50 Best Honeymoon Locations - #2 Hawaii

With palm trees swaying in the wind, crystal-clear waters lapping the shore, and tropical blooms bursting with intoxicating fragrances, the Hawaiian Islands are America’s tropical paradise. There are only six islands which welcomes visitors: Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii’s Big island. Each island has its own distinct personality, and offers its own adventures and sight seeing opportunities.

Visit the spectacular Na Pali Coast with its jagged cliffs, the stunning Waimea Canyon, and the lush landscapes of Kauai. Oahu hosts the main capital and 80% of the population of Hawaii. Visit Waikiki Beach, its most famous beach, or head north to watch thrill-seekers surfing on the big winter waves of the North Beach. With almost half of its population being of native Hawaiian ancestry, Molokai is an island that has preserved its connection to the past and its love for the outdoors. Learn about the works of Father Damien at Kalaupap Settlement, or view the verdant flora of the Halawa Valley. Without a single traffic light, Lanai is a true island getaway for luxury with posh resorts, romance, and privacy away from crowds. Maui is a multifaceted island with oceanfront hotels, world-class golf courses, and home to what many believe as the best beaches in the world. Wake up early to view the scenery from atop Haleakala Crater, stroll through the dusty, treasure-filled shops of historic Lahaina, or drive the long windy road along the spectacular coastline to Hana. And then there is the island of Hawaii which is larger than all of the other islands combined. See the gardens, waterfalls, and rainforests in Hilo, visit the sunny Kona Coast, or visit Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano.

Where To Stay: Hilton Hawaiian Village, the largest hotel in Hawaii, occupies 22 acres alongside Waikiki's widest stretch of beach. This high-rise mega-resort, the hotel with the rainbow on the side, features tropical gardens and exotic wildlife (peacocks, flamingos, and warm-weather penguins), waterfalls, extensive artwork and sculptures, and a 10,000-square-foot super pool (room rates from $196 CAD); Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, one of Hawaii's finest holiday resort at Wailea provides an upscale ocean front accommodation that is far beyond any possible expectation ( room rate from $450 CAD) ; and The Fairmont Orchid, a luxury hotel on the Kohala Coast with a recent $13 million renovation in 1996 ( special 50% off rate starting at $229 CAD).

The World’s 50 Best Honeymoon Locations - Italy

Modern Bride has just released the world’s 50 best honeymoon locations in their August/September issue. The "hottest, hippest, sexiest spots around the globe” were selected by a panel of Virtuoso travel agents. Number one on the list is Italy which has been selected three years in a row.

With so much to see and do in Italy, your honeymoon wouldn't be complete without at least a few days in Rome, the “Eternal City”. In this exciting and romantic city, you can savour world-class cuisine, ponder the mysteries of the Partheon, or leisurely sample a local wine at a charming trattoria. For a mix of spectacular art, grand history, and exuberant street life, no other city comes close. Today's Rome is also a vibrant, modern city that offers first class hotels, fine shopping, exciting nightlife, excellent restaurants, delightful coffee bars and numerous opportunities to while away the hours exploring new venues.

You and your new spouse will be able to sample all of this and more with a honeymoon package specially created to highlight the best of Rome. Stay at: Castello della Castelluccia , a beautifully renovated 12th-century castle which is set in a small wooded park located 10 miles outside Rome. The original structure has been preserved intact. The property features 24 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites, with inlaid-wood antiques and four-poster beds; a few have marble fireplaces, and two have giant, tiled hot-tub alcoves and equipped with all modern comforts(room rate from $246 CAD); Daphne Veneto, an elegant inn, offering superb accommodations and outstanding service. This is an intimate, “boutique-style” hotel environment, where guests enjoy privacy and first-class personal service. Daphne Veneto is located just off the Piazza Barberini and via Veneto, on a quiet side street. It’s just a seven-minute walk to Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps(room rate with taxes from $320); and Hotel Sant’ Anselmo, a beautiful hotel with lovely rooms and stunning decor with hand-painted frescoes; the lounge, dining room and halls ways are sumptuous. It's situated in a lovely quiet bit of Rome, surrounded by ancient cathedrals, houses, and orange groves(room rate from $239 CAD).

