From budgeting and finding sustainable destinations to timing your trip, find out the best tips for a stress-free, romantic, and eco-friendly getaway
When choosing what to do for your honeymoon, you might find an eco-friendly trip to an exotic location appealing as do other newlyweds. Aside from opening you up to new experiences, you also get to do your party as newlyweds in preserving the environment. Planning a trip right after your wedding day could be stressful. It’s supposed to be a time for relaxation, but with everything you need to deal with to make your wedding a success, you may not have put any extra effort into planning your honeymoon and making sure you’re doing it without harming the environment. The trip is just as important as any other occasion, so check out the guide below on how you should plan for your romantic and eco-friendly getaway without much hassle.
1. Coming up with a budget
You will have to realize that your honeymoon vacation is just as expensive as your wedding. Planning earlier will help you figure out where to get extra funds to make the most of the trip. Aside from the location, you will need to make sure you have enough to finance your trip. Assuming you’ve already spent a lot for the wedding and reception, the remaining cash you have should be the basis for the rest of your eco-friendly travel plans, from the location to the accommodations.
For this, you need to strike the perfect balance between sustainability and affordability. Memorable experiences don’t always come with a high price tag. You just have to set a budget that maximizes the time you will be spending in that place. In any case, you can maximize your travel budget if you opt for a more sustainable destination. Nature walks in Italy are more practical than spending too much time in urban areas.
2. Finding the best destination
Aside from the budget, you need to take as much time as you need in choosing a destination for your trip. Several popular locations like Paris or The Maldives might enter your list, but it’s still important to consider other factors aside from popularity. First off, your choice will depend on how much you’re willing to spend. Be practical and realistic with what resources you have. It’s also important that you look for destinations that provide you with lots of eco-friendly options.
Even with a tight budget, you can still make the most of your trip if you carefully select a destination that offers the best experience. Consider what both of you like and start from there. If you’re more into visiting art and history museums, then choose a city rich in cultural attractions like Bristol or Milan. In case you’re both avid beach-goers, go for exotic beach resorts that you can reach on foot.
3. Shop around for the best travel packages
You might be too occupied in planning for your wedding that you forget about arranging your travel plans. If that’s the case, consider reaching out to a travel agency that can help out with everything, from setting your itinerary and choosing the best deal for a couple suite at a posh hotel. This will spare you from any additional stress so you can start your trip immediately after the ceremony.
Check out websites like https://www.yourdreamreservation.com/ where you can browse through discount vacation packages within the United States that match your goals. While airfare is usually excluded, these packages can help you save a lot on everything else.
4. Consider the timing
If you want a more hassle-free travel experience, you might want to time your trip well. You wouldn’t want to schedule your trip at a time when there’s a high demand for flights. Depending on where you’re going, you might want to choose a date off-season where lines are shorter and prices are more affordable. More importantly, you won’t have to add to the demand for flights during this time of the year when carbon emissions peak as people travel in droves.
Apart from choosing a schedule, you should also consider the length of your stay. If it’s only a single destination, a two-night stay would be ideal, especially if you’re not planning on spending too much. You can opt for a week-long stay if the trip involves visiting several spots or countries by train. That way, you won’t have to book flights. For instance, a trip across Western Europe should be good for a week if you plan on visiting only a select number of cities. You need to make sure your trip doesn’t land during peak seasons, especially in the summer or spring.
Endnote
For the ultimate romantic getaway experience, it pays to put in a little extra without causing a major impact on the environment. As a couple that champions sustainability, there’s always an opportunity to profess your love for Mother Earth as much as you profess your love for traveling and for each other!
Cover image: Photo by Oleksandr P from Pexels
