HOW TO CHOOSE A HONEYMOON
By Sheila Hendrick
So you thought picking the dress was hard? Or deciding which cousins would get an afters invite?
Wait’ll you try to pick the honeymoon!
FIRST QUESTIONS TO ASK: TIME AND BUDGET
It’s not easy deciding where exactly you’ll recuperate after all the preparations for your wedding. The world is literally your oyster, for what will be the most special and memorable trip ever.
Here are a few ways to narrow it down:
1. DEFINE YOUR TIME PERIOD
Mark your window of opportunity on the calendar. This will give you a guide on which part of the world and the length of flights. If you have 10 days in June for example, that would be better spent in Europe than the rainy season in Thailand. If work commitments mean you only have four days, a five-star mini-moon in Paris would work.
2. CALCULATE A FEASIBLE BUDGET
Yes, we know you’re sick of spreadsheets, but you must have a realistic idea of what you have to spend before you start looking at locations and holiday types. Get this question answered, and then you can look at beautiful brochures.
CHOOSING THE HONEYMOON TYPE FOR YOU
How do you choose between the Caribbean and the Canaries? A cruise or a safari? A road trip or a city break?
Try to narrow down the holiday by the type that would suit you. Don’t be dazzled by promises of white sands or white tigers if that’s not what you’re really into. Here are the main options:
THE PARADISE ISLAND
The tropical, white-sand island is the poster child for honeymoons, and for good reason. The Maldives and the Seychelles have the jaw-dropping scenery, relative privacy and pure luxury for a giddy-in-love couple to spend two blissful weeks. Add five-star spas and turquoise waters, and you’ve got the holiday of a lifetime.
For inspiration on destinations check out our great worldwide offers here
THE CRUISE
Considering the military precision that modern wedding planning requires these days, afterwards many couples need a holiday where they can just ‘show up’ – no thinking required. Enter, the cruise. It has the excitement and variety of multiple locations with none of the hassle. No worrying about where to eat or drink or what bus goes back to the hotel. Caribbean cruises are very popular; usually with a couple of nights in the States on the way; such as Miami or Orlando. These ships are floating cities: think cinemas, fitness centres with classes, gardens, plenty of restaurants, pools and whirlpools, and countless bars.
See our range of cruises on offer here
THE ADVENTURE-SEEKERS
Always wanted to see the Northern Lights? Or drive America’s Route 66? Or bungee-jump into a New Zealand canyon?
For lots of our customers, now that they’ve found the girl or guy of their dreams, they’re ready to live out the holiday of their dreams. We’ve waved off couples driving down the Pacific Coast highway, hiking through California’s National Parks before a week in Jennifer Aniston’s favourite resort in Mexico.
A stopover in Dubai on the way to a Kenyan safari is another popular once-in-a-lifetime trip with the right balance of adventure and luxury.
Just let your imagination run wild and let your travel agent do the logistics for you.
Check out our adventures section here
THE MINI-MOON
If you don’t have much time on your hands, a mini-moon will still provide the romantic and extraordinary holiday you deserve. A city break can be magical with a five-star hotel and a charming city. You can’t beat Venice or Paris for romance, or Barcelona and Rome for sizzling atmosphere.
Check out our great city break deals in Europe here
We have years of experience building bespoke trips for happy couples, and we know that every honeymoon – and every couple – is different. Give our experts a call to discuss your options on 01 804 7100 or check out our great Honeymoon Holiday deals online