Archive for the ‘Featured Destinations’ Category

Create Your Own Dream Honeymoon Cruise Vacation

Hawaii and the Caribbean are popular choices for a honeymoon cruise vacation, especially for winter weddings. The main advantage of booking a honeymoon cruise to Hawaii or the Caribbean for your luxury honeymoon vacation is that with a cruise you get to see several of these fabulous islands, rather than just one.

The Honeymooner’s Review Guide puts Hawaii as the number one destination for luxury honeymoons and the dramatic coastline, white sandy beaches and colourful Hawaiian culture weave their own spell in this idyllic honeymoon destination, making it a dream honeymoon to remember. A honeymoon cruise vacation to the Caribbean is equally appealing and for Europeans is a much shorter flight to Miami to embark. With guaranteed sunshine and a quiet beach in almost every port, a luxury cruise vacation is a great way to spend the first weeks of married life.

Booking a honeymoon voyage vacation is very easy using one of the honeymoon cruise packages. Many cruise lines also offer a wedding ceremony package. It is worth comparing the different options and choosing the best value for you. Some cruise lines offer all-inclusive honeymoon cruise vacations including romantic extras such as champagne in the cabin and a complimentary honeymoon gift. Carnival Cruises offer a complimentary wedding cake for those booking a honeymoon cruise vacation, along with flowers, chocolates and cabin decorations. However tables for two are pretty limited. Celebrity Cruises offers honeymoon cruise packages for an additional fee which includes breakfast in bed, champagne, souvenir engraved flutes, flowers, bathrobes and chocolates, making this a week-long dream honeymoon cruise vacation.

Holland America Line has so many honeymooners on board that it hosts a complimentary Honeymooners Party at sea and couples receive a honeymoon certificate. The package also includes flowers and a silver keepsake photograph frame. As you would expect from this specialist in luxury honeymoons, tables for two are guaranteed.

Although cruises typically have up to 3000 passengers on board, honeymooners can easily find their own quiet space. Upgrading your cabin may be part of certain honeymoon cruise packages. With your own private balcony, table and sun loungers, it is the perfect space to enjoy private dinners beneath the stars on room service, leisurely late breakfasts delivered to your cabin or a quiet place to read and sunbathe. Lounge bars have comfortable seating and during the day you can have the space almost to yourself. Days in port also mean you can enjoy the ship’s pool in relative peace.

Another big plus on a honeymoon vacation is the wonderful spa treatments available on board with some of the best views on the ship, but you need to book early. Enjoy a relaxing massage, or treat your loved one to his or her favourite beauty treatment as a surprise. A ship’s spa has all the latest technology to provide deep facials, superb Swedish massages, hot stone treatments and reflexology. Expensive but worth it is the general consensus of opinion.

Days ashore on Caribbean islands are a great opportunity for a relaxing couples massage on the beach in a private cabana. The sea breeze, rustling palm leaves and soothing sounds of the gentle waves are all part of this blissful experience.

South African Honeymoon Destinations

South Africa’s natural splendour accounts for some of the most romantic honeymoon destinations on the planet. The allure and mystique of the great African continent combines with a first world infrastructure to create an intriguing, multi-cultural travel destination with all the modern trappings.

Secluded beaches, Winelands and whales, dazzling cosmopolitan cities and luxurious safari lodgings in the heart of big game territory are but a sample of what’s on offer at the southern tip of Africa.

Top 5 South African Honeymoon Destinations

Cosmopolitan, Captivating Cape Town

Cape Town is an award winning tourist destination renowned for its beaches, restaurants, spectacular natural beauty and Table Mountain.

Countless star rated hotels, guest houses and secluded coastal hideaways provide an array of lodgings which vary in price from distinctly affordable to resolutely over the top.

Endless outings to city hotspots and highlights will keep you well entertained during the day, while your night’s are guaranteed to include a flurry of fine food, sunset cruises and a hot and heaving nightlife centred on Long Street, Camps Bay and De Waterkant.

Seductive Safaris

A big game safari, fashioned on the romance of the Out of Africa era, is synonymous with travel to Africa. Five-star bush lodgings in luxurious tented camps and stylish suites with memorable decor offer intimate bush dining, star gazing and guided game drives in open topped vehicles, enabling up close and personal encounters with Africa’s big five.

Wicked Winelands

The Cape Winelands are all within close proximity of Cape Town and comprise wine estates offering direct sales, cellar tours and tastings.

Spend the days exploring the natural splendour, authentic Cape Dutch homesteads, fine wines and haute cuisine associated with the different wine routes of each wine producing region.

As dusk falls over some of the most picturesque scenery on earth, head back to the five-star country houses, upmarket chateaus and comfortable country inns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Tulbagh or Paarl!

