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Honeymoon & Travel | Travel Tips
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• Ready, Set, Spa
  It’s the ultimate indulgence. These tips ensure that you relax to the max. by Dana WagnerNowadays, more honeymooners than ever are choosing to spend lots of quality time pampering themselves on their first vacation as a married couple. So, whether you’ve booked a beach retreat, an adventure getaway or a tour of a romantic European city, chances are that you’ll want to work some fabulous treatments into the itinerary. Here’s how to make the most of a most delicious experience. Spa-ology There are actually seven categories recognized by the International SPA Association. The big three are destination, day and resort: Destination spas typically focus on whole-body wellness and often include spa cuisine, fitness programs and mind-enrichment, while resort spas are pretty much all about the pampering. Day spas generally have facial and body treatment rooms, but lack whirlpools and steam and sauna facilities, says Darryll Leiman, Spa Director at Canyon Ranch’s SpaClub aboard the Queen Mary 2. Book Your Treatments Let’s say the two of you have chosen to honeymoon at an island resort with a spa. If possible, reserve your treatments when you book your room. Most spas have an online menu of the services offered, so it’s easy to get set up. Before making your selections, consider: Do you want to get scrubbed and moisturized to perfect your bikini-ready bod? Would you prefer a hydrating facial to maintain your radiant glow? Or how about de-stressing with a deep-tissue massage? Try to take advantage of the spa’s specialties, Leiman suggests, like treatments that make use of indigenous ingredients. While complimentary robes and slippers are de rigueur, and professional therapists are always considerate of your privacy, do be aware that most body treatments, like massage, salt scrubs or Vichy showers, require some nudity. If this makes you squeamish, consider scalp or facial treatments instead, or a massage that can be done fully clothed, such as reflexology (foot massage) and Watsu massage (you wear a bathing suit and the treatment is done in a pool).Personalize Your Requests When making your appointments, be sure to indicate whether you prefer a male or female therapist; now is also the time to mention any medical concerns such as pregnancy, diabetes, hypertension or sports injuries, as some services may not be suitable for certain conditions. Arrive Early, Stay Late Leiman recommends that you arrive for treatment appointments at least 45 minutes early. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to fill out any paperwork and to take advantage of meditation or tranquillity rooms (usually stocked with magazines, herbal teas, fresh juices and healthy snacks) as well as whirlpools, saunas or steam rooms. And don’t even consider rushing out after your treatment: Leave time to linger in order to prolong that sense of relaxation. Ensuring Your Pleasure Don’t be shy about speaking up during your treatment: Are you too hot? Too cold? Is there too much pressure or not enough? Say the word, and your therapist will make adjustments. And while some clients enjoy a step-by-step explanation of what their therapist is doing, others like peace and quiet—if you have a preference, say so. Your therapist may ask if you’d like an “add-on,” such as hot stones or aromatherapy oils; feel free to partake, but know that these generally cost extra.Tipping Points It’s customary to tip 15 percent to 20 percent of the bill, but it isn’t mandatory. Some spas include gratuities in treatment fees and others don’t accept them at all, so ask about the policy when checking out.
