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they could be calling from anywhere in North America. We want to be there for them when it matters,” Paula adds. Destination weddings are especially advantageous for clients adhering to firm budgets, says Paula, and Stewart Travel Group can help plan genuinely affordable festivities. “Destination weddings are economical, and there are additional steps to bypass certain costs,” she says--for example, completing legal paperwork at home before they depart." In fact, Travis adds, “Resorts may even offer free weddings to guests who meet certain criteria--number of rooms, number of nights, number of guests.” Couples hosting a destination wedding, says Paula, often don’t bother to arrange a honeymoon elsewhere: they simply extend their post-wedding stay, staying behind when guests have said goodbye. When it comes to more complex arrangements, however, Stewart Travel Group is an exceptional resource. Couples frequently honeymoon in destination wedding settings--“The Caribbean is definitely the most popular honeymoon spot,” confirms Travis--so there’s overlap between Stewart Travel Group’s “wedding” and “honeymoon” clients. Other honeymooners, however, opt for classic European locales with Transat like Croatia, Greece, Italy, and Portugal. Compared to beachside honeymoons, Travis says, “Europe is definitely more active.” Thus, it’s perfect for energetic couples who want their honeymoon memories to revolve around adventure, rather than leisure. And, given the effortlessness of European travel, a European honeymoon is easily expanded into a multi-country getaway.
Stewart Travel Group frequently depends on their partner Transat Holidays, a prestigious Canadian operator, for destination wedding and honeymoon flights. Air Transat maintains over two dozen separate European routes, as well as flying to a variety of traditional destination wedding locations. Air Transat’s Option Plus program offers perks that are perfect for honeymooners, says Stewart Travel Group Advisor Frances Gertsch: from an expanded baggage allowance, to indulgences like a glass of wine and cozy blanket. “They’re nice touches that make the whole trip smoother.” In addition to flights, she adds, Air Transat also offers “bundles” that can include luxurious resort accommodations and even airport-to-resort transportation. Air Transat has clearly mastered the ability to offer an exceptional experience to destination wedding parties and honeymooners. The tempting list on their website includes “carry-on luggage” status for wedding dresses, as well as financial perks, like “excursion credits” for additional destination activities. In some cases, Air Transat itself even whisks couples off on an additional “wedding planning trip.” In addition to Air Transat’s “official” wedding and honeymoon offerings, Travis says, “We have a very strong relationship with Air Transat’s groups department, so we know our clients get the best support possible.” Wherever clients are bound, Stewart Travel Group considers appropriate travel insurance crucial. “We offer one of the best plans on the market: Manulife’s Premium Protection Plan,” says Frances. “It’s a comprehensive package that includes the ‘cancel for any reason’ benefit.”
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