Travel Tips

Honeymoon To-Do List

Book Early

Try to reserve your flights and lodging at least six months out, especially for popular destinations such as the Bahamas, Jamaica, Cancun, and Los Cabos. This time frame also holds true for "trip of a lifetime" experiences like hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, or staying in an overwater bungalow in French Polynesia. In other spots, you shouldn't have a problem booking two months in advance.

Trip Insurance

It's a small price to pay for peace of mind. The best plans include "cancel for any reason" clauses, which cover work conflicts, medical issues, baggage loss, theft, and acts of nature like hurricanes. If you're thinking about skiing or diving, look into supplemental insurance (many basic plans won't have your back during "risky" activities).

Leave a "Travel Packet" with a Relative

It's always a good idea to give someone in your family enough information so that they can track you down if they need to. E-mail them a copy of your itinerary or leave them with your travel agent contact information. The contact information of each hotel; a list of credit-card numbers to expedite their replacement if lost; and, if you're traveling abroad, a photocopy of your passport's photo pages.

Set a Budget

Once you know what you can reasonably afford to pay, you can home in on destinations, hotels, and activities. While that private helicopter tour over Kauai's Na Pali Coast might have to wait until after you've bought your first house, don't cut anything out without crunching the numbers first. Sometimes the locations that require an expensive flight (like Thailand) actually offer truly affordable accommodations.

Consider the Season

Take in the big picture: When it's summer here, it's winter in the southern hemisphere (and vice versa). And remember that some islands/countries/regions go through nasty weather spells during certain months. Costa Rica in the rainy season (June through November), for example, is not the spot for the couple seeking uninterrupted beach time.