Honeymoon Blog

What's on your travel "Bucket List?"

 
 

Are you familiar with the concept of a "Bucket List"?  If not, it's is a list of all those things you want to see and do before you depart this earth.

Naturally, many people have some type of travel on their Bucket List - there are so many great places in the world!  Some people want to see wild animals on an African Safari, for others it's to stroll the neighborhoods of Paris, dive the Great Barrier Reef or even visit the Great Wall of China.  Really, a Travel Bucket List could contain anything that's truly interesting to you, that you wouldn't want to miss at some point.

When planning your honeymoon, it's good to think about what would be on your list, if you haven't already developed one.  It's fun to dream big, and totally appropriate too - the honeymoon is a once in a lifetime experience, after all!  And how wonderful if time and funds permit you to visit one your list's must-see locations with your new spouse? 

Granted, what you envision for your honeymoon may not be what's on your Bucket List.  You may just need 7 days of chill time on a beach in a good resort after surviving the hectic wedding prcess, and the thought of a busy itinerary in Asia is not your idea of fun at this point in time.  Or maybe you don't have the time right after the wedding to go as far as your dream destinations require.  This is definitely ok - the first goal should certainly be to fulfill your honeymoon objectives.  

But, if your honeymoon objectives intesect with your Travel Bucket List, we encourage you to think about going for it!  The fact it's your honeymoon will make the experience that much more memorable.

 

 

Chelsea Clinton honeymoons in... Namibia!

 

With such high profile parents, it's no wonder that Chelsea Clinton and husband Marc Mezvinsky chose Namibia, in southern Africa, as their honeymoon destination.  Far away from most international media, and sparsely populated, this is also where Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt went for the birth of their daughter, Shiloh, in 2006. 

   

But aside from the distance away from prying eyes, why would someone want to honeymoon in Namibia?  In a word, the scenery - it is absolutly stunning.  A dry country, Namibia is a desert paradise, full of sand dunes, wild coastline, mountains and rocky terrain.  One can surf on the dunes, flightsee over the ochre-red rock formations, visit indigenous tribes and 4x4 across the terrain on a desert safari to see how the wild game has adapted to the harsh conditions. 

 

A great way to see this unusual ecosystem is by "flight safari".  A company called Skeleton Coast Safaris takes lucky visitors on a 4-day / 3-night sojourn around the country by small plane, stopping in remote locations to experience the flora, fauna, scenery and sand, seeing it in a way you could never imagine from the ground.  You can combine this with a safari stay on the ground, or with a safari in a neighboring country such as Botswana or South Africa.  So so unique.  MoonRings helps clients with travel all over southern Africa - give us a call and we are happy to share more about awesome Namibia with you!

Photos courtesy of Skeleton Coast Safaris

 

 

 

Honeymoon Wardrobe Consulting

On your honeymoon you want to look your absolute best for your new spouse, but with all the wedding stress leading up to the big day, who really has time to weed through your closet and come up with some great honeymoon looks?  The bride might not have the time, but Meaghan Bruckner, owner of Reflections  in Chicago can help with this task.

In a 90-minute in-home session, Meaghan will perform a honeymoon specific wardrobe audit starting with a discussion about your personal style, lifestyle, honeymoon destination and traveling style.  Then it’s off to the closet to start scoping out the wardrobe. Meaghan will mix and match the existing pieces in your closet and put together 10 – 30 different ensembles that you can wear for the various experiences in store for you on your honeymoon.  She will take pictures of each outfit (including shoes, bags etc) and then go home and create a personalized electronic look book, which includes all the ensembles she put together for you along with captions suggesting when and where to wear them.  She can also make some recommendations on key items you may want to pick up before you say “Bon Voyage.”    When it comes time to pack for the big trip, all you need to do is open up your look book, grab the garments and go.

This unique service is a great way to make use the clothes you already have eliminating the need to run out to the stores and spend a fortune on new honeymoon attire.

The audit starts at $200, but if you mention that MoonRings sent you, Meaghan will offer a 25% discount.

Meagan’s services aren’t limited to honeymoon wardrobe planning – if you are feel as though you are in a style rut and need fashionista to revamp your existing wardrobe, Meaghan is available for general wardrobe audits where she can suggest work clothes, weekend clothes and night-on-the-town clothes too!

