Archive for the ‘Honeymoon Tips’ Category

When most people envision their honeymoon, they imagine lazy days spent on a gorgeous beach next to the water alongside nights full of glamour and romance.  That’s why most people choose luxury honeymoons on and around some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.  Here are a few tips to maximise the romantic, summery potential of this popular honeymoon choice.

1. Choose the right destination.  There are a few factors involved when choosing the perfect location for your beach honeymoon.  First of all, because it is so popular, it’s important to choose a place that won’t be ridiculously crowded.  There is no romance in lounging on the beach together when your beach chair is right up against that of a half-naked, sweaty stranger, even an attractive one.  Either head to your destination of choice before the crowds do or spring for a resort that boasts private, more exclusive stretches of sand.

Secondly, choose a destination with reliable weather.  Some places can guarantee hot and steamy weather, but usually that also means it could rain or even thunderstorm throughout your honeymoon.  It might be a wiser choice to choose a destination that is slightly cooler but less humid and less likely to result in running indoors away from storm clouds.  Choosing the perfect place for these reasons will depend on when you’ve scheduled your wedding; it’s well worth investigating beforehand.

2. Pack appropriately.  Bring multiple swimsuits – buy an extra if you don’t have one – to prevent wearing the same damp and clammy suit two days in a row and in case of accidental stains or rips.  Make sure you both have suitable cover-ups and even jackets in case the weather goes cold.  And don’t forget the sunscreen; nothing dims passion like red, peeling skin that you can’t bear your significant other touching.

3. Practice your fun before you get out there.  If you have a centre nearby or are closer to less pristine shores, it is an excellent idea to get certified for scuba diving before you head to your exotic location of bliss.  Many popular beach destinations like the Maldives and Mauritius have extraordinary ecosystems under their turquoise blue shores.  If you’re not certified, you may never have the opportunity to head underwater in such a gorgeous place again.  Diving together with your loved one is a fantastic experience that can truly build your newly created marital bond.

4. Take that sunset walk along the beach you’ve always seen on TV and in movies.  It’s surprisingly romantic; there is usually a reason that certain clichés are overdone in mass media!  You might consider heading out at sunrise as well for a magical moment together as the sun rises both on the day and on your marriage.  It’s also amazing to have dinner on the beach by candlelight; many resorts will offer this as an option designed especially for honeymooning couples.  In fact, I recommend taking a picnic out as well – eating outside when the weather is gorgeous and you have all day is well worth the extra effort.

5. Luxuriate in your honeymoon.  These may be the most romantic and most relaxing two weeks of your entire life – note the significance and don’t let any minor issues get in the way of your happiness.

While some couples may dream of traveling far, far away to an exotic island for their dream honeymoon, that just might not be possible in today’s economy. A lot of newlyweds-to-be are looking for cheap affordable honeymoons that will still provide them time to get away and enjoy each other without breaking their bank. Well here are some tips for shopping around for a five star honeymoon on a two star budget.

