| Michael Cottam, one of the founders of | | | | How adventurous of an eater are you? How |
| TheBigDay, offers advice on how to go about | | | | about your fiancé? Do you like to try the |
| choosing where to go on your honeymoon. | | | | local food, try many different restaurants? |
| | | | Often resorts will have very good American |
| So you're engaged...congratulations! One of | | | | and European menus, but for authentic local |
| the most fun parts about getting married is | | | | cuisine you'll have to venture outside the |
| planning that honeymoon trip of a lifetime. | | | | resort. |
| And if you haven't even narrowed it down to a | | | | |
| country, much less an island or a resort, | | | | All-inclusives and cruises often make |
| don't worry-many (if not most!) honeymoon | | | | fabulous food very affordable; if you're not |
| couples are in the same boat. | | | | at an all-inclusive resort, the on-property |
| | | | restaurants are often pretty pricey compared |
| Some couples start by leafing through travel | | | | to outside restaurants, and tend to be less |
| or bridal magazines and looking for pictures | | | | authentic with respect to local/native |
| that are appealing and romantic-you can do | | | | cuisine. If your chosen resort is in or near |
| this, but you're more likely to settle on the | | | | a reasonably large town or tourist area, you |
| best-MARKETED destination rather than the | | | | may have lots of choice for dinner; if you're |
| best destination for your wants, needs, and | | | | secluded and isolated, it's possible that you |
| style. | | | | have no choice but to dine at the resort (and |
| | | | pay their prices, if it's not included!). |
| The following are questions you should ask | | | | |
| yourself-it'll help you figure out what your | | | | In areas like Fiji and Tahiti, you'll often |
| options are, and help you ask better | | | | find that while the resort isn't officially |
| questions of your travel agent...which will | | | | all-inclusive, they do have a "meal plan" |
| help you plan that perfect honeymoon. | | | | which covers food and sometimes drinks. |
| | | | Sometimes these plans cover just breakfast |
| When are you going? | | | | and dinner, which leaves you the option of |
| | | | trying the local cuisine and eating |
| Every destination has its high and low | | | | relatively inexpensively for lunch. |
| seasons-and this is typically a combination | | | | |
| of weather and the times of the year that | | | | Adventure! |
| their tourists typically take vacations. | | | | |
| Some destinations, such as Hawaii, have very | | | | How about a safari in Kenya or Botswana? Or |
| little variance in their weather year-round; | | | | hiking in the Andes...maybe a trip to Macchu |
| others, like the Caribbean have a definite | | | | Pichu? Or a week on a rented sailboat in the |
| hurricane season. Yet it's important to know | | | | Caribbean? How about touring Australia on a |
| that the Caribbean is a very big place-and | | | | Harley? Maybe trek through the jungles of |
| different parts have different hurricane | | | | Costa Rica, observing monkeys and exotic |
| seasons, and some parts of the western | | | | birds? If these appeal to you, first thing |
| Caribbean really aren't hurricane prone at | | | | you need to do is make sure they also appeal |
| all. Other destinations--such as Central | | | | to your spouse! These kinds of trips create |
| America and Southeast Asia-have rainy or | | | | memories of a lifetime, and can be very |
| monsoon seasons. You really need to know the | | | | affordable as well. Often, couples will want |
| specific destination in order to have a feel | | | | to combine an "adventure" trip with a few |
| for whether or not their "green" season is | | | | days relaxing at a beach resort-these kinds |
| too "green" (rainy!) for you. | | | | of combination packages can be put together |
| | | | for you by a knowledgeable travel agent, and |
| Also, ask yourself if you're willing to delay | | | | give you the best of both worlds. |
| the start of your honeymoon a couple of weeks | | | | |
| or months. Summer months are very popular | | | | Watersports |
| for weddings, as it tends to be easier for | | | | |
| family and friends to get to the wedding; | | | | Do you and your fiancé scuba dive (or do |
| plus, if you're having an outdoor wedding, | | | | you want to learn)? You'll find that pretty |
| the odds of good weather are more in your | | | | much every tropical destination has diving |
| favor. However, this also tends to be the | | | | and snorkeling available. Some will have |
| expensive (and sometimes more crowded) season | | | | scuba courses offered by the resorts, while |
| for many honeymoon destinations. Giving | | | | other resorts will have partnered with local |
| yourself a month off after the wedding before | | | | dive companies. If you love to snorkel, make |
| leaving on your honeymoon can give you time | | | | sure your travel agent knows, so they can |
