Honeymoon (And Trip) Planning Tips
January 31st, 2008 @ 2:41 pm by Ms. Dahlia
Mr. Dahlia and I planned our honeymoon without the help of a travel agent. I’m definitely DIY when it comes to travel, and this was no different. (I’ve used a travel agent once. It was fine. But I could have just as easily done it myself.)
Planning this trip was different from the other trips that I’ve planned for a number of reasons. First, while we were concerned about price, we were also concerned about service (especially for the 18+ hour flight to Bali!). We booked our flights through Singapore Airways, because we have both heard really good things about their service (and food!) Since the flights are so long, we looked at seat guru to help us pick our seats. Not that we were willing to spend any amount of money (I did keep an eye on prices for several months), but if you are traveling that long, it can be nice to have the better service. Tip: The airline may not tell you what model the plane is when you book, but by comparing the airline’s seat diagram with seat guru’s, you can get a pretty good idea.
Another airline tip: Many airlines (especially foreign airlines) will let you do a stopover for free at their largest hub. We’re stopping in Singapore without any additional cost.
All of our hotels were found using tripadvisor. Whenever we travel, we check out TA for reviews of potential hotels, and have yet to be misdirected. Naturally, that was our key resource for hotels for the honeymoon. Tip: The fairly recently redesigned site is much better at making it available, but definitely be sure to check out the specialty lodging/B&Bs tabs on the site, if you are looking to stay at smaller, locally owned places.
Finally, I’ve found tripadvisor’s travel forums to be especially helpful when looking for a more general view of things to do in a particular location. Tip: Like most any online message board, take what is written with a grain of salt. Try to find a couple of people who seem to have similar interests and views on traveling; their suggestions will be the most useful.
When my mom and I traveled to Playa del Carmen, I avoided the advice of people staying at large, all-inclusive resorts, since we prefer to stay at smaller, boutique hotels and explore the local restaurant scene. At the advice of a couple of other people with similar travel preferences, we were directed to an absolutely amazing restaurant off the strip that was completely authentic Mexican.
If you have other travel planning trips, please share them!
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11 Responses to “Honeymoon (And Trip) Planning Tips”
Thanks so much for this information! I’ve never even heard of seat guru. I hope you have a wonderful honeymoon 
I used SeatGuru to book our honeymoon seats from NY to Hong Kong and then Hong Kong to Manila. It was really helpful and pretty accurate.
I also printed out the seat maps in case better seats became available at check-in.
Good tips! I disagree though about the yellow seats- while you may not have under seat storage, you often gain a couple inches of legroom but sitting in those bulkhead seats, which to me, is a worthwhile trade! It’s good to make sure you know what you’re getting into though before you pick the seats!
I always like to ask the hotel staff where THEY would go for breakfast on the weekend, or with their honey for a nice dinner. Not where they send the guests. That way you do find small, authentic restaurants that are full of locals rather than tourists. In the Mediterranean, which I love, the best thing to do is start walking. You look for the smallest, steepest, most winding street you can find - usually too small and crowded for any kind of motorized vehicle, and even better if it turns into stairs along the way. You will eventually find a little restaurant with tables on a balcony and in the street, and you can get much better food at much lower prices than down near the beaches - where the hotels are.
Mrs. Dahlia where are you staying at in Bali? I’ve been there over 5 times. We’ve stayed at Grand Mirage Hotel (http://www.grandmirage.com) and I only have wonderful things to say about the hotel. The hotel breakfast was awesome and all of the hotel staffs are super friendly! At the hotel they have a great spa called Thalasso Spa. For food you must visit the Jimbaran area! The best seafood in the world! Singapore airline is definitely the best! I always fly with them everything I go to Asia.
Great tips! Husband and I are going to renew our vows next year - a destination wedding/renewal - so I’m paying attention. Have a fabulous honeymoon!
thanks for the tips! trip advisor seems so daunting..! my FI & I go back and forth on where to go, and change our minds at least 2-3 times a day. i’m so used to doing things off the beaten path (i.e. not going to a swanky resort but exploring local culture), it’s hard to get a balance between the two.. =).
I hope you are not staying in or near Hotel Bounty in Kuta. The hotel staff stole my sunglasses from their cases from my suitcase! I should have done more research because it was like Spring break Cancun or Daytona for the Australian college students in that area.
I would be all over those yellow seats! My Fiance is 6′5 so it is hard to find seats that he can fit in. Those look like they have extra legroom.
I agree with Miss History…I have never flown a more wonderful airline that have flight attendants who were so polite and who took the time to really cater to your needs and answer questions and such. I definitely agree on the food….usually airline food sucks…but this airline’s food…WOW…Have a wonderful honeymoon and an awesome experience on Singapore Airlines! (I rode in business from San Fran to Hong Kong-OH and the seats go all the way back-full sleeping position! and the movies!-a lot of choices!)
Ms. Dahlia, Detroit/Cleveland
Age and Occupation: 24, PhD Student
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, IT System Administrator
Engagement Date: December 31, 2006
Wedding Date: May 2008
Blogging Since: September 19, 2007
Venue: United Methodist Cathedral & historic downtown hotel in Cleveland
About Me: I enjoy cooking, dancing and swimming. I am a geek and apply game theory to my everyday life. Winter is my favorite time of year, especially when spent curled up with good coffee and a book by Madeleine L'Engle.
You will love Singapore Airlines it is amazing. I have flown twice on it, once in business on a long flight from the US to Singapore and then once in economy from Singapore to Australia. There is amazing food and excellent service, I would recommend to anyone that just once in their lives they should fly a really amazing airline!