Did ya know? Some interesting factoids about Australia

Did ya know? Some interesting factoids about Australia

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Planning the Perfect Romance with Island Fever

Greece:

The Greek Islands are an amazing spot to relax. The over 6,000 islands very in size, activities, landscape, pretty much anything you are looking for you can find in these beautiful Mediterranean isles. Crete is the largest and most well known of the islands. It is over 3,000 square feet of bliss. You will most likely fly into the largest city, Herakloin. This is a place to go is you love luxury. The islands are rich in history if you want to do some educational tours as well. If you would like a less traveled island, try any of the Northern Aegean islands ( Chios, Ikaria, Limnos, Lesvos, Samos, Samothraki, and Thassos). These islands have the Greek culture that you are thinking about in your head right now. They are gorgeous, like all the islands, but have a quieter feel. Karpathos is also a quieter island that keeps the traditional Greek atmosphere without being too indulged in tourism. You can still find luxury hotels on the beach here, but it’s not a party town.

But we know what you really want to hear about, how intoxicating the Greek sun and sand combo can be! Some activities that you outdoorsy types will enjoy: scuba diving, snorkeling, sunbathing (of course), shopping, hiking, walks on the many Oceanside trails, trying new cuisine at the diverse cafes and restaurants, donkey rides, walking through old volcanic grounds, visit historical sites (each island offers ruins from Greece’s past). You may also find it interesting to invest some time in checking out local pubs!! Your experiences will be ones which constantly call you back to the islands.

Caribbean Islands:

There are approximately 30 islands for you to enjoy in the Caribbean from Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, Aruba, Bahamas, British and American Virgin Islands, Dominican republic, Grenada, Puerto Rico, we think you get the idea. And one of the most appealing attribute for Americans is the location!! These islands are right next door (if you live in Florida), yet the culture takes you a million miles away from the busy cities and quick dinners between errands. If they made that big of an impact on the Beach Boys, imagine what they can do for a honeymoon. Visit our honeymoon site to see some spectacular deals going on now.

The Caribbean’s warm water is a dream come true for those of you who like boating and water sports like water skiing and jet skiing. For you more romantic types, may we suggest a destination wedding in Grenada? The beautiful beach in the background of all your romance will make all your friends and family well up with tears as they flip through photos years down the road. Laluna (Grenada) and Hermitage Bay (Antigua) are my personal favorites for capturing the ultimate wedding ecstasy.

When traveling to Jamacia we suggest the northern cities like Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. But no matter where you stay on the island, you must go visit Dunns River Falls. The sound of tons of water crashing down a 600 feet clif is just the kind of awe every honeymoon hopes to acquire. You can hike up the waterfalls, or take boats or helicopters if you prefer luxury to an up close attachment with nature.

Or you can visit the Santo Domingo Ruins in the Dominican Republic. There is also a great appreciation for the arts; you can choose from glamorous art galleries and street venders full of culture, or try both! Try to make it to El Conde Street and Plaza Criolla.

No matter which Island or islands you choose to stay on, you will be inspired by Caribbean cuisine, art, architecture, and of course the music and dance! Nothing says celebration like the bright clolors and festive music that can only be found in the Caribbean..

Venice:

July and August are perfect times for you warm weather lovers to travel!! (June and September are a bit cooler, but low 70s are perfect if you don’t like to sweat!) If your wedding plans are for late winder/ early spring, we suggest Venice. Enjoying Mardis Gras in Venetian style is an amazing way to celebrate your new vows! Day trips are an amazing way to take a vacation from your vacation. Head over to Lido Island for a relaxing day of golf; Visit Veneto to avoid the busy Venice weekends and taste some amazing wines; or you could stay local and just take a trip to the different world of the streets ad gondolas!! Or if you like to make friends take a water bus (Vaporetto); I promise you, you will not regret going down the Grand Canal in one of these!

Once-in-a-lifetime finds can be seen all over the Rialto Market!! Find precious jewelry and silks, breathtaking Venetian glass and masks (perfect for you Mardi Gras lovers), and crafts of all kinds. You can spend an entire afternoon browsing if you’d like! It’s near the gorgeously constructed Rialto Bridge. We suggest going down the Grand Canal to get to the market!

Choose the right Hawaian Island for your Personalities!

