Blog Posts

Honeymoon Timeline

9/2/2019

Get your honeymoon
in order with this helpful
HONEYMOON TIMELINE!

8-12 Months Before The Honeymoon

Decide Where To Go
It is one of the most difficult decisions couples face. Ideally, it will be a destination that is new to both of you. The dream location should satisfy your criteria as a couple; of course with some romance thrown in! If you need help deciding visit 'Guide To Lead You to the Perfect Honeymoon Destination'

Set A Budget
A wish list is great, but at some point, reality has to set in. Determine what you can realistically afford, where there might be compromise and what you absolutely can’t live without.

Decide If You Will Go It Alone, Or Contact A Travel Agent
Many people love planning their own trips. Remember, planning a wedding takes lots of time away from other things; contacting a professional to help can save time, money and stress.

Obtain A Passport
If you are traveling outside the country and don’t have a passport, go get one! Don’t worry about your name changing, if you apply for a name change within a year of getting your first passport, there is no fee. https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/services/correction.html
If you have a valid passport, be sure it is in ‘good condition’; no water stains, rips, folds, etc. Be sure it has at least 6 months validity from time of return from your trip - otherwise, you will need a new one. (some country requirements vary, 6 months is a good rule of thumb) Also apply for visas if required for your destination.

6-8 Months Before The Honeymoon

Whether you are working with a travel professional or planning on your own, these key items should be in place about 6-8 months before the trip.

Purchase Plane Tickets
Flight schedules are usually released 330 days in advance. For best pricing and availability on international flights, book early. Cheapair.com conducts studies analyzing the best time to purchase flights and they found that international flights generally don’t go down from the initial price. Booking early is also helpful when using frequent flyer miles since the number of seats allocated to reward travel is limited.

Reserve The Hotel/Resort/Transportation
Pricing and availability are best early in advance, especially if you are traveling during peak season. The desirable room categories such as suites, concierge and butler service sell out fast. If you have a multi-destination itinerary, securing the hotels will enable you to put transfers and rail passes in place later. Note: Eurail tickets become available approximately 60 days in advance.

Purchase Travel Insurance
Some insurance policies require the purchase of travel insurance at the time of deposit in order to cover preexisting conditions. Check with your insurance provider regarding coverage that is best for you as well as requirements for purchase.

3 Months Before The Honeymoon

Secure dining reservations and excursions
Check out that amazing restaurant or book the helicopter tour with a thrilling view!

Get vaccinated
Know your destinations requirements and be sure you are prepared. Even if you are working with a travel agent, be sure you are familiar with the requirements. https://www.vaccines.gov/travel/

GO SHOPPING!
Well, you do need a few things, right? And finding just the right item takes time!
Decide if you need new luggage, a new video camera or anything else. Clothes and toiletries are obvious; but you might need other things such as converters. And don’t forget bug spray and sunscreen - they are the two most forgotten and overpriced items to buy while on vacation!

1 Month Before The Honeymoon

Add Finishing touches
This is the time for the icing on the cake. Will you be surprising your fiance with something special? Maybe a candlelit dinner for two on the beach or a relaxing couples massage. (This is my favorite part of working with newlyweds! I love to add romantic surprises to the trip!)

Fill Prescriptions
Be sure to have enough medication for one week past your return date. Check expiration dates on pills and epipens.

Call Your Credit Card Company
Let the credit card company know you will be traveling and confirm that your card will be accepted. Ask about foreign transaction fees as well.

Call Your Cell Phone Provider
Let the telephone provider know where you will be and find out about additional charges or ways to avoid them. Many hotels/resorts offer free wifi so look into apps that offer texting and calling without data.

2 Weeks Before The Honeymoon

Organize
Print travel documents. Having emails of your reservation on your phone is nice, but if your battery is dead, the wifi isn’t working or you need to be on a call, it can be helpful to have a printed copy. If you are working with a travel agent you can request documents be mailed to you in addition to email. Some hotels, excursions, car rental companies require a printed voucher, check with your travel agent or call the provider directly to be sure you have everything you need.

Leave An Itinerary With Someone At Home
It is a good idea to leave an itinerary with someone you know at home… just in case. Leaving copies of important documents, such as passports, can be helpful in the event of lost or stolen items during the trip.

