Top 5 Honeymoon Exotic Destinations

Top 5 Locations for Exotic Honeymoons

After months of rigorous planning and all the chaos, the wedding rings have finally been exchanged, the bouquet tossed and the bottles of champagne have been sprayed all over the place (Well, we hope it was cheap champagne as it would be such a shame to waste the expensive ones). While weddings are a crazy and nerve-wracking yet completely satisfying experience, the same could be said about the honeymoons. Both require months of planning which typically starts even before the grooms are normally selected. Most women dream of the ideal wedding and that ideal honeymoon ever since they become adolescents.

When it comes to choosing a honeymoon destination, one must realize that there is no such thing as an ideal destination or a typical honeymoon destination in the modern world. A perfect honeymoon could take place anywhere in the world and most countries offer exotic places which are perfect settings for honeymoons. The main aspect that one should understand is not to go overboard and not include too much on their itineraries. Just because it is the first trip with the groom/ bride, it doesn't mean that one has to stay in extravagant honeymoon suites, bathe in champagne or go to a tropical island to have that perfect honeymoon. In fact, the modern-day honeymooners prefer spending sums on thrills and frills such as helicopter rides, scuba diving, para-gliding, etc. rather than wasting money on unnecessary luxury. Each year wedding planners spend a lot of time in finalizing on the top 5 locales for exotic and yet exhilarating honeymoons. A few places that tick every check box and make it to every list are France, Bora-Bora, Hawaii, Maldives and Fiji.

France

France

One of the most popular honeymoon destinations amongst couples from across the globe is the country of France. Bathing in extremely rich and varied culture and history and exuding an aura of romance, France has been able to draw couples year after year. The country offers its honeymooners with a little bit of everything and one can choose amongst innumerable locales and places to visit or things to do. Apart from the exotic food and awesome wine which is found all over the country, tourists can spend their first few days of married life strolling down the Avenue des Champs-Elysses, spending romantic evenings in Paris - the city of romance, sunbathing on the beaches of Normandy, gawking at amazing architecture and rich artworks or taking in the aura of countryside romance. The best part is that couples can also choose to do it all since travelling within France is extremely convenient and easy.

Bora-Bora

Bora-Bora

The Bora-Bora islands are located in the French Polynesia and are also popular as heaven on earth. These islands are picture perfect and seems to be exactly like a figment of our imagination where one can spend romantic evenings on a small tropical island with no one within miles to disturb you. The Bora-Bora also includes innumerable hotels and resorts which boast of being amongst the best honeymoon resorts of the world. Almost all of these resorts allow their guests to stay in bungalows and houses which are built over water and have glass flooring and private lagoons so that honeymooners can truly live on water. The beautiful valleys full of exotic flowers and the majestic mountains which offer numerous sporting activities simply add to the island's charm and flavour.

Hawaii

Hawaii

Hawaii has been a popular honeymoon destination amongst couples since ages. The Hawaiian Islands comprises of hundreds of islands which are spread over a 2400 span in the Pacific Ocean. However, the most popular islands in Hawaii for honeymooners are Hawaii, Oahu and Maui. One of the biggest advantages that the Hawaiian Islands have as a honeymoon destination is that they offer their honeymooners with a vast and extremely diverse ecosystem of majestic mountains, exotic beaches and lush green jungles. As a result, the resulting setting is a perfect paradise for the honeymooners. Hawaii is also popular for adventure activities such as sea kayaking, scuba diving, volcano tours, mountain biking and snorkelling. Lastly, when in Hawaii be sure not to miss the Luau - a traditional Polynesian feast which consists of dance, Polynesian music and exotic food.

Maldives

Maldives

The Maldives are a group of 1192 coral islands which are located in the Indian Ocean. The islands of Maldives are a recent addition in the lists of top honeymoon locales around the world and have gained fame slowly over a period of time. The most charming aspect about the islands is its picture perfect and flawless beauty which is simply worth admiring. With hundreds of islands and luxurious resorts to choose from, one can expect complete privacy amidst some of the most romantic settings of the world. Lastly, the Maldives is also perfect for couples who want complete privacy amidst nature and just laze around their private islands in each others arms and also want to enjoy adventure activities such as surfing, kayaking, etc.

