Traveling can be a real challenge, especially when you are traveling abroad. When you leave familiar surroundings, you encounter different languages, foods, customs, currencies, weather, etc.  But with the right preparation, you can return home with fond memories of journeys taken and excited anticipation for future trips instead of nightmare memories and dread of ever taking another trip.  Here are a few tips to make your honeymoon abroad a pleasant experience:

1. More Bang for your Buck - If you have your heart set on honeymooning abroad, do some research before making a decision on where to travel. Check to see where you will get the most for your money. Some countries have a stronger dollar value than others. Check to see where the dollar is strong and plan accordingly.
   

2. Make sure you book your plans as far in advance as possible to get the best arrangements. Many rates and fares are based on how far in advance you finalize the flights or cruises. Even then, they are based on availability so peak travel times may be booked far in advance. If you are getting married in a peak travel time, you might consider taking your honeymoon later so that you can avoid higher prices and bigger crowds.

3. Documentation - Make sure you have all the required documentation (passport, entry visa, medical requirements, etc.) for travel. Travelers may not realize that many countries require the passports of arriving visitors to have at least six months of validity remaining upon arrival. If you do not have a passport, get one as soon as possible. Visit your local post office to receive information on how to apply for a passport. If you already have a passport, check the expiration date. If it expires in less than a year, it is a good idea to go ahead and get it renewed.

4. Pack appropriate attire. If you travel to a destination where there will be places of religious interest that you plan to visit, take your attire into consideration. Women may want to pack a long sarong to wrap around them when entering such places. You may also be asked to remove your shoes before you enter. Be sure to research the weather for the location so that you can pack clothing appropriate for the current climate.

5. Make sure you check the voltages on any appliances (hair dryers, curling irons, electric razors. etc.) you plan to bring abroad. You may need a voltage transformer as well as an adaptor plug to operate the appliance abroad.

Read:  Part 1  |  Part 2

1. Don’t take any expensive or expensive-looking jewelry with you. Leave your diamond engagement/wedding rings at home. You don't want to wear a lot of big flashy jewelry that will draw a lot of attention because it might draw the attention of some undesirable people who are all too willing to rob you. We're not saying it happens all the time, but it is something to take into consideration.
   
   
2. Beware of pickpockets! They are everywhere, so keep your valuables in some form of money belt or pouch. You can always have a stash of money for smaller purchases more readily available on your person but no more than you can afford to lose. Although it is convenient to have some local currency on hand, travelers’ checks are a much safer way to travel with your money.
   
   
3. Make copies of all travel documents including passport, front and back of credit cards and plane tickets, travelers’ checks serial numbers, etc. Leave a copy with an emergency contact back home and either give a copy to your traveling companion or place it in a different place than the originals. That way if the originals are lost or stolen, you will have a copy to fall back on. The copy isn't as official as the original, but it will work in a bind.
   
   
4. Thoroughly review your health insurance to determine if you need to purchase additional emergency medical assistance insurance. You may need this if you need to he hospitalized or even evacuated. Also. cheek to make sure that you have coverage in the area you are going. You don't want to have something happen and find out in the hospital that your insurance is no good.
   
   
5. Make sure your family has a copy of your itinerary, including contact numbers in case there is an emergency. Also, carry some kind of emergency contact information with you in case you and your spouse are injured and medical personnel need to contact someone.

Read:  Part 1  |  Part 2

When planning your wedding, don’t forget to set aside part of your wedding budget for your honeymoon. After all the hard work leading up to your wedding, you will definitely need the rest and relaxation that a honeymoon offers. Some couples may be lucky enough to receive a honeymoon trip as a wedding gift. For those of you who have to pay for your honeymoon, here are a few tips on how you can have a wonderful honeymoon without spending a fortune:

1. Search your local newspaper for travel deals. Also, a travel agent may be able to find you information on cruise specials, vacation packages or all-inclusive resorts.
2. Travel in the off-season. If you are getting married during the peak wedding season (May through September), consider postponing your honeymoon until the off-season. Most places have less expensive rates during the off season.
3. Travel somewhere close to where you live. For example, if you want to honeymoon on a tropical island, choose one that is close to you. For example, if you live on the east coast, a trip to the Caribbean would be less expensive than a trip to Hawaii. The less actual traveling you do, the less money you'll spend. Visiting an island doesn’t always mean it has to be a ‘tropical’ island. You could go on your honeymoon to an island off the coast of the continental U.S. like North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Georgia’s Barrier Islands, the Florida Keys, or the islands off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington.
4. If someone you know has a vacation house, cabin or a time-share condo, consider going to that person and asking them to loan or rent you their place for your honeymoon. This will save you money on accommodations and food since you'll be able to prepare some of your own meals.
5. If you have a credit card that offers frequent flyer miles, consider charging all your wedding expenses to this card. If your parents are paying for your wedding, ask them to let you charge the purchases on your card and have them reimburse you with a check or cash so you can build up miles to put towards your honeymoon.
6. Register for a honeymoon. In lieu of gifts, ask for a honeymoon. Set up a fund at a bank or make arrangements with a travel agent to accept payments from gift givers. Let your guests know how they can contribute to your honeymoon via word of mouth or email. Have members of your wedding party spread the word to your guests. You can still have a gift registry, just have it be for items needed for your honeymoon like luggage.
7. Let service providers know you are on your honeymoon. Mentioning this can bring you bottles of champagne to your table in restaurants, upgrades on flights, hotel room upgrades, etc. These acts of kindness are more likely to happen in locations where honeymooners are not their normal clientele.
8. Participate in on-line auctions to purchase airline tickets and hotel accommodations. Check online travel sites also. They may be able to get you a deal if you get everything from them like your flight, rental car and hotel.
9. Consider honeymooning at an all-inclusive resort. An all-inclusive resort provides lodging, activities, meals and much more all rolled into one price. It is much cheaper than purchasing each individual component.
10. Book a room that includes a kitchen. When traveling, you will spend a lot of money eating in restaurants. If you book a room with kitchen facilities, you can purchase food and drink from local markets and save on restaurant fees.