For my honeymoon, I wanted to make sure that my wife and I would have to think as little as possible so we could enjoy every moment to the fullest. I'm an experienced traveler and had never used a travel agent before but planning a trip was just not possible while planning the wedding.
I knew that we wanted to go to Tahiti but didn't know where to start. I found Susanne's name in Travel and Leisure magazine and contacted her immediately. From the first call I knew I was in good hands. She was extremely knowledgeable, had great advice and made the process of planning enjoyable.
Once we landed in Tahiti, we were taken care of every step of the way. We never got a chance to wonder, "where do we go now," because there was always a smiling face escorting us to where we needed to be. Her suggestions were amazing and we got to experience some hidden gems we wouldn't have known about otherwise.
All in all my experience was way better than expected and I look forward to planning another dream vacation with Susanne in the future.
Author: Erik and Chanthou L. in Huntington Beach, CA
Honeymoon Travel Agent: Susanne Hamer; Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email contact: Susanne.H@travelstoreusa.com
I recently returned from a quick but beautiful Hawaiian getaway visiting the new creation of hotelier Ian Schrager, The Waikiki EDITION, which I would consider a fabulous choice for lovebirds seeking the beautiful Hawaiian Island of Oahu for their Honeymoon or Destination Wedding.
The hotel, which many may know as the former Ilikai complex, is not right on the beach, however conveniently located within walking distance to Waikiki Beach and the shopping district.
The friendly hotel staff welcomes you before you even enter the property. You will be stunned when entering the lobby where you’ll find a extraordinary piece of art by Herbie Fletcher right behind the reception desk - made out of broken-in-action surfboards.
At night an "open-sesame-style" floor to ceiling bookcase opens up to an otherwise non visible lounge hidden behind it. Surrounded by unique art & style the hotel offers a beautiful spa, a gym, one main swimming pool with a beach bar as well as a "splash pool" lagoon called the sunset pool, on an upper outdoor level surrounded by sand with its own beach bar.
The 353 rooms and suites are all beautifully designed and decorated in cream and white colors with either a king or two double beds. The king bedded rooms have a lanai, the rooms with two doubles do not. Most rooms have a shower only, some also have a separate tub. WiFi internet is provided throughout the hotel. Complimentary coffee service provided on pool level in the morning for the perfect start of day.....
Honeymooners would particularly enjoy the beauty of the spacious one bedroom suites with a relaxing beach house feel, large terrace and gorgeous views; many would call it pure "lifestyle".
The Waikiki EDITION also features famous chef Masahuru Morimoto's restaurant, many may know him from the TV show "Iron Chef".
For the perfect island destination wedding the hotel has a 9,200 square foot ballroom which can be divided in three separate rooms. For those seeking the beauty of an open air ceremony and celebration, the perfect place would be the Sunset Suite, their hospitality suite, with a large outdoor terrace holding about 120 people comfortably. This space can also be used if the ceremony should take place at the upper pool deck in the sand or even on a customized platform above the water, whatever your heart desires.... the wedding attendees could comfortably move over to the hospitality suite afterwards to celebrate.
Probably the most spectacular choice for a smaller Destination Wedding would be the Penthouse Suite - 1,500 square feet with a 1,400 sf wrap around terrace, which caters to a perfect small wedding and reception. The view is simply spectacular.
The onsite Destination Wedding & Event Planner assured me that anything is possible. Even though they offer a few set wedding packages, everything can be customized and every bride & groom’s wishes will be fulfilled to make their dream come true.....!
Author: Kyra Heede, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email: Kyra.h@travelstoreusa.com
I don’t know if I’ll ever get to see and experience the Falaknuma Palace again! What a dream come true. I felt like the Princess of Hyderabad for a couple of days. The feeling of exclusivity is incredible.
The palace overlooks the city of Hyderabad, offering incredible views and sounds. Hyderabad’s Muslim influence is very strong and you can hear the call to prayer regularly. It is not as strong as it can be in Istanbul, but more subtle.
