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Honeymoon & Travel | Travel Tips
Find travel tips and information.

• Travel Light
  Too much baggage? Stow it all in a carry-on, and save yourself the hassle (and maybe even a fee). by Jenna MahoneyIf you feel you’re hearing way too much about lost luggage and bag surcharges these days, you’re sure to agree with us that more efficient packing is in order—especially on your honeymoon when you don’t want anything to mar the fun. With our tips, you’ll be smart, streamlined and ready to soar.Know your limitsThe U.S. Transportation Authority (TSA), together with most U.S. airlines, allows one piece of carry-on luggage, plus one personal item per passenger. Most requirements state that the size of the luggage not exceed 45 linear inches (translation: 9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches) and weigh no more than 40 pounds. Note: Wheels must fit within those confines. Along with your carry-on bag, you may also bring a single personal item, such as a purse, a laptop case or a briefcase. Although these policies have been in effect since 2001, go to the TSA’s website (tsa.gov) for any changes. Note: At press time, passengers traveling through London’s Heathrow Airport are permitted only one piece of carry-on luggage, regardless of point of origin. Translation: even if you’re connecting here, you can only have a single piece. Go to heathrowairport.com for updates.Packing 101“A week before make a list,” advises Karen Tina Harrison, a New York City-based travel expert who flies only with carry-on luggage. Over the course of the week, add anything you may have forgotten as long as you absolutely can’t live without it. “Be a minimalist and pack only one of everything, except undies and shoes,” she says. Include a silk or cotton dress that can be worn day or night, a cotton sweater, a waffle-knit top for layering, a long skirt and a shorter one. Make sure everything can be mixed and matched. Bring a gentle all-purpose soap like Dr. Bonner’s, which can be used to clean your clothing, your body and your hair. At your hotel, you can hand wash things in the sink and hang them to dry. Most showers have clotheslines that can be pulled across the tub. Accessorize!In the words of Olympia Dukakis in the film Steel Magnolias, “The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.” And that’s never as true as it is when you’re traveling. Accessories are lightweight and can help you get lots more wear from your basic clothing. Bring costume jewelry to accent outfits for dinners; belts are also useful. Use one on a shift and you’ve got a nice dress to wear into town for shopping. “Shoes are bulky, so I limit myself to one pair of flip-flops, a pair of walking shoes and heels that can handle cobblestones. I wear sneakers on the plane,” says Harrison. Frequent fliers swear by the pareo, an oversize cotton wrap that can be used as a beach cover-up, an evening shawl, a scarf or even a blanket. Pare down your stuff Currently, the TSA limits carry-on gels and liquids to three ounces each, which must be stored in plastic bottles that are visible in a clear, one-quart-size Ziploc bag. There is a limit of one plastic bag per passenger; therefore the so-called 3-1-1 rule. But why bother? Hotels provide shampoo and soap. Just pack one-time-use products like antibacterial wipes and pouches of sun block. Get into labelsOK, so you’ve tried, but just can’t seem to get it all into one bag. Not the worst thing: Just properly label your checked luggage with a sturdy bag tag that includes your name and your cellphone and hotel phone numbers, and place a business card inside your suitcase. So, even if the tag gets damaged, the airline still has a way to contact you. Know your destination’s airport code and make sure it is the one on your routing tag at check-in.
