Where to Go for Your Romantic Vacation in July

Photo courtesy of Governors Camp

Whether you go for a romantic getaway, an experience of a lifetime filled with adventure, or an escape to a beautiful tropical paradise, here are some ideas where you can go for your summer holiday in July. 

Looking for your “dream of the South Pacific” tucked away in the back of your mind, then head to Fiji. Here you will find  romantic couple- only hideaways in a tropical splendour of coral rich turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, blue lagoons, and palm fringed resorts. A warm tropical climate exist throughout the year and the weather  is mild and dry from May throughout October. The Fijian people are known for their  genuine friendliness and hospitality and their welcoming “Bula”. You will find the relaxing  pace of life on the islands  irresistibly seductive .Head to Castaway Island located on a private island, and stay in secluded traditionally thatched Fijian-style bures steps away from the island’s pristine white sand beach. For an over water experience, Likulliku Lagoon Resort is the place for you. This beautiful new resort features Fiji’s first over-water bures, beachfront and deluxe beachfront bures in a relaxed luxury atmosphere. Another choice is Qamea Resort and Spa which has been designated in the “Top Ten Luxury Resort in the World” by the Robb Repost. This resort is the premier  romance and soft adventure resort in Fiji’s Northern Islands. Don’t forget that diving and snorkelling  are world renowned in this area.

Photo courtesy of Castaway Island

If you are looking for a tropical destination close to the mainland with comfortable summer temperatures, why not consider Hawaii. We can’t get enough of breath-taking scenery and beautiful beaches located on the different islands of Hawaii. Consider your own personalized tour of two or three islands, staying at some of the beautiful luxury hotels such as Grand Hyatt Kauai, Marriott Kauai, Fairmont Kea Lani, or the Grand Wailea, situated on spectacular beachfront properties. We love Kauai, the Garden Isle, with its beautiful lush greenery, palm trees, warm, blue waters, breath-taking scenery, and the relaxed “get away from it all” pace. The island of Maui has the most sunny days of any of the Hawaiian Islands. Luxury resorts perfect for romantic getaways abound with some of the most heavenly beaches in the world. In addition, there are plenty of activities for the couple with an adventurous spirit. A trip to the top of Haleakala Crater often referred to as the “largest extinct volcanic crater in the world” is a must for its majestic, peaceful view.

Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

For the serenity and solitude of nature amidst tranquil landscapes, consider a cruise to Alaska. Alaska contains stunning glaciers, breathtaking scenery and plenty of marine life. It is one of those magical places which everyone should see in their lifetime. Add a land tour to such places as Denali National Park, Alaska’s most popular land attraction, Dawson City, an authentic gold rush town on the Yukon River,  Fairbanks, Alaska’s second-largest city, or Coldfoot and Prudhoe Bay where you can dip your toe in the frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean. Choose from a variety of different itineraries of either 7 or 14 days. Enjoy an array of lodge-based itineraries for a wilderness experience that you may not  otherwise encounter.

Photo courtesy of Cruiseshiptours.net

If you dream of an experience of a lifetime where you can get close to nature on an African safari, then travel to Kenya to the Governors Camp where William proposed to Kate. Located in on the banks of the Mara River in the Masai Mara National Wildlife Reserve in the heart of one of the best wildlife viewing areas. Accommodation is in huge  luxury tent complete with an en-suite bathroom.

Photo courtesy of Governors Camp

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Muriel MacRae plans exciting getaways and customized vacations  for honeymooners and families. As the owner of  Del Sol Travel, she offers romantic vacations with personalized service and unique itineraries. Getting to know and understand her clients is critical in helping turn their ideas and vision into a unique and memorable masterpiece when creating their customized vacation. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans weddings, destination weddings, and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca   or phone 403-477-0643

Why You Will Fall in Love with Hawaii

Celebrated for its great weather, surfing, and numerous accommodations, the Hawaiian Islands define paradise – palm trees swaying in the breeze, intoxicating fragrances from the flowers, breath-taking scenery, beautiful crystal-clear waters, and beautiful sunsets. Hawaii offers vacationers six very different islands to choose from. In addition, it has lots of sunshine, adventurous activities, natural beauty, and a culture which makes it very appealing to the tourists. 

