Did ya know? Some interesting factoids about Australia

Did ya know? Some interesting factoids about Australia

Shared via AddThis

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.

Romantic Destination Wedding in Half Moon Bay, CA

Planning a destination wedding? Want to go big or small? Inside or out? Have your own wedding planner, or don’t know where to begin and taking all the help you can get? Need a photographer? Want a gorgeous wedding? Why not go to Half Moon Bay, Ca?

It’s a few miles south of San Francisco, and teh amazing 101 drive along the beach, but this intimate bay is nothing like the bustling city.

Here you feel a million miles away in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. There is a gorgeous bay, fantastic golf course, trails, mountains, famous sunsets, singing wild life, and the list goes on.


At The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, your friends and family will certainly be WOW-ed by this wedding. Everyone works with you; you can give away all the responsibility, or be involved every step of the way. You are provided with everything and everyone, top of the line if you’d like, or they even allow you to bring in someone of your personal choice. You honestly can’t go wrong planning a wedding here.

There are two outside ceremony locations, one for a large production and one for a more intimate wedding. There are also multiple inside locations if you wish to be cool in air conditioning. The women can enjoy amazing spa treatments before the nuptials. The wedding party and guests can be up in the gym working on their fitness early mornings; you may even want to try one of the yoga classes! The men can spend a relaxing day golfing the day before, the parents can take relaxing walks by the pond before their baby girl or baby boy say “I Do.” Send the little rascals to the care service for games, arts and crafts, and outdoor activities. The possibilities are literally all yours. (You have to see the salon the bridal party will be using!)

If you want a beautiful view no mater which direction you are facing, activities of every assortment, and delightful rooms. Choose from balconies or fire pits, golf course view, bay view, mountain view, or a combination. Even ask about the romantic honeymoon turn down service! I'm getting excited just telling you about it. I personally suggest the Fire Pit Rooms because S’mores are the perfect end to a long day!

If you have any questions about this package or booking your wedding or honeymoon please contact AskAboutHoneymoons by phone at: 1.800.571.4510
Sunni Oza the Ritz-Carlton Wedding Specialists at (650) 712-7693
Or Visit the Ritz-Carlton site

Suggestions for an American Honeymoon

Whether you want to take a camping trip with the family or a romantic get away, vacationing is hard to plan for in the current economy. But just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it. Studies show that a quick get away keeps the mind alive and rejuvenates the mind, body, and spirit. Researchers suggest getting away from the desk and going for a walk outside, or even out of the office doors to get some coffee if you’re really busy. When in control and not over done, breaks actually improve productivity. What does this mean for you? It means, yes, you SHOULD be planning a trip. Since you’re reading this newsletter and on this blog, you or someone you know is getting married and planning a honeymoon. These traditional first vacations as married couples are perfect for getting away from the stress on the job. This means, don’t go just any where, but go somewhere outrageous, go somewhere fun, go somewhere where you can connect and live in each other, completely disconnected from the world you left behind.

If you are thinking about staying state bound, we suggest doing some research. However here are just a few ideas we came up with:

National parks: National parks are beautiful, and they range from roughing it to a swanky hotel near by. Choose to go up in the mountains, by the sea, even in the plains or desert. Wherever you choose will be full of beautiful sites that you miss in the city. See what America has to offer. People come from all over the world to see our great nation, it’s about time our own citizens see what’s all the rage.

Try a visit to San Diego if you want to stretch your dollar. There are beaches, mountains, deserts, parks, art exibits, museums, the list of free to cheap things to do seems to be never ending. Mexico is only a few miles south, take a day trip to taste and experience a new Culture! If you want to find out just how thrifty you can be visit our SD site and choose all activities $20 or less and watch how much you can pack into your vacation!

Historic Landmarks: Now I understand that not everyone is a history buff, but how amazing would it be to learn about our great nation together. You can laugh at the funny outfits, try some delicious 200 year old recipes, see monuments. Everything you do on this trip will not only bring you closer, but when you return to your mundane busy lives and you see something from your trip, that little spark will ignite and you will get that warm and fuzzy honeymoon feeling. (Trust us, you will have more things pop up in your life that remind you of an American honeymoon, more than any other place you travel.) Plus, it might be a bit easier to revisit Virginia, Hawaii, or Washington DC each year than the Pocono’s, or Egypt.

