How to plan an around-the-world honeymoon

Overview

There are two main ways to travel around the world: 1) Plan very little and make it up as you go, and 2) Plan many of the trip components including hotels, activities, etc. Of course, there are variations in-between. Some people like to make sure they have booked a hotel for the first night in every new destination. This way, they have somewhere to go upon arrival and do not have to worry about where they will sleep that night.

Unfortunately, there are few hard and fast rules to planning an around-the-world trip. Itineraries and prices can vary widely, based on timeframe, number of destinations (and continents) visited, the way you like to travel and the types of hotels you prefer.

Step One – Determine your timeframe, destination interests and approximate budget

Your first step should be determining how much time you have. We suggest a minimum of one month for a basic itinerary. Next, you want to start researching possible destinations. Where have you always wanted to go? What sights are at the top of your "must see before I die" list? As you start plotting possibilities, keep in mind that you generally have to travel in one direction, either east or west, due to the requirements of the airline tickets. Also remember that the price usually increases when you add more continents and destinations.

Step Two – Explore flight options

Once you have a rough idea about timeframe and destinations, it is time to start investigating flight options. This is usually the most difficult part of the planning process. In general, you can expect an around-the-world ticket (in economy class) to cost between US$3000-$5000. You have a couple of main purchase options. The first is to deal with travel wholesaler that specializes in around-the-world bookings. In most cases, you will be required to provide them with a set itinerary. The ticket you purchase from them will often offer less flexibility in terms of future route changes. Wholesalers can often be found in the Sunday travel sections of major newspapers or online. Be careful — these folks are not always the most helpful bunch. The second option is to deal directly with the major airlines, particularly those with significant alliance networks like United, American and British Airways. Their prices are generally competitive and they often provide a greater level of travel flexibility. The other benefit is that you can make changes on-the-fly at the carrier's ticket counter in most countries.

Step Three – Plan and book additional trip components as desired

Once your itinerary is formed and your ticket is purchased, it is up to you as to how much else you want to plan. As mentioned earlier, it is usually a good idea to make a hotel reservation for the first night in a new destination. Just remember to cancel them if you change your itinerary!

Step Four – Final preparation

There are actually many things to think about before you leave, particularly if you will be traveling for a long period of time. Here's our short list….

• Passports valid and updated
  
• Immunizations for specific countries
  
• Healthy supply of prescription medications
  
• Stop mail service
  
• Pre-pay bills or arrange for them to be paid
  
• Gather all relevant contact numbers and e-mail address
  
• Get two virtual e-mail addresses (just in case one conks out)

That's it! Have fun exploring the world!