September 8th, 2008

Costa Rica Tours, A Charming Honeymoon Travel Experience

 

Over the years Costa Rica has developed into a major attraction for tourists and visitors. The huge number of organized Costa Rica tours that various travel agencies offer has been a result of this fact. These tours are not just large in number but in variety as well.

There are several types of package offers that make the Rican tours unforgettable experiences. The beautiful beaches, the deep rainforest, the rippling rivers and the active volcanoes all contribute towards making them complete.

The organized tours have systematic ways. You will be able to avail of different types of packages according to the type of vacation you wish to opt for. Those tours would also depend on your budget and the duration of your vacation. It could be anything from adventurous, to special or honeymoon.

Canopy Tours

With more than a quarter of Costa Rica covered in rainforests, one of the best ways to explore these truly magical and enchanting realms is via a canopy tour. Though many people still believe that hiking is a great way to explore a rainforest, canopy tours are even better because the view they offer is often unparalleled and one also gets to see the flora and fauna in their natural environment. Additionally, with rainforests often having dense plant life, the environment on the ground can get pretty dark, thus making it difficult to see everything in a clear manner.

A Canopy Tour consists of suspension cables on which the person will travel from platform to platform while enjoying the beauty of the forest canopy. Certainly not a sport for the faint hearted, canopy tours are definitely meant for the more adventurous tourists who enjoy the adrenaline rush. An amazing and often thrilling experience, canopy tour operators can be found all over the country. Most of Costa Ricas national parks have canopy tour operators, with many of their head offices or branches based in the capital San Jose.

ATV Tours

We encourage you to take the first step and experience the best adventure of a lifetime, in Costa Rica. Get off the traditional shuttle bus and get on an ATV! You can ride the trails, pass through river crossings and even ride along beachfronts. Discover the most beautiful places this country has to offer: cloud forests, rain forests, beaches, jungles, active volcanoes, national parks and much more. The ATV Tours suits visitors of all ages and abilities.

Your options are limitless. You can choose between an ATV Mountain Tour that offers amazing views from the top of the mountain and the wildlife, an ATV Quad Safari where go along the rivers, up and down the hills and into the jungle, an ATV Surf Trip to the South where you will begin your experience on natural forest paths and get near rivers and observe the wild beauty of nature, a FourTrax adventure where You will drive your own quad up and down winding the mountain rustic unpaved roads of Quepos and passing through the giant African palm plantations, cattle farms and typical towns like Naranjito, Londres and others, or a Golden Coast and Mountain Tour where you will get straight up the mountain and into the forest where you can observe different types of trees like the palo verde, the tamarindo and the mango tree.

Costa Rica tours can simply be amazing - as the rainforests beckons you, the volcanoes mystify you, the wild rivers summon you and the picture-perfect beaches promises you with ecstatic happiness, you will feel the breathtaking beauty of this land pulsating within you. Whether it’s luxuriating amidst the tranquil beauty of the place or exploring the wild activities, tours of Costa Rica will provide you an unforgettable experience that you can cherish forever.

 

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September 8th, 2008

How to organize your European honeymoon or vacation

 

Friends often ask me to plan their European vacations, and more specifically, their vacation in Paris. Why me? Being a native of Paris I have the inside scoop as to cheap hotels, how to get special hotel deals and other cheap vacation tips. I can also tell you about travel weather and other useful information.

The first step consists of determining who exactly is coming on this trip, your destination, the length of the trip, and when do you plan on going.  Don’t forget the most important consideration- your budget. Believe me, a European tour with two year old toddlers is not the same as the same as a honeymoon or even a vacation in London with just your partner in life. Actually, traveling with a baby may be easier than traveling with a bored teenager. There are ways to get their cooperation however. Young people of all ages, including my 70 years old parents who enjoy “roughing it”, plan very economical European tours living in youth hotels.  

The time of year makes a great deal of difference as well.  Summer and mid winter are the peak travel seasons, but those who are looking for resort deals along the Mediterranean shores or for ski resorts in the Alps might consider late spring or early autumn. Here retirees have a distinct advantage planning for travel in Europe, or any kind of travel for that matter, since they can be more flexible.

Talking about time and dates, one of the easiest ways to save money is simply to fly out and return in the middle of the week. Airlines are getting crafty though, and “week-end” can mean Thursday to Monday! That leaves Tuesday and Wednesday as mid-week days.
Still, if you do fly out on one of those days, it can save you a couple hundred dollars.

