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HELPFUL RESOURCES

TRAVEL AGENTS

Hiring the services of a good travel agent will take a lot of unnecessary pressure off of you. In the past, you may have felt that you did not need the assistance of a travel agent when planning a vacation. Planning a honeymoon, however, can often be far more involved and stressful than a "regular" vacation, due to the simple fact that you are also deeply enmeshed in the planning of your wedding!

Therefore, you should take advantage of the professional resources available to you when working out the small details and finding the best values. Keep in mind, though, that you will still probably want to do some research on your own, ask for second opinions, and, most of all, read the fine print.

Since a travel agent can become one of your most valuable resources, you will want to consider a few important things when trying to select one. Ask family, friends, and coworkers for personal recommendations (especially from former honeymooners). If you are unable to find an agent through a personal referral, then select a few agencies that are established nearby (from newspapers, phone books, etc.)

Next, you will want to make an appointment with an agent or speak to one over the phone. Pay close attention to the following and then make your decision.

Find out if they are a member of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). Additionally, find out if they are also a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC), or possibly a Destination Specialist (DS).

ASTA: Members of this organization are required to have at least 5 years travel agent experience. They also agree to adhere to strict codes and standards of integrity in travel issues as established by the national society. In most states, there are no formal regulations requiring certain qualifications for being a travel agent. In other words, any person can decide to call him/herself, and thus advertise as, a travel agent.

CTC: Certified Travel Counselors have successfully completed a 2 year program in travel management.

DS: Destination Specialists have successfully completed studies focusing on a particular region.

For a list of ASTA agencies in your area, call or write:
    American Society of Travel Agents
    Consumer Affairs Department
    1101 King Street, Suite 200
    Alexandria, VA 22314
    (703) 739-8739
For a list of Destination Specialists and Certified Travel Agents in your area, call or write:
    Institute of Certified Travel Agents
    148 Linden Street
    P.O. Box 56
    Wellesley, MA 02181
    (800) 542-4282
    (press "0" to be connected to a Travel Counselor)
Questions to Ask to Qualify Your Travel Agent:

How long has the Travel Agency been in business?

How long has the Travel Agent been with the agency?

How much experience does the Travel Agent have? Any special studies or travels?

Do they have a good resource library?

Does the agent/agency have a variety of brochures to offer?

Do they have video tapes to lend?

Do they have a recommended reading list of travel aid books?

Does the agent seem to understand your responses on your wish list and budget?

Does he/she seem excited to help you?

Does the agent listen carefully to your ideas? Take notes on your conversations? Ask you questions to ensure a full understanding?

Is the agent able to offer a variety of different possibilities that suit your interests based on your wish list? Do the suggestions fall within your budget?

Can the agent relay back to you (in his/her own words) what your wish list priorities are? What your budget priorities are?

Is the agent prompt in getting back in touch with you?

Is the agent reasonably quick in coming up with suggestions and alternatives? Are the suggestions exciting and within reason?

Does the agent take notes on your interests (degree of sports, leisure, food, etc.)?

Does the travel agency provide a 24 hour emergency help line?

Are you documenting your conversations and getting all of your travel plans and reservations confirmed in writing?

Aside from just offering information and arrangements about locations and discounts, a good travel agent should also provide you with information about passports, customs, travel and health insurance, travelers' checks, and any other information important to a traveler.

OTHER SOURCES

National bridal magazines and general travel magazines are a great place to search for honeymoon ideas. But remember, you cannot always believe every word in paid advertising.

In addition to the information your travel agent provides, you can also obtain maps, brochures, and other useful items on your own. At the end of this section, you will find many useful phone numbers to help you in contacting tourist bureaus and travel agencies worldwide. These offices are extremely helpful in acquiring both general information (information about the weather, tourist attractions, landmarks, and even coupons or promotional brochures "selling" the area) and more specific information about reputable hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, etc.

Also provided in this section are phone numbers for sources specializing in information about traveling by train (in the United States as well as abroad) and for camping and hiking throughout the country.

If you have Internet access you can acquire volumes and volumes of information and titillating pictures about your possible destinations. You can even "chat" with other fellow soon-to-be honeymooners or recent honeymooners about their experiences.