Alaska or Hawaii: Yes these two states are quit different, but how often do you travel state to state? Now how often do you get off the main land to travel to these two states? You will be guaranteed beautiful scenery, active wild life, and America like you’ve never seen before. You will still get your airplane ride, maybe even a bloody mary in first class, and you will still get the feeling of being somewhere exotic. However, you will be supporting the American dollar, and the American economy. These states have exciting histories and plenty of things for you and your partner to enjoy (or if you prefer to enjoy your view from your honeymoon suit all week, I'm sure that would be just as exciting!)

Now that you have a few suggestions, get planning! Call for your personal local travel agent, or visit our honeymoons and travel sites to do a little research of your own!

Embrace Your Wild Side at the Ritz

The Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua, Maui is proud to bring you a brand new program that gets you out there and in the wilderness. The Jean-Michel Coustea’s Ambassadors of the Environment programs allow you to hike through the Hawaiian rainforest, snorkel among Maui’s most beautiful coral reefs, and participate in underwater photography sessions. The program features new environmental and cultural education center with excursions led by experts! It is designed for you to learn about Hawaii’s unique ecosystems while you demonstrate your connection to the larger global scale.

All of the adventurous programs include an educational orientation, transportation, and a gourmet picnic lunch in the field!

Some sample packages include:

Whale Wonders—Join expert naturalists on board the Trilogy’s comfortable catamaran as you unite with Maui’s Humpback Whale. These gentile giants make mammoth journeys each year between the feeding and breeding sites. You will explore an underwater world beyond your imaginations filled with discovery and mystery!

Cities Under the Sea, Underwater Photography—Explore life beneath the waves as experts guide you on an interpretive snorkel over one of Maui’s most pristine coral reefs. You will examine the living communities of fish, coral, and algae, and witness the interdependencies of one species to the next. You will be able to share your experience with all your loved ones with the underwater digital cameras.

Maunalei Magic—Venture into the Maunalei Arboretum for a first-hand wonder at Maui’s forested uplands above Kapalua Resort. Trained hike leaders share their knowledge of Hawaii’s natural and cultural history while they interpret the geological formation and biological speciation along the way! You will also learn about old Hawaii and how the native people learned to thrive in harmony with nature.

If these packages sound exciting and tempting, you must try at least one! There is something for everyone and enough beautiful Hawaiian scenery to enjoy it more than once!

Check out our Ritz-Carlton Kapalua page or home page for more great honeymoon ideas!

Romantic Escapes with a Beautiful Touch of Green

This month we decided to GO GREEN! We know you are constantly checking your wallet to see how much green is left, but we want you to think about sustainability this issue. The environment and keeping it healthy and beautiful are hot topics of the past few years. So for all you ecological couples out there, we have great hotels and resorts at which you can enjoy some fun in the sun!

A few issues ago we told you about the wonderful Mfuwe Lodge in Zambawi. Mfuwe was located in South Luangwa Notional Park, and in late November, elephants could be spotted walking by the front desk! For the first hotel I’d like to take you back to Aftirca, but this time South Africa.

Addo Elephant National Park is another great retreat to take if you’re looking for a personal African adventure. As you visit the sight you get the feeling that you’re in for an exotic honeymoon… “Deep within the shadows of the dense valley bushveld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape lies the Addo Elephant National Park. Here, the evenings are punctuated by the strident howl of the black-backed jackal, and the francolin's call heralds each new dawn” All the lodges are ecofriendly and submerge you in an atmosphere you can’t get in Cancun, Itatly, or on a Cruise ship. This is truly a honeymoon for you nature lovers. The mission statement of the national park shows the dedication to natural preservation and commitment to sustainability: “…seeks to be fully integrated into the regional landscape, conserves and enhances the characteristic terrestrial and marine biodiversity, ecological processes and cultural, historical and scenic resources representative of the Eastern Cape region for the appreciation, and benefit of present and future generations.” You may choose lodging in the middle of the park, by the dam, or in more secluded areas of the park where you can be tucked away in your romance.

If you like birds, are a bird watcher, or like to be high in the sky, eye-level with birds, we have just what you are looking for. Why play Barry Manilow on your honeymoon when you have live music from the birds? “Yes, parrots are in great number here, along with hundreds of other types of birds, making this an ideal location for bird watching.” Parrot Nest Lodge is exactly the unique tropical experience you’ve been searching for. You will enjoy things you never thought possible, like sleeping the night away under a 100’ guanacaste tree in a thatched tree house. You will have the Mopan River on three sides of the grounds, which means you can take a refreshing swim in clear, natural waters. This unique 5-Acre tropical experience can be found just outside of San Ignacio in Belize.