On the Big Island enjoy the black beaches and romantic waves. This is an amazing time to view water falls from a helicopter as you sip champagne and hold each other’s hands. You will be in for a thrill ride when you fly right next to the 442 ft tall flowing falls of Akaka Waterfalls. If you want to see stars and have an out-of-this-world experience, spend an afternoon or evening at the Mauna Kea Observatory. There are also amazing botanical Gardens in all the Islands that it is definitely a must to stop at one or two!

Go to Kauai and climb through the Kukui, Kalalau, or Kuilau Ridge trails and enjoy the view. You may even want to hop in a kayak and see the secret falls. Or if you prefer the less sweaty method, take an intimate helicopter tour on any of the Islands for a view larger than life. Your hearts will be pounding and you will never forget the sights of the trip. This is a smaller Island so you can see all of it in a one week stay! Oh and don’t be alarmed if you see chickens roaming outside of the airport, or on the mountain tops, even in beach parking lots!

For those of you who connect on the dance floor, Maui is a night owl’s dream!! Some of the best places to go, rated by travelers like you are: Kimo’s (845 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761), Pacific’o (505 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761), , Kahale’s Beach Club (36 Keala Pl, Kalama Village, Kihei, HI 96753), The Cellar 744 (744 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761), and Longhi’s (888 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761). But not only is there a long list of clubs and bars for you to enjoy, the dining experience on this island is one in which to indulge yourselves. You have just about every type of experience from mom and pop type shops to swanky dinners out in your favorite little black dress.

Oahu is the third largest Ise in the chain, but with Honolulu as the capital, it is the most populated. However, if you want a Hawaian beach get away, the possibilities are numberous. Try Sunset Beach located on the North coast of the island great for surfing, or just watching the surfers for hours. Or Hanauma Bay (one of the most popular beaches on the island) on the Southeast coast. If you would like to see gold sand between your toes and wade in calmer seas, travel to Ala Moana beach Park. It’s perfect for those city lovers because it’s between both Honolulu and Waikiki.

Let Your Worries Coast Away in Costa Rica

If you wisely take the special deal being offered for the Hilton Papagyo/Arenal Nayara $1159 for 8 days/7 nights with round trip airfare on American Airlines and 7 day rental Bego 4WD or similar. Click here for details

You will discover the resorts have so much to offer, you’ll want to move there.

Here are just a few of our favorite experiences.

At the Hilton Papgayo, there is a three level pool. On the top level you can swim or do some water aerobics. After getting your exercise in, wind down at the Fuenete de Vida Bar. It’s located right inside the pool! So you can just swim right over. INSIDER TIP: In Costa Rica, locals don’t order a “cerveza” they ask for “una bierra.” If you want to try the local beer, ask for an Imperial. Of course the other mixed drinks are tasty too. Nothing beats a margarita or a whisky sour in your bathing suit.

Afterwards, you might want to check out the lower level. There is a volleyball court set up and there’s usually always a game going on. At the lower level they have the best snack bar in the place. The El Bocadillo Snack Bar offers a variety of salads, wraps, and Mexican snacks: nachos, tacos, enchiladas, burritos. Our recommendation: the chicken tacos. The tortillas are made fresh and the veggies are newly harvested. There is also pizza, hamburgers, and a variety of sandwiches for “bocadillo” is Spanish for “sandwich.”

The best way to see the youngest volcano in Costa Rica (as well as one of the top 10 most active in the world!!) is from the view of a secluded bungalow in the Arenal Nayara Hotel. Relax in your patio’s outdoor Jacuzzi and take in the sights and sounds of Costa Rica. You’ll have the best sleep of your life, if you crack the patio door open and allow the sounds of rain, frogs, and crickets to lull you to sleep.

In Search of the Quetzal

The quetzal may be small and pigeon like but it makes up for its stature with audacious plumage: vivid, shimmering green comes alive in the abundant sunlight of Central America flashing emerald to gold back to spectacular green.

While everyone spoke of its beauty, the bird was so elusive that early European naturalists believed the quetzal was just a myth of the Central American natives. Which makes sense since early Mayans and Aztecs worshiped a god called Quetzalcoatl, the Plumed Serpent, and depicted him with a headdress of quetzal feathers. In fact, the bird’s name is derived from quetzalli, an Aztec word meaning “precious” or “beautiful.”