Fiji - Waiyevo

Fiji

The Fiji islands are a group of 300 islands which are located in between Hawaii and Australia in the Pacific Ocean. Fiji has always been a popular destination for romantics due to its exotic feel and the complete seclusion that it offers. Fiji is also popularly known as the place for breathtaking beaches and red-hot romance. The islands were made immortal in the movie "Blue Lagoon" and anyone who has seen the movie and wondered about the heaven like backdrops, has caught a glimpse of the islands of Fiji. Further, the crystal clear waters, private villas with private pools and ocean views, innumerable limestone caves, exotic birds and plants, idyllic villages and passionate song and dance have also played an immense role in drawing honeymooners from far and near. Lastly, the Fiji islands does not disappoint when it comes to adventure activities as well since couples can choose amongst snorkelling, hiking, kayaking, etc.

Mayank Kandoi has been writing for over two years at Writers Hubs and has offered various kinds of content writing and article writing services for innumerable clients. His niche area of writing is travel writing and content for travel websites.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7642528

Hawaii's Big Island Vacation Travel Guide

Hawaii Highlights

I recently spent 10 days in Hawaii with my husband and our two year old son. The holiday was the perfect blend of beaches, food, scenery, relaxation and adventure. We spent three nights staying at Waikiki on Oahu Island and a week on Kauai Island at Poipu beach.

Kauai Island.

A friend asked me if Hawaii was everything I thought it would be and I could honestly say that if far exceeded all my expectations. To be honest I think part of the reason why, is because as a destination it actually wasn't high on my list of places to visit. The main reasons we chose to go to Hawaii was because it seemed to tick all the right boxes (great beaches makes for a perfect winter escape, not too far to fly, no stopovers required, easy to get around and see quite a lot when we could only take a short amount of time off work). On reflection, I think sometimes it can work in your favour when a destination isn't necessarily high on your bucket list, because you don't have an endless list of must-see places and must-do experiences (that can sometimes leave you feeling a little underwhelmed if you've been dreaming about them for years). Instead every great experience is a nice surprise!

So here are some of my observations and highlights from our Hawaii trip:

Waikiki was a pleasant surprise. To be honest, I was expecting brash and busy. And while Waikiki does have a little bit of those traits in her personality, as a destination, it was actually far nicer than I had imagined. The beaches may be fronted by resorts and the water packed with swimmers, surfers and SUPers, but there is a reason people flock here - the beaches are stunning, the sunsets are superb and there is plenty to do. Especially as a family holiday destination, Waikiki makes a lot of sense. In saying that, I wouldn't choose to stay there for a long time! It's nice to fly in and get a taste and then head somewhere a bit more remote - of course entirely my opinion.

Waikiki beach.

As a second island to visit, I cannot say enough positive things about Kauai. In fact I don't think I have anything negative to say! The landscape and scenery is spectacular! So many roads you are driving right along the beach but the entire island is framed by ancient, volcanic, mountains in shades of fluorescent green. There are so many different beaches to choose from - calm, relaxing, quiet beaches, family beaches that are great for kids, surfing beaches, rugged beaches, secret beaches. And everywhere you go the water is crystal clear. Sigh!

Na Pali Coast

One of the things I did have high expectations and hopes for was a sailing trip along the Na Pali Coast. And of course that was the one thing that was shot down in flames! Coast guard rules - you have to be two to sail and of I course my son was just 10 days off his second year milestone. I took the news really well (read: I pouted like a teenager for a good while and started dropping hints about helicopter flights because I REALLY wanted to see the Na Pali Coast. But we were travelling on a bit of a budget - because the Aussie dollar was horrendous at the time and we had already busted the budget in the accommodation department so were trying to be fairly budget conscious for the remainder of the trip. So we compromised! My husband found a hike that seemed fairly achievable and would take us along the beginning of what is the very long Na Pali Coast trail, with the promise of great views of the rugged coast. It was two miles from Ke'e Beach to Hanakapi'ai beach and then you have to walk back, so about six kilometres return. I'll admit I was a little skeptical how our toddler would go the entire way, but apart from a minor meltdown leaving Hanakapi'ai beach (he just wanted to keep swimming) he was an absolute trooper. This was an absolute highlight and I highly recommend it!

