Top 10 newsworthy items about honeymoon travel…

There are a lot of changes in the travel industry, to be sure.  With that in mind, it is my earnest belief that in order to best represent the Brides who come to me for assistance with honeymoon travel, that I need to be the most informed person with whom they can visit – that keeps me vested in knowing what’s going on in the news.  For example, I am able to share with new brides:

1. 1. The top ten best honeymoon destinations.
2. 2. Which beautiful West Virginia resort couples have honeymooned at since 1913.
3. That Starting November 4, 2010, Emirates will increase service between Dubai and Seychelles – a 16% increase per week, designed to meet the needs of honeymoon travelers  
4. That Dubai offers history, desert, beachfront, rooftop botanical gardens, waterparks and camel rides.
5. The travel industry as a whole is picking up according to the U.S. Travel Association. Travel spending is growing at a rate of  6.2 percent this year, a big improvement from shrinkage of 8.8 percent last year. Growth is expected to continue at about 6 percent annually for the next three years.

6. 

   Add philanthropic volunteerism to your honeymoon…

   Honeymoon registries are getting more popular by the day; a honeymoon registery is the perfect way for your friends and family to “gift” your way to the perfect destination honeymoon.  

7. How to go on a three-week honeymoon with only carry-on bags – to get around all the extra luggage and transport fees!
8. A number of hotel chains are offering “recession busting” wedding packages – many of which include the gown, tux, room and reception, with cake, for up to 20 people.
9. There is an increasing interest in combining the wedding, the honeymoon, and the perfect travel adventure – one extended event!
10. I am passionate about the work I do as a Destination Weddings and Honeymoons Specialist – when planning travel for a wedding or honeymoon, brides shouldn’t leave anything to chance. 

Destination weddings are a popular new trend and not something often done without assistance, especially if the couple plan to extend the event to their guest list… the Internet services just don’t seem to have a good grasp on getting quotes and details for groups.

Romantic destinations, with stellar customer service

In addition to the changes in the travel industry, and my certification as a Destinations Weddings and Honeymoons Specialist, I work to visit – as much as is possible – the destinations my brides want to visit, to build the relationships necessary to ensure the couple gets the service they expect and deserve.  It is the extra relationships I am able to create at these destinations that allow me to book a wedding there and to make sure the couple and their guests get stellar customer service.

Remember, the complimentary Every Bride’s Guide to Honeymoon Travel is available for download through October 31, 2010.  Get your copy or download as a gift for a friend.  If you just want to see what kind of Destination Weddings and Honeymoons services are available to you, visit the Honeymoon and Wedding Resources section of Vital Enterprises, LLC.

Vital Enterprises, LLC

I am really excited and spending a lot of hours preparing for the tour of Greece I am scheduling for May, 2011 and finding a lot of interesting facts and information that I am eager to share! 

One of the ideas that sparked a good friend’s desire join a tour of Greece was a conversation she had with a student who had traveled around Europe after graduation with a study group.  He shared about how the group had hit all the key monuments and learned about the history of each place they stopped.  The way his story unraveled was that they traveled in Vienna, studying Freud and the Swiss Alps, learning about Nietzsche.  While in St. Petersburg, they read Crime and Punishment, and wrapped their minds around Homer while in Troy!  Her sharing that converation made me think about what it would be like, traveling through a variety of countries and coming face to face with your own philosophical questions about the historical sites you visit.  She also made me think about the amazing history of Greece – how much of the culture that we embrace today had its beginning in this great country?

I had to stop for a moment and think about the possibility of an avid runner taking this tour… what a joy for them to be outside the gate of the historic Olympia track at the break of dawn, running at pitch speed through the ancient gate arch or running barefoot past the temples of Zeus or Hera?  Would that runner’s knowledge of Greek history enhance the joy of these historic sites?

I also had to assure myself that Greece is a place that is of interest to people who are more cautious with their budgets in this troubled economy.  My heart was lightened as I read a recent post in Travel Israel  that August reflected a record number in travel – with Greece having replaced Turkey as a popular destination – especially for Israelis who represented a 75% increase to this Mediterranean country.  The Global Times  also noted that increased bookings to Greece have stemmed from the increase in hotel rates in China – shifting the travel plans for Shanghai tourists to the Mediterranean, as well.

Ok.  I am confident I made the right choice for this tour of Greece!  I am excited about the possibility of your joining me.  I would love to have your feedback – please take a moment and leave a comment – - letting me know what would be YOUR most favorite spot to visit… and why!  It is those whys that compel us in life.

The idea behind your honeymoon travel plans is to create the greatest possible element of romance.  The most exciting prospect is that you get to plan things exactly the way you want for you and your spouse!  The magic is in what is unique to the two of you and that you are limited only by your imagination.

There are certain “classics” such as candlelit dinners, baths for two, love poems and shared massages, but you will want to take some time to think about what the two of you actually consider romantic.   Only you will understand the unique aspects of your relationship and what the two of you would find special and memorable because it is the memories you create that are most meaningful.  A great place to start is by answering the following questions:

• What activities bring you closer to your partner?
• What ambiance helps you relax and connect?
• What sort of surprises will create  lasting memories?
• What fantasies would you  like to make happen?
• What kind of  passionate present would  your fiancé love?

There is absolutely no need to engage in something that would bore both of you – just to say you engaged in the stereotypical honeymoon activities.  It is perfect to be original and put your own personalities into those activities.  It is also a great time to discuss what romance is to each of you – and if there are some differences, now is the time to know and to combine them to create what is ideal for both of you.  It is quite often the smallest of actions that show the depth of your love and have a more lasting impact than something the industry says is essential.