If you don't currently have access, local libraries often provide limited free time and user-assistance for their members.

Your local library, the travel section of book stores, and travel stores are also excellent sources for finding information and tips relevant to your travel needs. You will find books on traveling in general as well as books specific to the region or destination you will be visiting. There are numerous tour books, maps, language books and tapes, as well as books about a location's culture, traditions, customs, climate, and geography.

These books are a great source of information since they are independent from the locations they describe and are therefore impartial, objective, and usually contain correct, unbiased information. You can also find books and other resources describing (and sometimes rating) restaurants, hotels, shows, and tours. Books on bargain hunting and finding the best deals are common as well.

SOURCES TO READ

The Traveler's Reading Guide: Ready-Made Reading Lists for the Armchair Traveler

by Maggy Simone: A comprehensive listing of travel resources for almost every place in the world.

The Stephen Birnbaum Travel Guides

Frommer's Guides

Michelin's Green Guides; Michelin's Red Guides

Insight Guides

Let's Go! guides

Fodor's Guides

Fielding Travel Books

AYH Handbook and Hosteler's Manual: Europe and United States

The New York Times Practical Traveler

Mobil Travel Guide

Background Notes

U.S. Government notes containing information about the culture, people, geography, history, government, economy, and maps of most countries worldwide.
The U.S. Government Printing Office Cost: $1.00
(1-202-512-1800)
or download at: www.access.gpo.gov

101 Tips For Adventure Travelers
Overseas Adventure Travel
1-800-221-0814)


National Park Service publications: (1-202-208-4747)
www.nps.gov
{ National Park System Map and Guide
{ The National Parks: Index


National Forest Service publications:
(1-202-205-1760)
A Guide to Your National Forests

CREATING A BUDGET

You want your honeymoon to give you luxurious experiences and priceless memories. But you don't want to return from your vacation to be faced with debts and unnecessary feelings of guilt for not having stayed within a reasonable budget.

This should be the vacation of a lifetime. You can make this trip into anything your imagination allows. Pay attention to which experiences or details you would consider a "must have" and prioritize. As you work with your budget, stay focused on those top priority items and allow less "elaborate" solutions for lower priority items. If you stay true to your most important vacation objectives, the minor sacrifices along the way will barely be noticed.

Perhaps, at this point, you don't know how many days your honeymoon will last. Often, the number of days you'll vacation depends on the type of honeymoon you choose. If you (and your travel agent) are designing your own honeymoon, the typical cost-per-day will most likely determine your length of stay. If you opt for a cruise or another type of prearranged vacation, your length of stay will probably be dependent upon the designated length of the travel package. By determining a basic, overall budget at the start, you will know what your limits are.

Yes, this is a very romantic time... but try to remain realistic! Once you have an idea of your spending limits, your choices will be much easier to make.

Don't be discouraged if you're unable to spend an infinite amount of money on this trip. Very few couples are able to live life so carefree. You can still experience a honeymoon that will leave you filled with those priceless memories... it's all in the planning!

The following budget worksheets will help guide you in creating your honeymoon budget. You may want to make copies of this worksheet so that you can create several budget plans. Keep trying different variations until you are satisfied with how your expenses will be allocated. When comparing your potential honeymoon options, you'll find that laying out a simple budget is an effective, and essential, tool for making decisions.

GENERAL BUDGET

Traditionally the groom is responsible for the honeymoon. The groom will take on the challenges of gathering information and working through the necessary details of providing a perfect honeymoon for his new bride... and himself! Nowadays, many couples find it necessary for both the bride and groom to contribute to the cost in order to experience the honeymoon of their dreams. (Today, the average newlywed couple spends $2,500-$3,500 on their honeymoon.) Many couples, together, determine what each partner will contribute and then shape the budget from there.

Many couples find that including a Honeymoon Registry instead of, or in addition to, their traditional Bridal Registry is a great way for friends and family to contribute to the trip. You can create your own Honeymoon Registry here at WeddingSolutions.com!

