(ARA) – The date is set, the dress is bought and the tuxes are rented — now you get to plan your first vacation together as husband and wife. Whether your ideal honeymoon is traveling to the Swiss Alps for some mountain fun or relaxing on an exotic beach in the Caribbean, it’s a special time you’ll never forget. So what do you need to know to plan the perfect honeymoon that goes off without a hitch?

“Everyone wants the greatest honeymoon possible, but be sure to review the little details so they don’t turn into big problems,” says Michael Kelly, president of On Call International, a medical and travel assistance company. “The best thing you can do is research, plan and prepare together as a team.”

Here are some things to consider when planning the perfect honeymoon:

1. Choose a destination together.
Pick a destination that you both really want to visit. Each person should choose the top three places they would like to honeymoon and then compare lists. If you both want something relaxing, a traditional spa vacation in the tropics is a good choice. If you are adventure junkies, be sure to visit a location that offers lots of fun activities.

2. Prep ahead of time.
Make a checklist of things you need to do before your trip. Research the laws of the country to where you will be traveling and see what rules are different. It’s a good idea to check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to find out what types of immunizations are recommended for Americans at that specific destination. And remember, if you don’t have a passport or need to renew, allow ample time for processing. If you’re changing your name after your wedding, make sure that the name on your travel documents matches what is on your passport so that you don’t experience any delays through security and customs.

3. Get medical and travel assistance services.
No one plans on getting sick or having other problems on their honeymoon, but wouldn’t it be nice to have the peace of mind to know that if something happens, you’re covered? That’s why it’s important to get medical and travel assistance.

Your health insurance might not cover you while you travel, so a company like On Call International is there to help. On Call members get access to a 24-hour emergency response center to find doctors in their travel area, a 24-hour English-speaking nurse line to help identify symptoms, and coverage should a traveler need to return home for medical reasons.

In addition, On Call can help you with other travel woes such as a lost passport, misplaced credit card, lost baggage or the need to reschedule a delayed or cancelled flight.

4. Pack the right stuff.
Sure you want to look great for your spouse, but sometimes looking chic and dressing appropriately for the location you’re visiting might not be the same thing. Research what tourists usually wear at your chosen location. If you’re traveling internationally, different cultures might have different expectations. Also remember that extreme weather, hot and cold, requires different types of clothing, so pack accordingly and you won’t have to buy something at an exorbitant price when you get there.

5. Eat, drink and be merry.
No one wants to be stuck in their hotel bathroom with a stomachache on their honeymoon. Food and water in different countries can be contaminated so do your research before celebrating at the local restaurant. When in doubt, ask your hotel concierge for advice. If you are buying your own food, sealed products are usually safer options because they come directly from the distribution center.

“These planning tips should help you have the honeymoon of your dreams. If something does go wrong, remember to work through it and enjoy the time you have together. After all, it’s one of the most important and special vacations you’ll ever take,” says Kelly.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Did you know that the word honeymoon traces its roots back to ancient times? In some cultures, mead (a drink made with honey) was given to newlyweds during their first month of marriage to increase fertility.

Today, honey is used in many other ways to celebrate marriage. Consider a beauty treatment using pure, natural honey. Hollywood skin care specialist Christopher Watt, who beautifies such movie stars as Halle Berry and Jennifer Lopez, recommends a two-week wedding beauty regimen he created using real honey.

“Most people don’t realize that pure honey has many benefits for all skin types,” says Watt. “Honey soothes the skin because it moisturizes while exfoliating. This combination creates smoother skin for makeup application.”

Watt’s “honey mask” recipe should be applied three times a week for two weeks prior to the big day. He also suggests a hair treatment using honey, olive oil and crushed basil or ginger once a week for two weeks before the wedding. This natural formula will give the hair rich, full texture and shine.

In terms of wedding food, honey can be incorporated into the menu in several places. Cheese platters are popular appetizers — add luscious pieces of honeycomb to complement both mild and sharp cheeses. Honey dressings can be used on fruit or lettuce-based salads and honey glazes are delicious on chicken, pork and fish.