Hawaii is a great place to visit any time of the year. There is a bit more rain in the winter months from mid-December through to March and the summer is a bit warmer from June through August. However, there are no extremes in temperature and the cooling trade winds keep the islands at a  moderate temperature throughout the year. 

Maui: Maui is a very popular destination island. Maui is the island of romance and many couples go here for their destination wedding or their honeymoon. The beaches are magnificent and stretch for miles.

View from Fairmont Kea Lani
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

The island has spectacular sights to see including the Iao Needle and Valley, Haleakala National Park, and the Road to Hana. Don’t miss taking some time to explore the old whaling town of Lahina.

Ioa Needle
Photo courtesy of gohawaii.about.com

Kauai: We suggest that you visit Kauai as it is the “dream” destination with the most diverse landscape. One of the greenest and most lush islands with some incredible places to visit. 

Opeka Falls
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Take a catamaran to view the legendary, desolate Na Pali Coast with its high rugged mountains or hike the spectacular Kalalau Trail. Visit the south side of the island at sunny Poipu Beach or kayak the Wailua River passing the Fern Grotto where Blue Hawaii was filmed. Be sure to travel to the North Shore stopping a many of the beautiful beaches along the way and don’t miss the picturesque lighthouse and seabird sanctuary at Kilauea Point. Take a look at the planned community of Princeville before you stop to see the beautiful Hanalei Valley. 

Hanalei Valley Lookout
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Two of my favourite photography spots are the Wai’oli Hui’ia Chuch and Mission House which is a pretty green wooden church located in the little town of Hanalei, and Hanalei Bay, one of Hawaii’s most scenic bays. A must see is the Waimea Canyon, also nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, with its incredible colourful river-cut gorge.

Hanalei Pier
Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Oahu: Oahu is the most developed island and has the largest population. Honolulu and Waikiki Beach contain high-rise buildings and downtown traffic jams. Enjoy the wide variety of shops at the Ala Moan Shopping center or just enjoy Waikiki Beach with its famous landmark, Diamond Head.

Waikik Beach
Photo courtesy of bestofhawaiirealestate.com

Take a drive north  to some of the famous surfing beaches or travel back to days of old by vising the Polynesian Culture Center.

View from Nuuanu  Pali Lookout
Photo courtesy of travelmuse.com

The Big Island: Hawaii, the big island, has the most diverse climate and geography. The landscape changes from a lifeless lava desert, to rolling pastures, to rainforests, to volcanoes, to snow-covered mountains.  Hilo and Kailua-Kona are where most of the people live on the island. Don’t miss seeing Pu’uhonua Honaunan , or Place of Refuge, where ancient lawbreakers had one chance to escape the inevitable death penalty. Probably one of the most fascinating places to visit is the Kilauea Volcano, an active volcano.

Place of Refuge
Photo courtesy of HubPages.com

Lanai: Lanai, in years gone by, was covered with huge pineapple fields and is now a private luxury resort destination. Bill Gates set the trend by renting out the two luxury hotels located here for his wedding. Lanai now has become a trendy destination for corporate CEOs. Lanai can be interesting to explore but it is recommended that one rent a 4WD vehicle to travel the rutted dirt roads.

Manele Bay Cliffs
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Japan

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Muriel MacRae is an associate wedding coordinator, a design consultant and event choreographer, and a destination wedding coordinator with Creative Weddings and Occasions and the owner of a boutique travel agency called Del Sol Travel.  She is a certified wedding planner and destination wedding coordinator through the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada. Getting to know and understand her clients is critical in helping turn their ideas and vision into a unique and memorable masterpiece when creating their customized vacation wedding. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans weddings, destination weddings, and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca
 or phone 403-477-0643.

Five Fabulous Things to do in Kauai

I find that Kauai is one of the most beautiful islands in Hawaii with its lush vegetation, beautiful flowers, and its long white sandy beaches. It’s the perfect place for a family holiday, a honeymoon or a romantic getaway.