FOOD TRUCKS! How great is food from roadside food trucks? At home it's a bit of a new revolution but in Hawaii and especially Kauai it is very much embedded in the island lifestyle. It's easy, it's affordable, it's everywhere, and it's delicious!

There is something very special about American hospitality and friendliness we have definitely experienced that again here in Hawaii. In checking our bags in for our Hawaiian Airlines flight we had a woman come and help get everything ticketed and calculate all our baggage for us, even though it's a self service area. In every restaurant, everyone went out of their way to interact with our son and say hi - in fact everywhere we went people stopped to chat to him. And then on the beach we had been frolicking in the water and lying on the grass for about an hour when a lady went out of her to way to walk over from the other side of the beach to us just to come and say that she had got so much joy watching us play and interact with our child. And she just wanted to tell us that! Well I don't think that's ever happened to me before but I may have shed a little tear. And it's those kind of interactions that make travelling so special.

Mahalo Hawaii!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9487724

Costa Rica - Funny Video

I found this video while working. It made me laugh and I really think we all need some time away.

I wish you all be able to travel more. And I know we all work hard to achieve our goals. 

Where would you go, if you had one month of vacation on your disposal?

Me, Costa Rica...I just love all the animals.   

Petra - City of Mysteries

It is magical!

5 Things That Must Not Be Missed On A Petra Tour

5 Off Beat Experiences That Must Not Be Missed On A Petra Tour

If you are planning for a visit to the ancient city of Petra, there are lots more to do apart from touring activities. If you are a lover of adventure, there are lots in store for you. Adventure is related to some activities that are out of the way and Petra has plenty of such to offer. 

Here are 5 ways you can enjoy in an off beaten track.                                                                                                                                                                                          

1. Enjoy Petra at night time

The experience of the grand old city of Petra at night time will be a life time experience. Do not miss out this activity during your Tours to Petra that are organized by the leading tour operators. The tour starts from the main entrance of Petra. The path of the tour is lit up by thousands of candles. This experience under the starlit sky is unforgettable. The views of the ancient city at night are something different from the night which can only be experienced and not explained.

2. Visit Little Petra

This place is in the outskirts of the main Petra City. It is around 20 minutes drive after crossing Wadi Musa. It is a miniature version of Petra city. If you come to this place, you can experience the proximity to the ruins of the Nabateans. The best way to enjoy the place is to go walking through the town and enjoy picnicking in the hills nearby.

3. Travel to Wadi Musa

Wadi Musa is a village near to Petra City. It literally means "Valley of Moses". There are lots of eateries and hotels at this place. There are many local shops where you can find local crafts sold by the artisans. Though plenty of tourists come to Petra, this place has the unique local feeling that needs to be experienced. You must enjoy the afternoons after the crowd of tourist leave and get the local feel.

4. Explore the trails of Bedouins

The places around the city of Petra have many Bedouin trails which must be experienced for experiencing the unique feeling. There are several hiking trails of Bedouins that are in use since the ancient days. Since the trails are not identified properly, you can take the help of guides. A good guide books can also help you out. You can take breath taking views of the place around on the course of this path.

5. Night spending at Bedouin camps

When you undertake the Tours to Petra, this is a 'not to miss experience'. You can get the exquisite experience of spending a night in the traditional Bedouin camps near to Petra city and Little Petra. You can enjoy the traditional Bedouin cuisine here. Staying at night in the wilderness in the setting of the ancient city of Petra under the starlit sky will be unmatchable experience to be cherished forever. It will be really worth spending the money.

Apart from the regular tour, these out of the way experiences in an ethnic style will make your Petra tour more memorable.

Lior Lev is the owner of Mantis Tourism & Attractions, which is a leading Israeli tour operator, specializing in the planning, organizing and conducting guided tours in Israel, Jordan and Egypt.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lior_Lev/2316326

The best TRICKS, TIPS and HACKS on Airport & Airplane TRAVEL

Here are the best TRICKS, TIPS and HACKS on how to make your airport and airplane travel better!

Hello everyone,

I just found a lot of great tips on airplane travel. Especially if you are traveling a lot, they might be useful. 

If you too have any experience with airports and airplane travel, I will be very thankful if you share your story with us.

Enjoy your travel.