Input Phone Numbers
Add phone numbers you may need to your contacts. Names and numbers of your travel agent, trip insurance provider, tour companies, 24 hour helplines, credit card companies, etc. and be sure to have an ICE number.

Get Some Cash
Be sure to carry some small bills for tips; taxi drivers, transfer drivers, curbside check-in attendants, etc. If you will be in a foreign country consider having a small amount of local currency for incidentals. ATM's are generally available but you may need to take a cab or buy a necessity along the way.

Pack
Of course! But since you are getting married and it is a crazy time, you might consider packing in advance. Do what you can ahead of time to make your life easier. Consider making a list and crossing off what you already packed to be sure you don’t forget anything (belts and glasses are commonly forgotten!)

Well, there you have it, a honeymoon timeline! There are many things to remember along the way, I hope this outline helps! Of course, you can always call or email me, I remind my clients about important information regarding their trip along the way so it doesn't feel overwhelming.
Bon Voyage!

Help me with the honeymoon planning!

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At Last! Over the Water Bungalows within Reach!

6/28/2019

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If you are searching for an over water bungalow experience but do not want to travel half way across the world to see it, you are in luck! It is within reach in the Caribbean and Mexico. A quick flight from the US will land you on a Caribbean island that offers amazing luxury experiences.

Imagine relaxing in your private over the water hammock looking down at the marine life with the warm sun on your face and a cool drink in your hand! Can you think of a better way to spend your honeymoon?!? Sea glass floors are standard in these accommodations.

El Dorado Maroma in Riviera Maya over the water bungalows!
Sandals Royal Caribbean
Sandals South Coast
Sandals Grand St. Lucian

I can hardly believe it, over the water bungalows in MEXICO and the CARIBBEAN!

El Dorado Maroma over the water bungalows in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Sandals Royal Caribbean over the water bungalows in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Interior of over the water suite in Jamaica at Sandals Royal Caribbean. Comes with glass flooring and a butler!

click now to reserve your over the water bungalow!

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What you need to know about air travel with Toddlers

6/21/2019

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Family vacations with the kids are GREAT! Relax, play, have fun - it can really be enjoyable. Like most things, being prepared can relieve a lot of the stress. I started traveling alone with my children when they were infants (3 months old!). I am a planner, so I had everything all planned out so things would go smoothly, but of course was ready for the unexpected! Knowing the airline rules before you leave is a must. Packing smart also helps.

Does my child need a plane ticket?

You may have heard of a "lap child". That term refers to a the rule that children less than two years old, don't require a ticket, they can be carried free of charge onto a plane and sit on the lap of an adult. You may need a document verifying their age, so be sure to carry a birth certificate just in case - or for international travel, a passport, but we will get to that in a bit. When in doubt, confirm the guidelines with your specific airline.

Does my child need a car seat?

If your child is over the age of 2, he/she will need a ticket and have their own seat. Even though car seats are not required for children on airplanes, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends car seats for children who weigh less than 40 pounds. The car seat must be approved for use in cars and airplanes (not all car seats are airplane-compatible), check the car seat's label. Learn more about the FAA's car seat rules on airplanes from their dedicated web page.

The airline will announce early boarding for families traveling with children or people who need extra assistance. If I didn't have a car seat to install, I sometimes waited so that my kids didn't have to sit one minute longer than absolutely necessary. But when putting in a car seat, I needed all the help I could get and boarding early was perfect.

(we once had a car seat get stuck because of where the buckle was after tightening - we were the last people on the plane struggling with it - sweating and stressed my husband finally just used BRUTE FORCE and broke the seat belt to pry it loose!) After that episode, I always requested a seat belt extender so the buckle was within reach!

What can I bring through security?

