When it comes to going on your honeymoon, the US is a beautiful choice. From incredible city breaks where you can live the life of luxury for your honeymoon, or the beaches of Hawaii and Florida where you can lounge around in the sun, sipping cocktails. However, if you are planning on heading to the US for your honeymoon there’s a few things that you should consider before you go.
Visa
When you head to America, you’re going to need an American visa in order to gain access to the country. Whether you qualify for an ESTA, or you need a complete visa to enter the country it is vital that both you and your partner have the correct visa, or you will get turned away either from the plane that you are trying to board to get there, or when you get to the other side. Many Europeans, Australians, New Zealanders and citizens of other countries won’t need a visa as they will qualify for an ESTA if their trip is for a holiday or business, and will last less than 90 days, but if your honeymoon is going to be lasting longer than that, then you will need to ensure that you have a visa in tow. If you have an ESTA you only have to fill in customs paperwork on board your flight rather than separate customs and immigration forms, but if you have to apply for a full visa the process can be quite lengthy, so it’s best to make sure that you’re prepared and begin the process well in advance of your honeymoon.
Choice
When it comes to the US for a honeymoon, you have 50 whole states to choose from, meaning you should put some thought into it quite soon about what you’re expecting. Regional differences across the US extend to accents, food, drink, laws and politics so it’s important to brush up on your knowledge of the state that you want to head to before you go there. With 3.8 million square miles of US to choose from, you best choose wisely so you can be certain to get everything that you want from your holiday, and more. Some of the best honeymoon locations include Miami, Hawaii, San Francisco, or New York for a 5* luxury shopping honeymoon.
Tipping
Tipping is custom in the US, and even when you’re on your holiday you need to ensure that you have plenty of dollar bills ready to tip the waiters and bartenders. In fact, it is considered rude to not tip, and is so custom that if you don’t tip you could be approached by management to ask why you believed the service was so bad – even if you didn’t think it was. Everything from the bus driver to the 15 percent added to your restaurant bill, it is inescapable. Many minimum-wage jobs presume that tips will form up a large proportion of overall income, and it is expected so you need to be sure that you are prepared when it comes to your honeymoon.
Shopping Taxes
If you’re planning on going shopping during your honeymoon, you should be aware that you’ll end up paying more than the price tag for your shopping, particularly when it comes to clothes. Sales tax will vary from state to state, but generally hovers around 4 to 6 percent, and it is added onto your total bill once you’re at the checkout. It’s important to remember this, as although you may think you’re getting a bargain when you see the price tag, it might not be such a bargain after the sales tax is added.
Your Accent May Cause Confusion
When it comes to travelling to America for your honeymoon, you should remember that your accent may cause a little bit of confusion when it comes to Americans that haven’t really travelled very much. If you have a thick English, Australian or other accent, some people may not understand what you’re saying, meaning you’re probably going to have to repeat yourself a few times over. Don’t get frustrated by this however, as it’s probably a similar situation on the other side of the pond. Don’t speak too quickly and you’re more likely to be understood.