Stay in the U.S. If you are getting married in the United States, you might consider visiting on of the beautiful resorts that are located in Florida or maybe stay in a log cabin on a wild horse ranch in North Dakota. There are just so many great ideas here at home that you don’t have to take a cruise or splurge on a fancy resort in the Bahamas to get the relaxation that you need. Consider traveling in the off-season. Even if that means you have to postpone your honeymoon for a month or two, you will be amazed at how much you will save if you are willing to wait. This is a great idea for couples that are determined to honeymoon in places like Mexico or the Bahamas. You can call the resort you are considering and ask them when their off-season is, so that you can plan to book your honeymoon around that time. Have people donate to your honeymoon as a wedding gift! This a great idea for couples who want to go somewhere above their budget and it’s a creative and easy wedding gift for those who hate trying to figure out the registries at local department stores. If you use a travel agent, you might ask how your wedding guests can give a monetary gift that can go towards your honeymoon. They will probably be able to set you up with a toll-free number people can call or arrange for guests to come by their office to make the donation and pick up some kind of “receipt” they can place in a card to give you on your wedding day. Shop the deals! You can search for your honeymoon last minute, which might save you some money, or you can travel during the week instead of over the weekend, which may save you on your flight. There are so many great deals out there if you are willing to put in the time and search for them. Ask if anyone in your family has a timeshare they would be willing to let you use as a wedding gift. This is a popular option for many young couples and is actually a surprisingly common way of taking your honeymoon. Maybe your great aunt, grandparents, or even your parents have a timeshare, which gives them access to hundreds of resorts all over the world. Don’t be afraid to pipe up and see if they’d be willing to let you use it. All-inclusive resorts are definitely the best way to get the most bang for your buck. For a set price you usually get your room and all your meals, which will save you considerably in the long run. Some all-inclusive resorts even include your alcohol! Just do some shopping around to see what kinds of deals and prices you are looking at for your honeymoon destination. Don’t overlook a cruise which is a lot like an all-inclusive resort, only you get the luxury of visiting more than one destination and they are surprisingly affordable! If you are your honey like the great outdoors, why not consider a camping honeymoon. Camping is an affordable way to get out and enjoy each other and a beautiful location. Just be warned that especially if you camp without a place to shower you are going to get to know each other a little better than maybe you want to for your first week of marriage. If that kind of stuff doesn’t bother you, than by all means, don’t be afraid to enjoy this cheap honeymoon option.

Tips for Your Family Flight

Anyone facing air travel today already has to content with reduced numbers of flights, long waits at security checks, and often unexplained delays.  For people flying solo the ordeal can be stressful enough, but for families traveling together air travel is even more challenging.  Using these tips can smooth your flight preparations so that your flight itself can be an enjoyable part of your vacation instead of something you must simply tolerate until you reach your destination.

Because you’re flying as a family, it’s essential that you book your flight reservations well in advance of your departure date.  Most flights fill up quickly, and you want the peace of mind which comes from knowing that your air travel arrangements have been finalized.  Making your reservations early will also give you the best chance of finding a direct flight to your destination.  This can be a real blessing if you’re traveling with very small children!

When you start packing for the flight, you should make sure each of your kids has a carry-on bag with some games or books to keep them all entertained while you’re aloft.  Once the novelty of being thirty thousand feet above the Earth has worn off, they could easily become restless in their confined quarters so you need something fun for them to do. 

For your smallest children you can pack books to read to them, along with one or tow of their favorite plush toys to help them feel secure.   Your older kids can bring along their video games, DVD players, playing cards, or books.

No matter what you do don’t forget to pack snacks for your kids.  Many airlines have given up their in-flight meals, and the ones which still serve them don’t always have food which appeals to kids.  While you can arrive at the airport early enough to get snacks after you’ve cleared the security check lands, airport food is notoriously expensive  Your best option is to make sure everyone leaves home on a full stomach, and that you’ve reserved one carry-on bag with a favorite snack for each child.

Remember that the airlines have now placed limits on the amount of bottled liquids you can carry through security.  So bring along an empty container and fill it with water from an airport fountain before your board your flight, if you don’t want to spend the money on airport sodas.  You don’t want your kids to become dehydrated during your flight.

You can carry a single bottle of formula if you’re flying with an infant.  Be sure to pack some formula powder with your baby’s supplies to mix with some of that airport water if you need it.  You can also brink small bottles of juice for your older kids, but check with the airline in advance to make sure they’re the right size.

It’s critical, when you get to the airport, that your entire family stays together.  Make sure that you kids understand how important it is not to go wandering off, even though they might be excited at all the new sights and sounds.  Let your older children share the responsibility of carrying their own carry-on bags, and helping the younger ones through the security checkpoints so they don’t lose things like coins or even their shoes! The secret to a smooth family flight begins with a family functioning smoothly on the ground!

