Honeymoon questions...

[Craphouserat]

Getting everything organised for the big day, I'm on the most important/stressful part of the whole thing..the honeymoon!

Has anybody used a specialist honeymoon company? Typing honeymoon's into google threw up more than a few companies I'd never heard of before. I was just thinking about nipping down the high street and getting a few brochures, but would one of these companies give me more for my money/a better honeymoon?

Anybody used sandals before ? I've seen the ad's but are the hols as good as they look?

Any thoughts/good honeymoon experiences appreciated.

[theaxe]

Before you speak to any agents work out your budget and have a think about what you want from the honeymoon. Do you want activities and culture or sitting by the beach. Also, make sure you check the typical weather for the time of year at the places you're considering.

Enjoy!

[Puggit]

If you mention 'wedding' or 'honeymoon' add 20% to the cost.

[Shaolin]

A honeymoon is just a holiday following a specific event. Approach it as a holiday, then tell everyone you're on honeymoon, tell them first and the price will bump up stupidly for a few flowers and rose petals on the pillows.

[hornetrider]

I booked ours through Trailfinders - recommended.

[Agrilla]

I'm not very well travelled, but went to Sandals Montego Bay for honeymoon.

Got upgraded to the little houses at the far end of the complex with our own little section of beach and it was great.

Having said that, the Americans were loud, the food was average (but by no means bad) and Sandals wanted to keep us on complex as much as possible - they seem to take security quite seriously.

We enjoyed it, but it was a little lacking in soul. We had planned to go back on our 5th anniversary, but by the time that ticked around Beaches would have been more appropriate.

Either way, we haven't been back. I can't help that think that for the money there's more interesting places to go.

That said - we wanted no hassle, good service, reasonable food, relaxation, & sun - and Sandals certainly delivered

[theboyfold]

hornetrider said:

I booked ours through Trailfinders - recommended.

Same here, I've never used an agent before when booking my trips. The price was good, as was the level of service, and if you are interested they also run a honeymoon gift list.

I'd suggest you price up what you want and give them a call.

[Olf]

We use these guys: http://www.discover-the-world.co.uk/

Very very good.

[Craphouserat]

Thanks for the thoughts/recommendations guys. I fancied Italy at first, but looking at where we can go for the same money I have been tempted by the sandals resorts - so it was good to hear thoughts on them.

We have plenty of time, really just wondered if people had used specialist companies.

Thanks again guys.

[Dibble]

Sandals? Swingers resorts, apparently.

I used Trailfinders to book our honeymoon to Oz, and they were useless. If we hadn't by chance known someone who'd gone to the same Barrier reef resort, we'd have missed the boat on the way out because they booked the wrong flight from Brisbane to Gladstone, and then we'd have missed the return flight to Brisbane as the boat got back in to Gladstone after the plane had left...

When I had the cheek to query their cock up, they tried to charge an admin fee for "unauthorised" itinerary changes. I did point out the changes were being made down to them cocking up in the first place. I wouldn't ever use them again.

[celticpilgrim]

So sorry, as usual, missed the point....

I was thinking along the lines of...

'Are you a virgin?'
'Were you a gymnast?'
'Do you take it u the wrong 'un?'
'Does your mother HAVE to be here?'...
'Does SHE take it up the wrong 'un'?

[ThunderSpook]

I actually just booked ours through the local independent travel agent, they were brilliant, very knowledgeable and helpful. Might be worth a bash if you have one. Certainly more helpful than any of the saturday jobites you'll find in most of the high-street branches.

The other thing is the travel agents have access to certain travel companies that the normal punter doesn't, so there might be other options. Having said that he's negotiated the best price for us through Kuoni.

[Fish]

Depends on your budget but speak to Lucy at www.ultimatehoneymoons.co.uk

Brilliant service.

[Chilli]

Morning Barry,

Kuoni, Maldives. Done.

[Landlord]

We used Turquoise Holidays (ask for Jonty) and they were great. They put together a fantastic itinerary for us, plus they were very helpful when the s at Kenya Airways fked us over... twice.

PS: Don't fly anywhere ever with Kenya Airways.

[Four Cofffee]

Craphouserat said:

Thanks for the thoughts/recommendations guys. I fancied Italy at first, but looking at where we can go for the same money I have been tempted by the sandals resorts - so it was good to hear thoughts on them.

We have plenty of time, really just wondered if people had used specialist companies.

Thanks again guys.

You can do it on the cheap, no need to pay extra for the W or H word to get some peace and quiet.

We stayed about 30 minutes outside Rome for our Honeymoon in a B&B villa with a pool. We had the pool to ourselves most of the time as the landlady only had 3 letting rooms which weren't always occupied and our room opened onto the pool. The landlady collected us from the airport, drove us to the station each day and gave us the train tickets into the city. She cooked in the evening and had her own vineyard and olive grove. She did have a 9pm rule in terms of being collected from the station in the evening (after which she charged 20 euros) but as the last train back was about 10pm anyway that mattered very little. Then got the Eurostar to Florence and stayed in a central Florence hotel for a week. Great for culture vultures and not expensive as we used budget flights. Downside was we didn't really see Rome late at night and had to eat fairly early if we were in the city before goiing back to the B&B. A sort of Blackpool with sun and good wine.

[gonzales]

We used www.kuoni.co.uk and it was great. However try to avoid the H word until you are booked into somewhere, the price may well end up cheaper.

[Craphouserat]

Paddy_n_Murphy said:

Craphouserat said:

Thanks for the thoughts/recommendations guys. I fancied Italy at first, but looking at where we can go for the same money I have been tempted by the sandals resorts - so it was good to hear thoughts on them.

We have plenty of time, really just wondered if people had used specialist companies.

Thanks again guys.

Italy ?

Highly recommend : www.italian-connection.co.uk
a Girl called ROsa just helped me out with a quick honeymoon to Amalfi & Capri - took care of everything and made it V.Smooth.

Thanks for that.

[Craphouserat]

Chilli said:

Morning Barry,

Kuoni, Maldives. Done.

been a while Nick - how are you mate? take it you have been to the Maldives? I've had a look on-line looks great, a few people have suggested Kuoni - will look them up I think.

Hope you are well mate.

[havoc]

1) What's your budget? - we can probably work from there.
2) Does it have to be 4* luxury, or would you take 'lesser' accomodation in somewhere fantastic?
3) Long-haul or just Europe?
4) Any places in the world on your wish-list?
5) As above, what sort of holiday are you after - sports, adventure, exploring, cultural, beach+sea, scuba/snorkel, 5* service...