Everyone has heard about Venice and its canals. Venice makes you a believer in fairy tales. Since cars are banned, the only way to get around the 1,500-year-old city is by foot or by water. From these vantage points, you'll be awed by the magical beauty. La Serenissima, "the most serene one," is filled with palaces and art, fine shopping and excellent food. Relax in Piazza San Marco, visit the basilicas, drink a bellini at Harry's Bar, and wander the alleyways and bridges. For a romantic evening, have dinner in a restaurant along the canal at dusk while watching the gondolas. Stay at: Al Ponte Antico Hotel, an historic 16th century palace with a beautiful interior and a breathtaking location overlooking the Grand Canal, the most important water-way in Venice (room rates from $600 CAD); or Hotel Antiche Figure, a small, "grand" Hotel which occupies a fabulous 15th century palazzo overlooking Venice's Grand Canal, adjacent to an ancient Gondola workshop. The hotel takes its name from the Renaissance frescos that once adorned its façade (room rate from $244 CAD).

Shorter Cruises Are the Way to Go!

Would you like to take a cruise this summer but don’t have the time or money to slip away on a 10-day Caribbean cruise? Think about taking a quick sailing , from overnight to a four-night getaway, which gives you a taste of cruise living and a wonderful respite from your daily routine. Once you are onboard the ship you won’t have a single worry, because everything will be taken care of for you. Your biggest dilemma will be deciding what to do next: laze in the sun on a deck chair and catch up on your reading, go for a stroll around the deck, or nap, dress for dinner and then go to the evening entertainment. See - you still can enjoy sailing the high seas even if you are short on vacation time or the recession is cutting into you travel funds.

Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean offer most of the weekend or short cruises. After the events of September 11, 2001, these cruise lines started offering shorter cruises to appeal to travellers avoiding air travel. They established more cruise-ship ports so that more people could drive within a day to board cruise ships. The prime destinations are The Bahamas, Key West, Florida, Cozumel, and Ensenada, Mexico. In addition, a shortened cruise schedule allows more people the ability to take a weekend cruise or take fewer days off work. These cruise packages allow people to spend some leisurely time with friends and families. As well, many businesses are using short cruises as a way to reward their employees.

This year, there are many specials for shorter cruises with great rates. In the past, tickets started around $500 per person (assuming double occupancy). Royal Caribbean has just advertised a 4 Night Western Caribbean Cruise sailing on July 16 to July 20, 2009 starting at $340.00 CAD on Enchantment of the Seas. This deal can only be booked on Tuesday, June 23, 2009. For more information, call Del Sol Travel at Toll Free #1-866-653-4055 or e-mail travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca. Call to find out what other fantastic cruise deals are available.

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Planning your Honeymoon

I have had so many different people asking me about honeymoons that I decided to write a number of blogs on "How to Plan Your Honeymoon". Since it is mostly the groom who is responsible for this part of the wedding, I thought that the men might appreciate some "how to" advise.

What are the "Top 10 Tropical Honeymoon Destinations"?

The most popular location for honeymoons are tropical locations. Perhaps it's because so many of us live in a climate which has winter for over nine months of the year. Many couples today imagine their honeymoon to include a destination that is beachfront with palm trees hanging overhead, and a spectacular view of the sparkling turquoise blue waters of the ocean. There are so many romantic locations to choose from that it makes it difficult to decide.

Check out the best destinations for tropical honeymoons or pick you own destination:

1. Tahiti


2. Hawaii


3. Fiji


4. St. Lucia


5. Bali


6. U.S. Virgin Islands


7. Maldives


8. Bahamas


9. Jamaica


10. Dominican Republic

Having trouble deciding, check in to read my next blog which will help you decide on how to choose your honeymoon location.

Walt Disney World Offers Dream Weddings

Have you ever dreamed of having a wedding fit for a princess? Disney is famous for making dreams come true and they can help brides have a Cinderella-like wedding? Imagine arriving at your wedding in a glass coach! Or what about getting married in “Italy” and having your reception in “France”!

Every year Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, hosts over 2500 weddings on their property ranging from small affairs for just the bride and groom to elaborate, extravagant gatherings at the Disney World location of their choice. Korri McFann, marketing director at Disney’s Fairytale Weddings, said, “Every bride wants to feel like a princess for the day, and at Disney’s Fairytale Weddings we can make the dream a reality. The beauty of a Disney wedding is that we can tailor the occasion to suite almost any budget.”

