Planning a Dream Honeymoon - Part 1.

The first thing to do is get excited as it is a big moment in your life and there is a lot to celebrate. There is a lot to consider too, and it is probably the most money you will spend on one trip in your lifetime, so you need to get it right. Here are a few tips to help you with the planning of your dream honeymoon and hopefully you will feel a little less daunted.

**PICK THE RIGHT HONEYMOON DESTINATION**

This is one that must be agreed on early. There is no point picking Bora Bora for your Honeymoon if you do not like long flights. Equally if you do not like to lay at the beach all day, read and snorkel, a Maldives honeymoon is not for you.

Getting the destination right for both of you is the most important thing to consider. To get it right you may need to compromise a little with each other. For example, if one of you is less excited by a beach stay consider a city break 1st and then go to the beach rather than spending your full trip on the beach. Or agree to book two or three excursions into your honeymoon package for your time at the beach so there is relaxation but also some adventure. I can assist you with this and offer suitable suggestions based on your likes.

You may want to totally chill out, with all your time spent on the beach drinking cocktails or maybe you have taken a lot of trips like this and you would like to have something with a little adventure, a safari perhaps? There is always a honeymoon that will tick the boxes for both of you.

** GO SOMEWHERE THAT OFFERS YOU MORE FOR YOUR MONEY **

The rate of exchange and the cost of living in a destination should also be considered. This is a great way to get more for your travel spend and stretch your Honeymoon budget.

Consider a country where the rate of exchange works in your favour, Thailand, Bali, Vietnam to name a few, all offer amazing hotels at a fraction of the price compared to the Maldives or Seychelles. Your money will go further in these destinations. So, you could upgrade to that private pool villa without breaking the bank. Dining out will be much more affordable too so you will have more money for some amazing excursions.

** BE FLEXIBLE **

If possible be flexible on your date of departure. Travel on a Tuesday or a Wednesday when the flights are less busy, this will give you a lower airfare. Avoid Saturday or Sunday departures when the airlines often have weekend supplements applied so your flights will be dearer.

Don’t get too caught up on the order of your destinations. If you are planning a two-centre honeymoon visiting Dubai and Mauritius but the flights are €300.00 cheaper to visit Mauritius 1st and then Dubai, go for the saving. This makes sense and gives you more choice. You can save the money, or you could upgrade your hotel room or even upgrade your hotel. Or how about that romantic candle lit dinner on the beach with the waves lapping at your feet.

If you are working with me to plan your dream honeymoon this is something I would always check. My priority is always to get you the best value for money.

** HOW LONG SHOULD YOU GO FOR? **

This is important and boils down to the following. 1. Do you want a four-week trip which requires you to stay in three-star hotels to make 30 nights’ accommodation fit into your budget? 2. Are you happy to be away for 2 amazing weeks staying in a combination of four- and five-star hotels with room upgrade options, fabulous, personalised excursions pre booked in your destination and private transfers to and from all the airports?

Longer or more upmarket is the question here. Personally, I think a honeymoon is about treating yourself to something you have never experience before and for me that means going all out for 2 weeks.

** WHERE WILL YOU STAY **

The hotels you choose on your honeymoon are extremely important, but this does not mean you have to stay in all five-star hotels to have a fabulous time. Its best to organise the hotel category according to the area you are in to maximise your budget. For example, if you are staying in Bangkok for 3 nights you most likely will be out all-day long sightseeing. Top of the list will be the Grand palace, the floating market, and the night markets so you will spend very little time in the hotel itself.

A 4 star is perfect for a city like this and in some case a 3- star plus will work too. Staying in a five-star hotel is fabulous but you need to weigh up how much time you will actually have to enjoy the 5 star service and the 5 star facilities The money may be better spent at the beach by staying in a higher category of hotel or on an amazing speed boat adventure to Koh Phi Phi.

I would recommend starting your trip in a 3- or 4-star property and finishing in a 4 or 5-star property. It’s very hard to stay in a 5-star hotel and revert to a 3-star for your last part of your trip. It is just a bit of an anti-climax even when you know in advance. It just won’t be the same.

Check out 'How to plan your Dream honeymoon part 2’, where I will look at how important it is to include free activities when planning your trip.

You can also follow me on Instagram for more Honeymoon inspiration @honeymoon_and_holiday_expert

See you in part 2.