Honeymoons

Your Honeymoon Travel Agent Florence just returned from El Calafate, which is located just a 2 to 3-hour flight from Buenos Aires, Argentina. People come here to get close with the famous Perito Moreno and the Upsala glaciers. Perfect for the adventurous type of Honeymoon.

We stopped there after Bariloche, taking a 1 ½ hour magic flight along the Andes. Get seats on the right-end side! You’ll be thankful forever as the views on the snowed peaks are breathtaking.

Landing in El Calafate airport makes you feel like if you were landing on the moon. There’s nothing around, just immensity of desert landscapes, with just a huge turquoise-blue lake in the middle of it: Lake Argentina.

The town of El Calafate lies on the side of the lake. All the action takes place between the town, and the end of the lake, at the feet of the glaciers.

The airport is located approx. ½ hour from town. Exiting the city, we first stopped at the newly-built/open Glaciarium museum. A must! We all thought the visit was so instructive, and allowed us to understand what we saw afterwards (glaciers, etc.) much better.

Another 20-minute later, set in the middle of nowhere (nowhere being La Anita valley, we arrived at EOLO LODGE, a beautiful Relais & Chateaux property, perfect for luxury travel.

Eolo is now the ONLY true luxury property located in El Calafate. 17 units only, and just 3 different categories – Superior (12), Premium (3) and Corner suites (2). The only difference: the view. Also, the corner suites have a double full-walled window, offering a 180 degree view of the valley and the mountain range. Rooms are pretty spacious (about 500 sq. feet) and bathrooms are great.

The property has a U shape evoking a private estancia, and all walls are floor to ceiling windows letting light come in dramatically (we arrived at sunset, the views were breathtaking especially from the Library area) and offering the most amazing views of the Lago Argentino, La Anita Valley, Torres Del Paine and the Rico Branch. The place is wonderfully comfortable, perfect for romance and relaxation at the end of a busy day of hiking, horseback riding, or sailing. Whatever outdoor activities you’ve been up to, there’s a great pool area waiting for you, with sauna. The manager team on duty is amazing, looking after your every need. Food was excellent although quite creative and sometimes surprising. Wine cellar is great. Eolo offers a meal plan and immediate surrounding outdoor activities are included (not the glacier activities though).

Eolo is located approximately 30 to 40 minutes drive from the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier, the famous attraction of the area. I am simply in love with it, and could spend hours admiring it from the walkways made of 7 balconies. You get closer and closer, from one balcony to the other, and the next day you can go back and hike on the glacier! It’s an amazing experience.

Facing the glacier, just about 4miles from it, is the HOSTERIA LOS NOTROS, where we spent our 2^nd night in El Calafate. Los Notros is not as luxurious as Eolo, not at all. But for those for whom location and view matter most, this is the place to be. 32 rooms total, but only the premium rooms (7 of them) with floor to ceiling windows facing the glacier are worth it. Beds are comfortable but not luxurious. Sheets are soft but old. In the premium rooms, your king bed faces your huge window overlooking the glacier. You can hear it breaking down from your bed! You can even see it from your bathroom, as a window opens up to the bedroom, above the bed. Imagine this for your Honeymoon!

The lodge offers an all-inclusive plan featuring a meal plan as well as the most important activities to enjoy in the area, such as the glacier hike. Their restaurant is definitely great. The atmosphere is warm and cozy. It is a truly wonderful property as well.

Both Eolo and Los Notros are not opened year round and usually close for their winter.

We participated in a full-day excursion to ESTANCIA CRISTINA. WOW! Talk about a hotel in the middle of nowhere! It took us about 3 hours by boat to get to it, navigating around icebergs.

Estancia Cristina is a lodge as well as a day destination, and you can decide to spend a few days there, feeling like the pioneer Joseph Percival Masters, an Englishman who founded it in 1914 with his wife, having heard wonders about the Patagonian lands. Here again, it is all about the nature: excursions to another glacier are on the program: the Upsala glacier. Trekking, 4X4 excursions, fishing and horseback riding are available (horses are free all day there).