Kilauea Point Light House

 Here are five things that you will want to experience when you travel to Kauai:

1) Take a Drive Along the North Shore – Everyone who visits Kauai needs  to take the drive along Kauai’s North Shore. 

Hanalei Valley

There are many beautiful locations along the way where one can stop and enjoy the view: Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Secret Breach, ‘Anini beach, Princeville, the Hanalei Valley, Lumaha’i Beach and Tunnels Beach. 

Lumaha'l Beach where South Pacific was filmed

2) Take a Helicopter Ride – Kauai has such diverse terrain that it impossible to drive to over 80% of the island. Take a helicopter ride and see some of Kauai’s spectacular canyons, waterfalls, mountains, valleys and secluded beaches.

Coast near Tunnels Beach

3) Take a boat ride to see the  Napali Coast – experience the breath-taking scenery of Kauai   by travelling along the coast to view areas which are not assessable by car. Take some time out to go scuba diving or snorkelling or just enjoy the water. 

Rugged mountains along Napali Coast

4) Drive up to Waimea Canyon or Koke’e State Park –Located in the western part of Kauai ,this drive  has a number of viewpoints along the way and the scenery is amazing. The Waimea Canyon is breath-taking with its different colours of deep reds, browns, and greens. 

Waimea Canyon

There are two roads that make their way up the canyon. Waimea Canyon Road starts from the town of Waimea and Koke’e Road starts from the town of Kekaha. 

Viewpoint along the road

5) Visit the South Shore, the sunniest part of the island – I always like to stay at Poipu simply because there is more sunshine there than any other part of the island.

View of Shipwreck Beach from Hyatt Kauai

It includes some excellent hotels including the Grand Hyatt Kauai, numerous resorts and condominium resorts, and some of the world’s most beautiful beaches with breath-taking sunsets and lovely sunny days.

Grand Hyatt Kauai

Take time to visit the Kukui’ula Village Shopping Center which has many shops, galleries, and great restaurants.

Beautiful Kauai Sunset

All photos courtesy of Muriel MacRae

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Muriel MacRae is a wedding planner, a design consultant and event choreographer, and a destination wedding coordinator with Creative Weddings and Occasions and the owner of a boutique travel agency called Del Sol Travel.  She is a certified wedding planner and destination wedding coordinator through the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada. Getting to know and understand her clients is critical in helping turn their ideas and vision into a unique and memorable masterpiece when creating their customized vacation. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans weddings, destination weddings, and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca
 or phone 403-477-0643.

Discover a Hawaiian Paradise

Experience the Hawaiian Islands as few have on a Royal Caribbean Cruise vacation. Depart from Vancouver, British Columbia on September 17, 2010, and experience four carefree days at sea.. dancing, dining, enjoying a heavenly massage, and being pampered.

Visit the “four major islands” – the Big Island, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu on a 12 - night Hawaii Cruise. Treat yourself to Hawaii’s welcoming climate, spectacular scenery, and miles of sandy beaches and clear blue waters. Enjoy this tropical paradise of cascading waterfalls, magical mountains, and witness Kilauea Volcano’s fiery drama on an evening cruise!

The islands are calling. Answer aloha’ae, yes, as you sail from Vancouver to Honolulu one way on the beautiful Rhapsody of the Seas. Come share the Aloha spirit of this unique, fun, and culturally diverse vacation destination. Air transportation from Honolulu is not included.

Sailing Itinerary (subject to change)

Day 1 Depart Vancouver

Day 2- 6 At sea

Day 7 Hilo, Hawaii

Day 8 Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Day 9 Lahaina, Maui

Day 10 Lahaina, Maui

Day 11 Nawiliwili, Kauai

Day 12 Arrive in Honolulu, Oahu

Rates (based on per person, double occupancy)

Interior cabin from $1369 Outside cabin from $1589
Balcony cabin from $2729

Prices are in Canadian dollars.
Government taxes and fees are additional.

Don't be disappointed, be sure to book this cruise early as the same itinerary has sold out quickly in past years. For more information call toll free 1-866-653-4055 or e-mail travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca.

Escape to your dream vacation!