• DIY Massage
  These luxury properties offer private hands-on instruction for couples who want to help each other relax during and after the honeymoon.by Jenna MahoneyCoconut Bay Beach Resort & SpaLife is a breeze at Coconut Bay, St. Lucia.This hideaway on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia contains a quiet adults-only enclave with its own guest rooms, pool, beach, fitness center and last but not least a wonderfully relaxing spa. Called Kai Mer, French Creole for “house by the sea,” the spa has outdoor manicure/pedicure patios, treatment rooms with magnificent ocean views and private outside showers, and a menu of services using ingredients that celebrate the bounty of the sea. You can sign up for the 90-minute massage instruction session that’s held on a patio overlooking the ocean. What could be better than learning the art of bodywork with your new husband to the murmuring sounds of the nearby sea? The spa’s pick-your-own aloe treatment is perfect for those of you who may forget to reapply the sunblock, and the reflexology treatment, which is performed seaside, accompanied by sweet, fruity cocktails, will make you appreciate your feet as you never have before. Vieux Fort, St. Lucia; rates start at $320 a night, all-inclusive; coconutbayresortandspa.comMohegan SunMagic hands at Mohegan SunThe slots are great and so are the bars and restaurants at this huge resort in southeastern Connecticut. And don’t miss the 60-shop mall and the cabaret theater. But we think you’ll really hit the jackpot at the Elemis Spa, an oasis of pampering that features lots of couple’s treatments. First, there’s the hour-and-45-minute Strawberry Moon ritual, with its sexy, flower-filled bath for two, followed by chocolate-dipped strawberries and champagne. There’s a couple’s massage and hands-on instruction by staff practitioners. You’ll also receive jasmine-infused massage oils to take home with you, so that you’ll be able to recreate your experience once the honeymoon is over. 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, CT; rates start at $200 a night; mohegansun.comSandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island Leave stress out of the picture at Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort.This all-inclusive couples-only resort sits on a secluded strand of Bahamian beach, with its own romantic private island beckoning beyond the waves. Head straight for the spa and sign up for the In Each Other’s Hands massage class. The spa’s relaxation experts will show you how to customize your massage oil, and then teach you basic bodywork techniques. For even more pampering, follow up your class with the two-hours-plus Wrapped in Romance package, featuring an island sugar and orange scrub for two, a seaweed wrap and a whirlpool soak with champagne. Last come side-by-side warm stone massages. Another signature treatment: The Tropical Bliss massage. It may seem like a standard Swedish massage at first, but the application of warm sand to your feet makes for a very happy ending. Cable Beach, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas; rates start at $420 per person, per night, all-inclusive; sandals.comPhotography: (from top) Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa—St. Lucia; courtesy of Sandals Resort; courtesy of Mohegan Sun.
• Have a Healthy Honeymoon
  Who wants to call in sick on their trip of a lifetime? Here, tips for staying on top of your game.by Carie WojdylaThe last thing anyone wants is to feel under the weather on their honeymoon—but it does happen. A few precautions should keep you both in great shape. The Prep StepFor a honeymoon in South Africa or Thailand, or even in Tahiti and Fiji, get ready to roll up your sleeves. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a visit to these and other popular spots require certain vaccinations. Visit your primary care physician four to six weeks before your departure to get the necessary boosters, as well as prescriptions for Cipro, a powerful antibiotic, and any antimalarials that you may need. Ask the doctor to recommend an over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication, like Imodium A-D and Pepto Bismol, to bring with you. Also, get her suggestions for the most effective insect repellents, sunscreens and antibacterial wipes. For more information, go to the Travelers’ Health section at the CDC’s website, cdc.gov. In-Flight Precautions You want to arrive at your destination feeling fresh and energetic. “To ensure that you get off the plane ready to have fun, avoid drinking alcohol while you’re in flight,” suggests John E. DiScala, founder of johnnyjet.com, an online travel source. Even one glass of wine with dinner can leave you feeling dehydrated and uncomfortable, he says. Instead, prepare yourself to be on local time by sleeping on a flight that will land in the morning; stay awake on one that will arrive at night. After check-in, take a short nap only if absolutely necessary, DiScala says. Fighting jet lag can be tough, but the best thing to do is to spend some time outdoors. How many times have you been on a flight and found yourself sitting behind a passenger who sounds like he’s coughing up a lung? According to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, one in five airline passengers reports contracting a cold within one week of flying. And this was true not only for passengers on long hauls, but also for those on shorter flights. If you don’t relish becoming part of that statistic, try Nozin Nasal Sanitizer or Airborne. Destination Dining 101 Like most travelers, you’ll probably want to throw caution to the winds and feast on the local delicacies. But do follow this basic rul