Magazine gives tips on post-wedding trips

Where’s the best place for a secluded honeymoon? An affordable honeymoon? A honeymoon for people who love the beach?

The August-September issue of Modern Bride has recommendations for these and many other types of post-wedding trips.

The magazine, which goes on sale June 15, says Mexico is the best place to honeymoon if you’re looking for affordability. For adventure travel, the magazine recommends Costa Rica; for food and culture, Italy; and for nightlife, Las Vegas.

For seclusion, head to Fiji; for best beaches, Hawaii; and for a ski trip following a winter wedding, Colorado.

Dreaming of a wedding fit for a princess? Consider getting married in an Irish castle. The summer issue of Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine explains how to do it.

To help pay for postnuptial travel, check out the honeymoon registry system at www.travelersjoy.com. Family and friends can contribute money here toward a trip planned by the couple or even choose from a list of specific “gifts” for the trip, such as horseback riding on the beach. Once all the gifts are in, the Web site takes a 7.5 percent commission off the total and sends a check for the balance to the couple.

New park guides

If you’re planning a trip to a national park this summer, make sure to check out the extensive information offered about every part of the parks system at the www.nps.gov Web site.

But if you need more guidance about what to see and do, where to stay, how to get there and other aspects of your visit, several new guidebooks may help:

•National Geographic has published the “Guide to the National Parks West,” with information on Yellowstone, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, Olympic and 14 other parks. The book gives a quick overview of must-sees in each park with just enough specific information on mile markers and trailheads to make planning easy but not overwhelming.

•Insight Guides has a new book called “U.S. National Parks West” with chapters on California and the Pacific, the Southwest, the Rockies and the Pacific Northwest. It’s lushly illustrated with extensive background on the history, geology and ecology of each park, in addition to offering practical information about trails, amenities and attractions.

•Lonely Planet’s guide to “Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks” is particularly useful for travelers looking to budget their time. The book offers sample itineraries for each park – including Grand Staircase, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches in addition to Zion and Bryce – for a half-day, a full day, or a couple of days.

MapQuest hits the books

MapQuest is going back to the future.

Known for providing instant directions from its Web site, www.mapquest.com, the company will soon be producing maps and guides in a much older medium – books.

MapQuest Publishing will produce road atlases and travel guidebooks, along with laminated street maps.

Titles will include:

•Six versions of a classic North American road atlas, including large-print and pocket-sized editions.

•Special-interest travel guides focusing on such topics as sports, camping, and college searches.

• “Find It” maps for 20 cities and 38 states, featuring zoos, parks, museums, golf courses, historic sites and other attractions.

They are expected to be available by midsummer.