If you are really into sustainability and cold weather, and I mean really, you have to visit Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge in Alaska at least once in your life! You will being staying somewhere unique, elegant, and comfortable, but also with something no where else has to offer: stunning views of Sadie Cove and far off Mt. Augustine. This self-sustaining lodge is almost completely off the "grid". You will be staying in one of 5 handcrafted private cabins. We wouldn’t have you roughing it too much though—all have running water, toilets, 110 volt electricity, automatic heat, fresh air-dried high thread count linens and blankets, bathrobes, and gracious housekeeping services. You must request one of the two cabins that have wood fires to add a little extra romantic for you and your partner! Delicious meals served in the dining room or outer deck are cooked by Randi, a former executive chef. A cozy, spacious lounge is available to guests for reading, gaming, visiting, or just relaxing and enjoying the sunset. This is perfect to snuggle up and enjoy each other’s company as you escape, doing good for your newly started marriage and for your planet!

Please check out more hotels, resorts, and honeymoon options at our site!

Still Going Strong, Still Going Green

Like I mentioned on the previous blog, I found some great online material on sustainability and traveling. After the Article on the Mayakoba and Hacienda, the next article I found was on The Mexico Premiere's site.

This article is especially poignant in that it addresses the issues while encouraging everyone to do there part. It gives a brief history of the recognition of the sustainability of our planet. I was getting excited as I read on!

The way I look at it, when you go on vacation, you want to go to the most beautiful places on Earth, right? Well what makes that stop beautiful? If you really think about what you want in your vacation, you will surely feel the serenity of that exact spot! Try it now! Sit back and hear the waves, trees blowing in wind, or birds calling…

Mexico is a gorgeous place to visit! It’s nice to know that your resort isn’t destroying the natural environment, but helping keep it alive and beautiful. This article highlights the beauty of Mexico and the efforts that are being taken to keep it magnificent for you and your loved ones. I also suggest you send a link to this Mexican Tourism Board article to a friend and family member with whom you plan on traveling!

Check out all of our Mexican Locations at our AskAboutHoneymoons page!

Go Green This and Every Vacation

Hi Everyone!

I was just reading a couple of articles online about traveling with our environment in mind. Some of the articles that really caught my eye were online at Travel Weekly by Jeri Clausing and Mexico Premiere by the Mexican Tourism Board. Both are such a great articles and fit in perfectly with our "Go Green" theme this month I couldn't help but share them with you! Please read Clausing's entire Travel Weekly article and The Mexican Tourism Board's article online, but I will summarize some of the great points I found! I decided to separate the posts for easier reading. If you would like to know more about the Mexican Tourism Board’s article see the post “Still Going Strong, Still Going Green.”

Travel Weekly--My favorite part was that it highlights two of my favorite resorts! The Banyan Tree Mayakoba and Hacienda Tres Rios. Like you will find the article mentions, I didn't even realize all the actions are being taken to "Go Green" at these locations!

These hotels are romantically earthy. You are in the heart of nature, feeling intimacy like never before. Most people hate traveling, or going to Islands because they think of the commercialization. Even Florida has sky scrapers and buildings all over the coast line! However, you have the opposite feel at these resorts. The corporate VP of the Americas for Banyan Tree, John Searby states it perfectly, "This is the antithesis of Cancun." Myakoba goes above and beyond the typical resort considerations of sustainability.

Clausing highlights the resort’s efforts of maintaining and improving the surrounding water resources and conservation. Now you can tell your friends you’re doing a lot more than just turning the water off when you brush your teeth—you’re conserving on your vacation. Environmentalists need to vacation in style too after all!

Some of the major issues Clausing highlights are some of the things that you, like I, may not even realize a hotel is doing to stay Green. However, we want you to know the facts; we want you to appreciate all the efforts these resorts are doing to preserve the wilderness.