Romantic Garden Route Rendezvous

The Garden Route is an idyllic stretch of loveliness on the warm Indian Ocean coastline of South Africa. Comprising secluded beaches, thick indigenous coastal forests, fynbos-clad mountains, and silent lagoons, the Garden Route is the epitome of romance and splendour.

Honeymooners can choose from remote forest lodges set high in the tree canopy, rustic beach bungalows, elegant country inns and boutique hotels.

Expect to find a wide variety of attractions along the Garden Route including Elephant encounters, bird, wolf and monkey sanctuaries as well as adventure activities to die for – Bloukrans Bungee, Tree-Top canopy tours, whale and dolphin watching and a lot more!

Cuddling in the Klein Karoo

Lying inland from the Garden Route is an ancient mystical arid land called the Klein Karoo. Once the domain of dinosaurs, the Karoo is renowned for its solitude, silence, wide open spaces and fresh, dry air punctuated with the heavy scent of herbs.

Escape the big city lights and re-invigorate mind, body and soul together in one of the most entrancing places in the world. Accommodation at four-star bush lodges; quiet country inns and the old gracious homes of the former Ostrich Barons are luxurious and romantic honeymoon alternatives.

Booking a Honeymoon in South Africa

Holiday booking websites featuring accommodation, day tours and car hire in South Africa’s popular honeymoon destinations provide a swift and secure online booking process. You can browse each property together with recent photographs, rates and reviews, and then book all your honeymoon requirements from the comfort of your home.

Visit a reputable South African holiday booking website now to secure your romantic getaway in South Africa!

Romantic Honeymoon Spots in France

Dreaming of a romantic honeymoon? It’s possible especially if your target destination is France.

When people think of France, what often comes to mind is romance. This country is, in fact, considered to be one of the romantic countries in the world and this is the reason why couples, whether married or still engaged, are attracted to go to this country.

France offers various places ideal for couples who wish to spend one of the best times of their lives. You have a choice between going around the cities or stay away from the busy urban centers and instead head off to some quiet place surrounded by nature.

 

Romantic Honeymoon Spots in France

Paris - This is a popular choice particularly for couples visiting France for the first time. Despite being a city, it has its own charm that attracts people all year round. It’s easy to be so in love here because you’re free to kiss or walk hand in hand anywhere making it an ideal spot for France honeymoons.

The Eiffel Tower, known as the famous French icon, is a great spot to visit and even dine. There’s a great restaurant atop the tower which is frequently visited by millions of people every year including couples on their France honeymoons.

Other romantic activities you can do are go on a boat cruise on the Seine River or visit museums such as the Louvre Museum where the famous Mona Lisa painting is displayed.

Loire Valley - If you love the countryside, this place known as the Garden of France is perfect. Part of this area, particularly those near the Loire River, has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can stroll with your loved one, go biking or horseback riding.

Here you will find more than 300 breathtaking and luxurious castles or chateaux that have been well preserved and some converted into elegant hotels. Many of them date back from the 15th to 17th centuries. Those wanting to experience a royal setting should book at one of these castle-hotels and explore the great castles around. Surely, you will never get enough.

In terms of food, you can enjoy fine dishes as well as top quality wines to go along with your meals.

St. Paul de Vence - As a couple, sometimes it’s a great to be staying in an old fashioned village such as this one located on a hilltop in Provence. The area features sidewalk cafes, boutiques, art galleries, statues, beautiful fountains and winding streets. Nearby is a Matisse-designed church in Vence which is a must-see.

This place is well known for its contemporary art and friendly atmosphere. There are first class restaurants in place to cater to your discerning tastes.

Montsegur - For the adventurous couples looking for a unique France honeymoon, you can climb the Pog Mountain in Montsegur. At the peak you will find the ruins of a Cathar castle and its fortress walls plus you get fantastic views of the nearby mountains and valleys. The castle has been considered a historical monument by France’s Ministry of Culture since 1862.

New Zealand Honeymoon

Perhaps it’s because New Zealand is seen as so far away from countries like the UK and US. Perhaps it’s because of our plethora of geographic and geologic attractions, all contained within 2 relatively small islands. Perhaps it’s because of the “Lord of the Rings” movies. Or, perhaps it’s because of the multitude of adventure and adrenalin-inducing activities for which New Zealand has become famous. Whatever the reason, New Zealand seems to be a top destination for couples on their honeymoon.

Your New Zealand Honeymoon

In the North Island, Bay of Islands to the North of Auckland, along with the Central North Island which encompasses Rotorua, Waitomo and Taupo, would be preferred destinations.

Bay of Islands offers snorkeling and scuba diving, sailing, swimming with dolphins, and quaint villages steeped in New Zealand history.

Each of the key destinations in the Central North Island offers its own unique flavour. Rotorua is best known for its geysers and mud pools, as well as Maori culture. The city also offers a wide variety of adventure and leisure activities, from the Luge and the Zorb (the silicon ball that rolls down a hill with you inside) to the Agrodome and Rainbow Springs.