June is the month for weddings, but weddings take place at the four Disney properties all year long. With the wide variety of Disney hotels and the hundreds of restaurants, the choices for destination weddings and honeymoons at the Vacation Kingdom are never ending. Many couples choose to exchange their wedding vows at Disney’s Fairytale Wedding Pavilion. However, there are numerous other locations available such as Disney’s Boardwalk Inn with its romantic lakeside gazebos and beautiful beachfront locations, or romantic venues at Epcot such as a charming English garden or a fairy-tale inspired German village centered on a delightful cobblestone plaza.

Current research indicate that more and more couples are choosing a destination wedding where they bring family and friends together to help them celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime romantic adventure. According to a March 2009 survey conducted by theknot.com, 1 out of 5 couples planned an out-of-town wedding in 2008. Brides and grooms participating in the survey said that they wanted unique locations as opposed to traditional ball-room venues. McFann recommends Epcot as the ideal setting for couples looking for extravagant sites with themed entertainment , rich culture, and diverse menu options. "It is all about making choices and determining what is important to you on one of the most memorable days of your life."

A Disney Wedding Planner will happily assist you in orchestrating every wonderful detail of your dream wedding. They will help you select and reserve locations for your wedding and reception, establish a working budget, and if you wish, guide you on a personal tour of potential locations. Disney’s wedding planning services are complimentary.

Don’t forget that Walt Disney World is a top honeymoon spot. Newlyweds can explore theme parks, sail away on a romantic Disney Cruise, or relax in one of the beautiful Disney resorts on the property. Dream-come-true honey moon packages are available for all budgets.

To arrange your “dream” destination wedding, or honeymoon, contact us at Del Sol Travel at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, Kauai

Hawaii offers fantastic sunny weather, lovely waterfalls, turquoise waters, stunning ocean views, white sandy beaches, luxury hotels, and spectacular views. One of my favourite hotels in Hawaii is the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa which is located in the south part of Kauai on Shipwreck Beach on Keoneloa Bay. It is one of the most exclusive hotels in the Poipu area, which is noted for having the most sunshine on the island.

The Hyatt is a grand hotel with airy lobbies filled with with lovely antiques from the 1920 and the 1930s, orchids, and a central building looking straight onto the ocean. The 602 guestrooms are decorated in classic Hawaiian style with lanais or patios with a spectacular ocean view. The grounds contain walking paths scented by tropical blooms which lead through acres of pools, both fresh and and saltwater, which include slides and waterfalls. Float effortlessly along the lagoons, indulge in a reviving treatment at ANARA Spa, or simply take in the refreshing ocean breezes from our beautiful white-sand beach.

Championship golf, tennis, fine dining and more make this Garden Isle retreat perfect for your next Kauai resort vacation. The five restuarants range from casual to elegant, and there are five lounges. A perfect place for a destination wedding!

Top Travel Tips for Destination Weddings and Honeymoons

Do you want your destination wedding and honeymoon to become an unforgettable memory not an unforgettable nightmare? Here is a list of travel tips put together by travel agents and wedding consultants for couples planning a destination wedding and honeymoon which you might consider:


1) Make a copy of your important documents including you passport, airline tickets, hotel reservations, etc, and carry them with you at all times. Keep a copy in a file on the internet so that you can access them in case you need them.


2) Book with a honeymoon registry where wedding guests can buy gifts that are components of the honeymoon you and your fiancé intend to take. This allows guests to know what you want and to contribute to making your honeymoon a once–in-a-lifetime experience. Don't let $100 or $200 stop you from doing all of the things you will always remember. Have a romantic dinner at that special restaurant with the fantastic view, enjoy breakfast in bed, or swim with the dolphins.


3) Always put each other's clothes in the other's bag just in case you lose your luggage. Never pack valuables, travel documentation, jewellery, computers, and cameras in checked baggage. Pack you carry-on with valuables, jewellery, prescriptions, small-sized toiletries, suntan lotion, sunglasses, swim suite, a change of clothing and under wear just in case your luggage goes astray or you have to wait to get into your room.


4) If you can avoid it, do not plan an early morning flight after your wedding especially if you have an evening reception. Leave later in the day and enjoy some sleep rather than being up at 5:00 a.m. to catch a plane.


