…And Away We Go!

After months – sometimes years – of planning your dream wedding, you will be ready to sit back, relax, and enjoy some much-needed alone time with your spouse on your honeymoon. But sometimes, trying to decide between all the different locations and resorts can be overwhelming. That is where a travel agent can help! We have personal experience on location to help narrow down spots and resorts that will fit the exact trip you are envisioning.

The first step is to sit down with your fiancé and get on the same page when it comes to your honeymoon experience. Here’s a handful of things to think about as you start to plan:

1. Time of Year – Consider what time of year you want to travel. Some locations have rainy or hurricane seasons, so knowing this will help improve your chances of great weather.
2. Budget – Create an outline for your budget, including transportation (flights or gas for driving), hotel, food/drinks, and activities. All-inclusive resorts are a great option for first time travelers because packages usually include your flights, resort, and food/drinks.
3. Trip Length – Know how many nights you would like to be gone. This makes selecting resorts easier, simply based on distance away from the airport. For example, if you are only going to be staying three nights at a resort, choosing a resort two hours away from the airport might not be a good use of your vacation time.
4. Your Vision – How do you envision spending your time on vacation? If you know you want to spend your time at the beach, a resort with a lot of beach space and easy water entry would be important to you. If you know you do not want to sit still, larger resorts with more activities on-site or close by would be a plus. Any details you can provide on how you would like to spend your time on your honeymoon will help pair you with the perfect resort for your trip!

We put together some of our favorite honeymoon hotspots to help you find the perfect location for your honeymoon.

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Photo courtesy of Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana

Dominican Republic

This country quickly became the most visited destination in the Caribbean and boasts year-round golf in addition to beautiful, golden sand beaches. While most vacationers stay in Punta Cana, the area of Cap Cana is one of our personal favorites with its quiet private beaches. From snorkeling to zip lining or simply relaxing on the sandy beaches, this destination has something for everyone to enjoy!

Once in a lifetime local experience: Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana – Located just 15 minutes from the airport, this brand new “Adults Only” resort gives you the best that the island has to offer. It sits on a long, beautiful stretch of white sand with shallow turquoise water – perfect for floating the day away. They also offer a large infinity pool overlooking the ocean and a water park with large slides and a lazy river. Catch dinner at the Journeys restaurant in the unique Maharaja’s Express Train Car and enjoy a night-cap specialty cocktail in the James Bond styled lounge.

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Alaska

If a tropical honeymoon is not your cup of tea, do not worry! We have you covered. Alaska is one of our favorite non-traditional honeymoon spots, and the best way to experience it is by sea. For an easy trip to enjoy all Alaska has to offer, we recommend a cruise to get up close and personal with the glaciers and wildlife while experiencing multiple places. Make sure your itinerary includes either Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm, or the Inside Passage for spectacular views of glaciers, fjords, and whales. Cruises start in the spring and are available through fall seasons, so this is a great option to get out of the summer heat and explore.

Once in a lifetime local experience: We love the land and sea cruise options when it comes to Alaska honeymoons. If you end your cruise in Seward, add a land visit to Anchorage and Denali to experience rafting, hiking, ATV tours, amazing wildlife, and views of the tallest peak in North America.

Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean

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Photo courtesy of Kauai Marriott

Hawaii

Hawaii brings French Polynesian culture to the United States. Each of the seven main islands of Hawaii has their own unique feel and features. With amazing beaches, beautiful waterfalls, swimming with the turtles, and incredible hiking, you can do it all! Do you want to experience multiple islands? It is easy to island hop from one to another to take in as much of the islands as you can on the same trip.

Once in a lifetime local experience: Experience the island of Kauai, also known as the Garden Isle, where no building is taller than the nearest palm tree. Explore Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, and take a helicopter ride to see the breathtaking displays of waterfalls. Then sail around the amazing Na Pali Coast. Head back to our favorite spot, the Kauai Marriott, to relax at the beach and watch the cruise ships sail out of port.

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Photo courtesy of Secret’s Papagayo

Costa Rica

This location is quickly becoming very popular for its mix of warm weather and adventure. This tropical rainforest spot allows you to enjoy black sand beaches, lush tropical gardens, and amazing wildlife. You can also spend time in the Arenal volcano area to hike, zip line, and explore the cable suspension bridges.

Once in a lifetime local experience: Many Arenal resorts have natural hot springs that you can enjoy while being completely surrounded by nature. Our favorite is Nayara Springs, which has rooms that open to the rain forest. Guests can be completely immersed in nature, while still enjoying the comfort and luxury of their rooms.

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Anywhere you decide to go (even if it is a staycation at home) will be wonderful because of your company. Whether you are on the sandy beaches in Hawaii or zip lining through rainforests, make sure to take just the two of you to reflect on your amazing wedding, the love you have for each other, and the life you are about to build together. Regardless if you take your honeymoon right after your wedding or a couple years down the road, travel agents are always here to help you make it happen!

// —Becah Fliehs