17 Reasons Travel Is Good For You

What are your reasons to travel? I believe that everyone should travel more. 

The most important thing is to enjoy your 

life - to be happy - it's all that matters. 

-Audrey Hepburn-

Tony Robbins - LIMITLESS PASSION (Inspirational Video)

Are you struggling with your life? Would you like to make your everyday better?

Tony Robbins is my true inspiration. Because of him I am happier! 

My dreams are finally coming true. 

He is best selling author, New York #1 best-seller, he created the #1 personal and professional development program, more then 4 million people have attended his live seminars.

IT IS IN YOUR MOMENTS OF DECISION THAT YOUR DESTINY IS SHAPED.

Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible. 

Tony Robbins

Tony Robbins LIVE National Achievers Congress London

Moana Official Trailer

Watch the brand new trailer for Disney’s Moana! 

What do you think? Do you like the trailer?

I am really looking forward to see this movie.

A Love Letter to Hawaii

A Love Letter to Hawaii:

It’s the last night of my tenth trip to Hawaii. This time I’ve come to visit my daughter, Jenny, who is planning to move back to California this month after living on Oahu for more than two years. My wife, son, and I have gathered for one final family fling.

And we’ve had a wonderful time, mixing Jenny’s favorite spots with the kind of visitor-oriented activities that even a soon-to-be-leaving local can appreciate.

We’ve devotedly devoured the garlicky, lemon-buttery shrimp scampi at Giovanni’s Original White Shrimp Truck, where the manager told me they now serve up to 800 customers a day who pack away a total of one ton of shrimp a week!

Jenny took us to her favorite tourist extravaganza, the Chief’s Luau at Sea Life Park, which was consummated by a succulent kālua pig and an eye-popping, heart-pumping fire dance. And we took her on an ATV adventure at Kualoa Ranch, where a gregarious guide led us deep into the verdant wilds and enthused at how the owners have nurtured, over six generations, their ancestor’s commitment to malama aina: taking care of the land and giving back to the community.

Now our trip is coming to an end, just as Jenny’s stay on Oahu soon will, and I’m lingering on her porch, staring at the tropical moon and remembering an earlier journey to the Big Island, when Hawaii first cast its spell over me.

I’m recalling sun-bathed days and balmy, moon-bright nights on the Kohala Coast; the starscapes of Mauna Kea and Pu’u Loa’s precious petroglyphs; the virginal, vertiginous green folds of the Waipi’o Valley; the embered expanses of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Kīlauea‘s fiery lava rivers roiling and coiling into the sea, where steamy plumes signaled the creation of more island.

And most powerfully of all, I’m remembering Mo’okini Heiau, and my first experience there.

Heiau are Hawaii’s ancient temples, and Mo’okini Heiau is one of the oldest (possibly dating to the fifth century) and most historically significant heiau across all the islands. According to legend, it was built in one night with basalt stones gathered in Pololu Valley and passed from hand to hand along a human chain stretching 12 miles.

Mo’okini Heiau is on the northern tip of the Big Island, well off the tourist track. You don’t just stop there on your way to somewhere else; you have to make a deliberate effort to go. I was the sole visitor the morning I drove there. I wandered around the grounds for an hour, then sat down on a crumbling patch of ancient hand-passed rock and took out my journal.

I’ve brought that journal on this final trip to see Jenny and her Hawaiian home, and now I open its wrinkled pages and read the words I wrote then:

It’s slightly after midday, and the sun is stiflingly hot. The insistent rays and the equally insistent flies make me dizzy.

The air is dry but it feels somehow thick, thick with the history of it all, the sinew and sweat that went into building the heiau, the ceremonies that transpired here, the swelling of blood, the dizzying drone of flies down through the ages, the beat of sun upon rock, of wind and rain upon rock, the slow disintegration of rock into history, history into dust.

I try to imagine the ancient rites, but can’t. So I look around. I see rainbow-colored necklaces and leis visitors have left scattered on the rocks; an uneaten orange; a bright red bloom. Offerings? I have no idea.

I see the blue, cloud-striped sky soaring beyond one of the heiau’s nine-foot-tall rock walls; it looks like something in another world.

The sun beats. The flies buzz. The rocks crumble.

