#1. Fairly obvious and yet so often over looked, couples need to communicate!
Regardless of how "in tune" you think you are with your partner, I guarantee you don't have the exact same vision of the perfect honeymoon. Don't believe me? Ask! Sure, you've talked about it for months, done some research, spun the globes a few time, and settled on say...the Mexican Riviera. But while he's out scuba diving the underwater caves you're left on the beach sweating out last night's drinks wondering, where's my husband?
#2. Get creative! Close your eyes and think of the perfect honeymoon.
I'll bet $20 that there's white sand beaches and drinks with tacky little umbrellas somewhere in that vision. But why is that the first thing most of us think of? Is it really what we've always wanted, or is it a vision that was somehow chosen for us, the result of years mental battery at the hands of airline companies, all inclusive hotels, and perhaps this very blog! Now don't get me wrong; god knows I love white sand beaches, and you might even catch me with a mai tai in my hand if you look quick enough. But my point stands; be honest with yourself and with your partner. A run down little villa in the Tuscan countryside with no one for miles might be a far better experience than sitting on a postcard perfect beach. But then again, maybe you just reaaaaally love those sugary little excuses for a cocktail. To each their own!
#3. With two fairly obvious points out of the way, we get to the third, and most obvious thing to remember:
Research and plan the hell out of this trip! This isn't the romp you took around Europe as a college kid, blowing wherever the beaches and booze took you. We've all got a bit of the devil-may-care attitude in us, and especially when it comes to love. Just let love take the reigns, your heart says. But remember, "first with the heart, then with the head." Delegate the task of picking the destination to the heart, it can handle that much. Leave the planning to your better judgment. Every little nuance needs to be addressed in order to ensure a snag-free honeymoon. Passports, visas, money situations, back up plans, clothing, transportation, food situations, language barriers, you get the idea.
#4. Now not all of us are travel gurus.
Its okay to admit, no one's listening. If you have even the slightest bit of concern over handling all the specifics of your honeymoon (destinations, accommodations, airlines, etc.) there is someone you can turn to. Full service travel agencies make a fair living out of doing just that for people: taking the headaches out of travel. Some people hold the concept that travel agents do exactly what you could on your own, and then slap on an arbitrary mark up for their trouble. Well, maybe some of them do. But most, like AskAboutTravel.com can book your honeymoon for what it would cost you to do it, or most likely for less! How? Simple. They have access to special insider deals at resorts and airline perks that you don't!
#5. What's more infectiously heart warming than being in the presence of love?
Now I'm not talking vulgar make out sessions in the hotel lobby, that's just gross. What I am saying is tell anyone and everyone, whether they ask or not, that you are on your honeymoon. You will be amazed at how the hotel upgrades, personal favors, and free drinks will fall from the heavens!