5) If you are planning a destination wedding, hire a local wedding consultant experienced in destination weddings to help you make the arrangements. The wedding consultant will be familiar with the different resorts and what they have to offer in terms of wedding and honeymoon packages. This individual also knows how to work with the on-site wedding consultants to make your wedding unique and personal versus the "cookie cutter" version promoted by the resort.


6) Make sure you use a travel agent. Be sure to use one who specializes in destination weddings and honeymoons. Travel agents often have relationships with the wedding consultants, which can be very helpful. A travel agent is also there to answer questions, give you advice, and help when plans go wrong for yourself and your wedding guests.


7) Don't leave valuables including money out in your room or worse yet, locked in your suitcase. Make use of the room safe or the safety deposit box at the front desk.


8) Research the destination that you are going to so that you can learn about the culture. Talk to your travel agent so you know what to expect and what to avoid. Many couples are disappointed with their trip because they expected things to be the same as they are at home. Remember, you are going to a foreign country!


9) Remember that there is no such thing as the perfect wedding and the perfect honeymoon. Don't sweat the small stuff! Honeymoons and destination weddings have to be planned carefully. The more you do your homework, the smoother things go, the more romantic – and the more fun- your destination wedding or honeymoon will be. Use the services of an experienced travel agent. You have enough other things to worry about with the wedding to keep you busy. Let a travel agent worry about all of the travel details for you and your wedding guests.


10) Finally, get some sleep before the big day! There is so much to do in planning a destination wedding and a honeymoon, but schedule in some time to sleep. You want to enjoy one of the most important days of your life and the days to follow with your new partner. Create wonderful memories that you will remember for the rest of your life!

Dreams Punta Cana Resort and Spa - Dominican Republic

UNLIMITED-LUXURY® DEFINED
stunning views of the expansive pool, manicured gardens, pristine beaches and beautiful ocean. Located on a beautiful prisine beach on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa is a place of fantasy. The friendly staff will make you feel like both an old friend and an honored guest. This is truly a magical place for families, couples, singles and friends to visit.

Formerly known as Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana, this resort became the first Dreams property in the Dominican Republic in December 1977.

This Unlimited-Luxury resort features the largest free form swimming pool in the Dominican Republic which winds its way from the lobby down to the beach and is complete with waterfalls, a swim-up bar and venues throughout. Every detail in the resort has been selected for your complete pleasure and total relaxation.

Uncrowded... Unrushed... Unequaled...

From the moment you are greeted when you arrive, you will be delighted by your surroundings and service:

-The majority of our amenity-filled luxury rooms and suites offer stunning stunning views of the expansive pool, manicured gardens, pristine beaches and beautiful ocean views. The tropical jungle views are equally mesmerizing
- A spectacular array of day and evening activities, adventures for every age and interest
- Enormous free-form pool that winds its way from our stunning lobby all the way down to the beach
- Seven international restaurants serving gourmet fare and 10 wonderful lounges pouring unlimited premium brand beverages.
- 24-hour room and concierge services
- Supervised Explorer's Club for kids, so everyone enjoys their own time in their own way.
- Core Zone for teens provides them with their own place to chill out and offers supervised daily activities and nightly entertainment.
- Nearby excursion sites for golf, shopping, adventure and history
- A friendly, fastidious staff who will make you feel like the honoured guest you are.

The beauty of Unlimited-Luxury® service is that virtually everything is already included. You won’t have to think about anything except fully enjoying yourself.

Guests recently named Dreams Punta Cana Resort and Spa. the Best Family Friendly Resort and the Best Pool in the Caribbean for the TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards. Those same high standards have also earned this resort premier recognition from the prestigious Preferred Hotels and Resorts.

Dreams Punta Cana — the true expression of Unlimited-Luxury® — where everything is included... and limitlessly perfect.

Jeff and Ashley's Review of Dreams Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic

Should you stay at Dreams Punta Cana? Well, wonder no more! Here is some information from Jeff and Ashley who stayed 7 days at this all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic and have all the details for you!


The drive from the airport is over an hour long over some very rough roads. There is evidence that a new highway is being built, but no sign of any road crews working on it during our stay.

The reception was welcoming. We were promptly greeted at Dreams with cold champagne and wash cloths as well as a “welcome home” - very nice touch!