Remember to book your flight at http://www.myroadtotravel.com

Until the 1989 fall of the Berlin wall, Eastern Europe was one of the last places of the world where Westerners would have considered spending their honeymoons.  It was a place of foreboding gray and Communist red architecture, where the once vibrant cultures of the independent Eastern European nations had been subdued into ideology.

The Eastern Europe of today, however, is a honeymooners’ delight, with welcoming locals, affordable accommodations, mesmerizing history, and unforgettable scenery.  From the bustle of the market squares in the major cities to the quiet, almost surreal surroundings of Lake Bled, your Eastern European honeymoon will have something you will not find anywhere else.

Honeymooning in Eastern Europe will let you experience cultures as varied as the geography of their nations.  You can spend one day basking on the golden beaches or biking through the vineyards of Crete, and another strolling along Vienna’s Kohlmarket, where you can relax with cake and coffee at Demel, perhaps the premier chocolatier in all of Europe.

If the romance of ancient ruins captivates you, head for the village of all Pula on the southwestern Croatian coast.  As long ago as 177 BC, Pula was an outpost of the Roman Empire at its amphitheater dates back to the first century.  The amphitheater, which measures 435′ x 345′ is one of the best preserved of all those built by the Romans.  You will be able to visit its lower levels, where both gladiators and wild animals were housed until they were ready to do battle.

You will find other historical treasures in every major city of Eastern Europe, for Warsaw and Kraków in Poland to Budapest in Hungary.  A marvelous way to spend your Eastern European honeymoon would be to focus on the sites along the Danube Bend, which flows past the Hungarian towns of Szentendre, Visegrad, and Esztergom.  If you are honeymooning between April and the end of October, you can book passage on a boat excursion in Budapest, and enjoy the marvelous scenery and hilltop castles as you glide along the Danube to the town of your choice.

Your honeymoon in Eastern Europe will give you and your new spouse both a romantic getaway, and an adventure in one of the world’s most newly revitalized areas!

If your idea of the perfect romantic setting contains scenes of crystal mountain streams coursing through lush alpine meadows; medieval castles towering over the banks of winding rivers; narrow cobbled streets winding past watchmakers and chocolate shops; and sunny beer and wine gardens where you and your bride or groom can relax over a bratwurst or Sachertorte, then you deserve to honeymoon in Germany.

Germany offers far more, of course, then the scenes you would expect to find in a box of Bavarian Christmas cards.  Germany’s culture is one of the world’s greatest, and has been responsible for philosophical, artistic, and musical revolutions.  Germany’s marvelous cultural heritage is celebrated both in her museums, and in marvelous festivals held throughout the year. 

A honeymoon in Germany during the month of October will find you there for Munich’s Oktoberfest, where you will be joined by hundreds of thousands of visitors to celebrate the national beverage, beer. Each of Germany’s other great cities, Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Stuttgart has something unique to add to your honeymoon.

As Germany’s capital, Berlin is the site of magnificent architecture, important museums, and Germany’s premiere theaters.  Spending your honeymoon in Berlin will allow you the opportunity to explore its history, and to experience authentic and to which his German cuisine at some of its marvelous restaurants and cafés.

For a look at modern Germany, your honeymoon in Germany should take you to Frankfurt, the country’s financial capital.  Frankfurt has a cosmopolitan atmosphere that you expect from one of the great cities of Europe, and if you arrive in Frankfurt by train, you will be struck by the city’s multiculturalism.  You will find Frankfurt’s remarkable museums along the south bank of the Main River, and can get a look at the city’s beginnings with a walking tour of the Romerberg, Frankfurt’s Market Square.

No honeymoon in Germany would reach its romantic potential without some time spent in the Bavarian highlands in the south of the country.  The Bavarian forest is Europe’s largest mountain forest, and it is within a day’s driving of Munich. 

Medieval Germany survives in the towns of Heidelberg and Marksburg. Heidelberg is the site of one of Europe’s greatest universities, and Marksburg, on the Rhine River south of Koblenz`, is the site of Marksburg Castle. The only surviving medieval castle along the Rhine, black-and-white Marksburg Castle now houses a museum with a marvelous authentic medieval interior.