| to relax and wind down from the wedding, | | | | recommend resorts where the wave conditions |
| write your thank-you notes, and take | | | | tend to be good and there are good snorkeling |
| advantage of the lower prices of what's known | | | | reefs nearby so that there's something |
| as the "shoulder season" (between high and | | | | besides just sand to look at. In general, a |
| low season). | | | | great surfing beach won't be a great |
| | | | snorkeling beach! |
| Travel time/vacation time | | | | |
| | | | Are you interested in going deep-sea fishing? |
| How much time off work are you going to take? | | | | It's important to know what the fishing is |
| And how much of it are you willing to spend | | | | like where you're going. For instance, while |
| on an airplane? | | | | you can take a guided fishing trip from any |
| | | | one of the Hawaiian islands, your chances of |
| If you're going on an African safari, you're | | | | actually doing some CATCHING as well as |
| going to consume about a day and a half | | | | fishing are substantially better on the Big |
| traveling each way from the U.S. This is | | | | Island! |
| fine if you're going to be there a couple of | | | | |
| weeks, but if those days are coming off your | | | | Additionally, it's important to talk to your |
| total of 7 days on vacation, you might | | | | travel agent about what kinds of watersports |
| consider someplace closer. And distance | | | | you want to enjoy. If you're interested in |
| isn't the only factor: how many stopovers is | | | | jetskiing and parasailing, you'll want to be |
| it going to take to get where you're going? | | | | in one place; if you want to kayak with the |
| If you've got to land on a main island, then | | | | turtles, snorkel around the reef, you'll want |
| wait around for 4 to 6 hours for the "island | | | | to be elsewhere. It's also useful to know |
| hopper" flight to take you out to your remote | | | | how far it is from your hotel to the best |
| private island retreat, that's going to | | | | spots for your activities-you won't want to |
| consume your vacation time too. | | | | spend two hours a day roundtripping from your |
| | | | hotel to your activities. |
| A great option, if it's available, is a | | | | |
| red-eye flight, where you sleep on the plane | | | | The destinations |
| and wake up at your destination, saving a day | | | | |
| of vacation time. | | | | Here's a quick look at some of the more |
| | | | popular destinations, and what they're known |
| Language | | | | for. |
| | | | |
| This is less of a problem than you might | | | | Fiji- great scuba and snorkeling, very |
| think. Unless you're backpacking around some | | | | friendly people, mostly villa-style beach |
| exotic country, you're going to find people | | | | bungalow accommodations in widely-separated |
| in restaurants, hotels, and the activity | | | | resorts. Moderately expensive to very |
| vendors all speak English. One bit of | | | | expensive. About 9 hours flying time from |
| advice: try to learn a few words and phrases | | | | Los Angeles. |
| in the local language, as you'll find you're | | | | |
| treated differently if you begin | | | | Hawaii- beautiful weather all year round, |
| conversations with "hello" in their language, | | | | close to mainland U.S., amazing array of |
| and show you're willing to make the effort to | | | | watersports and adventure activities. Not as |
| get along in their country. | | | | much of a cultural transition for mainland |
| | | | Americans as many other destinations. Most |
| Cost | | | | hotels have 200-400 rooms; hotel density |
| | | | along beaches can be high. Excellent choice |
| The big question! First, some statistics: | | | | for a destination wedding, as prices are very |
| the average U.S. couple spends about $3700 | | | | reasonable for high quality and service. |
| for their honeymoon package...and this | | | | Inexpensive to moderately expensive. |
| doesn't included expenditures once they're at | | | | |
| their destination. When considering a resort | | | | Tahiti- great scuba and snorkeling, famous |
| that's NOT all-inclusive, take some time to | | | | for overwater bungalows and phenomenal views. |
| research the area and find out what meals | | | | Resorts tend to be fairly far apart; very |
| cost, what a snorkel trip costs, what taxis | | | | secluded and private. Expensive to very |
| cost, etc. Tourist bureau sites are a good | | | | expensive; food, drinks, and activities can |
| place to start. | | | | be very expensive as well. About 8 hours |
| | | | flying time from Los Angeles. |
| Costs of excursions and meals can easily add | | | | |
| up to much more than your airfare and hotel, | | | | Mexico- Cancun/Cozumel nearly fully recovered |
| and you need to be realistic and prepared for | | | | from the past summer's hurricanes, and much |
| this. Consider staying at multiple hotels on | | | | rebuilding has resulted in many upgraded |