• When you arrive at the resort, you are greeted by an absolutely gorgeous entranceway to the expansive and impressive lobby which has lots of granite and marble in soothing colors.
• The check-in was smooth and, even though our room was not ready (we were early), we were invited to have a bite to eat at the World Cafe and return to the desk any time after 3PM.
• The resort was formerly a Sunscape that was converted to a Dreams. There are 620 rooms at this resort. It is rather rectangular shaped with a large meandering pool along the length of the resort.
• The rooms were of average size with nice decor. Each has a bed and a sitting area with desk. The beds were on the hard side, as is typical of many resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico. Our room was clean and well-appointed.
• We had a great, roomy balcony overlooking the pool. There is a table and two chairs on these comfortable balconies. Many rooms have balconies overlooking the walkways or the gardens; be sure to request a pool or ocean view.
• The suites are larger and some have Jacuzzi tubs. Many of the suites with Jacuzzis on the balcony are on the main walkway.
• The beach was HUGE! It’s deep and wide with lots of room for walking in either direction. The sand was clean and fairly fine; there’s no shortage of space or chairs.
• The staff were fantastic and very friendly. Enthusiasm and helpfulness were evident everywhere. They also genuinely seem to appreciate attempts to speak Spanish no matter how badly executed.
• The guests at the resort were a nice mix of younger and older couples, families, and large wedding groups.
• The activities were plentiful and well organized. Each night we got a bulletin in our room telling us the schedule for the following day. Participating in the activities earns Dreams Dollars which can be used to purchase items at the nightly auction.
• The fitness center was small but passable. The equipment is fairly current and there’s a good variety of machines. A friendly staff member was on hand to help.
• The casino has 25 - 30 slot machines, one roulette table, two black jack tables. Gamblers looking for a large, exciting casino should look elsewhere
• The nightly entertainment in the Theater was fair and consisted of game shows (Newlywed Game) and singing/dancing performed by a local troupe.
• The spa was gorgeous and the massages were great.They offered a good variety of services and had lovely gardens and fish ponds. It is very reasonably priced as well. It is cheaper than equivalent spas in Calgary, that’s for sure. We each had an 80 minute massage and spent an hour in the wellness centre and it was $170 US for both of us. They lead you on a wooden path over koi ponds to an individual massage hut. What a luxury!
• The restaurants were, overall, excellent. No reservations are necessary at Dreams. The food was exceptional. It is the best food we have had at an all inclusive. The restaurants are very high end in both appearance and in the food. It was nice to dress up for dinner. The servings, except at the Sea Side Grille, which I would describe as an American type steak house, were smaller and the presentation was very nice. We never felt like we over ate and we had appetizers, a meal and a desert. The French restaurant was our favourite. We had rack of lamb there twice, mouth watering and done to perfection. Yes, rack of lamb! At an all inclusive! We couldn’t believe it. We had lunch every day at the beach barbecue. The barbecued chicken was to die for. There was always lots of food around and at all hours of the day. When the barbecue closed, the pizza place opened. The service was prompt. There did seem to be some instances where ingredients were lacking or different from what was listed on the menu (like no scallops in the Coquille St. Jacques, and no goat cheese in the Goat Cheese salad). The World Cafe had a good buffet with a nice selection of foods and included a special kids section for appropriate foods. The fresh Dominican coffee was excellent. I can’t say enough about the food it was AWESOME!
• The wedding gazebo was very pretty and surrounded by fountains (but is not near the beach). There was a wedding just about every day we were there.
• The grounds are VERY well kept. The bushes are trimmed, the grass is watered, the paths and pool deck are clean. There are flowers and flowering bushes everywhere. The pool is kept scrubbed and treated, and the water, for the most part, is crystal clear. The swim-up bar area was the only exception. I don’t know if it was heavy use, beach sand, or spilled drinks, but this area was a little cloudy.
• The excursions ranged from scuba diving, to jungle tours, to horseback riding, to sailing. We did one snorkeling/catamaran excursion to the Marinarium (swim with sharks and sting rays!). This excursion left from the Caribbean side of the island, so it was a bit of a drive to get there. The water was gorgeous and clear, the snorkeling was very good, and the boat ride was fun and gave us a good view of other parts of the island.

Overall, we would say that Dreams Punta Cana is a nice 4 star resort. This is a great place for families or couples with a wide variety of food and activities. We had a fantastic time and would go back in a heartbeat! ~ Jeff and Ashley

For more information about Dreams Punta Cana call 1-866-653-4055 and book your family getaway today!