Romance, history, and magnificent natural surroundings are what will make your honeymoon in Germany an unforgettable beginning to your married life!

Italy.  The culture of no other country in the world embraces life with as much zest as the Italian culture.  Italy is a country vibrant with emotion, celebration, and opportunities to dive into life at full speed.  But it is also a country full of quiet museums, peaceful hillside vineyards, golden beaches, ancient ruins and hushed cathedrals.  Italy, in other words, is a splendid place for a honeymoon.

Spending your honeymoon in Italy can find you enjoying the romance of a moonlit Venetian gondola ride, complete with serenade.  Or it might find you hiking the expanses and drinking in the magnificent Dolomite views of the Alpe de Suisi, at 6500 feet in altitude Europe’s largest alpine meadow.

If your ideal honeymoon in Italy would be a combination of relaxing days at the beach, and a trip back in time, you won’t do better than to stay among the harbor villages and historic ruins of the Amalfi Coast.  If your honeymoon budget does not allow an overnight stay in the area, you should at least experience a bus ride coast along the Amalfi Coast, where you will pass hotels and private villas clinging as if by magic to vertical hillsides above cliffs dropping some 500 feet to the tiny beaches below.

If you do not mind the idea of spending part of your honeymoon in Italy being spent among the crowds of one of the world’s great cities, head for Rome.  From the glories of Vatican City, the Villa Borghese, and St. Peter’s, to the somewhat commercial charms of the Pasta Museum, you will find something in Rome to fill every minute of your day there. 

Visit the oldest public art collections in the world at the Capitoline Museum.  Climb the Spanish Steps for and on parallel view of the city, and on your descent stop in at the Keats-Shelley Memorial House, a tribute to two of the world’s greatest romantics and a fitting place to visit on your honeymoon in Italy!

And your days activities by relaxing Relax, as the Italians do, over a leisurely supper and one of  Rome’s tucked-away eateries, which you can find in the older part of the city, the Trastevere.  You will be treated to authentic, freshly-prepared Italian cuisine at remarkably affordable prices, and you will never look at take-out from an Italian restaurant back at home the same way again!

Your honeymoon in Italy, no matter where you decide to spend it, will be an exciting, romantic, and fun-filled experience and the perfect way to begin the marvelous years   ahead!

No other continent on Earth evokes a sense of romance and wonder in quite the same way as the continent of Africa.  If you and your soon-to-be husband or wife had been dreaming of a romantic and exotic honeymoon adventure, you will find no better place to have it than in Africa.

Imagine yourself honeymooning in a secluded romantic getaway along one of Africa’s coasts.  Picture yourself enjoying the solitude of one of Africa’s vast wilderness areas, or cruising along the shores of one of the pristine African islands.  Your honeymoon in Africa will give you an experience far removed from a honeymoon spent in one of the world’s more traditional honeymoon destinations, with their mass tourist appeal.

A honeymoon in exotic Africa will let you spend your time in a location which is secluded and uncrowded.  You will find yourselves completely removed from the noise and bustle of more popular honeymoon spots, as your African safari honeymoon find you driving on wild game-viewing tours through unspoiled African bush or the endless spaces of the Serengeti before returning to your secluded luxury lodgings. Dine under the African stars as the calls of night creatures sound overhead.

Book your African honeymoon stay at a remote Botswanan lodge, where you’ll be close to one of the world’s most romantic natural wonders, Victoria Falls.  Combine your visit to Victoria Falls with a trip to either the Madwike Game Preserve or Kruger National Park.  A stay at the Royal Malewane Lodge in Kruger National Park will let you immerse yourself in every imaginable luxury from butler service and four course meals, to outdoor showers or soothing bubble baths. 

Whether you are honeymooning as a brand-new couple, or as a couple with a blended family, a honeymoon in exotic Africa will be nothing short of magic.  Every day of your stay will bring its own adventure, and you will leave Africa knowing that you have been touched in an unforgettable way!