| your honeymoon-perhaps one or two nights at | | | | resorts. High density of resorts on beaches |
| someplace really nice to start, then a more | | | | in places like Cancun and Cabo. Great |
| moderate property with perhaps less of a view | | | | diving, watersports; some areas close to |
| for the remainder. | | | | Mayan ruins. Recently, all-inclusive resorts |
| | | | have become common, and there are some |
| People, people, people | | | | terrific bargains to be had, especially at |
| | | | the moderate to more expensive resorts. A new |
| There are a number of important | | | | trend we're seeing is combining the |
| considerations here. First off, who else is | | | | traditional beach vacation with a few days |
| going to be at your resort? Are most of the | | | | inland at one of Mexico's colonial cities, |
| guests at the resort in your age group? Are | | | | exploring the history and culture of old |
| they young and adventurous, or older and | | | | Mexico. Easy access from the U.S. |
| mostly interested in golf? Does the resort | | | | Inexpensive to moderately expensive. |
| market to families-are you going to find a | | | | |
| ton of kids splashing around in the pool when | | | | Caribbean- known for prevalence of |
| you're trying to have a romantic, relaxing | | | | all-inclusive resorts, especially in Jamaica. |
| time? Is the bar going to be lively, with | | | | Huge range of cultures, styles, food, music. |
| your kind of music? Are you going to feel | | | | Great watersports and scenery, and not too |
| right at home, or a bit out of place? | | | | long in the air from major U.S. cities. |
| | | | Cruises are a very popular way to explore |
| Next, let's talk about density: do you prefer | | | | multiple islands and countries in the |
| to be in the middle of the action, with lots | | | | Caribbean at a modest cost. Inexpensive to |
| of other happy honeymooners all around, or | | | | very expensive. |
| quieter and more secluded? Think about | | | | |
| whether you want to be in a hotel with 400 | | | | Europe - history, architecture, and great |
| rooms, or a resort with 40 private | | | | food and wine are big draws here. Airfare is |
| villas...the experience will be very | | | | less than you might expect, often sub-$500 |
| different. And do you want to be waited on | | | | per person roundtrip. Less of a beach resort |
| hand and foot, or left alone to explore by | | | | destination, although areas of Italy, France, |
| yourselves? Do you want to shop, maybe pick | | | | and Greece on the Mediterranean can provide |
| up souvenirs or local style clothes, or maybe | | | | the sun & surf element. Castles in Ireland |
| some artwork? Maybe you want a mix: in | | | | and self-drive B&B vacations throughout the |
| Hawaii, popular combinations would include a | | | | UK are popular, as are villa stays in France |
| few nights in the heart of Waikiki combined | | | | and Italy. In Greece, the Cyclades islands |
| with a few nights on the North Shore...on | | | | are very popular: Santorini with its |
| Maui, perhaps a split between the Lahaina | | | | submerged volcano, black sandy beach, and |
| Kaanapali area and the secluded Hana coast. | | | | breathtaking sunsets...Mykonos with its |
| | | | blue-domed churches, whitewashed houses and |
| Finally, how much do you want to learn about | | | | beaches...and Naxos, the largest island with |
| the locals, their language, food, and | | | | golden sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, |
| culture? Generally, at the all-inclusive | | | | and the medieval capital of Hora. |
| resorts, you'll find yourselves with other | | | | Honeymooners often combine stays on these |
| tourists, separated from the local style. If | | | | islands with a visit to Athens. Many cruise |
| you want to immerse yourselves in the local | | | | options are available, allowing easy |
| environment, perhaps consider a smaller | | | | exploration of a number of Mediterranean |
| hotel, farther from the main tourist areas. | | | | ports in one vacation. Moderately expensive |
| | | | to very expensive. |
| History and culture | | | | |
| | | | Costa Rica & Belize - becoming very popular |
| Do you enjoy visiting ancient | | | | as eco-tourism destinations, these countries |
| ruins...centuries-old cathedrals...seeing | | | | offer terrific beach resorts, watersports, |
| native villages? The beauty of the art, | | | | diving and snorkeling, combined with jungle |
| architecture, and history of Greece, Italy, | | | | exploration and eco-adventures. Treetop |
| Scotland and Ireland, or Mayan civilizations | | | | resorts becoming popular here as well; and |
| can make for a fabulous honeymoon experience. | | | | like Mexico, there are a number of Mayan |
| | | | ruins accessible in Belize. Belize also is |
| Europe is an obvious destination, but think | | | | famous for its barrier reef, and the scuba |
| also about the Mayans and Aztecs in Latin | | | | diving hotspot known as The Blue Hole. |