Alright, so you’ve decided on your budget, the number of people in your party, the length of stay and when you want to go. Here are a couple of scenarios.

First, let’s take a family of four - Mother, Father, 12 year old and 5 year old.  This is their first time so they don’t want to be too adventurous, yet they do want to have fun. The safe part of their trip is London, since they speak English. The adventure is Paris where obviously most people speak French. So our family decides to spend a week in London, and a week in Paris during their children’s Spring Vacation which occurs in April, since that’s outside the peak travel time.

Another scenario could be two retired couples who decide to travel to Europe together. They’ve been there before and know their way around a bit. This group decides to fly to Paris, stay for a couple of days to see the sights and look up old friends, and then take a fast train down to the Mediterranean coast. There they’ll stay in Montpelier for a short visit before taking a cruise to the Greek Islands. Whether they opt for a luxury cruise or not, they will have a wonderful time at a very economical rate.

So you see, planning an European vacation is almost as much of a challenge as the vacation itself!

Veronique Merlin is the owner of VP-Travel.

 

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September 5th, 2008

How To Get The Best Price For A Cruise

You’ve wanted to take that cruise, to experience the excitement
of new ports and places with your family. You’ve daydreamed
about your place in the sun. You’ve made a million excuses to
yourself why you can’t. Perhaps you’ve thought that the cruise
of your dreams is out of reach financially. You’re in for a
surprise.

The cruise industry is one of the fasting growing of the
vacation/hospitality industries today. With the popularity of
sea cruising growing by leaps and bounds cruise lines are
growing and are able to offer more discounts to their customers.
You also have the cruise industry at your fingertips through the
use of the Internet. Every cruise line has a website where you
can check cruises, dates and deals.

Each cruise line offers what they call theme packages. These
packages are mean to attract a people of a certain lifestyle or
age group. If you are traveling with your family you may qualify
for a family discount, or, depending on your age, a senior
discount. Some cruise lines offer honeymoon discount.

It is a little known fact that many cruise lines experience last
minute cancellations. When this happens they are eager to fill
the empty slots. If you are flexible you may be able to get an
excellent last minute deal. Call the cruise line a few days
before the ship is set to sail to see if there are any last
minute deals.

If you become a frequent cruiser you may be able to get a
discount as a repeat customer. Many cruise lines give discounts
and a good percentage off if you book with them year after year,
or, if you are planning more than one cruise in a year, if you
book both cruises at the same time.

Along with checking for cruise deals online, don’t forget that
sometimes a travel agent is worth his/her weight in gold. Check
with an experienced travel agent who may be able to help you get
deals that aren’t offered to online customers. This travel agent
may also be able to help you get the best airfare price .

The cruise of your dreams is out there, and it’s within your
reach. Do your homework. The information is out there, it’s up
to you to find it

September 5th, 2008

How To Plan A Romantic, Yet Affordable Honeymoon

Getting married is one of the biggest moments in anyone’s life. It’s the harmonious union of two people in love. However, that love can quickly start to fizzle if the honeymoon is too costly and turns into a travel nightmare. Anytime you travel or attempt to book travel plans, there is the possibility of something going wrong. And when you’re traveling for the first time as a married couple, you want your getaway to be as enjoyable and trouble-free as possible.

If you’re getting married soon and want to book a romantic AND trouble-free honeymoon to an international destination without leaving you broke, you need to think ahead and establish your travel budget, choose your destination carefully, and find international travel deals.

Establish Your Honeymoon Travel Budget

One thing that many couples don’t do before they start planning their honeymoon is establish what they can afford to spend on the trip. When dealing with international travel, travel expenses such as international airfare, car rentals, hotel rooms, and other items can add up very quickly. And since it’s a honeymoon rather than a student travel trip, you don’t want to end up staying in a hostel because you ran out of money. So, before you even select a destination, establish exactly how much you have to spend on all items involved in your honeymoon. This includes meals, travel expenses, souvenirs, and any other high-priced items. Remember, traveling internationally can be costly; so if you don’t want to end up sleeping on a park bench on your honeymoon, establish your travel budget before you choose a destination.

