Hot Tips and Cool Trips

Hot Tips and Cool Trips: Choosing Your Honeymoon Destination!

Congratulations, you are engaged!  The date is set, the venue and other wedding providers are about to be booked.  The details of your wedding are now coming together and the best day you can imagine is in the works.  Amongst the complete ciaos of all that goes into planning a wedding, let’s a take a breather to discuss some “after the wedding fun”… the honeymoon!



Tips

Because you are reading Gulf Coast Bride it is very likely that you are planning your big day somewhere along the beautiful crystal white beaches and azure blue waters of the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast. Just as this area serves as the ideal destination wedding location, there are a number of places that can serve as the perfect spot for your honeymoon. Generally, you and your fiancé need to decide, as a couple, what it is you are really looking for, and would like to accomplish on your honeymoon.  Would you like something romantic where all you want to do is relax under the stars during a private candlelight dinner on the beach?  Maybe the two of you like to get in touch with your exotic side in a tropical paradise with hot springs and waterfalls.  Still a little too calm for your taste? You and your fiancée might want to be adventurous with all terrain vehicle rentals, hikes through the rainforest, or zip lining through the canopies. Whatever it is you both want to gain from your honeymoon experience, you need to think about and discuss before choosing a particular location.
 
After deciding what you both generally want out of your honeymoon experience, it is time to decide on a budget, and who will contribute to your honeymoon cause.  According to Forbes.com, newlywed couples spend an average of $5,111.00 on their honeymoon.  What you might also think about doing, especially if your budget is alright tight, is to create a honeymoon registry.  This registry is very similar to that of a gift registry from a department store.  Many travel websites and individual travel agents have the ability to create a registry so your friends and family can give a monetary amount towards the cost of your honeymoon.  This allows those gifting you to give you something you will really like…instead of another chrome toaster, or the newest version of the best blender you may never use.

Speaking of travel agents, there are many benefits to using them. Just as your wedding planner is an expert in the destination wedding business, travel agents are experts on many different levels of both domestic and international travel. Agents will almost always be able to give you great deals that fit your personality and budget, and tips to point you in the right direction. Even with all of the commercials and ads for big box internet travel companies, you will find that a professional, experienced travel agent can normally give you the best trip at the best price, almost every time.  Certified travel agents are required to take continuing education classes to maintain the most up-to-date information to make sure you are taken care of from the time you leave to the time you return.  Furthermore, certified travel agents have much more negotiating power in the event you need assistance with an issue.  It is always great to know someone has your back, especially when you are away from home.

Trips

Romantic

Caribbean
Nassau:  Although you can’t go wrong with a Sandals or Beaches resort, we also found this great bed and breakfast in Nassau for $175.00 per night!  It’s called a Stone’s Throw Away and is tucked away from all the tourists.  What makes this place a romantic getaway is the waterfall pool at night, and it’s only about 100 yards away from the beach!  There are only 8 rooms, so make sure you book early!

St. Lucia:  This wonderful and very popular honeymoon destination is internationally recognized for its panoramic views and outstanding service.  The Traveler’s Choice awarded St. Lucia in both 2008 and 2009!  Even better, prices are just as appealing.  Cottage ocean view rooms start at just $190.00 per night!
 
Mexico
Karisma Hotels and Resorts:  These luxurious hotels offer impeccable romantic honeymoon packages to make your dream vacation come true.  These hotels start just south of Cancun and are strung along the Mexican coastline.  There are four different resorts, all of which can accommodate different couples’ needs.  Each are all-inclusive, but some cater more so to the honeymooners than others.  Enjoy a night spent on a four poster canopy bed on the beach for you to enjoy a sunset and a sunrise without missing a beat!
 
Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast:  Frommer’s Travel Guide just named the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast- sometimes referred to as Emerald Coast- one of the top ten vacation destinations in the whole world for 2010! If you’ve been there you know why. Many people have said that once you put your feet in the crystal white sands and clear gulf waters, even once…you will be hooked for life. There are many private  beachfront homes and villas available for rent. Most  located on or near the beach and with great views.  Some of these villas are large enough to incorporate your entire wedding party should you choose to have some company around for a few days of your honeymoon. From Destin and Ft. Walton to Panama City Beach you will be rewarded with top notch condo resorts offering great views, exceptional amenities, and reasonable prices. Resorts like Emerald Grande; Sandestin; Hilton Sandestin Beach; WaterColor; and many others are now offering some great specials for destination wedding couples who want to stick around for their honeymoon. There are also many bed and breakfasts, especially along the famous Scenic Hwy. 30A, to accommodate your wishes.  Even though Florida’s Northwest Gulf Coast has over 300 sunny days per year, one of the best times to visit is in late September and most all of  October.  The weather is almost a perfect 80 degrees with a slight wind, and the water is still perfect for taking a dip in the gulf or a pool.