| America...Buddhist temples in Bali and | | | | Relatively short flight from mainland U.S., |
| Thailand... Angkor Wat in Cambodia...Buddhist | | | | combined with great value for the dollar at |
| and Hindu temples in India. China is | | | | many resorts makes these two countries very |
| becoming a much more popular destination as | | | | hot for honeymooners. |
| well: consider visiting the Great Wall and | | | | |
| seeing the Terracotta Warriors. | | | | Australia & New Zealand - enormous variety of |
| | | | things to do for the adventurous types, from |
| Accommodations | | | | Ayers Rock to the Great Barrier reef, Sydney |
| | | | and its renowned Opera House, Surfers |
| How sensitive are you to humidity and | | | | Paradise. New Zealand has everything from |
| temperature? This can determine not only the | | | | geysers in Rotorua to jet-boating; hiking and |
| destination, but also the choice of resort, | | | | skiing amongst tremendous scenery, and of |
| as not all A/C systems are created equal. How | | | | course the famous Maori hospitality. We |
| close do you want to be to nature? I've | | | | often suggest combining a trip to either of |
| stayed at fabulous safari lodges in Africa | | | | these countries with a stopover in Fiji or |
| that didn't even have complete walls...just | | | | Tahiti as well. Long flight times (15 hours+ |
| mosquito nets to protect you at night. For | | | | from Los Angeles) mean you'll probably want |
| some, this is a dream come true-for others it | | | | to stay 2 weeks at the very least. |
| might be a nightmare. | | | | Moderately expensive to expensive. |
| | | | |
| How important is your living space in your | | | | The Seychelles, Maldives, and Mauritius are |
| hotel room? Do you feel claustrophobic | | | | all fabulous honeymoon destinations, although |
| easily? Do you like to lounge around in the | | | | because of the flying time from the U.S. |
| morning, have breakfast in bed, or do you | | | | (around 30 hours), they're more commonly |
| like to get up and out there exploring the | | | | visited by Europeans. Truly spectacular |
| island? Is a spa on-property important to | | | | diving and scenery, great food and culture, |
| you? Is a view of the ocean from your room | | | | and very friendly people. Hotels are much |
| important to you...enough to justify the | | | | more spread out than Hawaii or Mexico-more |
| higher price? | | | | like Fiji or Tahiti. Private island resorts |
| | | | are common, as in Fiji and Tahiti. |
| Also think about how you typically spend your | | | | Seychelles and Mauritius trips are commonly |
| day on vacation. If you go back and forth | | | | combined with a week or so in Africa on |
| from the room to the beach, the pool, the | | | | safari. Expensive to very expensive, even |
| restaurant, you might want a place with | | | | without the airfare (roughly $1500 to $2000 |
| ground-level villas rather than have to get | | | | per person roundtrip from the U.S.). |
| on and off elevators all the time. If you're | | | | |
| going to spend most of your days out | | | | Southeast Asia - combines terrific beach |
| exploring the island, this might not matter | | | | resorts with extraordinary culture and |
| so much. | | | | historical sites to explore. A relatively |
| | | | long flight from the U.S. (up to 20 hours |
| Nightlife | | | | depending on routing), but a tremendous value |
| | | | once you're there. Thailand, Bali, China, |
| Are you going to want to go out dancing | | | | Vietnam and Cambodia are all becoming very |
| clubbing? Or maybe see some native dances or | | | | popular. Very inexpensive without the |
| performances? If you're going to Hawaii, and | | | | airfare; inexpensive to moderate with |
| you ARE looking for nightlife, you'll | | | | airfare. |
| probably want to think about Oahu or maybe | | | | |
| Maui. | | | | Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile are |
| | | | becoming more popular, and offer a great |
| For Mexico, you should be thinking about | | | | opportunity to experience culture, wilderness |
| Cancun or Cabo, rather than some of the more | | | | and traditional beach resorts all in one |
| isolated resort areas. If you're considering | | | | vacation. The Amazon is a huge draw, of |
| the Caribbean, the answer to this question | | | | course, but also the culture and experiences |
| might affect the island or region you choose | | | | to be had in Rio and Buenos Aires make for a |
| as well. Music: what do you want to hear on | | | | very memorable and exotic honeymoon. The |
| your honeymoon? Mariachi bands, steel drums, | | | | Inca city of Machu Picchu is certainly one of |
| reggae, or Hawaiian hula...what appeals to | | | | the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient |
| you? | | | | sites in the world, perched in the Andes at |
| | | | over 9,000 feet in elevantion. Moderately |
| Food! | | | | expensive to very expensive. |
| | | | |