The lodge continues to be and to feel like the shelter that it used to be back in the days. There are 5 lodges, each made of 4 bedrooms, sharing a little living area. Rooms are very simple although very comfortable in a warm, rustic way. The food served at lunch was excellent, and always reflecting the regional cuisine. The common area/lobby/restaurant/library is this fantastic octagonal wooden room boosting a great fireplace, and some rare pictures, books, and maps of the area.

The areas available for the day-comers (like we were) are a large restaurant/cantina, and a fantastic museum. The lodge part of Estancia Cristina is strictly reserved to the overnight guests. Tourists participating in a day-time excursion are gone by usually 5pm. Overnight guests sometimes include famous (or crazy) high-altitude alpinists using Estancia Cristina as one of their stops along an intrepid adventure.

It is extremely important to explain the solitude of this place. Most of us would be just fine at Eolo or Los Notros, feeling isolated enough. Estancia Cristina is another step up. But for the travelers and Honeymooners seeking this experience, it is a fabulous and exclusive place. The Upsala glacier is also a nice complement to the Perito Moreno glacier as they are 2 different kinds. While the Upsala is famous for his extremely fast retreat (we walked on rocks (and fossils) that had been immersed under the glacier up to 2 years ago!), the Perito Moreno is more impressive with his breaking ice.

If you haven’t guessed it, I love El Calafate! It is probably my favorite spot in Argentina. I’d go back there every time I go to this country if I could. The glaciers (that I like to call the Kings of the Andes / Los Reyes de Los Andes) are hypnotizing.

Author: Florence Brethome, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email: Florence.b@travelstoreusa.com

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

BAGHVAN and the PENCH NATIONAL PARK:

From Mumbai, the flight to Nagpur was 85-minute long, and then the drive to the park was 90-minute long. It’s a lot of fun though! Scenes are so typical it is tough to stop taking pictures along the way.

The Pench National Park is where Kipling found the inspiration to write the Jungle Book. Just imagine all the different animals you get to observe!

Baghvan lodge, handled by Taj and &Beyond, was my first Safari experience. I had never stayed in a lodge completely immersed in the wild! The adjustment took a little while to settle with me. My body was so used to our civilized stress (work, traffic, electronic noises) and all of a sudden, I had to make myself aware of the Nature with all that comes with it: noises I had never heard before, silence I had never heard before, the darkness, the heat, the wildlife. How spoiled are we in our big cities to think that no other animals can be stronger than we are. In Baghvan, I had to watch out for wild cats, leopards, gaurs, wild boars, snakes, spiders, and TIGERS. As the lodge in set in the open, any animals can feel like entering the premises at any time, although usually they are more scared of us than anything else.

The lodge is located not even a 5-minute drive from the entrance of the park. It is made of 12 standalone suites that I would really call homes as they are huge, made of a separate indoor and an outdoor bedrooms (you can sleep outside in your own private king size bed!!), outdoor living room area, and a separate bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers. It is important to understand that the indoor and outdoor space is constantly mixed, enhancing the immersion into the wild. . For those looking forward to feel 150% part of the nature, it is an ideal scenario.

What made Baghvan so special and a place I’d go back anytime was the quality of service. The staff was made of a team of men only (no women on property) constantly looking after your every second needs. They are wonderful, make you feel safe, welcome, special and relax. The chef is fantastic. The open kitchen is set as an interactive dynamic area. On property there’s also a pool (where goats, bats and birds come to drink), a massage room, a library and a great safari shop.

A day at Baghvan starts with an early morning wake-up knock at the door around 430AM when your private butler arrives with coffee, tea, and home-made cookies. Your private Jeep and driver/guide from the lodge take you to the entrance of the park, where all jeeps (I saw a maximum of 10 vehicles on a Sunday) wait in line until a Park guide gets assigned to the jeeps (one per jeep). Baghvan guides know them all and get to pick the best ones. Off you go on your Morning Safari ride. Every day in the Pench National Park is carefully organized to respect the privacy of the tigers. Guides do not use radios to call each other so no tourist commotion around tigers ever happen. However, they use elephants to find tigers. Lucky safari goers can find him/her self on the back of an elephant getting really close to tigers!

Everyone’s back at the lodge at about 930AM for breakfast. Lunch is served around 1PM. Late morning and early afternoon are perfect moments to relax, take a nap, enjoy the pool and the surroundings of the lodge, write postcards (not easy to find in India! This country still has so much to do in terms of developing tourism) have a massage or shop in the boutique.