Waitomo is famous for its glowworm caves. There are sedate tours as well as high-adrenalin tours – for example a 5 hour trip which includes abseiling down into a cave, flying through the cave in the pitch black on a flying fox, jumping off a cliff into an underground stream, and ultimately climbing back out of the cave by corkscrewing around a vertical waterfall.

Those on their New Zealand honeymoon choose Taupo for its adventure activities – skydiving, bungy jumping, jet boating, quad biking, horseback riding and whitewater rafting to name a few – as well as its idyllic setting on the rim of the largest lake in NZ, with three magnificent volcanoes as a backdrop. Taupo also offers a very active nightlife, in part because it is a very popular destination for backpackers. Yet another attraction of Taupo is that it is centrally located. Rotorua is one hour to the North, Waitomo Caves are 1 & 3/4 hours to the Northwest, the World Heritage Tongariro National Park is 1 & 1/4 hours South, and Napier and the Hawkes Bay wine district are 2 hours to the Southeast.

And when are the most romantic times to visit New Zealand on your honeymoon? October is glorious, as it is springtime, the trees are cloaked in new leaves and flowers, the days are warm (not hot) and there are relatively few tourists about. December through March are the warmest months, ideal for enjoying the beaches and lakes and getting a tan. And April and May are magnificent, as the autumn (fall) colours abound – rich reds, browns and yellows against a backdrop of beaches, lakes and mountains.

Honeymoon Destinations in Canada

Those who assume that Canada is just another version of the USA, are greatly mistaken. The country’s wild northern frontier has successfully etched itself into the national psyche. Its distinct patchwork comprising different people has shaped a country that is decidedly distinguishing from its neighbor.

Canada’s three-dimensional character edging between the nation’s indigenous tradition, and that of a mix of British and French traditions, make it both remarkable and complex. This, together with a plethora of traditions brought by the migrants and by the continuous infusion of US culture, make up for the nation’s multicultural society. Though Canada is known for its large share of deep winter freeze, it is also among the most popular places with spectacular natural vistas. It is also one of the most sought after honeymoon destinations, because of the sensual delight associated with cities such as Quebec City, Vancouver, and Niagara Falls.

Honeymoon Destinations in Canada

Honeymoons in Quebec City

Quebec City offers a blend of aristocracy and the charm of Montreal, and is easily accessible from Montreal. Visitors can travel to Quebec City either by road (takes two hours and a half) or take a plane or train, all of which are comfortable. This city with its backdrop a distinct European charm, makes the perfect setting for a romantic interlude in the winter, lighting or rekindling the flames of love in hearts. In Quebec City, you can spend the day exploring boutiques and shops, riding the romantic calèche (a horsedrawn carriage) through the old Quebec City, relaxing in a spa, strolling hand-in-hand with your loved one through the streets admiring the gracious old buildings and forts. Take up to any activity, the aura of the city is such, that there is got to be romance everywhere.

During your visit to Quebec City, you have to savor its dining experience that is amongst the finest in North America. The intimate tête-à-tête with your beloved will surely set the mood for love. If you enjoy crafts and art, you will be delighted to know that the city  often takes up to hosting cultural shows, exhibitions, as well as performances by musicians and dance troupes. Whichever time of the year you visit Quebec City, you will have something to enjoy.

Romantic Honeymoon Vacation in Vancouver

Vancouver with its fresh ocean air, green mountains, variety of eateries and accommodation facilities, and abundant recreation is simply great for romantic vacations. The most unique aspect of Vancouver is its location, surrounded by spectacular natural beauty. Besides breathtaking sceneries, the city offers great sports such as golfing, hiking, skiing, and sailing to its visitors. One can drive down to Whistler easily, within an hour and a half, and a ferry to Victoria takes only a 30 km trip southwards. There is plenty to enjoy in beautiful and romantic Vancouver.

Romantic Honeymoon in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is renowned as the honeymoon capital of the world with its dramatic views and scenic tunnels. The first thing to do on a romantic Niagara Falls honeymoon is to focus on the falls themselves. This is where the romance and magic lives. It is not possible to describe the feeling of wonder that comes over you when standing on the “Maid of the Mist” boat and seeing all that water cascading over the falls, and no there is better way of seeing it than with the person you love. It truly is an unforgettable experience and romantic way to start your getaway.

Apart from the great natural wonder of the falls, the Niagara area also has tons of restaurants and hotels. There are shows and casinos to keep you busy not to mention lots of scenic trails and even day trips where you can visit some of Ontario’s major wine regions. Close by is the beautiful quaint town of Niagara on the Lake. If you still need more to do, there is always the IMAX theatre where you will be hanging onto your seat, and a host of additional museums and Niagara Falls exhibits to meander through. See more honeymoon destinations in USA.