I had a Travel Challenge request for a week long honeymoon in May. Congratulations to the happy couple - I hope your wedding and honeymoon are just the start of many wonderful memories together!
Criteria: Honeymoon!
Needs/Wants: Requested a place that has "excursions" or other things to explore. Plus, they love photography, so I think some pretty views to photograph would be nice.
Time Frame: Sunday, May 13, 2012 - Saturday, May 19, 2012 OR Sunday, May 20, 2012
Budget: $2000ish for a week long trip of either 6nts/7days OR 7nts/8days for 2 people
Option #1: San Francisco and surrounding area, CA
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| This photo of San Francisco is courtesy of TripAdvisor |
I think that San Francisco would be a perfect area to honeymoon, especially for anyone who loves photography! Within a couple hours drive you can see breathtaking views of the city, coastline, vineyards, and forests. I would recommend starting in San Francisco, then traveling to either Sonoma (or Napa) for two or three days. You could continue north to see the Avenue of the Giants or go southeast to visit Yosemite National Park (both are roughly 4 hours away from Napa but well worth the drive).
(See my Challenge: San Francisco for more ideas!)
(See my Challenge: San Francisco for more ideas!)
Hotel #2: Zinscape - Stay 3 weekday nts - Guest Room with 1Q @ Mid-week multiple day rate; basic continental breakfast; private entrance and patio; TripAdvisor Reviews $339.00 TL (estimated 13% tax)
Airfare: Delta Airlines - Departure Flight: Columbus (CMH) to Oakland (OAK) 1 layover; Return Flight: San Francisco (SFO) to Columbus (CMH) 1 layover (red-eye Sat pm to Sun am) $724.40TL
Transportation: Public Transit (includes BART, Trolley, etc) $20 TL
Car: City Rent-a-Car; Economy Car; 3-weekday rental; no additional insurance $75 TL
Gas: 75 miles each way (~1.5hr); round trip 150 miles with 25mpg at $3.50/gal plus some extra $30 TL
Food: Breakfast (B): $5/day (4); Lunch (L): $15/day (7); Dinner (D): $45/day (7) ~$440TL (for two people)
Based on Sun (L/D), Mon (B/L/D), Tues (B/L/D), Wed (L/D), Thurs (L/D), Fri (L/D), Sat (B/L/D), Sun (B)
Activities: Tour Wineries and samples $ Price varies (find wineries with free samples and tours like Korbel Champagne Cellars) $0; Walking trails around coast near Bodega Bay $0pp; Alcatraz Tour-Daytime Tour $26pp; Walk on Golden Gate Bridge $0; TripAdvisor City Guide App has FREE self-guided tours (I used a tour from their app in NYC) $0 $52 TL
Trip Total: $2,023.44 TL
Option #2: Montreal,Quebec
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| This photo of Notre-Dame Basilica (Basilique Notre-Dame) is courtesy of TripAdvisor |
If you are dreaming of honeymooning in Europe but just can afford the flights then try Montreal! It is a wonderful blend of North American and European feel! It is not surprising to find menus with both English and French, they have a Notre Dame Basilica, and Old Montreal is beautiful and historic. There is some gorgeous architecture to take photos. It is about a 12-13hr drive each way, so I'd recommend breaking up the trip with an overnight stop at Niagara Falls (roughly halfway between Columbus and Montreal).
Hotel #1: Habitation du Vieux Montreal - 5nts - Parisien, Apartment with 1Q @ regular rate; private apartment with kitchen; great corner view; walking distance to Place Jacques Cartier; TripAdvisor Reviews $734.50CAD TL (estimated 13% tax) (Canadian or Caribbean apartment at same rate.)Hotel #2a: Hampton Inn Batavia (NY) - 1nt on way up - 1K @ AAA-rate; breakfast included; right off highway on the way; decent reviews on TripAdvisor $138.86 TL
Hotel #2b: Greystone Manor Bed and Breakfast - 1nt on way back - Topaz Guest Room 1Q @ TripAdvisor 15% off-rate (must pay in cash to received discount); private entrance; breakfast; mini-fridge and microwave; ranked as #1 B&B by the Niagara Falls on TripAdvisor $124.30CAD TL (estimated 13% tax)
Gas: 700 miles each way (~12hr); round trip roughly 1500 miles with 25mpg at $3.50/gal $210 TL
Parking: City parking not included with hotel $50 TL
Transportation: Montreal Public Transit Occasional Smart Card for three days $16pp $32 TL
Make sure you get the Occasional Smart Card not the Opus card. The Opus card is a permanent card that they charge you an additional $6 per person.
Food: Breakfast (B): $5/day (5); Lunch (L): $25/day (8); Dinner (D): $60/day (8) ~$705TL (for two people)
Go across the street to the little market and grab food for breakfast.
Based on Sun (L/D), Mon (L/D), Tues (B/L/D), Wed (B/L/D), Thurs (B/L/D), Fri (B/L/D), Sat (B/L/D), Sun (L/D)
Activities: Walk around the park $0 (maybe pack a picnic lunch for one day); Check out free street entertainment at Place Jacques Cartier $0; Notre-Dame Basilica $5pp; Montreal Botanical Garden $16.50pp; Montreal Biodome $16.50; Montreal Insectarium $16.50pp (Get a "Nature Package" to the Garden, Biodome, and Insectarium for $28pp); Cirque du Soleil Show - Amaluna ~$100pp (this is the middle price range - there are some more or less expensive) $75TL (based on Basilica & Nature package w/o Cirque show)
Trip Total: $2,069.66 TL
Option #3: Caribbean Cruise
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| This photo of Ocho Rios is courtesy of TripAdvisor |
While this may not be my personal preference, I know of many people that love to get away with some sunshine and minimal effort after all the headaches that can come with planning a wedding. A cruise is a great option to see multiple places without having to "waste" time travelling. You can enjoy plenty of activities on the boat or just sleep while you cruise to the next port, plus you only have to unpack once! This cruise would offer some beautiful sunset pictures for any photography lover!
Hotel: Carnival Cruise Line - 6 Day to Western Caribbean (5/13-5/19) - Interior Room with 1Q @ Fun Saver (they select your room at check-in)-rate $1347.48 TL
Flight: Delta Airlines - Flights from Columbus, OH (CMH) to Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) 1 layover $482.40 TL
Transport: Shuttle from Fort Lauderdale airport to cruise port - Included with price of cruise $0
Food: Included with price of the cruise; Prepaid gratuities included in price of cruise; some drinks additional ~$50TL (for two people)
Activities: Standard activities $0pp; Additional excursions such as Key West Para-sailing $89pp, Canopy Adventure in Jamaica $100pp, Dolphin Swim $varies depending on port ~$200 TL
Trip Total: $2,079.88 TL
Vacation Protection: Optional but not included in total price $130TL
I know some people do not believe in giving money as a wedding gift, BUT if you do get some cash, excursions and activities are a great thing to use your wedding money for...your trip basics (hotel, transportation, etc) are still set but you can enjoy the extras depending if you get any cash gifts.
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