Honeymoons: Tips and Trends

There was a time when the ideal honeymoon revolved around champagne, breakfast in bed, and a souvenir photo album for the newlyweds. These days, couples are looking for romance as well as excitement, and the most popular honeymoon areas are those that boast of beautiful daytime scenery as well and an active night life.

Your days will be filled with sports activities, shopping, and lounging by the pool. Nights will be spent in exquisite restaurants, happening discos, and walks on the beach. With so many activities and places to choose from, it is easy to find a honeymoon that fits you and your fiance's personalities -- even if they are very different from each other.

Before you book your vacation, it is important that you speak to a travel agent. Their services will not cost you anything, and actually they can help save you money by suggesting economical places and seasons. Also, their insider connections give them access to discount airfare, hotel accommodations, and car rentals, as well as package deals that include all the necessary details and can be huge money-savers.

It is important that you and your fiance do your homework before approaching a travel agent. Decide how much you can afford to spend, how long you can be gone, and what your idea of the perfect honeymoon is. Look through travel magazines and view travel videos for ideas, although the agent will be happy to suggest other hot spots. Another good idea is to ask friends and family members about their most recent vacation, to see if it might appeal to you.

From domestic excursions to foreign getaways, there is a honeymoon that will appeal to both your tastes and your budget. A little background knowledge about what's available will give you a good starting ground for when you consult a travel agent, but your choices are limitless.

The Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania offer a group of resorts affectionately know as "The Honeymoon Capital of the World," the perfect spot for the couple who wants to be pampered, but also wants a wide variety of things to do. With 150 lakes, 35 golf courses, 13 downhill ski runs, hundreds of trails for hiking or cross-country skiing, and many clubs and discos, there is truly something for everyone. Most of the resorts cater to newlyweds, and offer such pleasurable amenities as champagne breakfast in bed, a private sauna, sunken whirlpool bath, an intimate balcony for two, and a glass-enclosed heart-shape pool.

In other areas of the United States, Walt Disney World and Disneyland offer honeymoon packages that are real money-savers, but provide all the pampering and fun of a dream honeymoon.

Hawaii is always the ultimate island getaway, with its balmy breezes and warm temperatures. Honolulu is frequented by the couple looking for beautiful scenery with all the attractions of a major city, while Kauai is ever-popular for its rolling hills, lush gardens, and cascading waterfalls.

Extending outside of the U.S., Mexico offers some of the best honeymoon bargains. Areas such as Acapulco, Puerta Vallarta, and Mexico City offer diverse attractions in a different culture.

The Caribbean and Bahamas are still two of the most popular honeymooning spots in the world. Their cheapest rates occur during the spring, summer, and fall seasons, so wedding season in the United States can take full advantage of all that this tropical region has to offer. Cancun, in the Mexican Caribbean, is the ideal spot for couples who want to relax and enjoy the hedonistic pleasures that abound, while Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, Anguilla, and St. Martin offer various perks to suit your individual tastes.

Cruises are always popular, especially to such sunny tropical paradises as the Caribbean. They provide a good value, since all your meals and entertainment are included in the overhead price, and you have the opportunity to visit more than one or two islands.

All-inclusive resorts such as those in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Aruba, and the Caribbean also promise great values in the form of package deals.

If you have your heart set on a European honeymoon, choose one city or area instead of trekking all over the continent. It's much more relaxing to stay in one place, and you'll have the opportunity to really explore the sights, sounds, and smells of the city. It may also be more economical, since by renting an apartment for one or two weeks, you can save as much as thirty percent over the cost of a hotel room. Areas such as the Greek Isles, the English countryside, and Provence, France are popular retreats, while Paris and Rome are traditional romantic favorites.

Whether you choose an excursion to Australia or a bed-and-breakfast inn close to home, your honeymoon will be a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Make it memorable for being so perfectly suited to the tastes and desires of you and your new husband by taking the time to sit down with a travel agent and discuss your options. You can combine exciting experiences with relaxing moments if you just take the time to explore your choices, and reflect upon the one most suited to your personalities.