• Turn a Layover into a Honeymoon Extension
  Let’s face it­–sometimes you have to hang out at the airport between flights. Luckily, it’s getting a whole lot better with these fun-filled ways to bide your time. by Sharon BooneThese days, traveling often means spending lots of time in an airport—to deal with security, make a connecting flight or wait out a delay. Instead of wasting money on calorie-laden snacks, tacky T-shirts and other “what was I thinking” tchotchkes, pack this guide for ideas on how to make the most of layovers at six busy hubs.Vancouver International AirportSince Vancouver is a transfer point for East Coast travelers on their way to Asia and many other Pacific destinations, use layover time to refresh with a little honeymoon steam and spa. Work out those flight-induced kinks at the Health Club at The Fairmont Vancouver Airport, located right inside the International Terminal. Here you’ll find high-tech fitness equipment, a whirlpool, saunas and a full-service spa (day passes start at $10; fairmont.com/vancouverairport). Narita International Airport in Tokyo If you have a Tokyo layover on your honeymoon, no worries! Just kick off your bridal shoes, release that tedious wedding hairstyle, and jump in bed! In this perfect honeymoon hideaway, you can rent DVD players, video cameras and cellphones from various airport-approved vendors in the two international terminals. Those who want to relax can choose from dayrooms (bed rentals for naps), shower cubicles and day spas located throughout the busy hub. There’s even a pet hotel, in case your dog needs a rest too (equipment rentals start at about $15; day-beds start at about $8 an hour; showers start at about $4 for 30 minutes; narita-airport.jp/en).Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris Paris layovers are the perfect opportunity for some post-wedding stress shopping. There are some things that can only happen in gay Paree—and scoring an exclusive perfume is one of them. The Aelia Parfums Cosmétiques stores located in Terminals One and Two are the only places you can pick up Guerlain’s Vol de Nuit Evasion. The spicy scent, blended for travelers, features bergamot, jasmine and peach with a top note of woody vanilla (eau de toilette starts at $62; guerlain.com).Heathrow International Airport in London This bustling international airport feels oh-so-civilized. You can browse through the wallets, carryalls and hobo bags at the luxury leather specialist (and fashionista favorite) Mulberry (mulberry.com). For brides who blew their budget on fancy wedding bouquets and wedding decorations, no need to despair! There’s plenty of affordable finery at the ubiquitous Boots The Chemists (boots-the-chemists.co.uk). You’ll want to see if they’ve restocked their perennially sold-out No 7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum, the antiaging product that has caused a sensation throughout Europe. Then toast your shopping savvy with a glass of champagne and splurge on an ounce of beluga at The Caviar House Seafood Bar. There’s an outpost in every terminal. George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston If you’re headed to Mexico or other points south, it’s a pretty good bet you’ll pass through this modernist city within a city. This honeymoon hub is the perfect his and hers spot. Workaholics can catch up on e-mails via the airport-wide Wi-Fi system, but if you want to disconnect, head to the new XpresSpa, located in Terminal D. Try a stress-relieving head massage or get a foot and leg massage to help boost circulation and combat bloating (treatments start at $20; xpresspa.com). You can also go for a swim at The Airport Marriott hotel pool, which has direct access from any of the airport’s five terminals. Or upgrade from the usual food-court fare with a romantic dinner at the hotel’s CK’s Revolving Restaurant (fly2houston.com). These airport digs are so deluxe, you’ll wonder why you didn’t have your wedding reception here. Frankfurt Airport Connections to Europe, Africa and the Middle East all happen here so a layover at this airport sets the perfect cultural honeymoon tone. The stress of wedding invitation wording and bridal gowns will feel far away as you and your groom recoup all the costs with some giddy gambling. Try a hand of blackjack, place a bet on the roulette wheel or take a spin on the slots at the Airport Casino. The area has monitors throughout, so you can keep an eye on your boarding time. Feeling hungry? Just hit the Tegut Supermarket grocery area on Terminal One’s lower level and pick up fresh bread, warm pretzels and delicious deli meats without the sky- high costs you often find at airport eateries (airportcity-frankfurt.com).
• Insure Your Safety
  From medical emergencies to lost luggage, travel insurance has got you covered. by Jenna MahoneyTickets? Check. Hotel reservations? Check. Hot new bikini to show off your post-wedding bod? Check. It seems you’ve got everything set for your honeymoon, but you may be forgetting one small but crucial item in the rush of honeymoon and wedding planning—travel insurance. Here’s the lowdown.Protect your assetsLike your wedding, honeymoons are special—and expensive—purchases, and travel insurance protects your investment. “If an illness, accident or other unforeseen circumstance forces travelers to cancel or interrupt their plans, they face two major financial losses,” says Dan McGinnity, vice president of AIG Travel Guard, a travel insurance provider. “One is the money invested in nonrefundable prepayments and the other is the medical expenses that are often not covered by health insurance.” Travel insurance can protect against those hindrances, including delayed flights, lost luggage and medical emergencies. Some policies also recoup your money if your airline folds.Lost and foundExperts cite a more than 70% increase in delayed or lost-ba