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!