Chef Brooke Vosika of the Four Seasons Hotel in New York City says honey’s versatility makes it a great addition to festive menus. “There are more than 300 varieties of honey in the United States,” says Vosika. “Couples planning a wedding can customize a menu using the types of honey produced where the couple is from or they can choose unique
varietals like Fireweed from Alaska or Tupelo from Florida.”

Cupcakes are a popular twist on the traditional wedding cake. A cupcake made with honey has a dense, decadent texture that is well-suited for the small form. Plus, several varieties of cupcakes can be prepared to satisfy the many taste preferences at a wedding.

Another fun and memorable idea is to give guests a sweet remembrance of the special day. Give small jars of your favorite honey labeled with a personal saying or quote. Honey never spoils, so guests can remember the event each time they open the cupboard. Be sure to read the label to guarantee the product you purchase is 100 percent pure honey.

For more information about honey varietals, food and beauty recipes and tips visit honey.com. Or, to find a locally produced or specialty honey, visit honeylocator.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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SIDEBAR:

Honey Wedding Facial Mask
Makes 2 treatments

Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon chamomile tea
1 Tablespoon green tea
2 Tablespoons bentonite or kaolin clay*
2 Tablespoons aloe vera (optional)
2 Tablespoons honey
5 drops rosemary essential oil
3 drops arnica oil

Directions:
1. Steep chamomile and green tea separately — set aside to cool.
2. In rubber mixing bowl, blend bentonite clay, chamomile tea and green tea into cake batter consistency. Discard any remaining tea.
3. Blend in aloe vera and honey.
4. Add rosemary and arnica essential oils and slowly stir until all ingredients are completely mixed.
5. Using fan brush or fingers, apply mask to clean face and neck. Allow mask to set for 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Remove with tepid water and facial sponges. Pat dry and apply appropriate moisturizer.

* Items are available in most health food stores or herb shops or by going online.

Honey Passion Fruit Blueberry Cupcakes
Makes 12 to 14 cupcakes

Ingredients:
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup passion fruit nectar
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup Wildflower Honey*
2 large eggs
1 cup (4 ounces) fresh blueberries

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
1. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.
2. In a liquid measure, combine passion fruit nectar and buttermilk; set aside.
3. In a mixing bowl, cream butter until fluffy. Add honey; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time.
4. Add half of the reserved dry ingredients to the butter mixture; mix on low until just combined. With mixer running on low, slowly add the passion fruit mixture. Add remaining dry ingredients until just combined. Gently fold in blueberries. Fill paper-lined muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove to wire rack; cool. Frost with Honey Passion Fruit Whipped Cream, if desired.

Honey Passion Fruit Whipped Cream

1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon Wildflower Honey*
2 tablespoons passion fruit nectar

In a mixing bowl, combine whipping cream, honey and passion fruit nectar. Beat until peaks form.

*Any mild-flavored honey such as Clover may be used.

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Honeymoons are big business in the United States. With more than 2.4 million weddings occurring each year, those happy couples spend $8 billion a year on their honeymoon (according to About.com.)

With that kind of serious money going into a dream (hopefully!) honeymoon, it’s no wonder that brides spend a considerable amount of time and effort planning what to pack. After all, not every honeymoon destination includes a place to pick up a pair of jeans, especially if a couple chooses an increasingly popular honeymoon destination like a safari, hiking trip, mountain climbing, or a boat trip down an exotic river.

According to Jocelyn Leiser Herndon of The Art Institute of California – San Francisco, the key to successful honeymoon packing is “finding pieces that do double duty.” That way, she says, “you’re almost sure to have what you need no matter where you go.”

For her own honeymoon, Herndon went to Greece which, she says, “is not exactly an exotic location.” Herndon honed her considerable packing skills growing up in a family whose average vacation included canoeing and bike trips. “My family used to have a contest to see which of us could bring the smallest suitcase, but if you got to the destination and were missing something, you were disqualified. Needless to say, I was taught to be a light packer,” Herndon adds.