The amount of liquids allowed through security for baby needs is different from the usual allowance. When traveling with babies, formula, breast milk or even juice may be carried on the plane in excess of 3.4 ounces - with proper notification to TSA officers before being screened. No need to worry about the liquids getting warm, ice packs are also allowed. All other liquids follow the 3-1-1 rule (3.4 ounce or smaller containers ; 1 quart-sized, clear plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger). One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3.4 ounce (100ml) container size is a security measure. )

Every airline has different policies for children's items you can carry onto the plane vs items to be checked, like car seats and strollers. For example, at this time, United Airlines allows travelers to carry on a diaper bag, breast pump and child seat, in addition to their own carry-on baggage. It's best to check with the individual airline's policies before traveling. Most airlines allow a stroller through security so you can easily carry everything you need through the airport to your gate. Once you board the plane, you will likely have to "gate check" the stroller, meaning they will take it on the jetway right before you board the plane and you will retrieve it at the aircraft door once you land. Making the trickiest part getting your kids to and from their seats!

For a complete list of what you may bring as it relates to traveling with children, please visit: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures/traveling-children

Choosing a seat

Choose a seat on the plane when you book your ticket to ensure seats together (it is never guaranteed but most airlines really try to keep families together). If your child will enjoy looking out the window, choose a window seat. If you seeing nothing but sky may scare your child, consider an aisle or middle seat. Consider choosing a seat by the lavatory so that you won't have to wait for the food cart to be out of your way.

Speaking of bathrooms, not all planes come equipped with changing tables. You can check the aircraft online before you go, but be flexible, airlines can change the aircraft at any time. Put on a fresh diaper right before boarding the flight, starting off dry can only help. Some people prefer a pullup or swim diaper to a traditional diaper for extra absorbency. If you do need to change your child during the flight, ask a flight attendant if there is a changing table onboard, some planes only have one and it may not be in your section. I prefer to bring a bag and have everything I may need (my kids were famous for explosions), but remember that the aisle is narrow and the bathroom is tiny so use your best judgement.

Some planes come with an entertainment screen at the seat. Bring headphones (single jack). I find it so frustrating to find myself without headphone and having to purchase them when I have so many random pair laying around at home! (of course, I have purchased them, on more than one occasion, it happens!)

Passports

EVERYONE NEEDS A PASSPORT for international travel! Children traveling internationally, even infants, need a passport. And anyone under the age of 16 applying for a passport must do it in person, with the consent of both parents/guardians. Passports for children under 16 are valid for 5 years, always double check the expiration dates during the trip planning so there is time to renew if necessary. Most international travel requires a 6 month validity on your passport, meaning your passport cannot expire within 6 months of your travel dates.

Popping Ears on a Plane

Ears feel clogged and need to be 'popped' due to the air pressure on the airplane. There are several ways to equalize the pressure in your ears, the easiest being swallowing. During takeoff and landing (pilots begin the decent long before the announcement so keep an eye on the time) I try to start paying attention to popping my ears 30 minutes before arrival time. Suggestions for helping your child pop their ears: pacifier, bottle, lollipop, snacks, drinks and gum. NOTE: it is generally suggested not to ingest bathroom water on a plane, so don't wash your child's pacifier in the sink and then put it in his/her mouth. Use bottled water you bring or get from a flight attendant to wash anything going into your mouth.

Remember, traveling is fun!
Pack a great sense of humor, patience and sense of adventure and have a great trip!

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Honeymoon Timeline

Get your honeymoon
in order with this helpful
HONEYMOON TIMELINE!

8-12 Months Before The Honeymoon

6-8 Months Before The Honeymoon

3 Months Before The Honeymoon

1 Month Before The Honeymoon

2 Weeks Before The Honeymoon

At Last! Over the Water Bungalows within Reach!

What you need to know about air travel with Toddlers

Does my child need a plane ticket?

Does my child need a car seat?

What can I bring through security?

Choosing a seat

Passports

Popping Ears on a Plane

Author

Categories

Honeymoon Timeline

Get your honeymoon​in order with this helpfulHONEYMOON TIMELINE!

8-12 Months Before The Honeymoon

6-8 Months Before The Honeymoon

3 Months Before The Honeymoon

1 Month Before The Honeymoon

2 Weeks Before The Honeymoon

At Last! Over the Water Bungalows within Reach!﻿

What you need to know about air travel with Toddlers

Does my child need a plane ticket?

Does my child need a car seat?

What can I bring through security?

Choosing a seat

Passports

Popping Ears on a Plane

Author

Categories

Get your honeymoon
in order with this helpful
HONEYMOON TIMELINE!

At Last! Over the Water Bungalows within Reach!