Choose Your Honeymoon Destination Wisely

Once you have established your honeymoon travel budget, the next step is to choose your destination. When selecting a honeymoon destination, it’s a good idea to first list what activities you’d like to do. Are you interested in scuba diving? Do you want to visit museums? If so, what types of museums? After you’ve created your list, compare it to your spouse’s list; see what activities you both have in common, and create a final list.

After your list is finalized, decide when you’re going to go. The time of year you travel will dictate what countries/cities you can visit to complete as many items on your list as possible. For example, if you want to layout on the beach every day during your honeymoon, but you’re getting married in February, you want to find a honeymoon destination that is sunny and warm in February. The key to choosing the ideal honeymoon destination is selecting a location that satisfies your travel activities, offers the optimal climate to complete those activities, and is within your travel budget.

Find International Travel Deals

Most newly wed couples don’t have a fortune to spend on their honeymoon. However, many couples still want to have a honeymoon that’s exotic, international, and romantic. So the solution to having the most romantic, yet affordable honeymoon possible is to find international travel deals. The Internet is a great place to look for international travel deals and discounts on airfare. Discounted travel rates and cheap airfare deals can be found online on travel web sites and through online travel consolidators, like cFares. These travel sites contract with the different airlines and use airfare search engine technology to get the best international travel deals on flights around the world. So if you’re looking for a way to save a bundle on your honeymoon, search the Internet for international travel deals.

Top International Travel Deals and Destinations for Your Honeymoon

Discount Travel to Milan

There are few places in the world where shopping and eating could be considered religious experiences. Milan’s boutique-lined streets offer some of the world’s most exquisite and exclusive styles, dominating the cutting-edge of design. Travel to Milan to pamper yourself, but keep a keen eye for how you might redecorate your outdated (by Milan standards) living room. Brera is the most sophisticated and elite shopping area, centrally located and also home to the Pinacoteca de Brera, one of the most coveted museum collections in Europe. Read more about travel to Milan and find international travel deals to Milan at http://www.cfares.com/milan/.

Discount Travel to Brazil

Brazil is the largest and most dynamic South American country, bordering all but two of the continent’s other nations. In Brazil, wild Amazon adventures can be coupled with stimulating city sights and leisurely beach escapades. Read more about travel to Brazil and find international travel deals to Brazil at http://www.cfares.com/brazil/.

September 3rd, 2008

Riviera Maya Honeymoons - Perfect Beaches and Mayan Culture

Riviera Maya honeymoons are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason.  This amazingly beautiful coastal area south of the resort of Cancun has that out-of-the-way feel, yet it has a vibrant nightlife, incredible resorts, and easy access to the resorts and excitement of Cancun itself.

But even better yet, the coast in this area is amazingly beautiful, with clear, turquoise waters, and densely forested jungle punctuated by amazing Mayan ruins.

Two of my favorite resorts in this region are Secrets Capri Riviera Maya and Secrets Excellence.  These sister resorts are adults-only, all-inclusive, and simply beautiful. 

In addition, the recently opened Secrets Maroma Beach and Secrets Silversands are both quite exquisite.  These resorts are set along what seems endless stretches of white sand beaches, surrounded by jungle, giving them the feeling of being utterly isolated.

The town of Playa del Carmen along the riviera Maya has a vibrant nightlife all its own, so you don’t even have to head up to Cancun for excitement.

All in all, the Riviera Maya is wonderfully romantic, reasonably priced, and once of the best places to honeymoon anywhere.

This video provides a nice overview of this amazing area.

 

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September 2nd, 2008

Bermuda Honeymoons

Bermuda honeymoons can be wonderfully romantic.  Located off the southeastern coast of the United States, Bermuda is just a short plane ride or cruise from the entire eastern seabord.

This video provides a grat introduction to the amazingly beautiful beaches and landscapes of this island.  The place has a wonderful laid back feel which combines with unique archictecture and historic landmarks from the British colonial era to give Bermuda a vibe all its own.

It’s not Caribbean and it’s not American.  It is subtropical, with perfect weather, wonderful beaches, great shopping, and numerous classy, understated resorts.

You won’t find the megahotels of the Bahamas here, nor will you find the all-inclusive resorts so prevalent in much of the Caribbean to the south.  Instead, you will find unique places with wonderful character.

The romance ios Bermuda is above all else authentic and utterly memorable.  It’s a great place for a honeymoon. 

 

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August 22nd, 2008

Have you considered a St. Lucia honeymoon?

