[Jenny Roca]

Hi All,

How are you? I think that a honeymoon can be an once-in-a-lifetime trip. Begin your honeymoon planning here, and find information on your honeymoon budget, when to go, where to go, and more.


You may have already decided this when planning your wedding budget. If not, sit down and do this before you decide anything else. Figure out if you have any frequent flier miles or hotel miles that can be used towards your trip. Consider putting all of the wedding expenses on a credit card that earns frequent flier miles for your honeymoon. (Be sure to pay it off every month – you don’t want to start a new marriage with a ton of new debt.)

Looking for a hot honeymoon idea that will fit your style? Here are the best and most popular honeymoon locations from beaches and romantic getaways to hot nightlife and adventures.

If You're Looking for Beaches
It's hard to beat Hawaii. With amazing beaches with surfer-quality waves and romantic scenery, you can hit the surf by day, and still turn up the romance at night. When you're ready for more adventure, ride a mountain bike down a dormant volcano, or witness the amazing scene that is an active one.

Mexico also offers amazing waves, a sophisticated culture with artwork and amazing food, and can be more affordable than other beach honeymoon destinations. In fact, it is overall one of the most cost-effective places to travel, especially if you can find a good flight deal. Avoid the touristy Cancun, and instead head for surfer hotspots like Puerto Escondido, Puerto Vallarta or Tulum.

If you're looking for a spot where every day is a great beach day, head for Aruba. The desert-like atmosphere and location far south of the hurricane belt means that you're practically guaranteed to have every day be sunny and beautiful. The hundreds of miles of white sand beaches, and turquoise waters will help you enjoy sunbathing and watersports, while at night you can hit the nightlife in Oranjestad.

And don't forget Fiji, a great choice for October brides, when you can go scuba diving and see the coral reef system bloom. You'll also get the wonder of leaving wintery weather behind for Fiji's 80 degree temps.

The Most Romantic Honeymoon Spots
You'll feel like you're on a movie set when you're in Tahiti sitting on the deck of a resort looking out over stunningly-blue waters while drinking fresh pineapple cocktails. In fact Tahiti, along with its sister islands of Moorea and Bora Bora, is a favorite vacation spot of Hollywood couples. While you're there, eat delicious tropical fish, watch Polynesian dance performances, walk through rainforests and waterfalls, before falling asleep in an overwater bungalow.

Paris usually gets all the credit for romantic European spots, but I recommend honeymooners check out the beautiful cities of Italy, where the piazzas of Rome and Florence are full of lovers eating at al fresco cafes with strolling musicians nearby. Spend a few days a short trip away in Venice where you can be serenaded by a Gondolier, and set a goal to kiss on every bridge in the city. Or visit Tuscany where wine tours can be combined with seeing Renaissance churches and lush countryside.

Closer to home, upstate New York is brimming with romance in fall, when Mother Nature puts on a show, or in winter where you can find reasons to snuggle on a snowy sleigh-ride. New York now boasts some world-renowned wineries, and a wine tour is tailor-made for lovebird honeymooners.

Or for a change, see the world's most spectacular sunsets from the private terrace of your hotel room in Santorini Island, Greece. Perched on the crater or caldera, formed when an ancient volcano erupted, there's hardly a bad view in the house. For the most romantic vacation, avoid the tourist-packed months of July and August.

Honeymoons for Adventurous Types

Costa Rica has been called a playground for adults, and for good reason. Not only will you enjoy beautiful beaches and hot nightlife, but active adventurers can do everything from whitewater rafting and mountain biking to surfing and fishing. And, if you're truly daring, consider swinging through the rainforest on a canopy tour. With the help of an adventure company, you'll use a harness and dangle from a cable from treetop to treetop, all while literally getting a birds eye view. Last, but certainly not least, Costa Rica boasts one of the top dive sites in the world in Isla del Coco where the reefs are teeming with everything from hammerhead sharks to manta rays.

Ever thought of a trip to Alaska? Where else can you see both lush rain forest and amazing glaciers? See humpback whales and moose from the comfort of a cruise ship, and then choose helicopter rides, rainforest zip lines, or rock-climbing on port calls. Or spot moose, eagles, salmon, beaver, and bears from the thrill of a whitewater rafting trip. And, if its romantic seclusion with an adventure twists you're looking for, consider a backcountry lodge or fishing lodge.

Winter Wonderlands

if you love to ski, then Colorado is the place for you. Combine some of the best powder in the world with the glamor of historic ski resorts. Hit Aspen for expert runs and a great beginner mountain, as well as a real town with Victorian architecture. Head to Breckinridge for a more affordable trip with rustic appeal and great slopes, or go to the country's most celebrated ski resort Vail, where 5000 acres of skiable terrain and a free bus system means that you can concentrate on getting down the slopes.

For the jet-set, St. Moritz, Switzerland is the place to ski, where you can choose from bowl skiing, cross-country, the vertical drops of Piz Nair, or the Olympic ski-jumping hill. Brush elbows with European royalty, while you gaze at the bucolic sites of chalets nestled in the hills.

And if you enjoy the snow more than the sports, check out Canada's many destination spots, especially Churchill, Manitoba where from October to early November you can see hundreds of polar bears along with helicopter tours of the tundra, dog sled races, and the northern lights.

Urban Nightlife and Culture

Las Vegas is a newly reinvented honeymoon destination. Once mostly casinos and strip bars, the city now boasts some amazing celebrity-frequented dance clubs, four-star restaurants headed by the country's most well-known chefs, and spectacular shows such as Cirque du Soleil. While the city boasts it's own Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, Sphinx and Pyramid, don't come here looking for fine-art museums or high culture. Instead, celebrate the kitsch with a visit to the Liberace museum, a turn at the slots, a cheesy floor show, or the thrill of riding a rollercoaster inside your hotel.

For this girl, New York City will always be the romance capital of the world. From the simple pleasures of a hand-in-hand stroll through Central Park, to the excitement of Times Square just before showtime, you'll feel like you're starring in one of the hundreds of romantic movies that have chosen New York as their soundstage. Hit the nightclubs, fill your belly at one of the hundreds of celebrated restaurants, visit world-renowned museums and adventurous galleries, and don't forget to bring some extra cash and an empty suitcase for the shopping.

While Jamaica is known for its white sand beaches, and breathtaking waterfalls, it's a great spot to party too. Drink the famous rum while listening to reggae and dancing on the beach. Or hit one of the many nightclubs for a mix of reggae, pop, and soca. The truly adventurous can head to Hedonism II, known for its toga parties, nude pool, and scenery of other couples en flagrante delicto, if you know what I mean. You can have the best of both worlds by hitting Montego Bay or Negril for the nightlife, then spending a few days in romantic seclusion near the Blue Lagoon, Black River, or Somerset Falls.

Best Regards....