“

To minimize the resort’s carbon footprint, local materials were used wherever
possible for construction and furnishings. Everything from its cooling plants to
construction techniques were designed to take the environment into account. Although there is plenty of water in Mexico, the resort pumps all of its water from the ocean, then purifies it in a desalination plant rather than drawing water from underground aquifers. The hotel also uses cold water from deep wells to pre-cool its air-conditioning system. The same system then captures the heat from the air-conditioning system to warm water to within 10 degrees of the temperature needed for hot showers.
Parts of the buildings were prefabricated, which helped reduce the amount of equipment on site.
"Normally during construction, animals move away," said Gabriel Santoyo, Tres Rios’ environmental officer. "We had a higher count because we created a new aquatic ecosystem, so now, many migrating birds stop here."
Mazarambroz said Mayakoba had seen a similar increase in birds and wildlife. Santoyo knows there are new birds because part of his job is to constantly monitor the flow of the rivers and lakes as well as the plant and wildlife on the resort grounds and adjoining park.
During construction, the resort rescued 4,000 plants representing 11 endangered or protected species and now maintains a nursery to nurture many of them. It also recycled all construction-related materials, right down to the bottles containing the water consumed by workers.
The resort was developed by Orlando Arroyo Marroquin, whose Sunset Group also owns the Sunset Lagoon Resort & Yacht Club in Cancun, the Sunset Fishermen Spa & Resort in Playa del Carmen and 20 other tourism-related service companies.
Many green features in the guest rooms are not apparent. For instance, there is no slot that requires a key card for the electricity to work. With such systems, Santoyo said, a guest need only leave a business card in the slot to keep the air conditioning and lights running.
Instead, each room has motion detectors that shut things down if there is no
movement within a certain period of time. Likewise, there is no card instructing guests on options for changing towels. The maids in my room left me piles of clean towels, but used towels that were left hanging were not removed.
There are no recycle bins, but resort officials said all trash was sorted before
being taken out.”

Sustainability isn’t just a trend, it is here to stay. Companies globally are recognizing the responsibilities to the environment and wild life. These hotels are two of the first in their industry to take the bull by the horns. They are serious about being green, and are constantly finding new ways to improve the existing policies and practices.

The article starts off:

"RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico-- One of the first hings I noticed when we pulled off the
highway between Cancuna nd Playa del Carmen onto the new Hacienda Tres Rios
resort was the driveway.
Instead of being paved with asphalt or concrete, it was made of crushed limestone, like the paths and roads that serve nearby ancient Mayan ruins. The drive winds through an eco-park of flora, wildlife and rivers, then pulls up to what looks like a typical modern, all-inclusive Riviera Maya resort.
But Tres Rios, like the nearby Mayakoba resort, is anything but typical. Both are examples of a new breed of environmentally conscious resorts being developed around the world. They combine all the creature comforts of traditional four- and five-star hotels with nature and behind-the-scenes technologies that go far beyond the towel-and-sheet reuse programs that until recently defined most hotels’ environmental efforts.
Tres Rios and Mayakoba are hybrids in the world of environmentally friendly
hospitality. They are not eco-resorts in the strict sense of the word, the kind
found in places such as Costa Rica, which tend to supplement electricity needs
with solar power and serve only locally grown foods. But they have incorporated
the latest in green construction, technologies and practices.
By employing water desalination plants, special cooling machines that reduce air-conditioning costs and ultramodern construction techniques such as pilings that enable large hotels to be built over underground rivers without disturbing their flow, these two resorts are transforming development along the Yucatan Peninsula.”
“Javier Aranda Pedrero, director of the Riviera Maya Destination Marketing Office, said that after observing the development of Mayakoba, and then Tres Rios, local, state and federal officials are in the process of writing new development rules for the area.
"Mayakoba is the model," he said, "and the people from Hacienda Tres Rios have worked very, very well with sustainable development of hotels and protecting all the area that they have for mangroves."
While hotel development here, like in much of the world, is in a lull because of the economy, Aranda said he expects it to pick up again in 2010. By then, he said, the government should have new development guidelines based on lessons learned at the two resorts.”

This is an extremely interesting and exciting article. I suggest you read it and send a link to a friend. Visit the AskAboutHoneymoons home page or the Mayakoba or Tres Rios pages to learn more about the hotels and packages we’re offering.

Star Clippers Offers Half Fares for Honeymooning Brides

Star Clippers announced a new offer on seven-day Tahiti sailings in 2009! Under the program, brides receive a 50 percent discount off of the cruise fare when the groom pays the brochure rate on an outside cabin in categories C1 to C3. (Visit the site or call an agent today for more details!) Guests who book their air with Star Clippers also receive a free night post-cruise at the Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti in Papeete.

