1. Determine your budget
Before you start planning your honeymoon, determine your budget and try to stick to it. This will make it easier to choose your destination and hotel, without you spending more than you want to. Also include in your budget any additional and/or unforeseen costs, such as transport, excursions, activities, food and drink.
2. Choose the right time
When would you like to go on your honeymoon? Just after the wedding or a little later? Check which destinations have the best weather during the period you want. Also compare prices, as some places are more expensive at certain times of year. So check whether the destination is in high or low season. This will help you adjust your budget when planning your honeymoon.
The best honeymoon destinations by season:
Spring (in Belgium): South Africa, Greek Islands, Bali, Seychelles
Summer (in Belgium) : Mauritius, Bali, Italy, Provence, Côte d'Azur, Zanzibar, New York City
Autumn (in Belgium) : Namibia, Portugal, Seychelles
Winter (in Belgium) : Maldives, Thailand, Zanzibar
3. What type of honeymoon would you like?
Our recent honeymoon survey showed that most couples like to relax on their honeymoon. But of course, this isn't the case for everyone. When planning your honeymoon, decide whether you want to do more adventurous activities, visit all the tourist spots or look for the best photo locations. That way, you won't have to quickly search for an activity or a plan on the spot.
Tip: before your most important activities, check the weather forecast. That way, you can adjust your schedule if necessary and you won't be caught out by rain clouds during your planned picnic at sunset, for example!
4. Book early
If, like many others, you're interested in popular restaurants, delicious beach clubs and fun activities, it's best to book your place early. These days, museums often use online tickets, so you can avoid long queues.
5. Find out more
Find out in advance whether you need a visa and how easy it is to drive your own car to your destination. Key words in the language spoken may also prove useful. Think about currency exchange too: in some countries, it's a good idea to change money in advance at a bureau de change; in others, your credit card is your best friend. The more you know in advance, the more confident you'll be about setting off on that well-deserved honeymoon.
6. Think of a back-up plan
Have you finalised your schedule? Perfect! But perhaps, just to be on the safe side, you should also have a back-up plan for certain parts of your wonderful trip. What do you do if your flight is delayed and you arrive a day late, or if an unexpected downpour occurs during an outdoor activity? We're all in favour of positive thinking! A plan B will give you extra peace of mind - a honeymoon should preferably go off without a hitch. A back-up plan will give you the feeling that everything will go according to plan, even if something goes 'wrong'.
7. Prepare your most important travel items
Depending on your destination, it's a good idea to think well in advance about what you need to have ready, for example your passport. Outside Europe, you need an international passport, which may need to be valid for at least six months. Apply for it in good time to avoid high costs. Insect spray, sun cream, sunglasses and chargers are also items that are easy to forget. Tip: Are you travelling outside Europe? Find out quickly about the electrical sockets at your destination and avoid any surprises at the hotel. Also think about the vaccinations you'll need, especially if you're going further afield on your honeymoon. Finally, don't forget to set up your bank accounts and credit cards for international transactions, and to set uproaming if you plan to use your phone abroad. You might also consider buying a local SIM card to access the internet.
