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Rest easy in the honeymoon hotel of your dreams

Your honeymoon is your first trip together as a newly married couple. The journey itself celebrates your commitment to each other as husband and wife.

There are several ways to ensure that your honeymoon is the vacation of a lifetime. And the first thing to do is begin planning as soon as you become engaged.

You and your finance will want to discuss locale, destination activities and price. There are some truly incredible honeymoon packages, tours, cruises and all-inclusive adventures available, but you'll need to do your homework.

Log on to the Internet and surf the Web for honeymoon destinations that appeal to both of you. Be prepared to make a few long-distance phone calls to investigate the best prices on airfare and lodging. Most travelers know that airline ticket prices can vary widely between carriers. The same wide range in pricing holds true for hotel rooms.

Every hotel room has an established price known as the "rack rate." If you call and ask for a quote on room rates, the reservation personnel will quote you the rack rate. This is when you should ask about special pricing plans or programs. Check out the rate variances based on arrival and departure dates, number of night to be booked and the type of room you prefer.

Once you do your research and find a hotel or resort you think fits your plans and your price range, it's wise to call a professional travel agent. Ask the agent to investigate the best hotel room rate and airfare that he or she can secure. It's fine to tell the travel agent the room rate you were quoted and see if a better rate is available to travel agencies, group fares, charters, etc. If you plan to rent a car, ask the travel agent to quote prices on ground transportation as well.

A professional travel agent will work with you before, during and even after your trip to ensure that you and your fiancée experience the honeymoon of your dreams. Should anything go wrong with your reservations, your room, the activities or amenities you were promised the travel agent that booked your reservations can be of assistance with the hotel management. Thus, you have some recourse other than standing at the hotel's front desk seething with anger and frustration.