**Honeymooners must have been married within three months of the sailing departure and book at least four months in advance. **

Newlyweds are greeted with a bottle of champagne and fruit basket in their stateroom, as well as other surprises. (Oh La La!) Star Flyer sails a seven-night round-trip from Papeete that calls at Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora, and Cook Bay and Opunohu Bay, Moorea, with an overnight in Papeete before disembarkation. Cruise fares per honeymooning couple begin at $3,743 ($2,495 for the groom and $1,248 for the bride).

For more information, call 800-442-0551 or visit http://www.starclippers.com/.

Our agents would love to answer any of your questions and take care of all your booking needs.
Phone AskAboutHoneymoons at 800-571-4510

Where Did We Get the Idea of A Honeymoon?

Going on a honeymoon is the first real opportunity to spend time alone as man and wife, but how did this tradition come to be?

Where Did The Idea of Honeymoons Come From?

As all couples know, planning the perfect honeymoon is just as important as planning the wedding day itself. Traditionally the first vacation that you will take as a married couple (and presumably when the couple will consummate the union), a honeymoon has become the period of time where a couple can rest and recharge after going through the stress and excitement of the wedding ceremony. But why do we take these trips? The idea of a honeymoon originates far back in time, and did not originate as the vacation trip we take now.

There are many variations on the story of where the honeymoon began. As far as the word itself goes, the first regular usage in the English language can be dated back to the 16th century. Many stories of how honeymoons came to be report that the idea of a honeymoon started much earlier than that date, but it is hard to tell whether these are fact or fiction.

One idea that is repeated by most people is that the word “honeymoon” was used to describe an ancient Babylonian tradition where the father of the bride would give the groom all the mead (honey wine) he could drink for the first month (moon) of marriage. This was supposed to give the couple a boost to their fertility. While this idea is widely accepted as fact, since the word honeymoon was not used at this time (Babylon fell far before the 16th century), historians cannot be sure that this is where the custom and word honeymoon came from.

Another version comes from Norse beginnings. It is said to loosely be rooted in the word “hjunottsmanathr”. This is not a happy tradition, rather it was said to be necessary as many brides of the time were abducted from other tribes and the groom was required to hide his bride until her family stopped looking for her. Thus, the honeymoon was more of a kidnapping than anything else.

A third idea is that in Northern European cultures, a “moon” was representative of the monthly cycle of the body – and honey was said to represent how sweet the first one of these months was for a married couple. The word was a caution, that future “moons” in the marriage may not be as sweet as the honeymoon.

Although these ancient traditions don’t involve sweet candies, exclusive beaches, exotic foods and wines, and romantic resort suites, we believe in the twenty-first century that some of these things are must haves for every honeymoon couple. Just like everything else in the world, honeymoons have evolved a great deal to become the great romantic getaway of a lifetime in which they are known to be today.

No matter which tradition you choose to believe, one thing is clear: the honeymoon is here to stay. In current times, honeymoons rarely last a full month, and most couples are well aware that the sweet and calming romance of their first married month will have struggles and disputes in the future. Their content to enjoy their honeymoon and married life as it comes.

Taken in part from an article by: Richard Rspad, July 2, 2007

Visit AskAboutHoneymoons to discover your dream honeymoon.

6 Proposal Ideas That Can't Be Refused

About to take your relationship to that next BIG level? Want to really surprise your loved one by NOT doing the average ‘get on one knee’ deal? Here are some creative yet romantic ways to not only prove your undying love, but also show your companion they’re worth going that extra mile:

1. Plan a treasure hunt. Set the clues in place and when he/she gets to the last clue, you will be standing there with both champagne and a proposal they can't refuse! Kapalua Villas in Maui, Hawaii is the perfect location for an adventurous couple! You can start with a morning game of golf. Plant your first love note or clue on the ninth-hole flag pole. From there she will be directed to go down the zip line in the beautiful forest to find her next clue. Once the adrenaline settles from 4,000 feet of zipline action, she’ll be dizzy with excitement when she finds the next note sends her to her own suite’s safe, where the ring awaits!


2. Make your own message in a bottle. Write a love poem on a piece of parchment paper, roll it into an antique bottle with a cork, and bury it in a well-marked spot in the sand. This surprise is definitely worth digging for! Although there are a lot of great beaches out there, you want this to be perfect and the Ponta dos Ganchos Luxury Resort in Brazil provides you with the ideal scenery and accommodations for this. Once the message is delivered, Ponta dos Ganchos offers a variety of exclusive beaches to hide away, disappear, and rediscover each other.

