Tuesday, May 13, 2008

California Honeymoon,

An important part of planning a wedding is choosing the perfect honeymoon destination; the reward for making it through the whole thing unscathed! We’ve all heard wedding horror stories that we wouldn’t wish on any of our high school rivals (or would we?!). After all that, a newlywed couple deserves to spend a romantic honeymoon together at a dream destination. Warm tropical beaches come to mind, with a soft breeze coming in off the ocean, lazy afternoons overlooking the ocean from a private balcony, and a funny little umbrella drink in one hand and a champagne flute in the other. The entire focus of the perfect honeymoon should be on the celebration of commitment to each other, and taking the time to enjoy life from a new perspective, one that’s not clouded by work, family, and daily responsibilities. So let’s move on to planning a dream honeymoon, one that you’ll never forget!

There are many top honeymoon destinations to choose from in the United States and around the world, but let’s focus on just one at this time, a California honeymoon. Was this a location you were already considering, if not, definitely take a closer look. California has a lot to offer with its sparkling beaches, high mountain tops, desert canyons, national parks, grand hotels and resorts, and award winning wineries. California honeymoon packages are available at various beach lodgings, resorts, and bed and breakfast inns throughout the state, with spectacular views overlooking the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, or the rugged mountains, majestic redwoods, and wine valleys below. Start your search by visiting www.resortsandlodges.com for a definitive directory for romantic California honeymoon resorts and lodges. Indulge yourself and your spouse by honeymooning in famous, unique, special places, you’ll never want to leave featured by www.californiatraveldreams.com.

Unforgettable experiences await you in San Diego, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Mendocino, Napa Valley, or quaint Catalina Island, just to name a few. For articles and links to top California honeymoon destinations go to www.yourwedding101.com or www.honeymoons.about.com and find the ultimate honeymoon suite complete with fresh flowers, chocolates and candles, and a private spa with a fireplace to heat things up. If luxury is the key word, take a look at the Milliken Creek Inn, www.millikencreekinn.com, a premier Napa luxury hotel, or go to www.californiabeachresorts.com for luxury beach house rentals located on the Pacific coastline. A California honeymoon destination will be unforgettable for both of you because you’re experiencing it together.

Best Honeymoon Locations

People are always asking me which are the best honeymoon locations as if I could narrow it down to a list of the top 10. just because I'm a travel agent, everyone assumes that I will know what fits their taste the best. The fact is that there are romantic destinations all over the world. Almost every country on earth has some of the best honeymoon vacation spots somewhere. It is simply a matter of taste.

For example, if you are a fan of luxury, the best honeymoon locations are the ones with the best hotels. There are bed and breakfasts, five-star hotel packages, cruise ships – the list goes on and on. Some people even think that the best honeymoon location is a luxury spa. A lot of the time, when my clients are looking for luxury, I simply recommend a hot spring. Many of these places will pamper you and spoil your rotten. They will provide massages, free gourmet meals each day, and the opportunity to sit around and soak up the mineral water for hours and hours. Some of them even have classes in yoga on the premises.

Of course, the best honeymoon locations for the adventurous sort are quite different. Do you wants to climb a mountain? Do you want to sail on the ocean? If you plan it out right, you might even be able to take a trip to the Arctic. I don't understand this mindset, but I certainly do cater to it. For the adventurous, athletic, young couple, the best honeymoon locations are places far outside the comforts of the modern world. More and more people take their honeymoons in places where survival is by no means certain. I guess it just goes to show you, different people have different tastes.

By far the most common choices for the best honeymoon locations are the romantic cities of the world. People want to take their honeymoons in Paris, in Rome, or on the Spanish Riviera. These cities are all among the best honeymoon destinations. They offer everything. They have luxury accommodations, great sightseeing, the opportunity to experience a foreign culture, and a touch of adventure. I think all around, they are the best honeymoon locations that there are. Most people do not get to take trips around the world very often, so when they do do they want to do it right. Traveling around Europe is just the thing to start a marriage off on the right foot.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Asia Vacation

The continent of Asia is a fascinating place with incredible architecture and ancient history. It's a culture shock for westerners that visit there. I was very fortunate in being able to go on an Asia vacation recently. I enjoyed it very much and would love to go back there. My husband and I stayed with a friend in a suburb of Tokyo, Japan and we used his apartment as a base. We got to know the capital quite well and met some of our friend's Japanese friends and colleagues. The Japanese people are extremely friendly and love to meet foreign visitors. They were very keen to practice their English on us. The highlight of our time in Japan was when we went to Kyoto to see the temples, castles and shrines there. Another memorable time was our journey on the bullet train. Blink and you miss the scenery!

After exploring Japan, we flew to Hong Kong for the next part of our Asia vacation. It's a very lively, bustling place and is full of contrast. The old narrow streets and tenement buildings sit next to the modern, office skyscrapers on the waterfront. We had a trip on the ferry and we went up into the mountains to see a Buddhist temple. Our favorite part was just walking round the market stalls and seeing the everyday life of the people there.