The evening safari takes place around 430PM. The Baghvan vehicles are allowed in the park until dust.

Each evening at Baghvan is a special event. Dinner under the stars, special cooking class, and the team is so creative.

An ideal stay in Baghvan would include minimum 2 nights, depending on the arrival and departure flight times. Once there it is always so hard to leave as there’s so much to see. I did not get to see a tiger on this trip, but didn’t really care as I got to see where these fantastic animals live. However, we had 2 jeeps in my group, and the other one did see a mother tiger with 2 cubs!!! What a reward.

We also visited a small village in the surroundings of the park. This visit was organized by Banyan Tours at the last minute, as the group expressed the desire to visit the locals. A member of the lodge’s crew has his family leaving nearby so our Banyan escort took care of all the arrangements for us.

Author: Florence Brethome, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email:   Florence.B@travelstoreusa.com

I was very fortunate to participate in a magic trip to Dubai and Central India, which consisted of an overnight in Dubai, followed by an intense discovery of Central India, starting with Mumbai, followed by the Pench National Park with most particularly the Baghvan lodge, and ending with Hyderabad to experience the new & buzzing Taj Falaknuma Palace property.

Immediately upon going through customs in Mumbai, the Feel for India stroked me right away. India is a country that imposed itself to its visitors immediately upon arrival. There are people everywhere!! There is not one acre of land free of humans from the airport gate to…. The horizon! It’s hot, humid, colorful, flavorful, everything you’re hoping for.

Then, poverty jumps at you and asks you to learn how to deal with it.

 The majority of the population works, lives, plays and loves in poverty. The wealthier minority either lives in the high-rise downtown buildings or outside of town, braving 2 to 4 hours of traffic each morning and night. Dust, dirt, people sleeping in the streets, wild cows, dogs, cats, and boars running around, more people eating, talking, dancing; these were the scenes I witnessed on my ride to the hotel around 10pm at night. Indians barely sleeps! They work through the hot hours of the day, and enjoy family, friends and neighbors all through the night.

Mumbai is the Los Angeles of India. Bollywood (Mumbai used to be Bombay, therefore Bo-llywood), the India movie industry lies here, amongst a total population of 18-million people ++, they kind of stopped counting. The city is located along the Arabian Sea and its most famous piece of coastline is also called the “queen’s necklace”. The Taj Mahal Palace***** Mumbai is located directly on the sea front, facing the monumental Gateway of India (sunrise and sunset times offer incredible occasions for great photo shots).

Built in 1903 and once called the Maharajas second home, or the Princes playground, this historical property is definitely a destination in itself. You feel in a peaceful heaven spending a few nights there, while experiencing a property were history has been made more than once. All rooms in the main building are quite spacious and very romantically decorated. Many suites are unique in taste, colors and lay-out. The pool is so large that it is surprising to find it in the middle of the city! There are lots of different restaurants to choose from. The full JIVA Spa is not finished and mostly offers spa treatments. The service on property is impeccable.

Like all hotel properties in India, security takes all its importance. Screening is mandatory for everyone entering into any hotels and public buildings.

While in Mumbai, we also visited the Taj Land’s End, another great Taj property with an interesting location for one wanting to be close to the airport. Rooms are more regular hotel rooms, but very spacious and offering great views of the city and the sea.

Did I forget to mention that Mumbai is a city where 50,000 weddings can take place on a same day? While in Mumbai, we probably passed 20 to 30 weddings in a couple of days. How cool would it be to renew your vows while on your honeymoon in India?? Their ceremonies are so colorful, lively, with great music, a type of event only available to experience there.

While in Mumbai, Our land operator BANYAN TOURS had us visiting the city including but not limited to a religious temple, admiring the city-wide laundry and lunch delivery services: you must see these 2 phenomenons with your own eyes to believe them, as the whole city has their laundry and lunches picked up and delivered throughout the day without one lunch or one piece of clothes getting lost! These are memories that’d stick to anyone’s mind more than a museum visit. Also, we had a cooking class in an Indian private home. Did I mention Indian food is amazing, and taste like nothing like what we have here in the US??

