Mid-Valley Voice

Honeymoon on a Budget

Weddings can be stressful -- especially on your checkbook.

After budgeting for wedding expenses, there may not be as much money left for a honeymoon, as you would like. But just because you have a small honeymoon budget doesn't mean that it can't be a relaxing and memorable trip.

A good travel agent can help you make the most of your funds so that you can have the honeymoon of your dreams at a price that won't cause you to have nightmares.

Before you visit your travel agent, consider these wallet-friendly ideas:

- Consider driving to a destination. Head to a cozy bed and breakfast. Catch the sights and sounds of Chicago (five-hour drive from St. Louis) or Kansas City (four-hour drive from St. Louis). If you don't want to miss out on the beach honeymoon of your dreams, take a road-trip to Florida, which can take between 15 and 20 hours when leaving from St. Louis.

- If you want to spend your honeymoon in Disneyworld, stay off-property. There are dozens of hotels and resorts surrounding the property, and almost all cost less than the hotels within the Disney resort. Rates will be cheaper from Sunday through Thursday. Weekend rates usually are more expensive.

- Hotels on the Las Vegas strip offer many specials. And there are travel packages including discounts on airfare. Again, rates are cheaper from Sunday through Thursday. Ask your travel agent to provide you with Las Vegas options.

- Think about going to an all-inclusive resort, where you pay one fee up front that includes room, food, drinks and activities on resort property. That way, you'll know exactly how much you'll be spending. Your travel agent can provide all-inclusive options for numerous destinations.

- Give yourself a daily budget (not including travel and hotel costs), and prioritize how to spend your funds.

- Pack plenty of film, toothpaste, suntan lotion and reading materials. These items usually are more expensive at tourist destinations.

- Register for your honeymoon with your travel agency, so friends and family can make contributions to your trip as their wedding gift. (Not available through all agencies.)

While you're in the thick of wedding planning - listening to dozens of bands, sifting through flower varieties, deciding whether to say the traditional words or write your own vows - you can hold on to one thought in the back of your mind. You're going to go on a honeymoon with your fiance that will be the vacation of a lifetime.

To make your honeymoon memorable, start planning early.

Find a Friend in Your Travel Agent: A travel agent can be a great help when it comes to planning your dream getaway. "Some travel agents even specialize in honeymoon planning. They take into account your wants and needs, and help you plan the romantic, relaxing honeymoon you have always wanted.

Obviously, the Internet is a great source of travel information. But when it comes to putting those plans into action, such as booking plane tickets and making reservations, a travel agent can help make sure all the details are covered.

A good place to starting looking for a travel agent that you like and trust is to gather references from family, friends. Ask them to recommend someone that they've worked with so that you can get an idea of an agent's personal style.

Before visiting your travel agent, keep the following in mind:

- What is your ideal dream getaway? Have you always envisioned going to Europe for your honeymoon? Or lying on a beach? A travel agent can help make what you've dreamed about come to life.

- How long do you plan on being gone? If you work and can't be gone very long, you can still do a lot with well planned days. If you can take a longer vacation, there may be some destination options available to you that you hadn't considered.

- What is your honeymoon budget? Your budget certainly has an effect on where you go and how long you'll be gone. When you plan your overall wedding budget, don't forget about your honeymoon. That way, you'll be able to see how it fits into your 'big picture' planning.

- What do you like to do? Whether you want to spend your honeymoon sitting on the beach, skiing down a mountain or relaxing in a spa, there is a destination that can provide all the activities you desire.

Desirable Destinations: Do you want adventure or relaxation? Theme-park fun or old-world charm? The following list of suggestions might contain a honeymoon destination that is just right for you.

The Adventure Zone - Hiking, biking, swinging and surfing - these adventurous locales have it all:

- Costa Rica is truly an adventure zone. It offers hiking, white water rafting and even swinging from tropical trees.

- Hawaii, the islands of Aloha, offers many activities for the adventurous spirit. Here, you will find waterfalls, canyons, volcanoes, scuba diving and snorkeling. There are also bike tours available - even one where you ride in the moonlight down the side of a mountain.

- In Cancun, you can tour Mayan ruins and bird sanctuaries, not to mention great beaches and Oceanside resorts.