Exotic

Hawaii:  One place that continues to top charts for years on exotic honeymoons is the beautiful state of Hawaii.  Due to a sluggish economy, you can find great deals here!  For example, terrace rooms start at $299 per night!  You can do island hopping to get a taste of the always explosive and most active volcanoes in the world, The Mauna Loa and the Kilauea.  Then, you can cool off in the waters of Oahu.  If you get the chance, eat breakfast at a place called the Koa house.  It is made completely out of Koa wood and has great food too!



Tahiti:  One of the most exclusive resorts in the world is Bora Bora in Tahiti.  Have the luxury and privacy of your own bungalow over the crystal blue waters!  According to Trip Advisor’s Traveler’s Choice, the number one hotel in the world for romance for 2010 is the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa.  This resort encompasses luxury with romance all in one place including an infinity pool, open concept rooms, and full-service spas.  There are also an array of water sports, mountain biking, and nightly theatrical performances by the natives!  Now, that’s exotic!

Costa Rica:  If you want inexpensive, all-inclusive, yet romantic and exotic all in one package- Costa Rica is your place to be!  You can get all sorts of package arrangements from all-inclusive resorts in the rainforest to oceanview rooms on the beach!  Even better, you can create a mixed package so you can enjoy the beach and the rainforest all in one visit!  The Arenal Volcano is a spectacular sight to behold, including the hot springs it creates!  One accommodation of interest is the Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort.  It is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and has won a multitude of awards including Most Fabulous Eco-Honeymoon Destination and Top Meal by the Chicago Sun Times.  This fantastic resort also gives you and your fiancée unlimited access to the hot springs!

Adventure

Nicaragua (Las Salinas):  You might raise an eyebrow to this recommendation at first, but it is growing in popularity for you surfers out there. One place in particular is Popoyo Beach in Tola.  It benefits from what is called the Papagayo Wind and creates phenomenal waves that you just can’t help but love!  This wind also creates better fishing for sailfish and marlin if that suites your fancy!  One place to recommend is Morgan’s Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge.  It is located on the pacific side of Central America and is just north of San Juan del Sur.  You have one of 15 private bungalows with a private beach!  There is also many non-water sports to do including horseback riding and zip lining.  All your meals and non-alcoholic beverages are included starting at about $2668.00 per couple.

Jamaica:  The Beach Boys got it right when they sang about Jamaica and a pretty momma!  Jamaica’s The Caves is an all-inclusive resort, including all meals, drinks, and non-motorized water sports!  This makes resort especially makes a great adventure honeymoon for its cliffs and coral reefs, which make it great for snorkeling and diving!  There are spots within the resort where you can take your second leap of faith (after the wedding ceremony) and jump off the cliffs right into the water!  Some cliffs just north of the resort can range to 50-ft high!
 
Cruise:  According to Forbes.com, cruises account for 20% of all honeymoons!  If you are coming to the Gulf Coast to get married, you could easily hop a cruise for your honeymoon!  This way, you can get a taste of all sorts of places to combine your romantic, exotic, and adventurous sides!  From Destin, Florida there are three ports within a 5 hour driving distance with the closest being Mobile at 2.5 hours, New Orleans at 4 hours, and Jacksonville at 5 hours. Carnival and Norwegian ships will visit the Bahamas and Mexico including ports like Nassau, Yucatán Peninsula, and Guatemala.  The Yucatan has one of the eight wonders of the World, the Pyramid of Kukulkan in Chichen Itza (often called “Chicken Pizza”).

No matter what your honeymoon destination, the most important thing is that you enjoy yourselves and feel confident your money was spent effectively and efficiently.  Although I emphasize the great importance of using a travel agent, make sure you do your homework before you book anything.  Get details and quotes from a few different places, then make a well informed and educated decision.  Remember, this is your first venture as a married couple…Make it wonderful!
 
Nicole Nicholas is an Office Manager and Travel Agent for Have Travel-Memories Vacations, located at 102 Harbor Blvd., Destin, FL 32541 ( just over the Destin Bridge).   Call her today at (850) 424-6006 or email, Nicole@HaveTravelMemories.com to Book Your Next Memory now!