This historical Taj Palace is a destination on its own. What makes it unique and so interesting is the extreme restoration work that took place to bring this palace back to life. For example, upon arrival, a 100-year old carriage takes you up to the main palace building. The art work is phenomenal; the library is a replica of the one at Windsor Castle and home of some of the rarest manuscripts. The Taj group was leased this property by the Royal Family of Hyderabad and now offers to their guests the opportunity to experience the NIZAM’s hospitality. Its history is rich and complicated, full of drama and colors that makes it even more attractive and hypnotizing. The Palace is built in the shape of the Scorpio, the zodiac sign of its commissioner Sir Nawab Vikar-Ul Umra. Although equipped with all modern amenities, the Palace is also a living museum.
The property is huge! It is set on 32-acres of land. 60 spacious rooms and suites on property, each one is different, to fit the unlimited and ultimate expectations of its guests. Bathrooms are super large, separate showers, bathtub, 2 sinks, and 2 closet areas, one for the man and one for the woman. The JIVA spa is fantastic, the pool is great. Restaurants are so luxurious (Versace plates) and food is excellent.
Banyan Tours organized for us to visit the Chowmahalla Palace, and an old-fashioned textile factory where natural dyes and natural fabrics are used to create hand-made linens and clothes. Women are still hand-weaving everything. Some outfits (like a wedding costume for example) can take over a year to be finished and can cost over $50,000. What a labor! This visit was the highlights of my stay in Hyderabad.
Other attractions in Hyderabad are the Golconda Fort, the Mecca Masjid and the Charminar. The old city is perfect for bangles and spices shopping as well. Some of us also bought precious pearls and jewelry.
While in Hyderabad we also visited the Taj KRISHNA Hotel, located in the business district of Hyderabad, and which used to be an Oberoi property. It is also a very nice luxury property, large rooms, and a useful club floor.
Conclusion:
As a travel professional, I am coming back home having known the most perfect service I’ve ever experienced in my life. The strict British influence mixed with the kindness and humble attention of the India natives is unique and unbeatable. Add this to a magic environment of Palaces, Maharadjas, gold & spices and you’ve got a super recipe for luxury travel.
One doesn’t travel all the way to India to lie down on a beach and enjoy some Farniente. India is a country rich in culture and history. Its people, gastronomy, sceneries are what makes this country so unique. Often natives have asked me to look at India with an “open mind”. It is so true.
So forget about your habits, your materialist life, and completely allow yourself to “disconnect”. Isn’t it what a vacation really is about? India can really do that for you – take you away from it all, and bring you back regenerated, relaxed, your body and mind full of wonderful memories to share.
Author: Florence Brethome, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email: Florence.B@travelstoreusa.com
My husband and I just returned from our trip to Kauai. We were looking for a quiet romantic place in the Poipu area to celebrate our Anniversary.
Our Travel Agent, Kathy recommended the Koa Kea resort on Poipu beach.
This wonderful boutique hotel is all about service! We enjoyed buffet breakfast in the open air restaurant, (which was included courtesy of our agent).
In the evenings, we enjoyed wonderful food and music. The suns
ets were the best I have seen in Kauai. The spa is lovely, the staff friendly and eager to assist with anything you need. The guest rooms are beautiful and spacious. The property is horseshoe shaped, with only 121 rooms. We had a garden view room on the ground floor, just steps away from the black bottom salt water pool. The beach/ocean just steps away.
Snorkeling is on our top things to do list, and the onsite water sport team was ready to assist with all rental equipment and water sport.
We will return again and again.
Tom and Charlene, Grass Valley, Ca.
Agent: Kathleen Schultz, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email: Kathleen.s@travelstoreusa.com
In late September, my son got married to a beautiful young lady from Palermo, Sicily. It was an ideal spot for a wedding or honeymoon. We spent the first two days in the City of Palermo, had the civil ceremony outside in a park (the couple sits for the ceremony). The reception was held in a Villa in the country. It felt like we were in a movie.
The highlight for me was taking the one hour train ride out of the big city, to Cefalu. We spent three nights there, getting to know our new daughter in law’s family, and spending time with our son.
The small town of Cefalù on Sicily‘s northern coast may not have the glitz and glamour of the island’s top resort, Taormina, but it has bucketfuls of atmosphere, charm – and sand!
The town has featured in several Italian films, including the Oscar-winning Cinema Paradiso, and it’s easy to see why.