Be a Pampered Pair: Almost any destination in the United States., as well as Mexico and the Caribbean, has a spa-like resort. Not only do these resorts offer recreational sports like golf and tennis, but they also boast a full-service menu of spa treatments. From manicures and pedicures to warm stone massage therapy, you can experience an array of relaxing and beautifying services.

Some resorts offer packages tailored to couples. Some also have classes such as massage therapy and yoga so you can take the relaxation techniques home with you.

Pick destinations that you're interested in, and ask your travel agent to help find the best spa resort in the area. You can be pampered from head to toe!

Old-world Romance and Charm - If you're looking for romance, history and a lot of sightseeing - Europe may provide the honeymoon destination for you. Keep in mind that to properly tour Europe, you may want 10 days to two weeks. Consider these European locales:

- England offers fun and relaxation with its small villages and big city sophistication in London. Get the best of both worlds by spending time in each locale.

- Ireland, the beautiful emerald isle, boasts historical castles and manor houses. And the Irish are famously laid-back and friendly to tourists.

- France has a beautiful countryside full of vineyards and gardens. And then there's Paris. Visit the Eiffel Tower, stroll the pathways next to the River Seine or share a glass of wine at a neighborhood bistro.

- Italy offers plenty of both romance and history. Tour Rome, the eternal city. Experience the beauty of Tuscany. Take a gondola ride in Venice. Every region offers its own distinctive flavor and atmosphere.

Feel Like a Kid Again: "A lot of couples go to Disneyworld in, Orlando, FL for their honeymoons. With luxurious hotels, plenty of daytime activities, and a nightlife all its own, Disney truly satisfies the child in all of us. Be a kid again on the spinning teapots and flying Dumbos in the Enchanted Kingdom. Take a tour of the future or visit the cultures of people from all over the world in Epcot. Get a taste of Hollywood glamour at MGM Studios. Then visit Pleasure Island for exciting after-hours fun.

A Little of Everything: Where is the one destination that offers a little bit of everything? The good-time capital of the United States is located in fabulous Las Vegas, NV, of course.

Bungee jump at the top of the Stratosphere. Ride the roller coaster around the "skyscrapers" of New York, New York. Relax near the glistening beaches of Mandalay Bay. Fall into lap of luxury and dance with the fountains at Bellagio. Tour Europe -- past and present -- at Paris, the Venetian and Caesar's Palace. And don't forget to bring some gambling money.

Vegas also boasts fine dining -- almost every world-class chef has a restaurant somewhere on the strip.

"Insure" Your Good Time: Every couple wants their dream getaway to go smoothly. But what happens when something goes wrong? It's a good idea to look into travel insurance to protect the investment you've made in your honeymoon. Unfortunately, it's impossible to predict accidents and acts of nature.

There are resorts with hurricane and sunshine guarantees that give you the opportunity to come back to the hotel at a later date if the weather turns ugly.

Different types of policies are also available to cover you while traveling. If you think you may need to interrupt your trip, ask your travel agent about the different types of travel insurance available. Even if you can't take your honeymoon at the time that you've planned it, you will still be able to enjoy it at a later date.

Packing for Paradise: Whether you're skiing in the mountains or basking on the beach, you'll need to pack appropriately.

Your travel agent can provide reports from the airlines and federal government on any luggage or carry-on restrictions.

When packing your carry-on luggage, don't include items that could be considered dangerous, such as knives or scissors. If you do, you will be stopped by airport security and the items will be confiscated. These items, as well as golf clubs, should go with checked luggage.

Of course, there is always the chance that the airline could misplace your luggage. To make sure you still can have a good time and function normally while your luggage is being located, pack the following items in your carry-on:

- Important travel papers, such as tickets, hotel confirmations and rental car information.

- A change of clothes (weather appropriate for your destination) and swimsuit (if appropriate).

- A change of intimate items, such as underwear.

- Any money or travelers checks.

- Any forms of identification, including your driver's license, passport and/or social security card.

- Personal items, including cosmetics, medication, and contacts (don't forget solution) or glasses.

Your travel agent can provide a packing checklist that will help you remember important items.