Honeymoon Travel

If you’re recently engaged and starting to plan the perfect wedding and honeymoon, don’t overlook one of the most important wedding considerations – location! Having your wedding in an exotic romantic location can make it even more memorable.

If you want a tropical, wedding location with sandy beaches and swaying palm trees, then the Caribbean is the destination to consider. It’s close, there are lots of direct flights, the weather is warm year round and it lends itself to a relaxed, stress free wedding.

Popular Caribbean wedding destinations include Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and St. Thomas. Especially for Americans, the logical Caribbean choice is island of St. Thomas in the U. S. Virgin Islands. As a U.S. Territory, St. Thomas operates under the laws of the United States Government, so your wedding will be as hassle-free as a wedding anywhere in the mainland U.S.

Getting married in St. Thomas is easy, the documentation is just $100. ($50. application fee & $50. license fee). The paper work can be done in advance with a downloadable Marriage License application form, then mailed to the Superior Court in St. Thomas, together with a $100. Certified Check or money order.

An advantage of a Caribbean island wedding location is the option of renting a private vacation villa in St. Thomas to enjoy the ultimate, romantic and luxurious wedding and honeymoon setting. Private villa rentals offer many advantages over hotel accommodation: firstly, it’s a luxurious private residence, so you can have the space and privacy that no hotel can offer. Villa rentals are usually large with several bedrooms and private swimming pools, etc. so

For example, the Sand Dollar Estate villa, the ultimate luxury vacation villa rental in St. Thomas, has 8 bedrooms plus a romantic separate 2,000 sq. ft. guest cottage (the perfect honeymoon accommodation). It’s all set on an exceptional 2.5 acre estate with its own private white sand beach on Magen’s Bay. In total, the villa estate can accommodate 22 people, making it the perfect Caribbean wedding honeymoon location.

Combining a wedding and honeymoon in a tropical location is a combo that makes for unforgettable, romantic memories. Your honeymoon starts immediately after the ceremony, not after a tiring day of airport security, airport transfers, and connecting flights. What a relaxing and no-stress way to start a marriage!

If you're looking to choose a romantic honeymoon destination, you might a bit overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices available. There are many great honeymoon destinations out there, from Hawaii t Mexico to the Caribbean.

In order to help you narrow down your choices (aond maybe even think of some places you haven't previously considered), I have compiled the following list of the very best honeymoon spots.

So here are my choices for the top 5 honeymoon destinations:

5. Zihuatanejo, Mexico

One of Mexico's hidden gems, Zihuatanejo is located on Mexico's southern Pacific coast. A quaint little town set on an amazingly picturesque bay, Zihuatanejo has wonderful art galleries, restaurants, and small hotels. It's a great place for those seeking to get away from it all on their honeymoon while still experiencing world class service and dining.

4. Tahiti and Moorea

This chain of islands in the South Pacific is truly naturally blessed, with lush vegetation, amazing lagoons, crystalline waters, beautiful beaches, and laid back, friendly locals. Luxury accommodations here range from standard rooms to private over-water bungalows. What more could you ask for from a romantic island paradise?

3. St. Kitts and Nevis

Luxury is the operative word in St. Kitts and Nevis. Less well known than many other Caribbean islands, St. Kitts and Nevis are a bit of a well kept secret amongst those who enjoy ultra-luxury vacationing away from the crowds of better known destinations. The Four Seasons Nevis might just be the best hotel in the Caribbean. Gorgeous, exclusive, and home to the best beaches and the best weather in the Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis make for an ultra-exclusive honeymoon destination.

2. Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai might just be the most beautiful of the Hawaiian Islands, and it receives my vote for the most romantic. Home to several amazing hotels, from the Princeville hotel on one end to the Hyatt on the other, Kauai is the perfect place for a Hawaiian honeymoon. On Kauai, you avoid the crowds while enjoying breathtaking natural beauty, from the awe-inspiring Waimea Canyon to the stunning Na Pali coast to world-famous Hanalei Bay, there is plenty to see and do on Kauai - that is when you are not enjoying the most amazing beaches in Hawaii.

1. St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Tranquil, stunningly beautiful, and utterly romantic, St. John is my idea of paradise. Much of the island is a U.S. national park, but there are a couple world-class hotels on St. John, so if you can get a room, you are in for a real treat - a honeymoon in a true natural paradise.

