Nkiru Okoye: Choosing a honeymoon destination (Y! Superblogger)

The most important thing is that you have a restful time with your spouse, distractions free.

Most couples hardly realize how much energy and resources, both mental and physical they have put into planning their wedding until after the wedding is done. It is therefore important to “heave a sigh of relief” by getting away and having a relaxed time “knowing” your new spouse.

Honeymoons need not be expensive. The fact that you are still basking in the euphoria of just wedded bliss is enough reason to thoroughly have an enjoyable honeymoon experience. The most important thing is that you have a restful time with your spouse, distractions free.

There are however important details to consider when choosing a honeymoon location.

Budget– How much are you willing to splurge on your honeymoon? This will determine where you choose as your honeymoon destination. Chances are, you have spent a big chunk of your savings on the wedding, if this is the case, it is advisable to work with an imaginary scale of preference. Would you rather pay an expensive flight ticket to Maldives and pay a travel agent to book hotels or just book a local flight to Obudu Ranch. This all comes down to your budget.

A Cable Car at Obudu Mountain Ranch.

How long you can go away for– Are you under paid employment or do you run your own business. How much time can you take off your job and other engagements? If you have just a few days, it is better to take a short trip- a mini moon (which by the way is getting really popular) and get back in good time. Also, you may have to consider how much time the trip will take. It is therefore important to factor in the duration of the flight in your honeymoon plans. If you have only 5 days to go away for, spending 21 hours on a flight to Brisbane, Australia is not wise. Spending too much time on your trip and dealing with the jet lag that could arise from long trips will not leave adequate time to unwind and enjoy yourself before heading back home again.

 

Weather – Have you checked out what the weather forecast has to say about the weather in your planned honeymoon destination? You do not want to be ‘rained in’ all through your honeymoon. If your wedding is in September and you have set up  Cape Verdean Island as your honeymoon destination you may have to reconsider (Cape Verde usually has torrential downpours between mid-august to mid- October)

 

Oasis Atlantico Priamar Hotel, Island of Santiago, Cape Verde.

 

Activities: It is also important to consider activities both of you enjoy. Is he an outdoor person and does he like adventure? Then he will very likely enjoy a mountain type honeymoon like the Obudu Ranch. Is she more of a shop-a-holic? Then she is likely to enjoy London in the summer or Dubai around January when the Dubai festival is being held. Do you both want a really private and secluded honeymoon where nature surrounds you? You may want to check out the “well kept honeymoon secret” The Gambia, also known as the “Smiling Coast of Africa”. It is a silent honeymoon destination with its beaches, luxury hotels and eco-tourism advantages. Explore endless serenity and tranquility at the Coco Ocean Resorts and Spa, Gambia.

 

Coco Ocean and Resorts Spa, The Gambia.

Often times, couples have a problem because they do not enjoy the same activities. My suggestion is to write down a list of what is important to you in a honeymoon, compare notes and reach a middle ground. Fair enough, right?

Have fun – Seriously, you do not want to stress about your honeymoon. If planning it will be too much of a hassle, find a trusted travel agent that will take care of everything from flight arrangements to hotel bookings. A good travel agent will offer wonderful advice and work with your budget.

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Nkiru “MizVuitton'” Okoye is a legal practitioner and a freelance writer. A lover of weddings and a die-hard romantic, she blogs passionately about weddings at www.cakesbymizvuitton.blogspot.com.

 

Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

Comments (12)

  1. love it so much dear, thumbs up my love, I agree with Oge my dear , Africa has some lovely places especially Nigeria… Naija for life… Lovely post MizV

  2. I LOVE the post!….

  3. This honeymoon article is most informative and should be a must read for every about to wed couple and even singles. Planning your honeymoon shouldn't have to break the bank. We really do have exotic locations in Nigeria, its great the writer has created an awareness for this locations. You should visit her blog, its a wonderful blog for those planning a wedding, and even singles, there are loads of pointers, tips and suggestions from budgets, planning, wedding dresses, even picking your dance with my father song and the popular series 'Life in a single lane' stories about the single lady, her travails and escapades, these stories get me on the edge of my seat. The writer impresses me with every article she writes.

  4. I totally love the post cuz it is informative. I particularly think Africa offers some of the BEST honeymoon destinations in the world!!! From exotic beaches, to cosy hotels and safari lodges its a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Just imagine going to one of Boswana's tropical beaches or candlelit bush dinner-well this one na strictly4 d 'wild' couple.lol. But for those looking for innate romance Zambia like you mentioned has all the charms. Well for those a lot like me, seeking a tropical island and chic res0rt oozing with sensuality and luxury…I would just head out to Mauritius. And Nky u raised valuable points on the varying climatic regions within Africa. Thanks boo I would definately keep these in mind 🙂

    1. Africa is the BEST honeymoon destination. Funny enough we don't appreciate it enough. What about Cape Verde will all its exotic beaches. Mauritius is a destination to die for. Imagine newly wedded Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel chose Tanzania as their honeymoon destination. Africa is where it!s at… I swear down

  5. This question is for the writer do you do honeymoon consultation? Something like what wakanow offers, travel agent advice, bookings and all? Appreciate a reply

  6. YNaija is delving into weddings now, so cool. Love that you guys are versatile and not just reporting only news. Kudos

  7. Wow! Just wow! Nk this is really great and informative. Proud of you boo

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