Have you considered a St. Lucia honeymoon? St. Lucia is one of my favorite Caribbean islands, and it just so happens to be one of the most romantic.

The coastline is amazing, the beaches are wonderful, and there are some great honmeymoon resorts on the island, including three separate Sandals resorts.

For anyone seeking a slightly less commerical resort, my favorite on St. Lucia is the Jalousie Plantation (formerly the Jalousie Hilton). Reserve one of the private villa suityes with a private plunge pool — they are absolutely magnificent, with breathtaking views of the bay and surrounding peaks.

The video below is a nice overview of St. Lucia and provides a great visual introduction to the island. So enjoy and and definitely consider the amazing island of St. Lucia when planning your honeymoon!

 

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August 22nd, 2008

Sandals Regency St. Lucia Honeymoons

Sandals Regency St. Lucia honeymoons are absolutely spectacular.  St. Lucia is one of the most beautiful and romantic of all the Caribbean islands, and the Sandals Regency resort is one of the top rated all-inclusive hotels anywhere.

Sandals resorts are couples only, and they really do a great job of mixing entertainment with sheer romance.  Pretty much everything is included in the price, from meals to all sorts of activities, so you won’t have any big surprises when you get the bill.

The video below is a great intorduction to Sandals regency, which is one of three Sandals resorts on St. Lucia.  So take a look at this amazingly beautiful honeymoon inlcusive resort.

 

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August 17th, 2008

Romantic Belize Adventure Travel

Belize is located in Central America, bordered on the west and south by Guatemala, on the north by Mexico, and on the east by the amazing Caribbean. Belize has an incredibly colorful history - over the centuries, Mayans, pirates, Spanish conquistadors, and slaves gave the country a rich and fascinating cultural heritage.

Here is a wonderful video showing just how much Belize has to offer, produced by the folks at Disovering Belize.  It’s a great introduction to this amazing country.

 

 

The country’s lush, tropical landscape, once home to the heart of the Mayan civilization, is now your springboard to countless adventures.  Explore amazing Mayan ruins.  Visit the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemishpere.  And tour the amazing tropical rainforest.  Belize is also a great place to get away and just relax, surrounded by amazing scenery, perfect beaches, and laid back, friendly residents.

So if you’re looking for the perfect out of the way paradise for your honeymoon, consider heading to Belize and immerse yourself in paradise.

Read the rest of this entry »

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August 17th, 2008

Honeymoon Travel Deals

So where can you find the best honeymoon travel deals, and do you have to sacrifice quality in order to avoid breaking the bank?

The answer is that you can find great honeymoon deals to a wide variety of great destinations, from the Caribbean to Mexico to Hawaii, and you you can still have an incredible vacation together while saving a substantial amount of money.

So how can you get a great deal?

One of the best ways to save money on your honeymoon is to plan your wedding during an off month, when airfare and lodging can be far cheaper and more plentiful than in the high volume travel season.

One of the best months to travel to Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Mexico is May.  During May, the spring break crowds have cleared out, but it is still too early for most summer vacationers (especially families with kids).  Because of this, the beaches tend to be empty, quiet, and wonderfully romantic, and the hotel rooms and flights are both plentiful and inexpensive,

In the alternative, September is another wonderful month to travel to parts of Mexico and Hawaii, as the summer crowds are gone, the weather is fantastic, and the prices are again as low as they get,  In areas susceptible to hurricanes, including much of the Caribbean, September is a risky time to travel.  But islands like Aruba, which tend to be out of the hurricane path, can be good bets in September as well.

Of course, you might not be able to plan your wedding in May or September, but you can still find great deals if you know where to look and are a bit flexible with your destination.

Honeymoon Cruise Deals

Caribbean cruises offer great pricing, often even in the busy season, due to the large volume of ships sailing in this region.  Cruises can offer exceptional value, including all meals and entertainment, along with incredible views that are constantly changing.  In addition, a cruise allows you to visit several of the most amazing spots in the Caribbean on one trip, all at a cost that can be well within your budget.

Another great way to save money and find great honeymoon travel deals is to book at an all-inclusive resort.  At these hotels, everything is included in the price, from your room to meals and even alcoholic drinks and all sorts of activities.  Some great spots with all-inclusive resorts include Cancun, the Riviera Maya, St. Lucia, Antigua, and Jamaica.

If you plan carefully and do your research, you can find great honeymoon deals at some absolutely incredible resorts and locations.

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