Whether you are looking for a quiet, laid-back stay or an action-packed vacation, chances are you will find a destination that suits the desires of you and your partner for a romantic honeymoon in the United States.

1. Hawaii

With its pristine beaches, tropical scenery and wide variety of foods, activities and tourist spots to keep you busy, Hawaii is a popular choice for countless honeymooners from around the world. Hawaii offers a number of tourism options for the various types of guests it hosts each year. Some visitors might opt to rent a car or take a guided tour around the island they are staying on. By exploring the islands of Hawaii, guests will enjoy discovering serene waterfalls and spectacular views of the beautiful beaches that lace the outskirts of the islands. Perhaps one of the most romantic Hawaiian pastimes comes in the form of watching a sunset with your new spouse. For the active couple, Hawaii offers a number of top golf courses that honeymooners can enjoy. One of the more popular activities is to attend a Hawaiian luau.

2. Niagara Falls

Couples can register to get a guided boat cruise around the falls. For a fun night out, honeymooners can visit Casino Niagara, conveniently located right across from Niagara Falls. For honeymooners who enjoy day trips the scenic Catskill Mountains are not located far from the falls. There are two "sides" of the falls, the US side and the Canadian side. The Canadian site give you a much better view of the falls so don't forget your Passports!

3. Florida

Vacations in Florida are ideal for honeymooners. Disney World offers special honeymoon vacation packages to cater to those looking for a romantic getaway. There are even a number of Disney resorts that attract couples rather than families. If theme parks are not your cup of tea, consider a trip further south to Key West or Miami. These areas offer classy resorts, sprawling beaches, and plenty of attractions that will keep both you and your significant other happily busy.

4. Las Vegas

If you have money to blow and you're feeling lucky, Las Vegas is the place for you. In addition to gambling, you will find shopping, nightlife, and even a short drive to the Grand Canyon where you can sit in your car and look out over the moon.

5. California

California here I come! There is a reason the Beachboys wrote so many songs about the California coast. There are so many potential honeymoon destinations it's hard to name them all. If you want a more quiet honeymoon you can visit Carmel or Santa Barbra. If you want a more adventurous honey moon you can visit the L.A. area where you can visit Universal Studios, Disney Land, Knotts Berry Farm and Magic Mountain.

As Stephen Covey mentioned in his book "First Things First" begin with the end in mind. What type of honeymoon would you like to have? What feelings would you like to experience during your honeymoon? What activities do you and your partner enjoy doing together? Most couples often make the mistake of choosing the honeymoon destination first without going through the above questions. In doing so, they are limited with the activities and sights offered by that particular destination.

Suppose that both of you are adventurous and enjoy the wildlife. In this case, a safari honeymoon would be an ideal choice. Then you decide which country can offer you the ultimate safari honeymoon. Another example would be, both of you are beach bums and enjoy shopping. In this case you need to narrow it down further; do you enjoy surfing, diving, snorkelling or just lazing around the beach to get a tan. Then you can decide which beach destinations can also offer you shopping spree with fantastic deals.

Once the honeymoon destination has been decided, plan in advance how the both of you can make the honeymoon experience better. I am sure that both of you have taken holidays before either on your own or as a couple. Think back, what would have made your previous holidays much more enjoyable? Would your holidays be better if you can interact more with the locals there? Then you can start learning some simple phrases and terms before your honeymoon. Or do you find that during your previous holidays, you arrive at your destination only to find that the place was simply too crowded and noisy. Then you can plan for more privacy during your honeymoon by choosing more secluded places or even going there during the off-peak seasons. And the list simply goes on.

Just by putting a little more effort in planning, you can have the time of your life and a most memorable honeymoon.

Where can we expect to get the most for our money?

Ann Lile: All-inclusive resorts will give you the most for your money since most packages will include all meals, drinks, and non-motorized activities available at the resort.

The Colonial Cities of Mexico (including Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Guadalajara, San Miguel de Allende, Zacatecas and Merida) are also good value, giving the traveler a cultural/historical experience similar to Europe, only at a much better price.

When is the best time of the year to go to Mexico?

Ann: The peak season for traveling to Mexico is December through April,while the low season is from May through November.