The next flight was to Beijing, China. We didn't really know what to expect from this part of the Asia vacation. The first thing that you notice is the constant noise of car horns. The Chinese are turning away from the bicycle to cars in a big way. We did all the tourist attractions, such as Tiannmen Square and the Forbidden Palace. The whole experience was very interesting, although the signs in English were not translated very well. We then traveled by train to Xian to see the famous Terracotta Warriors. I would say that this is a must see item on any Asia vacation agenda. The rows on rows of soldiers and their horses is quite awesome and they're still working on the dig.

Our time in Asia was an incredible experience. Seeing the attractions and the people going about their daily lives was a real eye opener. I would like to see many other countries on an Asia vacation, such as Russia, India, Nepal and Vietnam. It would be good to see all these countries by train and really take in the scenery.

Bahamas Vacation

I received this vacation offer in the mail a few years ago. I would get a free Bahamas vacation with several days in Florida, if I agreed to sit through a 90 minute timeshare presentation. Well, at the time, I was desperate for a getaway and a free Bahamas vacation sounded very appealing to me. I accepted the offer, bought my airfare and began to look forward to my Bahamas vacation. I figured that I could easily sit through 90 minutes of a Bahamas vacation, say no, and be done with it. It would be worthwhile.

So, the time came for my free Bahamas vacation. I had been promised a luxury hotel, free transportation and tickets to some happenings. My husband and I were excited, but he was very skeptical. He kept reminding me that this would turn out to be something other than I was expecting but was looking forward to his time in the sun. I was praising myself for landing such an amazing Bahamas vacation offer. We were to take a day cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to the Bahamas and then would be greeted. I was expecting the cruise to be incredibly nice because that is what I had been told. Instead, I felt like I was on a tour boat with lots of others crowded into a small area. I was not very impressed. We spent the day with horrible entertainment and expensive food, fighting for a spot in the sun. My Bahamas vacation wasn't starting off too wonderfully. I didn't want my husband to know that I was starting to have doubts, so I played it off. He knows me better though.

Finally, we arrived at the port in the Bahamas. We found where we were to check in and were driven to our designated hotel. I couldn't wait to see what the hotel was like. However, my Bahamas vacation was still not going well. The hotel was far from luxury. It was nice, but not something I would have paid to stay at expecting a luxurious stay. I was very disappointed. However, I was determined to make the most of my Bahamas vacation and enjoy it. We did the normal touristy things and spent lots of time in the sun. I begged him to go on the dolphins excursion and he agreed. We actually got to swim with the dolphins - and it was wonderful. That was the best part of my Bahamas vacation. The day of the timeshare meeting arrived and we showed up for our 90 minute meeting. The speeches were very long and pushy and lasted for almost 3 hours. I almost felt as if they wouldn't let us leave until someone took the bait. After 3 agonizing hours, my husband had had enough. He stood up and said that we were leaving. My
Bahamas vacation was not exactly what I'd been hoping for. So, here's my advice - if someone calls you offering you a free Bahamas vacation, hang up the phone.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Royal Caribbean cruises

There comes a time in everyone's life when they want to take a cruise. Maybe it's around the world, or maybe just to the Caribbean. But then something happens that changes everything. They watch "Titanic." Suddenly the Royal Caribbean cruises and vacation packages don't look that desirable. Hmm, go figure! No, but seriously, we obviously can't dwell on the past. The Titanic was a ship constructed with flaws. Basically they forgot the life boats. Fortunately these days we're much better prepared. Now seriously, when was the last time you ever heard of something going wrong with a massive cruise ship? It just never happens. I can't wait until I get to go on my very first cruise.

If you're not keeping up with the online specials, then you're sadly missing out. You can always find new family and couple package deals concerning Royal Caribbean cruises. This is the big company! The one you want to go with. I don't know if you knew it, but when you purchase cruise tickets, you're paying in advance for your room, your meals, and the amenities on the ship. So once you're aboard, go ahead and relax in the Jacuzzi. This is one of the coolest ways to travel as far as I can tell. You basically get to float about on the great ocean, munch on fine cuisine, and kick back with your family or spouse for a night under the moon and stars. Royal Caribbean cruises rule!

This is about as perfect as they come for honeymoon ideas. You can't go wrong with Royal Caribbean cruises. My wife and I are currently planning our second honeymoon on a cruise ship, but haven't decided on a destination yet. Did you know you could take a cruise to Antarctica these days? How wild is that idea? I can't imagine what anyone would do in Antarctica. Not exactly what I have in mind for a summer vacation. Also, take advantage of Disney cruise specials. Kids go gaga over these awesome voyages. A Disney cruise is perfect for an entire family. Find out all you need to know about Royal Caribbean cruises and Disney vacations by sending away for their free DVDs. This is what we did.