New on the honeymoon radar: Panama and the Bristol Hotels

In Central America, the destination of choice for honeymooners and adventure travelers alike has long been Costa Rica, but its neighbor to the south, Panama, is hot on its heels to become another Latin favorite. Miles of deserted beaches, tropical mountains covered with lush rainforests, remote island getaways, and a melting pot of cultures are a few of the many draws of Panama. Not to mention the historic and quickly developing capital of Panama City with the extraordinary Panama Canal.  Combine a visit to the beach and rainforest with a stop in the city and you will have the opportunity for a unforgettable trip in a unique and up and coming destination.

 

  
 

Though the tourism infrastructure in Panama is in its infancy, the development is fast and furious, particularly in the luxury market.  The Bristol hotel group is at the forefront of high end options. It operates one of the finest hotels in Panama City (website); an intimate and classy address located in an excellent central location. 

 

 
 
The Bristol Group has recently opened an exclusive resort along the Pacific Coast. The Bristol Buenaventura is about an hour and a half drive from Panama City and offers a truly 5 star experience.  From the finely appointed rooms, beautiful landscaping and pool areas, to the lovely stretch of beach and myriad activity options, the Buenaventura is a destination unto itself. Top this off with a world class spa, excellent dining, and exceptional service, you may find yourself reserving your next trip before you have even left!  We think this resort is a perfect way to relax after some adventure in other parts of the country.

 

  
  

 

For those looking for a romantic getaway or a unique adventure, Panama will not disappoint with its beautiful landscape and friendly, welcoming people.

Invitation to subscribe to "The Honeymoon Insider"

Brides and Grooms to be, we'd like to invite you to subscribe to our quarterly newsletter, The Honeymoon Insider, that features great honeymoon destinations, useful tips, hot hotels, foodie ideas and more!

You can sign up at http://www.moonrings.com/thisignup.asp.  We'd love to have you!

 

Summer 2010 Hot Destination: The Greek Isles

People are always asking us, "What is the hot honeymoon destination right now?" 

Greece seems to be without a doubt the hot spot for the 2010 season!  The islands, of course, are always one of the main attractions.  Honeymooners can spend several days to several months island hopping! This is why we like them, as do many of our clients:

Setting: The hundreds of Greek Isles play host to beaches, volcanic cliffs, charming white-washed villages and unique archaeological sites.  The terrain is generally rocky and arid with some exceptions like Corfu.  Expect stunning sea views at every turn!  

Activities: Visitors come for relaxation and fun.  On Santorini, sunset is an event, to be enjoyed prior to dining at one of the island’s great restaurants.  On Mykonos, the town of Hora has many boutique shops, restaurants and a rockin' nightlife.  As the largest island, Crete offers a more diverse range of attractions – there are beaches, but you can also hike the Samaria gorge, explore the ancient Palace of Knossos, linger at a café in the Venetian town of Chania, or tour back roads to uncover towns that haven’t changed in decades.  Most islands have a selection of historical sights.  And almost anywhere you can go sailing, rent a scooter, spend a day fishing, or simply enjoy all the great Greek food.  Some islands even have vineyards and offer wine tastings.

Lodging: On the main islands of Mykonos, Santorini, Crete and Rhodes there are literally hundreds of places to stay. They range from small guest houses to large and luxurious resorts.  The most iconic are embodied by those on Santorini, many of which are small, individually-owned boutique hotels built precipitously into the sea cliffs.  Lesser-visited islands lack world-class accommodations, but still offer clean, character-filled options.  It's also possible to charter a boat in order to get farther off the beaten path.

Logistics: The island are accessed via Athens (usually non-stop or 1-stop from the US) .  Ferries also link many of the islands and are the preferred way to island-hop, but are subject to sea conditions and can be cancelled on occasion.

When: As a summer destination, June to September are the best months to visit.  May can still be breezy/cool, and while October can be gorgeous, it isn’t always warm enough for swimming.  August is very busy – rates can skyrocket and some of the islands can feel a little overrun.

 

Ah, the good old days of air travel

Being devoted to honeymoons, almost all of which involves being on an airplane at some point, we really enjoyed this photographic retrospective on air travel in the 1960s, from Life magazine.  We had to share!

When Flying Was Fun

While most people taking a honeymoon these days are too young to have experienced what these photos show, we can still be nostalgic, can't we?  Be sure not to miss the photo of the honeymoon couple at the airport - she's still in her big white dress!

