January Honeymoon Values

Many Minnesota couples getting married this summer will opt to postpone their honeymoon until winter, giving them a great reason to escape the bitter cold. The advantage of this allows the couple to be flexible with their travel dates and gives them the ability to shop for the best value. Mid January can offer some great rates to sunny destinations. The seasonal flights and charters generally begin service by this time, and demand is not as great because the holidays are over and spring break is still a couple months away. (In general, to get the best deals you want to avoid holidays including Valentine's Day,President's Day and spring break)

Looking for the best honeymoon value, I researched prices for 4 different resorts for the same set of dates:
January 7-14, 2009

Let's start with the very popular Sandals Negril, set on beautiful Seven Mile Beach in Jamaica.
The price for Two people including RT Airfare from Minneapolis is $5438 in a Beachfront Category Room

Next, we have the El Dorado Seaside. Part of the Gourmet Inclusive Karimsa Resorts in the Riviera Maya, Mexico and listed as one of the 10 Most Romantic Resorts in the World by Forbes(and my personal favorite).
The price for Two people including RT Aifare from Minneapolis is $4774 in a Swim Up Suite

Then, there is the BRAND NEW Azul Sensatori opening this fall in the Riviera Maya. This is also one of Karisma Resorts Gourmet Inclusives, and although open to guests of all ages there is a special adults only section of the resort. The price for two people with air in a Swim Up Jacuzzi Suite on the adults only side is $3816!

The Sandos Playacar in Playa del Carmen, Mexico also has a great deal in one of their Oceanfront Royal Club rooms $3272 per couple. The Royal Club guarantees a king sized bed and special VIP amenities.

And the winner is...
In my opinion the best value is the AZUL Sensatori. The savings comes in because it is a new resort with introductory pricing, you can almost be guaranteed that the price will go up after its inaugural year. A couple can get a Swim Up Jacuzzi Suite which connects to the main pool, fabulous gourmet dining with a choice of 6 restaurants, and a romantic candlelight dinner on the beach for honeymooners.

For more information on the AZUL Sensatori or any of the other resorts mentioned give Enchanted Getaways a call!

The Element of Surprise

Planning a surprise vacation for a loved one can be an exciting, but daunting task. Many people give up the “surprise” element early in the planning process because they're unsure where to begin. So, inevitably they just ask their loved one where they want to go. Or, in many cases, the one who was to be “surprised” ends up planning their entire vacation. The key is making the trip fun and relaxing, not stressful. Here are a few things to consider when planning a surprise romantic getaway.

#1- Use a travel agent
Be sure to let them know that this is a SURPRISE. Trying to plan a trip on the internet, only gives you time to research when the other person is away. Give the agent contact information that the other person doesn't have access to. A work phone or email works best.

#2- Know what documentation you need
There's nothing like spoiling the surprise by trying to explain why they'll need a passport.

#3- Consider staying within the U.S.
Consider a trip to Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico where no passport is required!

#4- Book as much in advance as possible
A good travel agent doesn't just make air and hotel reservations. They can book things like limousine transfers from your home, a candlelit dinner on the beach, a couples massage, or even arrange to have a trail of flower petals leading to their hotel suite.

#5- Book a package
Booking as many things through one place is to your advantage. There are usually significant savings on airfare and hotels, plus you can book a car rental and activities. This allows you to have one “go to” if a problem arises.

#6- Relax
A romantic getaway, should be about enjoying time together. Do things at a leisurely pace. Sip your morning coffee on your balcony looking out over the turquoise Caribbean waters. Spend hours savoring a gourmet dinner by candlelight. Let a beach butler bring you cool drinks as you lounge in a beach front palapa.

Contact Erica@enchantedgetaways.com for information on the romantic Karisma Resorts. These stunning resorts offer the only Gourmet Inclusive experience in the Riviera Maya. Ask about specials for the new properties opening this fall.

Erica promoted to Director of Romance

It's the moment we've all been waiting for.... our event planning, romance loving agent has been appointed as the official Director of Romance for Enchanted Getaways!

And with that, I pass the reigns to Erica to share her amazing knowledge of anything that involves the word amour.