Not far from here, I know, is the barren, rock-bordered site where Kamehameha the Great, the chief who united the islands, was born. Just after his birth he was brought to these grounds for his birth rites and then spirited away to the green refuge of the Waipi’o Valley for safe upbringing.

Directly to the north is Maui and the high cone of Haleakala jutting into the clouds. Between here and there is the blue and white-tipped stretch of sea, always moving in the silent give and take of the current. I stand and stare and after a while, the air around me seems to move, too, souls swaying in the silent give and take of time.

I think of the Hawaii that existed before Cook and the condos, the Hawaii of wave-skimming dugout canoes and vast, undisturbed valleys, of sacred chants, tribal chiefs, sacrificial ceremonies. My skin moves.

That’s where the entry ends.

I remember that an eerie stillness descended on me after I finished recording my thoughts. I told myself that it was the sun, the toil of too many traveling days. But I knew what it was—and I know still.

Hawaii is many things: sun-swept sands and savory shrimp scampi, black triggerfish and green valleys, luaus and lava flows. And it is also a bleak windswept heiau on an island’s northern tip, with a haunted and haunting heritage.

Hawaii’s layers plunge deeper than I can comprehend, and so I know, even as I contemplate leaving tomorrow, that something in me will stay here, and something here will stay in me.

It will pull me back, a sacred susurration, ancient secrets swaying in the Pacific of my soul.

Story source: 

Posted by Don George of National Geographic Traveler in Travel with Heart on March 19, 2015.Don George is an editor at large at Traveler and the author of Lonely Planet’s Guide to Travel Writing. He has also edited award-winning travel writing anthologies, including An Innocent Abroad. Follow Don on Twitter @don_george.

Coconut Radio: Aaaaah Moorea

Aaaaah Moorea

So where do people who live on Tahiti go on vacation? Actually most of us would prefer to leave the country, not because we don't love it here but because we crave variety. Snow, smog, shopping malls - we love them for a few days, love the strange sensation of being truly cold, the edgy metropolitan feel of a city, loud bars, a real cinema and we looooove shopping. Then we're happy to go home. But when budgets don't allow for tickets out we are forced to go somewhere much nicer than LA or Paris, we go to Moorea.

It's only 10 miles and a 30-minute boat ride across the "Sea of the Moon" to what I believe is the most beautiful island in French Polynesia. Of course from Teahupoo, where I live, you have to add an hour and a half driving time to get to Papeete but that's another story. Every time I visit Moorea I wonder why I don't go more often. As the Aremiti ferry pulls out of port in Papeete you get a full-frontal panorama of the city with its newly gussied up waterfront complete with palm fringed black sand beach covered in a mass of local athlete's outrigger canoes painted glossy red, yellow, white or blue. The beige-pink steeple of Paofai Church pokes over the palms as a reminder that the car-clogged city was once a low-key colonial port town; this always makes me a little wistful and reminds me how exotic it is here and how lucky I am to be here. Usually a practicing team of outrigger rowers whisk by the ferry before it reaches the outer reef and heads out of the fluorescent blue lagoon.

Speeding across the Sea of the Moon, pods of dolphins sometimes follow the ferry for a while and on occasion you might even get to see a breaching whale. We didn't see any marine mammals on our way to Moorea on this trip but watching Papeete get smaller from the windy upper deck is always a delight. Then, as Tahiti turns abstract all eyes turn to Moorea.

Moorea is perfect. The near vertical peaks are cut at angles so sharp and teetering that they look like the work of some strung out artist with a straight edge. Unlike Tahiti which is a heavy mountainous glob, Moorea has valleys that chisel their way around the sharply delicate peaks allowing the sun to shine through unencumbered by vast shadows and the whole place feels bright and open. Meanwhile the lagoon is as blue as any Photoshopped postcard you've ever seen and slender white sand beaches line the coast.

So what did we do on Moorea? Not a lot. We have several good friends on the island and most of our time was spent catching up over rum punch and sunsets. We did get to see a fabulous dance performance by a troupe from Rapa, the most remote island in French Polynesia and I'll get to this (with pictures) in my next blog. In the meantime, sweet Moorea dreams. I'm back on Tahiti and a cold (for here anyway) and windy storm front has come has come in so I too am missing the tropical sun.

Posted by Celeste Brash

Story source