Author: Florence Brethome, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email:   Florence.B@travelstoreusa.com

I flew via Emirates Airlines: A perfect choice to fly to this part of the world! With a long first flight taking you all the way to Dubai in comfort and with super service, it only left us with just a short 3-hour flight to India after that – very easy.

Business class is super comfortable and service was impeccable. The ICE video system is great and I was able to send emails for $1. Careful with this! Every time you receive an email you are charged too. The special touches would be the great amenities as well as the extra mattresses distributed and unfolded on your seat. It is not a full-flat bed business class. You still have a small angle, which did not keep me away from sleeping on my belly, so very, very comfortable. I took a peak in first class – WOW. Flying Emirates is definitely a great way to start a honeymoon, traveling to Dubai and even further to India, or Africa, or even the Maldives!

DUBAI!! Certainly a magic city. As a woman, I could not believe my eyes as within the same hour in the same shopping mall, I saw all the different kinds of women one can look at in the whole world. They were all there, in Dubai: blond tall Russian woman, Asian, European, American, and Brazilian; Indian ladies wearing their shiny and beautiful sarees, next to the local feminine crowd wearing the fully black burka. Dubai is definitely a cosmopolitan town, and definitely a paradise for us ladies, when looking for some retail therapy!

Although made of 4 to 5 downtown centers now, Dubai’s main happening area is located around the new tallest building in the world – the Burj Khalifa.

I visited the Armani hotel***** there, as well as the Address hotel*****.

Our hotel, the Taj hotel Dubai****, was located in a more business-oriented area, but very comfortable, offering very, very large rooms and outstanding service.

The Burj Al Arab******, which I purposely give a 6-star rated to because it is such an upscale property, is not in this happening area and about 20-minutes away It is a destination in itself. The Ice-ramp shopping mall is right next to it.

Short hotel comparison: when you can’t afford the Burj Al Arab or have already stayed there and wish to experience something different, or / and wish to be in the middle of the action, then choose the Armani Hotel or the Address. Between the 2, I’d say the Armani hotel is more upscale, although its rooms are very dark and modern, so not for everyone. The Address hotel offers balconies overlooking the action, and that’s a great plus. Its rooms are spacious and brighter, with great, steamy bathrooms.

Activities in Dubai are very important to plan ahead of time as it can be quite confusing and complicated to get around on your own. For example, you must be provided with tickets to visit Burj Khalifa ahead of time, or else its visit can be sold out for days. Restaurants would also require early reservations. A very interesting idea of tour in Dubai would be the Architecture, past, present and future.

Author: Florence Brethome, Honeymoon & Destination Specialist
Email:   Florence.B@travelstoreusa.com  

Hi Susanne,

Eva and I just wanted to say how awesome the trip [to Hong Kong, Bali & Thailand] was and to thank you SOOOOOOOO MUCH for everything you did for us. We truly had a vacation of a lifetime, one that we will always remember.
By the way, Eva said "YES". THANK GOD, or the rest of the trip would have been a bit awkward.  It was funny, the day I proposed there was a crazy freak storm so we had to eat in the restaurant. The restaurant set aside a small section for Eva and I but people kept walking through it. Almost every plate had nuts even though we kept repeating the fact that Eva’s highly allergic, and before dessert there was a plate of several different types of cheeses which would be great but Eva’s also lactose intolerant (more for me right). At some point the family across from us along with the staff began singing the Happy Birthday song, Eva just looked at me and chuckled saying “it’s not going as you planned huh”. We just joked around about the whole thing though. I think she kind of had an idea what was going on because during dinner she cried three times. The food was good though. After dinner the rain magically stopped completely so I asked her if she would like to go for a walk. We walked out to the beach where the canopy was at where we were supposed to have the dinner and after a short but emotional conversation I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. Right after she said yes I stood up and began kissing her and immediately for some crazy but completely welcoming coincidence someone decided at that moment to set off a bunch of fireworks. It was perfect, almost as if I planned it. I told her the truth of course but it was great how everything worked out in the end. The next day we were taken to Ubud. We spent the next few days in total relaxation just hanging around in our private villa [at the Komaneka Taggayuda].

