Top Ten Travel How-To's
After you
lovebirds have decided where you want to go
and how much you're going to spend, use these
guidelines to plan the trip of a lifetime. Let
us help you organize your romantic getaway!
Book your
flight an entire season in advance. No joke,
we're talking 5 or 6 months, here. You will
get a much lower rate and once you know when
you're going, can start making the other appropriate
plans. Be sure to record all confirmation numbers
and keep them with the rest of your honeymoon
materials. Confirm your flight 3 months, 48
hours, and the day of your departure to see
if there have been any changes.
Wise room-shopping.
Perhaps at this moment sleeping in a Tuscan
hostile's bunk beds sounds romantic, but is
that really what you want? Find the best room
you can afford for this once-in-a-lifetime vacation.
Ask hotels for specific information on which
rooms are quiet, have the best views, etc. Don't
forget to tell them it's your honeymoon (because
they're sure to have some perks for you), and
don't forget to record all confirmation numbers
and keep it with your honeymoon materials.
Organize
yourself. Put all your honeymoon planning, tickets,
confirmation numbers, everything in a special
honeymoon file or envelope so you won't lose
any of it over the next few months. Make two
copies of everything, one for you to stash when
you travel in case of loss, and one to leave
with your mother or best friend for the same
reason.
Do your research.
You've heard all about Paris, but do you know
what you're going to do once you get there?
Pick up a travel guide or two for the region
you'll be honeymooning in, and read it cover
to cover. You'll be surprised at the out -of-the-way
activities, restaurants, and sites you'll find
buried in those pages between the Lourve and
the Champs Ellysee. If you're traveling to a
country where you don't know the language, look
into taking a crash course before you go.
Pack wisely.
Although it depends on where you're going, for
most vacation destinations, the best rule is:
bring one of everything. One little black dress,
one jacket, one sweatshirt, one pair of jeans.
If you're going somewhere tropical, you may
want to bring a couple of bathing suits, and
several tops that can double as casual/presentable
in case you decide to duck into a nice restaurant
(or historical church) while you're out and
about. Don't forget to pack a carry-on with
a change of clothes for each of you, your toilet,
and all your paperwork in case they lose your
luggage or it's delayed in arriving at your
destination.
Papers, proof,
and shots. Start making sure at least three
months before the honeymoon you have proper
certification as far as current passports, proper
health certificates, and all the vaccines you
will need to enter the country you're traveling
to. It takes time to secure some of this paperwork,
so start early.
Exchange
your currency here. You'll need some money when
you get off the plane, most likely, and many
times the currency exchange charge is more at
an airport than if you go to the bank or traveler's
service. Exchange some of your cash, or all
of it you want to use, before you leave for
the airport.
Leave your
info. Don't forget to leave all your information
with a friend or family member. One copy of
your passports, health certificates, flight
and hotel reservations, confirmation numbers,
and the phone numbers of places you'll be staying
should be in the hands of someone close to you
in case you lose something or lines get crossed
once you're overseas. You should also find out
where the local U.S. Embassy is located in the
area you will be vacationing, just in case there
are any problems.
Remember,
you're relaxing. Don't forget, you just came
off one of the most stressful events of your
life. Scheduling fun things to do might be great,
but you may want to avoid wall-to-wall activities
and opt for more R&R. The two of you choose
a few things you really can't live without (whether
they be together, or separate activities - a
few hours apart won't hurt), and then make plenty
of time to lay around, look at the scenery,
have cocktails, and other relaxing activities.
Tell everyone
you're on your honeymoon. We mean everyone!
Many hotels, restaurants, and other establishments
have special offers, perks, and free gifts for
honeymooning couples. You never know when you'll
get a free meal or at least a complimentary
bottle of champagne out of the deal.
