Kelly Becker
Section Editor

DISCOVERY TRAVEL (Durango)

Anita Larsen quickly named off four destinations without hesitation when asked about area couples’ honeymoon choices. The top four are: Hawaii, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Is it because those places are very different from what we have here? "Absolutely," she says. "The tropical places with the romantic ambiance are very popular."

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The "all inclusives" are hot stuff right now too. Practically everything except the couples’ spending/shopping money is included in the price. That would be the air, ground transfers, food and drink and in some cases even water sports. An example of a nice week-long trip for not a lot of money would be to Jamaica with air out of Albuquerque for only $1,200 per person. This covers just about everything the couple could want.

JO’S TRAVEL SOURCE (Durango)

Typically the most common choices for honeymooning couples from this area are going to be tropical, according to Donna Cave. The Caribbean and Hawaii are top choices, for instance, and then even Disney World, Mexico and cruises are popular too. Cave says that lots of people seek out the "superclubs." She also points out that there are a couple of destinations that are really drawing more and more atttention these days and they are the Dominican Republic (especially Puerto Plata) and Costa Rica.

Tour operators work closely with travel agencies and thus the agencies can get superior pricing for their clients because the agencies can do the shopping for the client. Even the Internet won’t produce the "deals" that agencies can get. Agencies can also advise clients of what to expect in their travel experience, including such things as the environment, time frames and so on.

KLATT TRAVEL (Durango)

Mexico and Hawaii are probably the most popular destinations from this area, according to Rick Klatt. Couples’ resorts, similar to superclubs and that are mostly in the Caribbean are also very popular. Because these resorts restrict children, there will be honeymooning couples to retired couples.

Klatt emphasizes the importance of knowing what the climate is like at certain times of the year for different locations. For instance, summer honeymoons in either Mexico or the Caribbean would most likely be unpleasantly hot for most people, so choices like Hawaii and other South Pacific destinations would be more suitable. That is especially important for couples getting married here in the summer. If a couple weds in February for instance, Mexico and the Caribbean would be good winter honeymoon choices.

He agrees that there are some excellent packages out there for people to explore. He also says that occasionally couples want romantic European honeymoons and select Italy, Paris or the Greek Islands.

Right now, probably the #1 and #2 honeymoon destinations being booked out of Cortez are for Cancun and Cozumel. Caribbean cruises are also extremely popular, says John Bond owner of the agency.

Hawaii is still a top choice too - especially Maui for its marvelous beaches and lush and spectacular Kauai — known as the Garden Island. Many people actually go to Kauai and are married there at the Fern Grotto.

For a little offbeat but really fun spot with terrific food, friendly natives and entertainment for everyone try Branson, Missouri. Bond wasn’t kidding when he says that it is a place he tries to talk people into visiting. It is in the beautiful Ozarks and, in his opinion, "better than Nashville."

If a couple is on a really tight budget and has a winter wedding, a trip to Phoenix can be an excellent choice for a honeymoon. There are nice places to stay, the climate is good and it’s an easy drive from Southwest Colorado. For a little longer drive and a little less-tight budget, Disneyland is a fun spot.

Couples are advised to get their plans to their agent as soon as possible. At least two months is needed for most trips, but three to four months would be better. For pricier choices, there are the Alaska cruises and some of those are being booked now for 2005. Bond says "they fill up pretty fast."