One thing that I am glad about is Eva actually likes her ring. We went to the jewelers so that she could resize her ring and also try on different stone shapes but after trying on a few she decided she liked the pear best. The excursions were wonderful. Every new country or region we looked forward to meeting our guide and learning about all the interesting things that they had to teach us. Every place that they took us to were equally as beautiful and breathtaking, it would be a hard task to pick a favorite. Now that we are back we are like celebrities amongst our colleagues. I now have great stories to share with patients during the short trip in the back of the ambulance (if they’re stable of course). And Eva, well her classmates are just fascinated with every detail of our trip, especially the proposal. Well Susanne words could not express how grateful Eva and I are, so I end this letter by saying thank you.

Christian H. & Eva E.
San Francisco, CA

We set sail on the beautiful Grand Princess, for a Southern Caribbean cruise that ported in St Thomas for the day.

We made arrangements with Anne Marie (our official minister) for our barefoot wedding.
After taking a short boat transfer from St Thomas to St John’s, Anne Marie met us at the dock.

We took the short ride to Cinnamon beach where we were married while the beautiful turquoise waters lapped at our feet. There was just the three of us, and it was the most romantic moment of our lives. 

Our witnesses were strangers on the beach. We spent the rest of the day enjoying the beauty of St John’s before heading back to our ship and celebrating our Honeymoon!

Duane and Kathy S.
Foresthill, Ca.

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 sunsets 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

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

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

Upon our arrival we were met by a Sandals representative and taken aside to a comfortable air condition waiting area. We were given our choice of refreshments and were able to relax before we headed out to the resort.

We had taken the red eye flight from Sacramento and it was so nice to have someone so hands on from the very beginning.

We stayed in a private villa complex at the Grande Ocho Rios with our own private pool. We were nestled up by the mountainside surrounded by fantastic gardens. It did not matter to us that we were not beachside.

When we wanted to be alone we had our meal brought up to us by our butler and when we wanted to dine with some of the other honeymooners we had met, we had a choice of 11 restaurants. 

I cannot say enough about this resort. We loved it all. We loved the friendly people and the service was superb. We felt so special and they made us feel like we were the only honeymooners at the resort. We met many other couples who we are still corresponding with.

Erin and Jeff G., Sacramento, CA

Agent: Jeanine Arnsdorf, Honeymoon & Destination Specialist
Email: Jeanine.a@travelstoreusa.com

We booked the trip with TravelStore and the trip was amazing. We flew Hawaiian Airlines and with the exception of the 2-hour delay we experienced on our return flight we had no issues. We stayed at the Sheraton Grand on Poipu Beach.

The location was beautiful and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. We were outrageously upgraded to a beautiful beachfront suite and were sent champagne and chocolate covered strawberries in welcome and celebration of our honeymoon. We felt like a King and Queen. Our extra large suite was extremely comfortable and very homey, complete with a full living room, dining room, and over sized bathroom with a jacuzzi bathtub and marble shower.

My husband and I spent two days in the suite with all three patio doors open just relaxing, watching movies, and listening to the sound of the waves and the people on the beach below us. We also enjoyed a delicious beach front breakfast in the Sheraton’s restaurant.

On our second day, we enjoyed a couple’s massage in a secluded outdoor gazebo surrounded by beautiful trees at the Hyatt Spa. We also did the Princeville Ranch Zipline tour and the Kipu Ranch ATV tour. Both were awesome opportunities to learn more about the island and its history and view the sights in a somewhat non-traditional way.

The Sheraton Grand also held a luau on Friday night. They hold the only beach front luau on the island. The food and entertainment were fantastic. It was definitely a luau experience like none other.

Our Hawaiian honeymoon was out-of-this world amazing thanks to TravelStore and the wonderful staff at the Kauai Sheraton Grand. We will definitely be returning soon!

Posted by: Brittany Flores

After the wedding they spent a few days at the property and then traveled to the Galapagos for their honeymoon. What great memories they have. They sent me pictures from their wedding and in spite of the rain they had a wonderful ceremony as seen on the picture.

The wedding planning was simple and the hotel took care of all of their needs. Being that the bride’s family lives in Ireland they were unable to come to the wedding. Her sister emailed me a letter to be read at the ceremony and this was taken care of without any hesitation.

