One of Gina's favorite honeymoon memories is quite tangible: a lapis lazuli ring from Hawaii. "The color of the Pacific," said her husband when he picked it out for her. "Each time we look at that ring, it brings back happy thoughts."

Some of your best memories may also be triggered by your honeymoon purchases. Because many destinations are known for their shopping opportunities, you'll probably want to make at least a few special acquisitions. Here are some tips to help you shop like seasoned pros.

How to Find a Good Buy

Start out by doing some research about the places you'll be visiting. Read travel articles, guidebooks, and brochures before you leave to see if there are major purchases you might like to make while there. Once you've decided on possible purchases, check out the cost and quality of these items in your local stores and discount outlets so that you'll know when you're getting a good buy abroad.

Never be misled by "sales." As you know, "X percent off" is relative and doesn't always mean a good buy. Another buzzword that is often taken to mean "bargain" is "duty free." This simply means that the local government is not charging an import tax on the given items coming into its country. The resulting price might be lower than you could find back home, but not necessarily. And if you're making a lot of purchases, you may have to pay U.S. duty upon your return. Check on the latest U.S. Customs regulations before you leave if you plan to go on a buying spree.

Overseas Tax Refunds

Take advantage of the tax refunds that many countries offer visitors. Before you leave, check with the tourist office to see if value-added tax (VAT) refunds are available and how they work. In some countries, the refund can be 25 percent or more, but you'll have to follow certain rules, which include purchasing minimum amounts, showing your passport, filling out some paperwork, and sometimes allowing extra time at departure to have the paperwork validated by a customs agent. Some countries will not issue refunds if you open your purchase before you've left the country. Try to avoid getting your refund by mail in a foreign currency check; it can cost more to process than its face value. Your best bet is to have the store issue a charge-card credit, but you may be able to get a cash refund (for a service charge) at your port of exit.

Buyer Beware

Travelers can be easy targets for scams, so be wary of making major investments abroad in such commodities as silver, gold, gems, handmade rugs, and the like unless you know a lot about what you are buying or are shopping at an internationally reputable store that honors returns. The same goes for letting a merchant mail prepaid purchases home for you .Using a credit card may provide some protection if your purchase is not delivered.

It's also a good idea to shop around before making a major purchase. There's nothing worse than walking into a shop and seeing the item you just bought selling for half the price you paid. My rule is to check out at least three shops before making a major purchase. Be very suspicious of prices that are good only if you purchase on the spot. You won't know if the price and quality are favorable until you've shopped around. Also be wary of recommendations from guides, who often suggest expensive, "touristy" shops and sometimes get commissions for sending you .

Learning to Negotiate

Bea and Stuart complained that everyone in the market was trying to take advantage of them because they were tourists. "They are trying to charge us outrageous prices," Stuart explained. "They think we're too stupid to know better, but I've seen some of these things in gift shops for half the prices they're quoting."

No one had told Stuart that the merchants didn't expect him to pay the prices they were asking. In many countries, bargaining is a way of life and of socializing--sometimes in the shops as well as the markets. Bargaining is an art and can be lots of fun.

In many countries, the starting price will be more than double what the merchant expects. Don't be offended. If you're interested in buying, tell the merchant the price is too high or make your own "absurd" offer. If all else fails to bring the price down to what you'd feel comfortable paying, walking away slowly and regretfully may get you your price. If your price is met, however, you should be prepared to make the purchase. Otherwise, it is like a breach of contract.

If you have no idea of what the price should be and want to shop around, try asking the merchant for his or her best price and then say you'll think about it. The merchant may drop the price further. Don't feel you have to buy unless you make an offer that the merchant accepts. Often, you'll be asked how much you want to pay. Be honest. Say you need to shop around and ask for a card so you can return. You may even want to make a note of the item and price on the card.

Finally, if you don't want to spend your time shopping and bargaining, you can shortcut the process by knowing what you want to pay, offering a bit less, and then coming up to your price and holding firm.

As you practice, you'll develop your own techniques. Listen to other people's experiences and you'll get a sense of the country's customs. You may also want to start out by perusing the fixed-price department stores. There, you'll get a general idea of cost and quality. This can help you bargain more intelligently in the markets.

Most important, keep things in perspective. Don't let yourselves get paralyzed by worrying over a few dollars. It's more important to bring back something you'll really enjoy than to get the best price. Try to purchase something special. It doesn't have to be expensive. Paintings, sculptures, wall hangings, and even mugs or salt and pepper shakers can become cherished keepsakes. Did you like the local music? Pick up a tape. Did you enjoy the cuisine? A cookbook and some local spices will let you return to your special place in spirit whenever you please. Or purchase the bathrobes from your hotel as a warm reminder of your honeymoon.

Get more information from our Honeymoon Planning Kit which includes 12 Honeymoon Planning Checklists and our 31 Chapter Honeymoon Planning Guide. Click here to visit our download page.