Great Escapes

Sunscreen, swimsuits, and digital camera: $500. Ditching the alarm clock for one warm, romantic week? Priceless. Regardless of the currency you choose—your own savings or (lucky you!) a travel registry paid for by loving family and friends—your dream honeymoon takes careful planning. Start with our check list of invaluable resources, and enjoy. It’s your last hurrah before it’s back to the real world. Bon voyage!

Tip 1: Book Early

Travel consultants recommend that brides and grooms start researching honeymoon destinations at least six to eight months out. “We can look at airfare and hotels, which can give you a general idea of what to budget,” says Michele Keeley, a destination wedding specialist with Travel Leaders in Eden Prairie. “As a general rule, you will get a better discount if you book airfare and hotel together.”

“I would recommend booking six to nine months prior because you can usually get some early booking discounts,” says Carol Flanigan, a destination wedding and honeymoon specialist for Carrousel Travel American Express in Richfield. She also warns newlyweds not to hold out for cheaper fares or hotel rates: “The days of the last-minute good deals on travel are gone.”

Pack Light Whatever road you choose, packing light can lead to a stress-free, joyful vacation. Pack half your belongings in each other’s bags—if one suitcase is lost, you’ll still have clothing. Include these essentials, and toast to a lifetime ahead: + Airline tickets, passports/visa, traveler’s checks + Digital camera, charger + Medications, prescriptions + Extra contact lenses or glasses + Credit cards and driver’s licenses + Personal toiletry items + Electrical outlet adapters if needed + And . . . gasp! Consider leaving the cell phones at home

Tip 2: Buyer Beware
Couples who start a year in advance also have adequate time to save and determine how much they can spend. Some honeymooners will bank on cash gifts from the wedding to help fund their travels. To be safe, couples should bring their own money on their trip and consider the cash gifts additional spending money.

Given the current economy, couples want to find the best deals for their honeymoon. However, Keeley cautions, cheapest doesn’t always mean best. “When you’re looking on the Internet, all hotels are five-star,” she says. “The picture they show isn’t necessarily the one you’re going to have. Let your travel consultant know what kinds of packages you’re finding online. An agent can review them and say, ‘This one doesn’t include taxes and transfers.’ ”

Travel agents also can help clients save money by helping them figure out what activities they want to do ahead of time. Keeley offers her clients sightseeing choices and spa menus to determine costs up-front. “I also encourage couples to take advantage of the meal plans offered by resorts,” particularly in Fiji and Tahiti, she says. “If you book them in advance, any money you’re taking with you is additional spending money.” An all-inclusive trip—as long as you know in advance what that covers—can also ease some financial headaches.

Tip 3: Live Your Dream

When it comes to picking a honeymoon destination, newlyweds have endless choices. For some couples, a honeymoon means relaxing on a beach, sipping margaritas. For others, hiking and mountain biking in far-flung destinations may be the perfect antidote to a hectic wedding. To narrow down your options, talk to a travel agent about your priorities. “The common answer to ‘Where do you want to go for your honeymoon?’ is, ‘Someplace warm,’ ” Flanigan says. “That’s a starting point. I’ll ask if you’re a beach or pool person. If you’re a pool person, I’ll ask if a swim-up bar is important. Do you want accommodations with a double Jacuzzi? Do you prefer á la carte dining, or is an all-inclusive resort better? The more information you give the agent, the more we can [select] the correct resort for you while keeping it in your budget.”

Flanigan has booked hundreds of honeymoons for couples with a wide variety of tastes. Mexico, particularly the Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen, just south of Cancun, etc.), offers the best value for newlyweds. “This area has wonderful couples- and adults-only resorts,” she says. “They have plenty of á la carte restaurants with great food. There are also good choices for activities and spaces where couples can be by themselves.”

Hawaii remains the number one honeymoon spot, but Flanigan recommends that couples consider the smaller islands of Kauai and Lanai or laid-back Maui. Other popular island destinations Flanigan recommends include Aruba, which she describes to her clients as “Phoenix with a beach,” and St. Lucia, a Caribbean volcanic island whose landscape includes lush vegetation and beautiful mountains. Jamaica also continues to be a favorite destination for Minnesota newlyweds.

Tip 4: Mini Moon

Dreaming of a restful honeymoon, but short on funds or vacation time? Consider the “mini moon,” a quick weekend getaway embraced by plenty of Minnesota newlyweds. Our state’s stunning North Shore provides an ideal getaway in all seasons—well, depending on your love for winter—and is just three or four hours from the Twin Cities by car. Explore the art, cuisine, and stunning trails around Grand Marais, scenery on the Gunflint Trail, and fabulous B & Bs of the Twin Ports. “When you stay on Lake Superior, you feel like you’re in a whole other world,” says Lori Schaefer of Bluefin Bay in Tofte, which offers honeymoon packages. “And, it’s only a few hours’ drive from the Twin Cities.”

Have a bit more time, but want to keep it simple? Explore the timeless romance of Niagara Falls. Leave your heart in San Francisco. Or take in the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas.

For Richer, For Poorer: Honeymoon Price Tags $725–$1,000: Minnesota Mini Moon, North Shore weekend getaway for two. $2,400–$5,000: One week for two at all-inclusive resort, including airfare. $3,000–$5,000: One week in Hawaii for two, including airfare and some meals. When it comes to picking a honeymoon destination, newlyweds have endless choices. To narrow down your options, talk to a travel agent about your priorities.

Tip 5: Find Adventure

For a more active honeymoon, Flanigan suggests “soft adventure” destinations such as Alaska (for its whitewater rafting or salmon fishing), Costa Rica (for volcano visits and hiking), and Belize (for diving trips).

European destinations also appeal to many couples, though challenges such as renting a car in a foreign country or language barriers can be daunting. Keeley recommends asking an agent to take care of logistics in advance, such as pre-purchasing train tickets or hiring a car service for transportation between the hotel and restaurants. “You still have free time to explore and do your own thing, so you don’t feel like you’re being herded around,” she says.

Trend Alert: Travel Registries In lieu of traditional wedding gifts, many couples are asking guests to chip in for the honeymoon. Sites such as paradiseregistry.com, honeyluna.com, thebigday.com, honeymoonwishes.com, and sendusoff.com allow couples to register for the honeymoon of their dreams, and guests can opt to pay for anything from airfare to massages. Many of the sites also offer travel coordination and booking services through preferred vendors. However, beware: Honeymoon registry sites charge couples, gift-givers, or both a processing fee—read the fine print.