One English naturalist, Osbert Salvin, wrote he was “determined, rain or no rain, to be off to the mountain forests in search of quetzals,to see and shoot which has been a daydream for me ever since I set foot in Central America.” Salvin, the first European ever to record an observation of the bird, noted it was “unequaled for splendour among the birds of the New World,” then he promptly shot it. During the next few decades, thousands of quetzal plumes crossed the Atlantic to adorn fashionable hats of the elite in Paris, Amsterdam, and London.

The Mayans considered killing the bird to be a capital crime, but they too revered its feathers. They were worth more than gold in the Mayan society. Guatemalans were so taken by the bird they named their currency after it. The bird also graces the national shield, flag, postage stamps, along with their money.

Although the Costa Ricans don’t worship the bird with quite as much fervor, the bird is more easily seen in Costa Rica. Especially during breeding season (March-June) when the narcissistic males show off their beautiful tail plumes and scarlet red breast in spiraling skyward flights and dizzing dives causing their tail feathers to ripple behind in part of the courtship ritual. If you can’t make it out for their mating season, try to time your visit during the bird’s meticulous feeding hours, which you can almost set your watch by. They eat insects, small frogs, lizards, and the fruit of the broad-leafed aguacatillo.

Costa Rica: The Honeymoon You've Been Searching For

If you’re looking for more than just basking on the beach for your honeymoon, try Costa Rica. Costa Rica offers a truly unique experience. Most honeymoon spots have a triangular tradeoff: there’s exotic, romantic, and excitement; you can choose two out of three but you can’t have them all. That isn’t true with Costa Rica.

Costa Rica, which literally translates as “Rich Coast,” is located in
Central America between Nicaragua and Panama. It has a rich variety
of plants and animals. While the country has only about 0.1% of the
world’s landmass, it contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity.

We suggest heading to the Corcovado National Park, the park is internationally renowned among ecologists for its biodiversity. You can see everything from big cats to tapirs. Corcovado is also the one park where you can see all four Costa Rican monkey species.

These include the White-headed Capuchin, the Mantled Howler, the Central American Squirrel Monkey (which is only found on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and a small part of Panama), and the endangered Geoffroy’s Spider Monkey.






There’s also the Tortuguero National Park which, as the name suggests,is full of turtles. It is recognized as the annual nesting place of the endangered green turtle but giant leatherbacks, hawksbills, and loggerhead turtles also nest there.

The lush rainforests are definitely exotic, but you may not find the
mating calls of the howler monkeys to be particularly romantic. In the
middle of paradise, there is room for romance. The beautiful white
sandy beaches are perfect for long strolls in the sunset. Or try a
midnight swim under the stars.

If you’re not one who can still sit long enough to enjoy one of the many relaxing spa treatments available in your resort. There are many activities for thrill-seekers. Try one of the world famous Costa Rica canopy tours. You’re strapped into a harness and glide from tree to tree across a cable just like a flying squirrel. There’s also bungee jumping, hiking fiery craters, scuba diving with sharks, and kayaking through fierce currents.

Costa Rica has something for all.

Great Resorts in Costa Rica

Exotic, romantic, gorgeous. The Hilton Papagayo is the perfect place for your tropical wedding. Imagine exchange your vows under a captivating sunset on the exclusive volcanic sand beach, then dancing at the reception under the twinkling starry blanket provided by the Guanacaste sky. It can happen at the Hilton. The resort is the perfect place to mark an unforgettable chapter in your love story.





There’s something for everyone. Enjoy the diversity of local flora and fauana around the resort. Experience the outdoors with world-class fishing or play some golf at one of the 18 hole courses. After a long day outside, relax at the resort’s Spa Vida that has 13 treatment rooms, a beauty parlor, whirlpool and sauna.

Right now, Ask About Honeymoons has a special package valid through September 30, 2009 for the Hilton Papagayo. $1159 for 8 days/7 nights will get you round trip airfare on American Airlines, 7 day car rental Bego 4WD or similar, 3 nights at Arenal Nayara, 4 nights at Hilton Papagayo, and daily breakfast. Click here for details.

Now, I know you’re wondering if the Arenal Nayara is as fantastic as the Hilton. Don’t worry, you’ll have an amazing experience at this hotel. It’s located on the outskirts of one of the world’s most amazing volcanoes. The hotel wants you to experience the best of Costa Rica. They offer activities and tours for both thrill-seekers and those looking to unwind. Including whitewater rafting, horseback riding, hot springs, visiting farms, bird watching, fishing, windsurfing, canopy tours, and crossing suspended bridges over the forest canopy.