The bride and groom thoroughly enjoyed the Galapagos. After they spent the night in Quito, Ecuador they flew to Baltra Island to embark on a 4 day Galapagos cruise. At the end of the cruise they spent the remaining 3 days at the Red Mangrove on Santa Cruz Island in Ecuador.

My goal in planning their wedding and honeymoon was to make sure that all their dreams for the beginning of their life as husband and wife were met. Eric is an avid diver and did not want to go to the Galapagos without enjoying at least one dive. Being that Niamh was not going to dive she wanted to be pampered. I was thrilled to make sure they were both able to enjoy their time together and also do some of the activities they enjoy as individuals. A dive was arranged by the Red Mangrove for Eric and a day at the spa was arranged for Niamh. They came back happy and I had the pleasure of being a part of making their dreams become a reality.

The following is a note I received from Niamh:
“The trip was great. Thank you for organizing it. The hotels were great, Metropolitan and Panorama tour group staff were fab and the Galapagos was the best trip either of us has ever been on! Anyway I am sending you on links to the pics! Thought you might like to see the fruits of your hard work!!"

I would love to make your honeymoon dreams become a reality!

Agent: Gloriane Letterman, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email: Gloriane.L@travelstoreusa.com

For those of you who saw the recent film Slum Dog Millionaire – the India I saw this time around was nothing at all like that.

My journey started with a nonstop flight to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific which was just fantastic and thanks to their flat beds in business class, I was able to sleep the whole way.

Hong Kong to Delhi is just a short flight and I arrived at the brand new state-of-the-art Delhi airport where I was met by an employee of Greaves Tours who handled all of our ground operations.

A brand new air conditioned motor coach was waiting for our group and after a 30min drive we arrive at the Trident hotel on Gurgaon which is in the commercial district and is a great starting point without dealing with the traffic of Delhi. The hotel is very contemporary with a resort like ambiance including landscaped grounds, fountains and reflection pools.

The next day we have a morning sightseeing tour of New Delhi, which was built by the British in the 1920s. On this trip we did not have time to see Old Delhi, but I would highly recommend that you stay an extra night and do that. I would suggest staying at the Oberoi in New Delhi where we had lunch – the “hottest” restaurant in town! This hotel is surrounded by gorgeous grounds and landscaping, yet you are in the center of town.

Now our journey truly starts – we drive to Agra and the Taj Mahal, constructed in 1565 by the Emperor Akbar in honor of his favorite wife.
We are staying at the Oberoi Amarvilas, which is the closest hotel to the Taj Mahal and every rooms faces the Taj. This is a stunning resort with terraced lawns and the outdoor pool is just amazing. In the evening you can enjoy a romantic dinner under the stars either by the pool or on your terrace.
A must do is to get up early and go to Taj Mahal at sunrise which is both incredibly romantic and amazingly spiritual at the same time.

The next day we have an early start as we are driving to Jaipur, with a stop to see the ancient city of Fethepur Sikri, which was build in 1659 by the Emperor Akbar. The city is a combination of Hindu and Persian architecture and is in a remarkable state of preservation. The drive to Jaipur really takes all day as we go by local villages and farm land. The colors of the women’s saris are stunning from bright yellows to pinks and blues – did you know that pink is the color of welcome? Our bus has to swerve and stop sometimes to avoid the Indian traffic jam of the sacred cow. You have to go to India to understand this cultural tradition.

We finally arrive in Jaipur known as the “pink city” and check into our hotel – Oberoi Rajvilas.  This resort is outside of the bustling town and set on 32 acres with pink rooms and suites clustered around private courtyards. There are also some tented suites if you would prefer to experience colonial India! The grounds are just gorgeous and peacocks are everywhere. There is even a real Hindu temple on the grounds and we had our own blessing by the priest.

Jaipur is the state capital and largest city of the Rajastan, known for its gems and fabrics. It is a designers paradise and Shopping is a must.

Of course you have to see the Amber Fort which was once the capital of the Rajput empire. Take an elephant ride up the steep hill and look at the view – amazing! In town walk past the “Palace of winds” which was built in a very unique design and was used by the ladies of the court to watch the daily activates on the street below. 

Back at the resort we have a consultation with a Gemologist which has to be arranged ahead of time – a mix between a healer and a tarot card reader, amazing. He tells you what your ailments are and which stone you should wear to heal you – mine was a rainbow moonstone!

