The best to place to honeymoon should provide a couple the chance to grow together; it should be a challenge that will help them learn to trust and rely upon each other. As a travel agent, I’ve seen far too many newlyweds spend over ten grand to support a week long trip to a remote island where they can hopefully spend a few days of peace and quiet before returning home to their new life.
So what do I recommend for couples looking for the ideal honeymoon location? Well, my wife and I did things a little differently…
Rather than break the bank on a trip to Bora Bora, we decided to take the long way home: a year long trip through Southeast Asia, India, Nepal and China. Our average monthly budget was fifteen hundred dollars, and in all honesty, we could have gone for less than that. During that year we hiked in the Himalaya, laid out on pristine beaches, sailed down the Mekong River, and generally partied like rock stars.
OK, so maybe you don’t have a year. If I were forced to choose one country as the best place for a honeymoon, it would be Thailand. The combination of culture, cuisine, hiking, climbing and water sports are among the best in the world, and for many newlyweds (who’ve broken the bank on the wedding) Thailand provides great value for your money. A couple who are budget sensitive can expect to see this beautiful country for thirty to forty dollars a day, provided they travel slow and don’t drink too much (for some reason a beer costs the same amount around the world).
If there is one piece of advice I can offer you, both as a travel agent and a married man, it’s that you should take your time when traveling on your honeymoon. Try your best to take as much time as you can, as your travel costs tend to decrease the longer you travel. The best place to honeymoon is the one where you and your loved one can grow together, not apart.
By: Adam Costa
Posts Tagged ‘Travel Agent’
Best Place to Honeymoon – A Travel Agent’s Advice
December 1st, 2009India Tourist Travel Visa – Requirements and Costs
October 12th, 2009
The other day I had a client call me up, and boy was he upset. Apparently, he filed for an India tourist visa, and they had requested references prior to approval. So who does he call? His trusty travel agent. We were able to submit the paperwork and get him across the border in time to attend his sister’s wedding.
Here are several important things to consider when you apply for an India tourist visa:
Purchase ahead of time. Try to allot yourself at least one week for any red tape. My client was not anticipating filing references, and this added six days to the waiting period. When you do apply, be prepared to fill out an application, proof of onward travel, and two additional photos. As with any government institution, the rules change quickly, so confirm the details with you embassy beforehand.
Same day service is possible, provided there aren’t any snags to slow the process any. If you have been to India before and everything went smoothly, you can usually get same day service for an additional fee. However, I recommend book ahead of time just in case.
US citizens must pay $73 for an India tourist travel visa; other nationalities can pay as little as $53. It’s important to factor visa expenses into your budget; if you are border hopping a lot on your trip, the costs can get quite high in a short amount of time. Keep in mind that you must pay the consular fee, and a service fee. Think of Ticketmaster, but more bureaucratic. On second thought, don’t…
Speaking of bureaucracy, there is no country in the world more embedded in red tape than India. I cannot stress this point enough: to avoid a never ending onslaught of delays, file all your paperwork for an India tourist travel visa prior to arriving in India. This alone will save you countless headaches.
By: Adam Costa
