Beaver Travel helps couples with honeymoon destinations, planning

Many couples dream about a honeymoon in Niagara Falls, Ireland or Hawaii. Beaver Travel can help them get there.

“I just had a request for Alaska,” said Hilah Mason, who, with her husband, Glen, owns the agency. “In a sense, the world is a lot smaller now. People can go online and look at everything and decide what they want.”

Beaver Travel and Apple Vacations are co-sponsors of The Times Bridal Fair on Jan. 31. Mason will be there, handing out travel brochures and answering questions.

“We sell vacation packages through Apple,” she said. “They do lots of non-stop charter planes to places like Cancun and Punta Cana.”

When it comes to honeymoons, it’s hard to beat the allure of the all-inclusive resorts of Mexico and the Caribbean, where couples can get hotel and airfare for one price.

“They’re very competitive, and places like Cancun, Punta Cana and Riviera Maya offer lots of options to choose from,” she said. “The adults-only aspect of resorts like Sandals and Secrets is appealing to couples.”

Most offer destination weddings as well, and many resorts are now offering specialty rooms, with features like a swim-up patio, Jacuzzi on the balcony or butler-level service.

“Some Caribbean resorts are now building over-the-water bungalows with Plexiglas on the floor,” said Mason. “I expect those are going to be really popular.”

Typically, couples spend between $3,000 and $4,000 on a week-long honeymoon.

“The more specialized, the higher the price, and the further ahead you need to plan,” Mason adds. If you book eight or nine months ahead of time, however, you can put some money down every month to mitigate the cost.

Popular European destinations include Ireland and Italy. Cruises in the Mediterranean are always an option, too.

“Norwegian has an exclusive service called ‘The Haven,’ where you have more privacy, you’re more pampered,” Mason said. “It’s almost like the ship is your hotel, and you’re doing daily excursions.”

With travel bans lifted, one up-and-coming destination is Cuba, Mason said.

“It’s coming on the scene and I think will open up in the next few years. Right now it’s more expensive than many other Caribbean vacations, and it’s very controlled.”

For more information, please visit www.beavertravelcenter.com.