Tips for choosing your perfect honeymoon
Organising a honeymoon can be a more difficult task than you may imagine - especially if you and your partner have different interests or hobbies. However, a bit of careful planning can go a long way and you'll soon be enjoying the trip of a lifetime.
Here is some advice to help get you started and ensure you're on the right track with your honeymoon travel plans.
What type of holiday do you want?
The first thing to decide is what sort of break you and your other half want to go on - are you both looking for two weeks lazing in the sun on a beautiful beach or would you prefer to explore a bustling city? Are you active and want to indulge in your favourite hobby, or would you rather choose a trip where you can learn a new skill? This is all made much easier if you have similar interests, but be prepared to compromise if your idea of the perfect honeymoon is vastly different.
Where do you want to go?
Narrowing down a list of destinations will be much easier when you've answered the first question. After all, Mauritius or the Maldives are ideal if you just want to relax in the sunshine, but not so fantastic if you're hoping to explore large and vibrant cities on your travels. Consider too visiting more than one place during your honeymoon - there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to organising a post-wedding trip, so don't be afraid to think outside the box.
When do you want to go?
There are really two things to think about here - whether you want to jet off straight after your wedding or would prefer to leave it a few months, and what the weather in your chosen destination will be doing.
When you leave will really be down to personal preference and may be influenced by your finances - for instance, if you need to save a bit more money for your trip, you might want to wait a few months before you travel.
However, it's essential to bear the climate of your chosen destination in mind when booking your honeymoon. Take the Caribbean as an example. There are some amazing destinations here, including Cuba, St Lucia and Martinique - all perfect for a romantic getaway. In the UK, many people plan their weddings in the summer months to try and catch the best weather. However, if you intend to book your honeymoon at this time of year too, the Caribbean may not be the best option. The hurricane season lasts from June to November and, while these storms are far from regular, you may not want to run the risk of getting caught up in one.
A bit of research should give you a reasonably good idea of the weather and climate in any destination and it is well worth doing to avoid any nasty surprises when you arrive.
Getting active
Honeymoons can be as active or laidback as you want them to be, but if you are looking for a break with a bit of adventure as well as a touch of luxury, you'll find plenty of locations that cater for you. South Africa and Tanzania, for instance, are ideal if you want to go on safari as part of your trip. Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, meanwhile, are perfect for nature lovers with vast swathes of rainforest to explore and beautiful coral reefs to scuba dive on. Alternatively, visit some fascinating historical sites on a tour in Egypt or Jordan.