Its setting is spectacular. The ancient fishing port, dominated by its magnificent Norman cathedral, huddles below the mighty Rocca, a huge limestone crag from whose summit you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views stretching as far as Palermo, some 50 miles to the west.
The beautiful, crescent-shaped beach offers safe, warm swimming in the Tyrrhenian Sea well into October or November. The beach is fringed by wooded mountains, and just a few miles inland lies the wonderful Madonie natural park, incorporating historic villages, abundant wildlife and some of the highest mountains in Sicily.
If you want to travel to a part of Italy that is less crowded, let me help you plan the perfect honeymoon in Sicily.
Author: Rebecca Gardner, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email: Rebecca.g@travelstoreusa.com
Panama was great! Great weather (even if their rainy season goes from May to December it is a lot less hot and humid than in Mexico), great food (rich seafood, succulent coffee, safe drinkable water! and superb vegetables & fruits), rich history, super nice people (melting pot of Americans, Europeans Chinese and Indians) and fabulous unspoiled nature! It was all I could wish for and more.
With non-stop flights from LAX to Panama City (6 ½ hours), this destination can definitely be considered as an easy getaway for your clients, comparable to Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
I spent 4 nights there, participating in a fam put together by Travel Marketing Solutions, representing 2 properties in Panama, one by the Pacific ocean and one in the Highlands, for a perfect combination:
Cala Mia Hotel: http://www.boutiquehotelcalamia.com/
Panamonte Inn (part of Small Luxury):http://www.panamonte.com/
They are located in the Chiriqui region of Panama, about 40 minutes away by plane from Panama City, on the Pacific ocean side of the country.
In Panama City, we also visited a small boutique hotel called Canal House, located in the old town. 3 bedrooms only, personalized service. Daniel Craig (aka James Bond) stayed at this property for 2 months while shooting Quantum of Solace. http://www.canalhousepanama.com
Our land arrangements were taken care of by Panama Trails. They did a super job. http://www.panamatrails.com/
Boutique Hotel Cala Mia is on Isla Boca Brava, and surrounded by numerous islands, perfect playground for snorkeling, diving, fishing, and more. How to 
get there is what matters (a knowledgeable travel agent is recommended!) but once you arrived it is fantastic. Each of their 10 thatched-roof bungalows are located within 40 feet from the ocean. None have either A/C, phone or TV which some of our clients can miss. Some of the units are set for families as 2 bungalows are interconnected to become a 2-bedrooms/2-bathrooms private home. One also has an outdoor full kitchen.
A family from the California Central Coast was there at the same time, a couple with their 3 young kids. It was their 2nd stay at this property and they were extremely happy about their vacation.
The food served at their restaurant was really good (Vittoria and Max the owners (respectively Italian and Dutch) who also lives on the island told us it was a paradise for lobsters which is what we had for dinner).
Cala Mia also offers a Spa and several hiking trails where you can meet exotic birds and monkeys.
Although close to the water, there are quite a bit of bugs at night. It is not a problem in the bungalow if you keep your indoor lights off.
Bungalow # 5: Honeymooners.
Cala Mia is a GREEN HOTEL. Electricity is operated with solar panels.
Just a few white sand beaches on the Pacific Coast, most would have a dark/volcanic color. But still the snorkeling is great as the water is really clear.
Panamonte Inn is located in Boquete, cute little town in the highlands of Panama, about 2 hours from Cala Mia (by boat and car transfer) or 40 minutes from David airport. Boquete enjoys a great micro climate and temperatures are always mild, comparable to what we have here in LA. It is a mountain climate, so rain is to be expected in the afternoon.
What a precious property! The combination of a turn of the century charm with newly renovated bedrooms (king beds, flat screen TV’s, WiFi around property, large bathrooms, you name it) is brought up to perfection. And what makes this property even more special are the owners, Inga Collins and her son Charlie Collins. Please read about them their life story – it is so unique.
In a couple of words – Inga was born in Panama from Swedish parents (her father was a sailor). She passed on her love of cooking to her son Charlie who is nowadays the assigned chef for the President(s) of Panama. He cooked for celebrities such as George W and George Bush, Sean Connery, etc.
www.chefcharliecollins.com
Charlie and Inga love to meet with their guests and share stories. It is possible to arrange lunch with Inga for your clients, and/or private cooking classes with Charlie. We did experience a cooking class at Charlie’s home, it was great.
