You’ve set the date, bought that fairytale dress, booked the church and organised the dream wedding reception; now you can concentrate on choosing that once in a lifetime honeymoon. This extra special holiday is sure to bring you even closer together and the travel websites and brochures are filled with countless pictures of couples walking hand in hand together on white sands.
After immersing themselves in the promise of distant lands couples could be forgiven for thinking that honeymoons will be filled with endless wedded bliss; and with all that quality time spent together in the sun – how could it all go wrong?
Max Tookey, a senior psychologist who regularly comments on travel and lifestyle issues has some key points to remember before you confirm that dream honeymoon booking:
1. Choose the honeymoon destination carefully: “On the surface honeymoons might sound like the perfect way to strengthen relationships which seem made in heaven – but don’t get carried away with fantasy – make sure the destination is right for both you and your partner. Since we spend less and less quality time together these days, two weeks on a secluded beach can conjure up images of tender loving embraces and canoodling over cocktails in some island paradise, but this is not always the case. In fact, honeymoons can still be testing times, especially if couples who normally have an active social life spend every waking minute in each others company.”
The ideal honeymoon for socialites: Break the beach with some group adventure on Acacia Adventure Holidays’ 13-day Kenya and Tanzania Adventure incorporating the world renowned Masai Mara, the Serengeti and 3-night stay on the spice island of Zanzibar. (£595pp + local payment from £186pp). Includes tour highlights, transport, road tolls and taxes, camping and cooking equipment, most meals and services of tour leader and driver. Excludes International flight, visas, departure taxes, transfers, and flexible local payment excursions. Contact Acacia Adventure Holidays at www.acacia-africa.com on 020 7706 4700, email info@acacia-africa.com. ATOL No.6499 and ABTA No.W4093 PROTECTED.
2. Don’t get carried away with shopping for that new honeymoon wardrobe – discuss the budget together: Whether weddings are large or small, they all come at a cost and if you are setting up a new home too you both need to be clear on the budget. Even honeymoons can be a real eye opener where compromise is concerned and arguments can develop over the smallest things, especially when you don’t have a clear financial plan. There will no doubt be optional activities available in your chosen destination so set aside a separate budget to treat you and your beau.”
Forward planning for the perfect honeymoon: Acacia Adventure Holidays is one tour operator that will be able to keep the peace and while they can't guarantee wedded bliss - they do offer a payment system, that allows couples to budget before they safari. Overland itineraries are split into a basic tour price, a local payment (a payment which stays in the countries visited – includes food & camping) and a flexible payment, paid on the tour itself. The latter covers optional activities, all of which are individually priced in the brochure, so conversations about money can be handled head on before the honeymoon begins. This system also makes Acacia’s trips ideally suited to newly wedded couples feeling the pinch in the credit crunch.
3. Choose a honeymoon which offers experiences to suit both of you: “At the end of the day, if you are looking for the perfect honeymoon minus the niggly arguments, choose honeymoons which allow you to share experiences and indulge in some “me” time. They say opposites attract so if your interests are not always similar choose holidays where a variety of interests can be incorporated. Resort led ranch stays will offer unadulterated luxury, romantic scenery and a wide range of activities allowing you to spend quality time together and apart.”
Indulge in individual passions on your extra special honeymoon: Ranch Rider has a host of dude and luxury resort ranches, both offering a variety of activities alongside riding. Explore the West on the back of a horse, by 4X4 or even by helicopter at the Triple Creek Resort Ranch in Montana. A Condé Nast Johansens award winner, other activities include scenic hikes, fly-fishing, scenic river floating, white water rafting, croquet, tennis and mountain biking. The ranch comes with its own putting course and once guests have put in a little practice they can also enjoy the 18-hole golf course situated nearby.
Those travelling with Ranch Rider will have the opportunity to extend their honeymoon on a 7-night self-drive, with value led packages from only £450pp (including accommodation and car hire). A 7-night stay at the Triple Creek with Ranch Rider costs FROM £1,590pp. The price includes accommodation, meals, all ranch based riding, tax, transfers and gratuities. Excludes International flight. Departures are year round. All prices based on two people sharing. Telephone Ranch Rider on 01509 618 811 or visit www.ranchrider.com for further information. ATOL PROTECTED No 4660 ABTA 96395/V9150.
4. Relax and accept you might have the odd argument: “Honeymooners have been planning and waiting for the big day for many months, and as the emotion builds it can leave us with a rather unrealistic perspective of what is to come. Couples also have a tendency to forget when they are flicking through the glossy travel brochures, that even when we are in an exotic location, however romantic this might be; it is an unfamiliar environment, a factor that can cause us to react more negatively. Even those who are not usually stress cadets may find themselves in the perfect mood and climate for an argument. The more realistic we are about what to expect from the honeymoon, the easier it is to overcome small issues and laugh about it in the long run.”
