Fantastic Voyage: Planning Your Honeymoon Travel

For as complex as the wedding preparations often become, planning the perfect honeymoon also requires some careful thought and consideration. Where should you go, and how long and how much should you spend?

It goes without saying that the honeymoon destination you and your fiance choose should include both your interests - but should also be something of an adventure for you both. As you plan your travel arrangements, consider some of the following tips to help you make your trip, your stay and your return home as comfortable and memorable as possible.

Avoid Unpleasant Surprises With a Thorough Budget

You already know the honeymoon will involve paying for airfare (or gas) to your destination, and the cost of your lodgings. But as you plan your honeymoon vacation, remember to include the costs of passports, spending cash, rental car fees, dining, and miscellaneous expenses.

It's not necessary to budget every penny, and you don't want to worry about money while you're supposed to be honeymooning anyway. But make a list of everything that will cost you while you're away, so you're not shocked once you're there. Bring more money than you think you'll need - maybe as much as 15% over your calculated expenses. The honeymoon is a time to be adventurous and impulsive, and a little mad money will go a long way towards making that possible.

Don't Be Afraid to Save

If you're worried that trying to remain thrifty when planning your honeymoon is a bit declasse, forget about it. There are lots of deals waiting for discovery with just a little research that can save you time and money in the long run. Most resorts now offer package deals that include transportation and lodging costs as well as some entertainment incentives. You can also sometimes save more money with these plans by booking well in advance - usually six to eight months.

It doesn't hurt to pimp the honeymoon angle with travel agents and booking agencies, either - they often have honeymoon specials and select rates set aside for just that reason. Of course, you'll also want to know if there's a honeymoon suite available, too.

Relax Before the Honeymoon But After the Wedding

The romantic convention is that newlyweds jet off to their honeymoon the morning after the reception. Now that you're planning, that sounds exhausting, doesn't it? Plan to depart two days after your ceremony and reception, to give yourself time to pack and catch any last minute essentials or details. It's also a good time to make final checks on your hotel reservations, flight itineraries, and local travel arrangements (parking, mass transit, et cetera.)

A Passport to Romance

Ready for your ultimate honeymoon getaway overseas? Be sure to get further than the border. A passport is an absolute necessity when traveling abroad. Some nations also require specific inoculations as well. The United States State Department has a listing of entrance requirements by nation on their travel website, http://travel.state.gov.

Passports normally take ten to twelve weeks to process and arrive. Besides the application form, you will need to present your birth certificate, a picture ID, and two passport-scale (2" by 2") photographs. Your local post office, clerk of court, or other government building will accept the application, documentation, and non-refundable passport fee. Fees are usually $97.00 and can be paid by check, cash, money order or credit card. From time to time the State Department will also issue travel warnings or advisories for certain areas of the world deemed unsafe for travel by Americans. Be sure to check the site before finalizing any travel plans to your destination.

Get the Local Lay of the Land

You'll probably want to dig beneath the surface of your destination's attractions, to find the real local flavor and culture. Check with your destination's travel bureau, chamber of commerce, or welcoming agency to get maps and information about local attractions. Your hotel will also probably offer information about local dining and entertainment on its website.

There are also several ranking guides, such as Zagat, to help you find the best of what's around on your trip. The Frommer's and Michelin series of travel guides are also dependable resources.

Travel Safe, Travel Smart

By now everyone knows that traveler's checks are better than cash and to carry a money pouch around your neck for toting any local currency. Making photocopies of all your documents and finances (credit cards, plane tickets, and so on) will offer a valuable source of evidence in the event of theft. If theft occurs, immediately report the incident to your credit card companies and to the bank or institution that issued you traveler's checks. Their theft protection protocols should go into effect almost instantaneously in most cases.

Michael Kabel is senior staff writer for http://www.myweddingfavors.com. Stop by for wedding planning help, unique wedding favors, wedding gift ideas, groomsmen and bridesmaid gifts and much more.