Honeymoon vacations

Some things in life are sacred. Take marriage for example. You only do it once, if you do it right. That one special day in every man and woman's life that is theirs and theirs alone. It's not unusual to feel like you're on top of the world. Naturally you want everything to go just the way you intended. The dress, the cake, the venue, the vows; all are crucial parts of the puzzle. And when it's all said and done, then comes the grand finale. This is known as the honeymoon. Now, just so you're warned, this could be the most amazing part of your life. Most likely it will fit in to your top ten favorite occasions ever. Of course this has a little to do with the location you choose. Take the time to research honeymoon vacations a bit, before you actually tie the knot. It only comes once in a lifetime.

It didn't take my wife and I long to pinpoint our desired honeymoon getaway. We did plenty of recon work regarding honeymoon vacations long before the wedding date ever arrived. In retrospect, this was a wise plan. In regards to our honeymoon, I couldn't have asked for more. One of the first things you'll want to consider when pondering honeymoon vacations is your budget. This is an important aspect for obvious reasons. If you can afford to not have one, then that's all the better. However, most of us can't. Then there's the location. Are you searching for exotic honeymoon vacations beyond US borders, or would you prefer to stay in the states? Personally I think the numerous hot spots we have here in the states are under-rated. There are oodles of honeymoon spots to consider in America alone. We chose Savannah, Georgia. This historic, yet gorgeous city offers plenty to do for a couple of newlyweds. Think incomparable restaurants, charming B&Bs, carriage rides through the city, and the waterfront to stroll by at dusk. You can't beat that kind of relaxation.

Agree on something! This is an imperative part of honeymoon vacations. Both parties must agree on what you choose. After all, this is a celebration of your love for one another. If you have to, write down the places you'd prefer, and then compare results in order to come to a compromise. Make that honeymoon one to remember.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Honeymoon Specials

Honeymoon Specials

When it comes time to pay for your honeymoon, you may be in for a big case of sticker shock. A good honeymoon is not cheap, and that is why many people look for deals when they are planning where they want to go and how long they want to stay. There are a lot of honeymoon specials out there, but you do have to look into what you are getting. Usually these specials are prepaid, and that means you can’t get your money back if you are not happy. What could be worse than starting your marriage off in misery?

There are some honeymoon specials that are amazing, and that is why they disappear so quickly. If you can, plan your honeymoon as far in advance as you can so you can take some time to find the special offers that are out there. If you can find honeymoon specials for places that you have already been to, then you already know you are going to like what you find when you get there. If you have never been to a certain place though, you wan to find out the real deal before you pay up.

Remember that honeymoon specials don’t have to have the word ‘honeymoon’ in them. They can be any type of vacation deal you can find. Though some places have a suite just for honeymooners, you don’t have to stay in one to find something divine. Honeymoon specials are only special if you can get a great deal and have an amazing time, but you don’t have to limit your vacation to something that is meant for newlyweds if you have run out of good options. A honeymoon is just a vacation with a fancy title. If you remember that you can find some great deals out there.

There are times when telling someone you are on your honeymoon will get you an even better deal though. You should keep that in mind when you are looking for honeymoon specials. Though not everyone will give you and upgrade or even a discount, there are some people who will do so. They put out honeymoon specials in hopes that you have such a grand time that you will return many times on your anniversary to relive your special time together. There are many places that I have been that hold special memories, and these are indeed the places that I return to time and time again. Sometimes I do this just to remember.

Honeymoon package

Planning a great honeymoon can be a blast. It's fun and exciting to ponder all the awesome places and ideas you have at your fingertips. Because let's face it; pretty much any destination is plausible in this day and age. You want to jaunt off to Thailand? Hey, not a problem. Simply hop on the web and plan it out. That ideal honeymoon package is surely waiting somewhere in cyberspace. Pinpointing it may take some time and surfing, but you can do it no doubt. Things are not like they were back in the day. We have it so much simpler now with our outstanding technology. So get ready to plan the honeymoon of your dreams.

Where do you want to go, and what does your spouse have in mind? This is probably the greatest obstacle you both face when planning your honeymoon. Let me tell you what my wife and I did. We each took out a sheet of paper and wrote down the top three places we wanted to go after our wedding. Then we talked and compared ideas. As it turned out, we had one location in common. Naturally we decided on that one. I guess you could say it was fairly simple for us. You on the other hand may not be so lucky. However, finding a perfect honeymoon package that you'll both enjoy can't be too difficult. After all, you obviously have some things in common. If you didn't, you wouldn't be tying the knot in the first place. Therefore it's time to focus on your similarities. The web is overflowing with ideas and honeymoon package deals. If you can't agree on one, then it's time you surfed net-land together and sorted through the infinite options.

Distant getaways are very popular these days. Tons of couples search for that enticing honeymoon package beyond the US borders simply because it's so tangible. So if you're looking to go out of country, you may want to try the Bahamas, Jamaica, or Mexico. These are all popular and desirable getaways. Furthermore you can't go wrong with the Florida Keys, Hawaii, or a sunny Sandal's resort. Browse through their current specials online. Find that honeymoon package of your dreams for the best cost available. You only do it once!