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H O N E Y M O O N & T R A V E L
C H I C A G O W E D D I N G & P A R T Y R E S O U R C E
W W W . C H I C A G O W E D D I N G R E S O U R C E . C O M
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MAKE AN ESCAPE BUDGET
To keep costs in check, as with planning your wedding,
decide your honeymoon must-haves (keeping in mind
that everything cannot be a must-have) and plan your trip
around those details. You both want to spend time lying on
a beach watching palm trees sway? Terrific. Realize that you
don’t have to go to Hawaii to have that.
There are places on the planet where the dollar is strong
and you’ll get a lot for your money. There are also places on
the planet where the dollar is weak and a couple of lattes
will set you back the equivalent of $15. That’s not to say that
you can’t find a way to make a dream destination a reality,
but if you venture beyond the preconceived borders of
where you always thought you’d honeymoon, you may find
some sites that will be new and interesting to explore and
offer a lot more bang for your buck.
If you’re jetting off to a faraway destination, now would be
the time to cash in those frequent-flier miles for upgrades to
business class or first class. You’ll be more pampered, which
will be nice, but you’ll actually be able to get some rest on the
plane, and after the whirlwind wedding planning and actual
day, you’ll need it. Plus, you’ll arrive at your destination
rested and, jet-lag notwithstanding, will be able to enjoy the
first day of your honeymoon instead of passing out across the
bed the minute you walk over the threshold.
If you’re planning a really long trip (think Los Angeles
to New York then New York to London), don’t try to
complete all your travel at once. Plan on spending a day in
the layover city. No one will be in a good mood after 12 or
more hours of flying.
HONEYMOON LOWDOWN
Is a rate per person, per night or per package? Never
assume anything. Know what is – and isn’t – included in
quoted costs, minimum and maximum stays, and other
conditions and terms that affect the total price. Airport and
room taxes and fees, and other charges, can up seemingly
low-cost advertised package or per-night rates.
You can save a lot of money by planning your honeymoon
yourself and scouring the web for great deals, but you’ll also
eat up a lot of precious time. Sometimes, it’s more prudent
to pay a professional. Consider whether paying a travel
agent to take care of all your arrangements might be money
well spent.
To get the most out of your lodging dollars, ask about
packages. Most hotels have a variety of packages available
featuring perks such as theater tickets or spa services, and
the rates are often lower than if you booked a room alone.
Plan a Great Getaway,
Newlyweds!