Things You'll Need:
- 6 months to plan, particularly if you need to get a passport
- Calendar
- Map of the world
- Climate/weather calendar of the world (this should list temperatures and rainfall
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Step 1
Discuss the type of vacation—do you want beach or jungle, or resort or rustic? Also, decide if you want a cruise versus a stationary trip. These topics will significantly limit your options in a good way and will make the decision-making process much easier.
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Step 2
Look at the time of year you are getting married and then consult the climate/weather calendar in any suggested honeymoon locations during that time of year. You may be dying to go to India, but if your wedding is in July and you decide to honeymoon immediately after, you would be traveling to India during monsoon season, which is definitely note ideal. In a case like that, you may opt to honeymoon several months after the wedding instead of immediately afterwards.
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Step 3
Set a budget. It’s easy to get carried away with all the amazing places to see in the world, but the reality is, some are well beyond the average person’s budget. Also, prices fluctuate depending on the time of year you travel and the currency exchange rate. (A great resource to check exchange rates is at www.xe.com.) Be realistic about how much you want to spend, and then bump that number up another 20% for things you haven’t even considered, such as exit fees, cab fares and massages.
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Step 4
Start your research. Most countries have their own tourist board online that gives suggestions on where to go, what to see and what you need in terms of currency exchange, visas and vaccinations. If you are planning to leave the United States, you will need a passport (these take several months to get, so if you don’t have one, start applying at least six months in advance of your trip). Also, it is a good idea to check the state department website to make sure the country in question doesn’t have any sanctions against it, and that it is okay for tourists from your country to visit (for example, if you are a US citizen, it is currently illegal to travel to Cuba).
