The Perfect Honeymoon (on a budget) -
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These days, paying for a wedding and setting up a new home can
leave many couples with very little cash to spare, especially when
it comes to booking the honeymoon. So, for those of you who have
stretched your budget to the last, here are a few ideas for a more
affordable, yet still romantic, honeymoon.
Instead of asking for wedding presents – ask for money
Some couples may feel a bit embarrassed asking guests to give money
instead of gifts, but, be assured, many will be glad to do this
as it means they can avoid endless trips to the shops trying to
find the perfect gift. Money that guests give, can contribute to
the honeymoon destination of your choice. Thus, everybody is happy!
Ever thought about swapping homes?
Simply, you stay in someone’s house while they stay in yours. For
many couples, this could be the perfect money saving option as there
is usually very little cost involved. Plus, thousands of people
all over the world are interested in swapping homes - so you have
an endless choice of where you can go. A good feature of house swapping
is that you will get to live like locals, and perhaps make life-long
friends too.
Go back to nature
For those couples who are young and adventurous, camping could be
a memorable occasion – for the right reasons of course! Nights filled
with firelight and shooting stars, surrounded by breathtaking natural
beauty, snuggling with your honey in a cocoon of zipped-together
sleeping bags – could be jut what any newlywed couple dream of.
Yes, camping can be romantic, as long you are well prepared and
have the right equipment (warm sleeping bags, a comfortable mattress
pad, and a waterproof tent are a must). In addition, it can be extremely
cheap - £10 to £20 per night at most locations. It is even cheaper
if you cook your own food. Why not mix a few nights of camping with
a few nights in hotels to make your honeymoon more affordable. And
do not overlook the rustic (but cheap) cabins available for rent
at many state and national parks. Some even offer a honeymoon cabin!
Avoid travelling in the high season
For those who choose a spring or autumn wedding, traveling abroad
around these times can save you a great deal. Certain destinations
can slash their prices by up to 30% during the off-season. And remember,
travelling in these times does not necessarily mean enduring wintry
weather. Some destinations can have very warm, mild and pleasant
weather conditions outside of summer.
Consider your choice of airline carefully
Being wise to the vast number of discount airlines that operate
today can be a blessing in disguise. Travel agents will not search
flights with these airlines and so you may end up paying twice the
price if you book through an agent. Another important point to remember
- be sure to compare rates for alternate airports within a reasonable
travelling distance of your honeymoon destination. Consider flying
into a smaller airport if you are flying into a big city as smaller
airports usually have substantially lower fares, perhaps saving
you hundreds of pounds. It also helps to be flexible about your
arrival and departure dates; the major travel companies all have
options to search for the cheapest flights within a range of dates.
Any one of these alternatives could potentially save you hundreds
of dollars.
Check budget travel newsletters
If time is not on your side and you would like some help with choosing
your honeymoon destination - signing up to budget travel newsletters
is a good idea. They can contact you with new promotional deals
offering deep discounts on airfare and lodging. This way, you avoid
missing out on your potential honeymoon of a lifetime.
Add that extra touch of romance
Chocolates, candles, rose-petals and oysters – you are probably
already familiar with all of these infamous elements for creating
a romantic mood on your honeymoon. However, to add that something
special, spend some time celebrating your relationship and your
new life together as a married couple. After all, romance is more
about the heart than the body. Here are a few ideas to start setting
the romantic mood early.
Combine your photo albums
Sitting down together on your honeymoon and choosing the best photos
of each other from your dating days to put in your new album, is
a great way to relive old memories.
Write a dream letter to your partner
Write letters to each other about your dreams for your marriage
for the next ten, twenty, or thirty years. Exchange the letters
on the first day of your honeymoon, and then save them to read on
your wedding anniversary.
Leave memory notes everywhere
Nothing creates a romantic mood better than remembering your best
moments together as a couple. A few post-it notes of the memories
you would most like to share with your spouse over the course of
your marriage written down and hidden all over the place at your
honeymoon destination (on the pillow, in the luggage, in the rental
car, etc.), is a sure way to romantic bliss.
Choose a spectacular honeymoon destination
A perfect wedding rightly deserves to be followed up with a perfect
honeymoon. Here are some destinations that will win the heart of
any newlywed couple.
St. Lucia, do everything your heart desires, you'll need more than
seven days. So go ahead and stretch ‘The greatest week of your life’.
You'll never want to leave, but when you do, you'll return home
with a whole new outlook on life.
Have your honeymoon in Italy and it will be the trip of a lifetime.
You want it to be unforgettable. What better spot than Italy, with
its romance, magnificent scenery, cities filled with history and
charm to make memories last forever.
Hawaii is the perfect romantic escape, unbelievable surroundings,
clear blue waters, sunsets to rival anywhere in the world and hotels
to pamper your every need.
Make Mexico your honeymoon destination and your dreams will come
true. With resorts such as Cancun, Acapulco, Los Cabos or Riviera
Maya, you will have the time of your life.
Fiji, considered the world’s most romantic islands, are unspoiled,
friendly, safe, and the best value in the South Pacific.
St. Thomas is one of the most popular tourist spots in the US Virgin
Islands. Their international reputation stems from their pristine
beaches, warm weather, and crystal-clear waters making it a perfect
choice for that idyllic honeymoon.
With careful planning, you can ensure that the whole honeymoon
experience is easy, and you can set off feeling confident that your
honeymoon will be nothing less than extraordinary.
by Damien McKeever
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