What is the best way to book a honeymoon?
Travel agent or website? I'm looking to book a trip to Greece but I don't think the online sites are the best way... I can't seem to find what I want. I'll take any tips or pointers.
1. Any family/friends go there already? That's the first route I check.
2. Credit Card (AmEx, Hilton HHonors Visa, etc.) would be the second route I'd go.
3. Travel agents over website, but but treat it like buying a car: everything is negotiable, do your research, bid everyone against everyone, and be prepared to walk away if the deal doesn't agree with you.
4. Why Greece? I ask not to dissuade you from it, but more to know what you really want to see/do there. Is it wanting to visit the Parthenon, see the beautiful architecture of Santrorini, or oil down and act like a Spartan? When I traveled to Italy, I was sad that I didn't plan ahead to go to a sporting event. When I went to Ireland, I thought ahead and planned a stay in a castle. A real castle from the 1400s, none of these namby pamby castles that are really a hotel on the inside with luxuries like heat. That one thing made it the best trip in the world, even when we got locked outside of it in below freezing weather. So, do some thinking and really plan out at least one special thing/place/activity for the trip.
Cheers,
- Lou
8 Answers
I used cheapcaribbean.com and it is definitely the way to go if you are headed to that area. We are going to Costa Rica.
For sure call a travel agent, it doesn't cost you more money.
They can get you better deals that you will never see online. They have relationships with hotels and consortiums so they can get you better prices and perks. Like upgrades, free meals, spa credits, etc.
So get a trusted travel agent, even better one that is in an agency associated with Virtuoso.
If you have an American Express card, go with them. My wife and I just booked our honeymoon with them. It went flawless and it was less expensive than travel sites.
1. Any family/friends go there already? That's the first route I check.
2. Credit Card (AmEx, Hilton HHonors Visa, etc.) would be the second route I'd go.
3. Travel agents over website, but but treat it like buying a car: everything is negotiable, do your research, bid everyone against everyone, and be prepared to walk away if the deal doesn't agree with you.
4. Why Greece? I ask not to dissuade you from it, but more to know what you really want to see/do there. Is it wanting to visit the Parthenon, see the beautiful architecture of Santrorini, or oil down and act like a Spartan? When I traveled to Italy, I was sad that I didn't plan ahead to go to a sporting event. When I went to Ireland, I thought ahead and planned a stay in a castle. A real castle from the 1400s, none of these namby pamby castles that are really a hotel on the inside with luxuries like heat. That one thing made it the best trip in the world, even when we got locked outside of it in below freezing weather. So, do some thinking and really plan out at least one special thing/place/activity for the trip.
Cheers,
- Lou
COSTCO TRAVEL
I used Costco Travel to book my honeymoon to Italy and France, and they couldn't have been easier to work with. They got me great rates at amazing hotels, and arranged everything down to the car service. Every room we stayed in even had a bottle of Champagne waiting for us. After putting it on my American Express, I even got points.
I also ask...Why Greece? Try Turkey as a cheaper, more diverse and arguably more beautiful destination. Did you know that Turkey houses more ruins dating back to antiquity than Greece? If the Parthenon is something that attracts you, you should go to the Manhattan of ancient Greece; Ephesus. While you can enjoy the Aegean coast at a fraction of the price, you can also visit Istanbul and enjoy the culture and the cuisine.
I went with a travel agent to book mine. I didn't want to screw around with making a mistake. I ended up paying less than the same trip through online booking sites. I didn't book a european vacation, only an all inclusive in Mexico, but I still went with trusted advice. You could also look at it this way... if you book with a travel agent and you end up not liking the trip, you can be mad at the agent and never book with them again. If you plan the trip online, your wife will only be able to blame you.