3. Want to create a moment where your lover will feel on top of the world? Take her to a romantic destination and propose at the top of a landmark skyscraper with the twinkling lights of the city below. These destinations can range from New York to Paris. But if you want to think outside the box, try a Castle in Prague or on the rooftop of the Banyan Tree Hotel in Bangkok.

4. Write "Will you marry me?" with a heart around it in the sand at the beach. Fill the heart with candles and rose petals. Just make sure the tide is going out and not coming in! This is a real life story from a client of ours Joe. He woke up early claiming to go on an early morning jog but instead had the hotel in San Diego, California assist in smoothing out the sand and writing his message. He brought breakfast home and insisted she eat it in the fresh crisp air. When she drew back the blinds to the balcony her message was revealed!

5. Slip the ring on her finger while she's sleeping and wake her with champagne and strawberries. At first, the gesture will simply seem romantic -- the real surprise comes when she notices her new piece of jewelry. Any hotel will do but why not make her feel like a celebrity? Take her to the Sunset Marquis in Hollywood where even among the fast-paced city life of L.A., you can completely relax and indulge in your new beginning.


6. Take a wine tasting tour in Tuscany, Italy where you can stimulate your taste-buds. At the end of the tour, when you purchase a bottle, she will be given a special bottle. She'll be drunk with happiness when she reads the hand-made label (that you made) on one of the bottles that says, "Will you marry me?" This will take a little bit of planning. Make sure you call ahead and arrange the label.

Visit AskAboutHoneymoons Homepage For More Romance Ideas

Spice Up Your Valentine's Day with These Foods!

The way to your lover's heart is through the stomach!
Most people just do the whole champagne and chocolate covered strawberries thing but here are some foods that have an aphrodisiac effect to spice up your Valentine's Day!

Chocolate: This is the obvious choice because it has been known as a romantic food item. IT contains the same chemical released by the brain when people fall in love.

Ice Cream: What's more romantic than lovers spoon-feeding each other ice cream in bed? Just the scent of vanilla will bring romance to the room.

Coffee: Just the smell of coffee can awaken your senses. Drink some with your loved one to create a love buzz.

Nuts: Almonds and walnuts have been a symbol of fertility. In Ancient Rome they used walnuts to throw at wedding ceremonies instead of rice.

Hummus: Put a Mediterranean twist on Valentine's Day and dip bits of pita bread in hummus. The main ingredient, chickpeas, are known to have been an aphrodisiac even in ancient times.

Prunes: Surprising, though it may be, prunes are considered an aphrodisiac. Drink some of this love potion with your sweetheart.

Seafood: Not only are the oysters an aphrodisiac but other kinds of seafood can stir up the same feelings. For example, shrimp and lobster could be very senusous as well.

Want to create a meal? Here are some romantic recipe ideas to show that special someone how much you love them.


Titillating Raspberry Coulis

Ingredients:
10 ounces frozen raspberries in syrup, thawed
1 tablespoon orange liqueur or orange juice
Juice of half a lime
1/2 cup frozen or fresh whole raspberries (thawed, if frozen)
Chocolate syrup
Sponge cake

Directions:
1. Place 10 ounces frozen raspberries, orange liqueur or juice, lime juice and fresh raspberries in a blender and puree.

2. Strain sauce through a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl. Smear some paspberry coulis (your fruit sauce) across two dessert plates. Drizzle with chocolate syrup.

3. Set a slice of sponge cake on each and artfully decorate with additional raspberry coulis and chocolate syrup.

4. Eat up!


Hot Pepper Pecans Appetizer

Hot and spicy nuts are the perfect pre-meal snack to make your mouth water for dinner and dessert.

Ingredients:
2 cups large pecan halves - raw from your local natural food store
1/4 cup (1/2 a stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
Several dashes hot pepper seasoning

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt butter in microwave. Spread pecans in shallow pan or rimmed cookie sheet. Pour melted butter over pecans and stir to coat.

2. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring several times. Be sure not to overcook. Cooking is all about tastes and smells; use your senses to tell you when they are done!

3. Remove from oven and sprinkle with soy sauce and hot pepper seasoning. Use a broad spatual to turn and coat pecans. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes. Finish cooling on double thickness of paper towels.


Look for our new Recipe section in our newsletters! If you haven't joined yet, now is the time! Join our Mailing List!

Visit AskAboutHoneymoons Homepage For More Romance Ideas