ALL ABOUT THE HONEYMOON
After the excitement of the big day subsides, another (and sometimes more exciting) big event awaits couples – the honeymoon, of course! Fiona Watermeyer, Super Travel Agent from Aeroplan, shares some amazing honeymoon tips that can elevate a great experience to an amazing one. Read more about it here.
WHAT TIPS CAN YOU GIVE COUPLES WITH A LOW BUDGET?
“Look local! There are some amazing properties in and around our beautiful country and couples don’t have to travel far to have a fantastic honeymoon. Also, look for something that is all-inclusive and has no hidden costs upon arrival, so that you know exactly what to expect when you get there.
You shouldn’t have to compromise your standards because of a low budget – rather reduce the number of nights that you are staying there or choose local and look at an overseas trip later when the budget allows. We hear many stories of couples who choose lower grade accommodation in exotic destinations and then their expectations aren’t met, and it leaves them disappointed.”
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST INTERESTING, AND LESSER-KNOWN HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS?
“Our biggest surprise recently was finding out how beautiful the Kenyan beaches are. The areas of Mombasa and Malindi are so cost-effective and a great alternative to more expensive places like Mauritius and Zanzibar. Their hotels and local people are amazing, and the food is divine. You get everything you would expect of four to five-star hotels at three to four-star prices.
Another great option is a Game Park. We have become aware of just how many Game Parks there are in South Africa – not only the Kruger- and Pilanesberg Reserves exist. There are also the eastern Cape Game Reserves and Northern KZN, that I would describe as cost-effective, hidden gems. It has never been more affordable to go to Game Lodges than it is right now, and that makes for a wonderful and pampering time.
Lastly, the Drakensberg is always a good option. It is just such a beautiful place for honeymooners. I highly recommend establishments such as Champagne Sports Resort and Cleopatra’s Farmhouse.”
WHAT PACKING ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR COUPLES?
“It is so important to find out what the dress code is of the place that you are going to. Remember to pack light, and don’t take unnecessary items like formal attire and jewelry, unless it is required. Rather under pack than over pack and leave a couple kilograms leeway for all the shopping items you will bring back.
Find out from your airline about lesser thought-of things like liquid restrictions, etc. A light rain jacket is a must, as you can never know what the weather would be like in unknown destinations. Other things like sunscreen, caps, lip balm, mosquito repellant, comfortable walking shoes and a lightweight backpack are some of the items that you just cannot exclude.
Lastly, always wrap your luggage at the airport to ensure that no theft occurs. When you book through our travel agency, we would give you all the necessary information you will need.”
WHAT MEDICAL ASPECTS SHOULD COUPLES KEEP IN MIND?
“From a medical perspective, the biggest thing I can say is that travel insurance is compulsory. The saying goes: “If you cannot afford travel insurance, you cannot afford to travel”. Now, with all the Covid-19 restrictions, countries are demanding more than ever for travelers to have the necessary insurance, should an emergency occur. You should also ensure that you have a clear understanding of all the Covid requirements of the countries you plan on entering. There is also a Covid Cover insurance available, should you need to quarantine for any reason.
When taking prescribed medicines, ensure that you have your prescription documents with you, as it could pose a problem if you do not have it.”
WHAT ROMANTIC TIPS CAN YOU GIVE COUPLES?
“Because we at Aeroplan Travel are destination wedding specialists, there are so many tips that I could give. Hotels go above and beyond to ensure that your honeymoon is exactly how you envision, so beach dinners can be arranged, private safari dinners within the parks, couples’ massages, and hot air balloon rides (available locally and internationally) are all good options.
In the end, remember to set aside some time just to be together. It can become extremely busy running from one place to the next, and couples often forget to make time to just bond and make memories. Enjoy the destination, but also use the time to rest after all the pressures of the wedding planning.”
Fiona highly recommends that couples use a reputable travel agency, like Aeroplan, to ensure smooth sailing, and to take care of all the nitty-gritty aspects of travel planning. Not only is this a more convenient option, but is it also safer, as travel agents are more experienced with issues that the average traveler doesn’t even think of.
Leave a Reply