Weather watching on the Internet also makes a honeymoon less of a risk. For Lindsay Rapp, a Career Services Advisor in the Media Arts & Animation and Digital Media Production department at The Art Institute of Washington, packing for a honeymoon trip to the North Shore of Oahu meant daily weather checks to make sure she and her husband were packing smartly. “With the Internet, it’s much easier to plan around the weather, and to know if you need to pack that raincoat, or if you can leave it at home,” says Rapp. Of course, for Rapp’s husband, packing is a no-brainer, no matter what the weather conditions.

“My husband packs a few short-sleeve polos, khakis, bathing suits and voila! He’s good to go. For me, not so much,” she says. After packing seven bathing suits (one per day, she explains), lingerie (also one per day), cover ups, golf clothes, sundresses, skirts and tank tops, along with wraps for the evening, comfortable clothes, and not including toiletries, Rapp ended up with “a suitcase that weighed more than I did, and I didn’t wear half of what I packed.”

“Double-duty pieces are key,” says Herndon. Whether you’re going to a domestic or international location, remote or in the heart of the city, find items that can work in a number of different ways. “I always bring a shirt or blouse that is casual enough for the day, but that I can throw a cami under or a sweater over and dress it up for the evening.” A pretty shawl is a must too. Not only are they a great cover up during the day if it gets cold, but also are wonderful to curl up in on a plane, especially since fewer airlines are providing blankets.

For shoes, Herndon recommends sandals for warmer destinations, comfortable but nice-looking sneakers, and hiking boots if you plan to climb a mountain or two, or even take an invigorating walk through the woods. A great pair of knit black slacks can be dressed up at night, or worn casually for shopping or museum-going. Knits are a good choice because they don’t wrinkle, and are comfortable enough to stretch with you after a great meal.

A student accountant at The Art Institute of New York City, Elizabeth Kennel recently returned from a honeymoon in Cancun. While Cancun isn’t exactly an exotic or remote location, Kennel did keep on eye on packing versatile pieces. “I was able to wear a fun sun dress casually during the day and translate it into a killer night-on-the-town dress by throwing on a pair of stilettos for my usual flip flops,” she says. Fit and comfort were at the top of her list of priorities. Says Kennel, “It’s your honeymoon — the last thing you want to be worried about are shoes that hurt your feet, or clothes that don’t fit. Nobody wants to spend their honeymoon shopping for a new wardrobe.”

To learn more, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) located throughout North America, provide an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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Well for one, you want to be able to eat and see the sights when you arrive, so you’ve got to use some discretion when making your arrangements. Many couples find that it is possible to have a great honeymoon, even if they’re sticking to a budget and all it takes is some planning.

When is the best time to plan the honeymoon? Obviously sooner is better, especially if you intend to travel to a popular destination during peak season. But at a minimum, while you are putting together your wedding budget, it’s a good idea to allocate funds for this adventure together and work from there.

To help determine an appropriate budget, you’ve got to think about your possibilities, and of course, you’ve got to be realistic. A good way to start planning your honeymoon is to think about the things you both like to do in your free time, think about places you’ve only dreamed of visiting, and think about what you realistically intend to do while away. You can also use the Internet or a travel agent to help you come up with honeymoon ideas.

Once you’ve selected a destination, it’s time to get busy making your travel arrangements. Special deals are out there, but you’ve got to be aggressive in your search for them. Don’t despair; it’ll likely be worth the effort. And the great deals might not always involve getting the lowest price. It’s the extras that’ll turn this ordinary trip into something extraordinary. Perhaps the deal includes getting a suite with a breathtaking view, or being greeted with a bottle of champagne.

When you’re down to only 3 months left until the wedding date, you should have your travel arrangements firmly in place. Know where you’re going, how you’re getting to the airport (after the reception) and once you arrive at your destination, how you’ll be getting to your accommodations. Once you’re in place, the rest of the vacation can run its course. If you wish, you can plan some day trips in advance. This far out, also make sure vaccinations and passports are current, if applicable.