Obviously the restaurant at Panamonte offers superb cuisine (I strongly recommend the trout).
The playground around Boquete is amazing: bird watching hikes, treks through the rainforest in the Baru Volcano national park, water rafting, golf (yes there is a golf course), canopy rides, coffee tours (we learned so much about coffee! I’ll never drink coffee the same way again!). And at the end of a busy day you can relax at the Panamonte Inn Spa and enjoy one of its fireplaces.
Canal House is located in the old town of Panama City, undergoing a complete restoration. It is becoming a very charming part of town, full of restaurants and little boutiques to shop at. It’s a much more attractive location than downtown (where the Intercontinental, Sheraton, Crowne Plaze hotels are). The Canal House is the first “hotel like” property to open in this area – more to come.
At the Canal House, 3 bedrooms only, all on top of each other as the building is very narrow. The last unit (Master Suite) is the one you want to book for your clients as there’s a large terrace offering great views. You can reserve the whole property for a group or family for the very reasonable price of $800 per night. There’s a housekeeper on stuff, and a manager.
Breakfast is served in the dining room in the morning. A small kitchen is available for cooking or private catering. A cozy separate living room area is also great to watch TV, read a book, or sip on a cocktail.
I believe Panama has the great potential to become a popular destination for the American clientele, looking for a yet unspoiled and quite authentic destination. We only visited the Chiriqui region, but Panama has a lot more to offer! I can’t wait to check out the Caribbean side of the country - the region of Bocas Del Toro and the beautiful San Blas Archipelago.
Panama Trails can also take you to the Southernmost region of Panama named Darien, where you get to meet with the local Indian tribes, and share a lunch with them for example.
I still have a lot to discover about this country and I look forward to go back there soon.
You can send your 4-star clients to Panama, not the 5-star ones. Families looking for great educational activities would love it there. Honeymooners looking for an exotic but different destination would be delighted as well.
It is an easy destination to go to, and one that will definitely give you the feeling to “get away from it all”.
Author: Florence Brethome, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email: Florence.b@travelstoreusa.com
There is nothing like a glorious and romantic week in the City by the Bay – San Francisco sparkled last week in the beautiful Fall weather! My new favorite hotel is the Hotel Vitale – another hit by Joie de Vivre Hotels. The Hotel Vitale is directly across the street from the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero and yes, it's worth it to splurge and get the gorgeous Bay View rooms! A wonderful feature of the hotel is that they have 3 different roof top spaces which is really fantastic. You can go over to the Ferry Building, pick up some cheese from Cowgirl Creamer along with some wine and bread and hang out on the roof top and watch all the activity below! Vitale has a nice little Spa on the top floor as well. Their Signature Treatment is massage followed by a nice bath in the deep soaking tubs in the rooftop bamboo garden – a unique treat in the City!
The restaurant at Vitale is called Americano’s and it's definitely a hot spot! The bar is on the corner of the hotel and has great views of the water and the Bay Bridge and there is a great outdoor patio, so weather permitting it is a great space to dine and drink! The food is very good and creative. They use the freshest ingredients from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market - California cuisine meets Italian rustic!
The location is great as the San Francisco historic Streetcars stop right in front of the hotel. In one direction, they will take you to Fisherman's Wharf and in the other direction they will take you to AT&T Park to see the Giants play! You are also pretty much at the foot of Market Street, a terrific stroll through the Financial District and on up to Union Square.
One of my favorite walks in San Francisco is the Filbert Steps. Fair warning, this is not for the faint at heart, you definitely need to be in decent of shape to undertake this walk, but the sights along the way are spectacular. The steps rise in 3 sections from Sansome Street (near the Levi Plaza) up to Coit Tower. Not only do you have the views of San Francisco and the Bay, but there are some really pretty gardens to enjoy along the way as well. And of course the best part of the walk is that you end up at Coit Tower in North Beach, my favorite neighborhood.
