-sand beaches and two homes which can accommodate 16 guests. Oh, and a large, heated freshwater swimming pool. And, if you're into water sports, you'll find all the equipment you'll need for scuba diving, snorkeling, jet-skiing, sea kayaking, water skiing and wind surfing.

Maybe a private island in the Caribbean is more to your liking. Then you may want to consider Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands, owned by Sir Richard Branson. Just like Great Mercury Island, when you stay on Necker Island, what you get is all-inclusive: your accommodation, all meals and drinks, (that includes fine wines and champagne), and, of course, your 60-person staff just itching to tend to your needs. You also are provided with equipment for activities such as kite-surfing, sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, kayaking, and power-boating, as well as two tennis courts and a tennis professional on hand to assist you.

You can rent Necker Island exclusively for yourself and up to 28 guests, or book an individual room and share the island with other guests during certain times of the year set aside for non-exclusive use, which they call "Celebration Weeks." If you rent the entire island for your exclusive use the price is $51,000 per night. The prices are considerably cheaper if you stay during one of the Celebration Weeks. Then your rates start at $25,400 per couple per week.

Want a fabulous honeymoon but you just can't afford it? Then consider signing up with a honeymoon registry. Get set up at a honeymoon registry, that's what. It's like a wedding registry, but instead of asking for household items, you ask for contributions toward your honeymoon. The focus of the gifts is on things and activities a couple will typically pay for on a honeymoon. It may be something as common as a 3-night stay in a spectacular Hawaiian resort. Or, it could be a couple of plane tickets to St. Barts. Honeymoon registries can even help pay for one meal or all of them at the couple's hotel.

Honeymoon registries can be found online. A few of the more popular ones include:

thebigday.com
travelersjoy.com
honeymoonwishes.com