Martha Stewart Weddings Releases First Destination Wedding/Honeymoon Focused Issue

Are you thinking about having a destination wedding or are you in the beginning stages of planning your honeymoon?  If so, you may want to pick up the Martha Stewart Destination Weddings and Dream Honeymoons issue for some guidance.  It is the first special travel issue from Martha Stewart Weddings and it features some great packing and gadget tips and helpful articles discussing destination ideas and ettiquette advice. 

If you flip to page 130, you'll get a bit of MoonRings insight too, since our CEO provided some expert advice on how to select an all-inclusive honeymoon experience.

 Happy reading!

Honeymooning over the holidays?

Are you hoping to honeymoon over the December holidays?  Some couples have chosen this festive time of year to be married, and love the idea of celebrating both the New Year and their nuptials.  Others with strict professional schedules (e.g. teachers) find the 2-week break an ideal time to take a delayed honeymoon. 

No matter your reason for a honeymoon at this time of year, the reality is actually quite challenging.  Why?  Because newlyweds aren't the only ones who love to travel in December; it happens to be the single-busiest time of year in the travel business.  Hotels up their prices by a factor of 2-3 times in many cases, and can require 7-14 night minimum stays, or may offer their rooms on an invitation-only basis.  Flights fill up quickly and prices are high; frequent flyer seats are non-existent.  Rental car companies sell out well in advance.  And people still clamour for the limited options that are available, even with the hefty price tag.

Many honeymooners are not aware of this, and quickly find themselves frustrated with the lack of options.  So, what are you supposed to do if you find yourselves in this situation?  Here is our advice:

• Start *now*.  No matter when you realize you are going on a holiday honeymoon, start planning ASAP.  It is never too early.
• Be flexible.  Choose 3-4 destinations you'd be happy with and pursue all of them.  Hopefully one of them will work out!
• Consider departing on January 3rd, just after the rush has died down. Also consider being gone over Christmas rather than New Years if you can; New Years is the more popular week so there may be more/better options over Christmas.
• If your hotels/resorts of interest say they don't have availability on line, write or call them directly.  Most do not show real time inventory on the web for the holiday period.  Wholesalers may also hold rooms on "block", and can sell them to you even when the resort itself has nothing to offer.
• Most properties have 60 to 90 day cancellation policies.  If you contact them at those points, they may have just received a cancellation and can squeek you in as a result.
• Think about cooler climates, e.g. Europe.  Most people flock to warm weather destinations, but if you love cities and are fine with a bit of snow, you'll have an easier time.
• Be prepared for sticker shock; there really aren't many deals to be had. 
• Take a "shotgun" approach - make enough inquiries (it can take dozens or more) and something is likely to work.
• Consider buying more expensive but refundable airline tickets while you try to sort out accommodations; flights sell out at this time of year also, so it's better to have a "bird in the hand" rather than no transporation at all.  

It's a great time of year to be away for many people.  Good luck with your plans!

 

Four Seasons Resorts Lowers Rates

Four Seasons Resorts are well known for providing excellent service and posh accommodations in some of the world's most stunning and exclusive locations. If you have ever harbored an interest in staying at a Four Seasons, but shied away fearing it might exceed the budget, you may want to reconsider. 

 

The recession hit luxury resorts hard with unprecedented low room occupancy this year.  Although in the past Four Seasons has been hesitant to reduce prices like other hotel chains, it seems this year they have lowered their rates and are offering some great promotions.  A couple of examples close to home:

 

Four Seasons Hualalai (Big Island, Hawaii):  Stay for a minimum of 4 nights and get a $1000 resort credit (valid through December 17, 2009 excluding week of Thanksgiving).  Room rates start at $750/night + tax.

 

Four Seasons Wailea (Maui Hawaii):  Standard rates start at $395/night + tax (valid until November 19th)

 

Four Seasons Punta Mita (outside of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico):  A variety of attractive promotions including a 3^rd night free which is the best value for stays of 3 nights.  If staying 4 nights, they are offering a $1234 resort credit. Rates start at $545 + tax.

 

If your honeymoon interests lead you further from home than Hawaii and Mexico, there are many other Four Seasons Resorts offering similar promotions, including those in Bali, Bora Bora, Seychelles and the Maldives.