September 16, 2009

Honeymoon on a budget

By Elizabeth Rackover, Catholic News Service

Today’s honeymoon plans and destinations come in many shapes and sizes. In fact, honeymoons can and should be as diverse as couples themselves.
You’re just as likely to encounter newlyweds riding Disneyland’s Monorail or kayaking off the coast of San Juan as traveling to Italy or sunning in Hawaii.

Budget-conscious couples on or near the West Coast take advantage of scenic U.S. Highway 1. There are so many inns and resorts along this breathtaking route from Los Angeles to the Pacific Northwest. Big Sur Inn on California’s central coast remains a quaint retreat from most modern conveniences (toilets, yes; TVs and radios, no).

Ragged Point Inn, just south of Big Sur, is such a popular wedding spot that they recently constructed a wedding pagoda and now staff a full-service wedding department.

Local cruises can be economical when their all-inclusive nature is considered. Three- or four-night cruises departing from Los Angeles make stops at Catalina Island, San Diego and Ensenada.

Honeymooners still travel in droves to Niagara Falls, which calls itself The Honeymoon Capital. There’s no denying the appeal of the falls or the downright tempting honeymoon packages hotels use to lure newlyweds to their doors. But savvy East Coasters don’t need to be told that Lake George (Thomas Jefferson called it “the most beautiful water I ever saw”) is equally strong in resorts, bed-and-breakfast establishments and beautiful inns where just about every taste and budget can be satisfied. The local Chamber of Commerce devotes an entire Web site to lodging, recreation and unusual settings for a wedding ceremony (hot air balloon, anyone?).

Going Niagara one better, the Pennsylvania Poconos region, the “endless mountains,” has crowned itself the Honeymoon Capital of the World! Poconos’ honeymoon resorts are thriving. Local establishments rely on the allure of all-season activities and the heart-shaped tubs (whirlpools now) that helped to stimulate the romantic appeal that the region still enjoys today.

You don’t have to let airfare eat up a big chunk of your honeymoon budget. A road trip is a beautiful thing in and of itself. What planning a road trip requires is more imagination than cash.

For starters, choose secondary, not interstate, highways. Include time in your itinerary to stop and check-out points of interest along the way: Have lunch at a colorful inn, drink in the scenery at a local winery, do some browsing at a craft shop.

For your driving time itself, you might even consider listening to an audio book or two. Together you’ll take in the scenery and soak up the sounds, and the beautiful miles will absolutely fly by.

Honeymoons for every taste

• Acapulco, exotic but financially reachable, is as popular with newlyweds today as in 1953 when JFK and Jackie spent their two-week honeymoon there. With reliably warm temperatures throughout the year and a variety of low-budget diversions such as swimming and snorkeling, Acapulco remains relatively affordable and can allow for an unforgettable honeymoon on a moderate budget.

• For the young at heart, Walt Disney World Resorts offers a variety of packages, including land or sea honeymoons. Catering to many tastes and budgets, packages include accommodations and park passes.

• For active travel, there is the fairly amazing-sounding “Llama Adventures” near Taos, N.M. “The llamas carry all the goods so folks can hike in pristine Rocky Mountain wilderness, unburdened to experience the beauty and wonder,” said guide Stuart Wilde.