There are so many wonderful spots to eat in North Beach: Mario’s for a Foccacia sandwich, Vicoletto’s which has the best Moz/Arugula/Tomato salad ever, Café Macaroni – yum, and the countless cafes with all the Italian pastries.
Not far from the Vitale, just South of Market is the Museum of Modern Art which is right across the street from the Yerba Buena Gardens, a great spot to spend some time strolling through. On the other side of Yerba Buena Gardens is the Jewish Museum and St. Patrick’s Church, in which all the marble is from Ireland.
Of course a must when in the City of San Francisco is to get out on the water. Seeing the City, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge and all the sights from an aquatic viewpoint is SO beautiful. This is actually easy to do as just across the street from the Vitale you can catch the Ferry over to Tiburon which is a great little town with restaurants and shopping and beautiful views of the Bay and San Francisco.
Another stop on the Ferry ride could be Sausalito, a charming hillside community which also boasts spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the City.
Perfect for a romantic getaway.....!!
Author: Maggie Condon; Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email: Maggie.c@travelstoreusa.com
Romance so close, but so far away, in your own secluded bungalow on a luxury island hideaway resort - Little Palm Island Resort and Spa is paradise just off the Florida Keys. It is just a short flight from Miami and no passport is needed. This resort is perfect to trade daily distractions and let your body and soul wander in a tropical gardens surrounded by Jamaican palms, dense foliage, tropical breezes, white sand beaches and smoldering sunsets. Make it a peaceful retreat or take part in water sports such as kayaking, windsurfing, fishing and snorkeling. Imagine exchanging vows in the peace and tranquility of a Zen Garden under a floral palapa gazebo, just like my clients....
The resort was fantastic and our secluded bungalow exceeded our expectations. Within hours of our arrival the staff knew us both by name and they made me feel like a fairy tale princess. Little Palm Island Resort was all the luxury we could have asked for.
Our wedding ceremony took place in their Zen Garden under a floral palapa gazebo surrounded by our guests. 
Since the resort took care of all of the details of the wedding ceremony, it was so nice to relax in the tropical garden and it felt like a peaceful retreat to both of us. On the days we were not relaxing at the spa, we took advantage of the all the water sports that were offered and I learned how to windsurf and did kayaking for the first time.
Christopher & Michelle G. from Reno, NV
Agent: Jeanine Arnsdorf, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email: Jeanine.A@travelstoreusa.com
Croatia is, at least to me, the Mediterranean country with the most upcoming potential for Honeymooners. Croatia has over 1100 islands and only 66 of them are inhabited! The country boasts some of the cleanest beaches in the Mediterranean, has 8 national parks, numerous UNESCO sites, and an amazing history & gastronomy.
I recently returned from a visit to Dubrovnik and the surrounding areas and just fell in love with the destination.
With more than 1000 years of history (and boy, what an eventful history!), Dubrovnik is primarily a cultural destination, but surrounded by the most amazing beaches and water which also make it a fantastic vacation spot!
What is there to do you may ask? Walk the walls, visit the museums, cathedrals, churches, and numerous art galleries of the city, try the local gastronomy (very healthy with lots of seafood and great chocolates) while enjoying the local folklore. Taking an excursion to the nearby towns of Cavtat, Mlini and Konavle is a great way to spend a day, or you could visit the nearby islands of Lokrum (where legend has it that Richard the Lionheart found shelter on the way back from the crusades in Palestine) or Korcula (the birth place of Marco Polo) for some snorkeling, fishing or diving.
While on my trip, I visited about 15 to 20 different properties, some of them just wonderful, worth a stay of several nights. I really like to make sure a get a good feel for the various accommodation options so that I am sure to direct my clients to the perfect property for them.
In my opinion, the 2 best hotels in Dubrovnik are the Hilton Imperial and Villa Argentina, with the latter being my personal favorite. Both properties are located within walking distance from Old Town. There are, however, several other great hotels in the city. Some other I favor would be the Pucic Palace, the Lapad hotel and the Kazbek villa.
If you've ever considered a honeymoon or any vacation to Croatia, don’t hesitate to contact me for more exciting details about visiting this great European country!
Author: Florence Brethome, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email: Florence.b@travelstoreusa.com