The official hurricane season is June to October, which affects primarily the Yucatan Peninsula and Southern Coast. If you're going to be honeymooning during hurricane season, and can't take the chance of being visited by a hurricane on your vacation, you might be wise to avoid these regions of the country to be absolutely safe.

Rainy season is May through mid-October. The rainy season is of little consequence in the Northern region of the country while the Southern region typically receives tropical showers in the late afternoon on a daily basis.

Do you have any "hidden gems" of Mexico?

Ann: My personal favorites are the colonial cities of Mexico. These cities offer a tremendous amount of history, culture, architecture, a great climate, and a taste of the real Mexico. Built back in the 1500's near the silver mines, these cities offer many small, intimate properties for vacationers of all kinds.

Highly recommended places to stay are the Quinta Real properties in Huatulco or Aguascalientes, which will give the traveler an intimate experience that combines the true flavor of Old Mexico with a historical feel.

Compared to Tahiti or Hawaii, what makes Mexico a special destination?

Ann: In addition to having beautiful beaches and various water activities to enjoy like Hawaii and Tahiti, Mexico affords the traveler the opportunity to experience wonderful archaeological sites such as Teotihuacán, Monte Alban, and Palenque. In addition, travelers can explore the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, Uxmal, and Tulum.

Mexico is also home to many all-inclusive resorts, which provide wonderful value for travelers.

Where do celebrities like to stay?

Ann: As expected, celebrities flock to resorts that offer the ultimate in luxury, comfort, and privacy.
Here is a short list of my personal favorites:
Cancun - Fiesta Americana Grand
Ixtapa - Villa del Sol
Riviera Maya - Paraiso de la Bonita and Maroma
Los Cabos - One and Only Palmilla, Marquis Los Cabos, Hotel Twin Dolphin
Costa Alegre - El Careyes, El Tamarindo, Hotelito Desconocido
Puerto Vallarta - Four Seasons Punta Mita, Grand Velas, or Kevin Costner's house!

The wedding registry is a great way to allow wedding guests to pool their resources towards a more meaningful, and desirable set of gifts. If you decide to use one for your wedding and honeymoon, make sure to offer a wide range of choices on your wish list, and also make sure that all guests know about the registry, and that they are able to access it. If you convey your wishes clearly, and make reasonable requests, the guests are more likely to be able to make a gift choice that will benefit you.

Why Consider a Honeymoon Registry?

A honeymoon registry is similar to a wedding registry, although instead of helping people choose wedding gifts, a honeymoon registry would request that the guests contribute to the cost of the honeymoon. The idea is a very good one, and can be very useful in helping newlyweds have the honeymoon they have always dreamed of, but there are a few problems with the system.

It will require an early notice to all the guests, i.e. some three months in advance. This means that the guests would have to be invited about three months in advance, which will in turn mean that all the arrangements (at least the majority of them) be finalized and printed in a card some three months in advance as well.

In spite of the long advance notice, sometimes even several weeks after the wedding not all the guests will have joined the honeymoon registry. In that case it would be difficult for you (unless you can complement the rest of the finances) to really take up the honeymoon plan, which could be extremely frustrating.

The honeymoon registry takes a lot of effort and planning to set up - if it works, it can be a massive help in allowing you to have the honeymoon of a lifetime, but if it is not successful then you may find yourself rushing to make alternate plans, and disappointment is not the ideal start to a marriage.

Warnings and pessimism aside, there are some good reasons to try a honeymoon registry. If your guests like the idea, then it can be a very nice way to pay for your honeymoon without stressing your finances even more than they already are by the wedding itself.

Instead of getting five toasters, three juicers, and unending sets of china tea sets, you will be able to make your wishes clear about what you need from your guests. The guests could decide whether they want to join the honeymoon registry or not, based upon their financial capacity and commitments.

Should the honeymoon registry not manage to pay for the entire honeymoon, you will still be able to use it as a source of cash - if you treat it as a subsidy for the honeymoon expenses, instead of a way to pay for the entire trip, then anything that you do get through the honeymoon registry is a bonus.

Remember that you can use money deposited into the honeymoon registry for anything you wish - you do not have to go to a specific place, or even travel at all for that matter - you can use the money for any purpose, so if you pay for the honeymoon some other way, then the honeymoon registry could be used to help you set up home together, for example.