Some couples also include some version of a "Dollar Dance" at their reception. This is a great way for the bride and groom to dance with many of their guests while accepting the dollar "dance fee" as a contribution to their honeymoon. Some couples choose to pursue less romantic options for building up the honeymoon savings... part time jobs, yard sales, etc..

Whatever your methods may be, remember that increasing the amount of money you will spend does not automatically ensure a more pleasurable and enjoyable vacation. Your most important and effective resource is your commitment to planning. You will see that, regardless of what your budget limits may be, your vacation possibilities are endless.

Doing a budget analysis may be one of the most useful things you can do in planning your honeymoon. With all the options available, a good cost analysis will help make the most appropriate decisions very clear to you.

First, create a budget for what you think allows for an ideal, yet reasonable, honeymoon. Highlight those expenses which are top priorities. For example, a spacious, ritzy hotel room may be the most important element for you. Or, perhaps participating in numerous sports activities and excursions or enjoying fine dining is more important than a spacious room.

Next, as you come across different destinations and options that appeal to you, fill in a new budget worksheet. Compare the results to other potential trips. See how your priority items on each trip compare to one another. Determine the pros and cons of each. This is also an effective way of looking at the pros and cons of an all-inclusive package versus an independently organized trip.

NOTE: Once you've decided on your honeymoon destination and activities, fill in a new budget as accurately as possible and take it with you on your trip. Use it to chart your expenses as they occur so you will have a visual guide of whether or not you are staying within budget.

If you find that you are going over your budget, take a look at those top priority items that you'd still like to keep. See if you can eliminate some lower priority items to free up some money for the favored ones.

If you find you are under budget, celebrate with a special "gift" for yourselves (massages, an extravagant dinner, another afternoon of jet skiing, etc.).

TIPPING GUIDE

This guide is provided to help you get familiar with customary gratuity standards you may encounter throughout your travels.

Tipping customs vary from country to country. It is advisable to inquire about tipping with the international tourism board representing the country you'll be traveling in. Simply ask for information about tipping customs and social expectations. You will also want to discuss gratuities with your travel agent or planner. Some travel packages include gratuities in the total cost, some leave that to the guests, and some even discourage tipping (usually because they have built it into the total package price) Be sure to discuss this with your travel planner.

SERVICE GRATUITY
AIR TRAVEL  
Skycaps $1.00 per bag
Flight Attendants none
ROAD TRAVEL  
Taxi Drivers 15% of fare (no less than 50 cents)
Limousine Driver usually included in bill
Valet Parking $1.00
Tour Bus Guide $1.00
RAIL TRAVEL  
Redcaps $1.00 per bag (or posted rate plus 50 cents)
Sleeping Car Attendant $1.00 per person
Train Conductor and Crew none
Dining Car Attendant 15% of bill
SERVICE GRATUITY
CRUISE  
Cabin Steward 2.5-7.5% of fare (paid at the end of the trip)
Dining Room Waiter 2.5-7.5% of fare (paid at the end of the trip)
Cabin Boy, Bar Steward, Wine Steward 5-7.5% of total fare (divided proportionately among them)
RESTAURANTS  
Maitre d', Headwaiter none (unless special services provided, then typically $5.00)
Waiter/Waitress 15% of bill (pretax total)
Bartender 15% of bill
Wine Steward 15% of bill
Washroom Attendant 25-50 cents
Coat Check Attendant $1.00 for 1 or 2 coats
(NOTE: Some restaurants in foreign countries add the gratuity and/or service charge to your bill. If it has not been added, tip the customary regional rate.)
HOTEL / RESORT  
Concierge $2.00-10.00 for special attention or arrangements
Doorman $1.00 for hailing taxi
Bellhop $1.00 per bag 50 cents for showing room
Room Service 15% of bill
Chamber Maid $1.00-2.00 per day or $5.00-10.00 per week for longer stays (no tip for one night stays)
Pool Attendant 50 cents for towel service
MISCELLANEOUS  
Barbershop 15% of cost
Beauty Salon 15% of cost
Manicure $1.00-5.00 depending on cost of service
Facial 15% of cost
Massage 15% of cost



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