Trip Fantastic

Do you have any recommendations for honeymoon destinations or planning?


The wedding trip. Honeymoon. In ancient times when grooms kidnapped brides from neighbouring villages and fought off kinsmen at the altar, it is thought that the Honeymoon offered a “cooling off” period; a time when the Bride’s family could become resigned to the marriage and decide not to commence war. By the end of the trip of course, many brides were already “with child”, and it wouldn’t do to have war on the doorstep during a woman’s confinement.

Another theory relates to the term "Honey Moon", which is believed to stem from the Bride’s father supplying the Groom with all the mead (honey beer/wine) that he could drink. It usually took a lunar month to complete the task, so the period of time directly following the marriage was known as the Honey Month and later Honey Moon.

Thankfully, the tradition of the honeymoon has come a long way! It is now recognized as the vacation or trip that the newly married couple take to leave their cares and families behind and begin their new life together in intimate bliss.

And the destinations and themes available for honeymoons are as diverse as the entire planet!

When couples seek advice about honeymoon destinations, it is always good to ask: What do you like to do? If you lean towards potato-like couch sitting, then perhaps a biking and backpack adventure through France is better left to adrenaline-seekers. If three minutes in the sun leaves you looking like a cranberry, you might want to avoid the tropics. So what DO you like to do? Destinations become popular because they are affordable, because they are all-inclusive, because they are exotic, or because they cater to honeymooners and add romance to every meal! It doesn’t mean you have to pick from the top 10.

What are the top 10 honeymoon spots? It varies by study, but I have looked at the lists, and feel that this (in no particular order) may represent a good top 10: Florida, Italy, Hawaii, Aruba, Bermuda, Mexico, Jamaica, Las Vegas, St. Lucia, and Tahiti. Your favourite not on the list? Go there anyway! Thought about travelling to Egypt? Do it!

Honeymooners now have many choices. Not only what city, what country and which hotel to visit, but now there are ecologically-friendly vacations, nature safaris, white water rafting adventures, wine country tours, reef dives, whale watching, shark dives, and roller coaster rides! Amazing! There are no rules, only common sense.

Find something affordable. Starting married life can have lots of expenses and lots of debt, no point adding to it.

Find a destination that makes BOTH of you happy. If Bride wants sunshine and water, but Groom wants casino, then consider Monte Carlo, a cruise, or somewhere else that offers both.

Double-check ALL details with your travel agent upon booking AND then again just before the departure. Last minute surprises or revisions to your itinerary are no fun.

Do some research on the destination. Finding out after you arrive that the country is in the midst of a civil war or rebel uprising is disastrous and appalling! Especially when you may have booked the trip months in advance. (Always pay for the cancellation insurance).

Give the tickets to someone to hold for you on wedding day. You’ve got enough to do. This only applies if you are leaving the morning after the wedding.

Instead of focusing on the destination, consider planning events. I want to…kiss next to a fountain, walk on a beach holding hands, see stunning architecture, watch animals play, camp out, throw a coin into a wishing well, see ancient art, explore a sunken galleon, have dinner on top of the world…

Well, in THAT case…create your own favourite destination! Begin your own vacation traditions. Some couples decide that they will enact a ritual on every vacation, starting with the honeymoon. It could be as simple as packing a small gift to leave on the other’s pillow the first night, or always finding a live jazz band to listen to on the arrival date.

For many couples, the honeymoon trip is the last one they take for quite a while, as they set up new homes and settle into married life. Be sure to make it a great one! Remember that this is the time to connect as never before with your new husband or wife. Live (and most of all love) every moment!

Best wishes,

Kathy


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