A few weeks before your departure, start gathering the things you’ll bring with you on your honeymoon: camera and film/memory cards, swimsuits, day and evening wear, traveler’s checks, tickets, documents, confirmation numbers for ALL reservations (including person’s name if possible), and a bit of local currency for tipping. Set aside somewhere safe.

Then as the approaching days become more stressful than you can handle, close your eyes and picture yourselves lazily lying around your honeymoon suite, with not a care in the world except how soon you’ll be able to return!

 

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Any of the Hawaiian Islands are always an excellent honeymoon choice.  Whether you decide to do a little island hopping and visit several islands or spend your entire honeymoon on one island you are bound to enjoy an extremely romantic destination.  The pristine and uncrowded beaches and warm, sparkling blue water are just a few of the benefits of honeymooning in Hawaii.  Hawaii also has a culture all of its own and offers its guests the feeling of being in a foreign land.

Although it is more expensive than most other popular locations, Bora Bora is another truly romantic honeymoon destination that is well worth the price.  It is an out of the way location that is not frequented by many tourists like some other popular honeymoon destinations.  The relative serenity of the islands creates an atmosphere that is wonderful for relaxing with your new partner. 

Colorado is another romantic honeymoon destination.  Although the majestic mountain ranges and availability of cozy cabins in the woods make Colorado a romantic getaway location, it is truly famous for its abundance of winter sports.  Choosing to honeymoon in Colorado affords a couple a romantic destination that also has a variety of adventure activities available.

Las Vegas can also be a romantic honeymoon destination.  Although it is known as, “Sin City,” and is famous for its ostentatious glamour and gambling, Las Vegas can also be a romantic location for a couple enjoying their first few blissful days of marriage.  The area offers a wealth of beautifully appointed hotel rooms in a variety of styles.  This variety ensures that there is something for every couple in Las Vegas.

European locations such as England, Spain and Italy are also popular romantic honeymoon destinations.  The traditions and culture that surround these areas make them unique in offering a couple the chance to surround themselves with the allure of history.  Additionally if the couple does not speak the native language, it gives the couple a sense of being all alone even in a crowd which lends itself beautifully to the romantic atmosphere.

Mexico is another popular romantic honeymoon location.  In particular the Riviera Maya offers a couple a multitude of beautiful beaches that are relatively empty compared to the crowds found in other areas of Mexico such as Cancun.  Many of the resorts in the Riviera Maya are all inclusive and some even offer room service free of charge.

Although, it is known more for innocent fun and adventure, Florida can also be a romantic honeymoon destination.  Florida offers an assortment of entertainment options from beaches to theme parks and nightclubs.  Enjoying an afternoon of rides and attractions at a theme park is an excellent way for a couple to grow closer together.  Newlyweds are sure to find everything that they are looking for in Florida. 

Costa Rica is another romantic honeymoon locale that offers couples so much more than just beautiful beaches and sparkling waters.  Costa Rica is an excellent choice for a couple who is looking for both romance and adventure on their honeymoon.  Here you can spend your days kayaking, white water rafting or scuba diving in some of the most beautiful waters around.

New York City is another romantic destination for newlyweds to spend their honeymoon.  There is so much to see and do in the city that a couple may find themselves wishing to come back for the first anniversary.  New York City offers a variety of elegant restaurants, an extensive theater district and one of the best locations in the world for people watching. 

Caneel Bay in the US Virgin Islands is another beach location that is a romantic place to honeymoon.  Caneel Bay offers a gorgeous setting that is unparalleled in its beauty.  This picturesque location is the perfect place for a couple to relax in the sun and enjoy each others company.

Although beach locations are some of the most popular honeymoon location destinations there are also other popular choices for a romantic getaway.  Colorado, Las Vegas, Europe and New York City are just a few of the other popular destinations that are perfect for enjoying a romantic honeymoon that also offers a little something extra.

 

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