The right vacation can be the perfect antidote to wedding-day stress. This is the function of the classic, once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon trip. Ideally, this should be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, rich in novelty and meaning, in much the same way as a good men’s wedding band.
But in order to get it right, you’ll need to talk about what you’re looking for from the trip, and to design an itinerary that reflects your shared interests.
Choosing a destination that matches your travel style
What kind of honeymoon are you looking for? Do you want to experience the authentic culture of a unique and interesting city, or do you want to head out into the wilderness for an adventure? It’s often a good idea to seek inspiration from the latest travel trends, and from social media. Just make sure that you don’t allow yourself to be swept up in them to the extent that you neglect your own personal tastes and instincts.
Budgeting and booking in a changing travel landscape
You might be comfortable with spending a little more on your honeymoon than you would on any other vacation. After all, you want the experience to be special.
But at the same time, a good budget is an essential way to ensure that you get value for your money. Make sure that you’ve accounted for every cost, including flights, accommodation, and experiences. The price of travel is up around 7% year on year, thanks largely to a spike in the cost of aviation. If you want to protect yourself against rises in the future, it’s a good idea to book early – and to keep your plans reasonable flexible, so that you can cope with cancellations.
Building an itinerary that balances adventure and downtime
If your vacation time is spent relentlessly marching from one attraction or activity to the next, then you may find yourself burning out prematurely. Leave plenty of gaps in your schedule, so that you can enjoy spontaneous adventures in your surroundings – and, of course, one another’s company. The best approach is to book key experiences early, and to leave a few hours free on each day. You can always decide to do more once you’re actually away on your vacation.
Make sure that you decide as a couple how much you’d like to do with your time. Some couples might be happy to keep things slightly hectic; others might crave downtime.
Preparing for a smooth and stress-free trip
The more preparation you do, the smoother and more enjoyable your experience is likely to be. Get your travel insurance and packing sorted ahead of time, and keep any essential documents to hand in a dedicated binder. You might also be sure to stay on top of any advisories issued by the Department of State.