You might also want to consider reading up on different affordable romantic ideas to show your passionate side to your spouse – perhaps with a romantic bath or even how you will spice up your honeymoon with appealing lingerie.  Make sure your hotel room is as romantic as possible and take time to put together a collection of little notes, gifts and other activities you know will surprise and delight your spouse

I want to leave you with three fun honeymoon ideas that will positively impact your travel and make the event fun and memorable.

1. Make sure you set aside time to share your dreams about the future.  You have probably spent the better part of the year planning for the wedding and have probably developed pretty good communication skills.  Keep in mind it is not intended to be so serious it creates stress… it is just a sharing of those dreams that will keep you together forever.
2. Lean into the excitement and adventure of the events you plan.  Exploring, hiking, seeing the sunrise together… whatever is appealing to both of you and will create wonderful memories.   One thought to keep in mind is that each activity has the possibility of being represented in one of your photographs!
3. [caption id="attachment_785" align="alignright" width="125" caption="Creative, fun and intimate..."][/caption]

   There are an infinite number of ways to create a memorable honeymoon – the list could go on and on, but to leave you with just one more for this particular post – take time before you leave and grab some nice note cards and write our 100 reasons why you love your spouse… be witty, funny, intimate, and original – then share them throughout your honeymoon travel.

I hope this has your little mind whirling – - what can we do, where can we go, how can we make it the most romantic travel ever?  If you need assistance with any of this, remember, I am your Destination Weddings and Honeymoons Specialist.   You can visit my Honeymoon Resources page or just call me for a quick conversation about HOW I do WHAT I do!

I love what I do!  Being a Destination Weddings and Honeymoons Specialist allows me to help make a couple’s wedding and honeymoon one of those occasions they remenber… for a myriad of wonderful reasons!  I have always loved to travel; feel it is a vital essential in life, but is, unfortunately, not enjoyed by many people because they don’t know what is affordably available to them. 

Choosing the right honeymoon destination is important to any couple… the budget has to be just right, the activities must be something that appeal to both partners, and the romance has to be built into the travel plans.  This means that either the bride and groom have to put a lot of time and effort into planning their honeymoon travel – or engage the services of a professional who specializes in that very thing.

Often, the honeymoon destination is chosen based on what has been trendy and heavily marketed; however, this changes with some frequency and yesterday’s news is not necessarily today’s reality.  A specialist will be knowledgeable about these changing trends and tapped into the travel industry resources… guiding a couple with information such as the fact that Jamaica has exciting nightlife where Italy is for the chic and sophisticated.  For the couple who doesn’t want “trendy” the specialist will also be in the know about unique and unusual cruise, tour and travel packages that might be equally appealing.  There is no honeymoon standard that says you and your mate can’t go on a cruise to Alaska… a safari in Kenya… or even exploring the pyramids in Egypt!

The choices really are endless and the joy you put into the planning and into your actual honeymoon travel time should be endless as well.  I would love to help you discover WHICH of the many possibilities is the right one to start your new life together.  You can see a little bit about how I do this by visiting the Honeymoon and Wedding Resources page on my website.  Remember, I love what I do… and as a new bride – you get to take advantage of that!

Jan Vitale… creating beautiful wedding and honeymoon memories – one bride at a time.

Vital Enterprises, LLC

What is YOUR passion?

Have you ever really stopped to think about WHY you want to travel to a particular place?  Did you see a picture that just caught your breath?  Did a friend come back from a vacation and make you feel literally compelled to have the same wonderful experience?  Did you read a book as a child and have never been able to still the curiousity? 

I have a really good friend who has a rather unique combination of reasons for wanting to visit Greece.   I thought I would share those with you, since the Tour I am planning for May, 2011 is to Greece.  My friend loves people, and whether from books, movies or music, she has a picture of what the people in Greece are like, and she wants to experience that!  She feels they are open, and loving and embrace life with the utmost of passion – how else will she know for sure, unless she goes there and mingles with them? 

She also loves music and from everything she has heard of the music, the Greeks like their lively, passionate and full-of-life.  History tells us that the music of Greece was inseparable from its poetry and dancing – causing one to conjur up visions of powerful scenes from Zorba the Greek. 

A touch of history…

Very few countries in the world offer a history more interesting than Greece – a history that left touches of the British and the Turks… the Crusaders and the Venetians.  Ancient ruins tell many stories and those who come to visit find the cities, the architecture, the beaches… each casting powerful spells on visitors who may come looking for the Temple of Apollo in Bassai, or the Archaeological Museum in Delos. Delphi draws those who want to experience the Sanctuary of Apollo Theatre, while Epano Egnlianos promises the treat of the Palace of Nestor. Freedom Square is located in Kos and the Acropolis in Lindos… just two of a myriad of historical locations that bring many visitors to Greece.

The beaches – the beautiful beaches…

Skiathos is one of the more popular beaches in Greece – often seen amazingly packed with sun seekers and world travelers.  Skiathos makes claim to over 65 beaches, even though many of them are not even large enough to realistically qualify as a beach.  Many of the beaches offer fine golden sand, clear water and a character of their own – a few of which include nudist priveleges!

If you are looking for something with a little more local charm, the beach of choice would probably be Skopelos.  Unfortunately, that quiet charm is given in exchange for less tourists, beaches, restaurants, activities, etc.

There, you have it!   Three reasons to visit Greece… what are yours?   I would love to see those reasons shared in my comments section.   And, if Greece is the country you would like to visit – check in often for more tidbits, trivia and beautiful pictures.