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