Today we are in for a very special treat – Greaves private plane to Udaipur city of lakes! If you want to feel special this is the way to go.  We are met at the airport as we land by the Greaves employees and drive to the lake where we take a boat to the Oberoi Udaivilas which overlooks the City Palace and the lake.

This resort it is very romantic and feels as if you are in Venice. It is grand, spacious and again beautifully landscaped. Inside the resort every attention to detail is obvious and you feel as if you are in a Maharajas Palace! As a special welcome I can arrange for a private greeting with elephants and dancers as you arrive at the resort.

In the evening enjoy a private sunset cruise on lake Pichola taking in the sights and sounds of the city by the water. Enjoy your last night with a private romantic dinner under the stars on the pontoon in the lake.

Our trip is nearly at the end as we fly to Mumbai and overnight at the Oberoi hotel with stunning views of the sea and “queens necklace”. This is a very contemporary style hotel with large beautifully appointed rooms, the Spa is open 24 hours to accommodate the late flight schedules.

We take a half day city tour visiting the Gateway of India which was built in 1911 in honor of the visit of King George V, a Jain temple, Hanging gardens and the Parsi towers of silence. What an amazing city and what an amazing trip.

India is a fascinating destination with so much diversity. At first one is shocked by the sheer numbers of people and animals living large, in your face, on the streets, the poverty, the garbage. Then you notice the bright flashes of color everywhere:  the sari’s and gold bracelets worn by the women, the smiling faces of the children, and the way of life that has existed for centuries. 

Author: Susanne Hamer, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email: Susanne.h@travelstoreusa.com

I was able to stay at The George V, a Four Seasons landmark 1928 building. This hotel has undergone extensive renovation and been lovingly restored. You enter into a fabulous lobby with some of the most creative flower arrangements, very formal but also open and welcoming. The staff takes a more than usual interest in your well being and you are always greeted by name.  The rooms are sheer perfection. One nice touch I noticed is that there are books of Parisian interest left in your room so that you may take a moment and actually learn a bit of history. The rooms are decorated in soft pastel tones and the furnishings are very luxurious. Luxury travel all the way. I can't imagine a more glorious place to celebrate honeymoons.

Dining options: "La Galerie" a very open, airy relaxed dining room with a pianist playing every day at 3:00 pm. I found this to be the best spot for people-watching and gazing into the garden. You can cozy up with your sweetie and enjoy a coffee and a beautiful pastry as only the French can bake.

Then of course there is "Le Cinq" This is a very elegant dining room, dressed in grey and gold with beautiful views of the Hotel's courtyard and garden. Dining here is like being in the middle of a beautiful symphony. All of the staff works together seamlessly to create a dining experience which is not just a meal, but beautiful music. Things are presented and whisked away without you even being aware of the process. The food quality, as you can imagine, is exceptional, two Michelin award stars for excellence in food quality, creativity, service and atmosphere. As a nice touch you are presented with your own personal printed menu of your dinner that evening. What a perfect place for a honeymoon dinner! What a wonderful way to remember your romantic Parisian holiday!

Now, how about walking off those calories?

Let’s go to one of my favorite places “La Mouff” as the locals call it. Located on the left bank, a street called "Rue Mouffetard".  What is unique about the street is that it is a pedestrian mall, so you don't have to deal with cars. It is a winding narrow street with so many wonderful shops that it makes you head spin. It's a feast for the eyes as well. The dress shop is next to the fish monger which is next to the chocolate maker which buddies up to the small Mom and Pop Bistro. Get you camera ready! Keep your eye out for original shop signs dating back as far as the 16th century. These are the shops that other shop owners visit and buy from each other so put yourself in the mix and what a delight! We had the best simple homemade meal from one of the many small restaurants. This one claims that Hemmingway and his wife lived upstairs for several years, when this neighborhood was truly Bohemian. Remember “A Moveable Feast”?

If shopping makes you hungry, there are fruit and vegetable vendors here too, along with a store that sells dozens of different kinds of pâtés and cheeses. To quench your thirst, peruse the bottles offered at Le Repaire de Bacchus, a wine store displaying their wine in baskets right out on the sidewalk - ahh, vive la différence!

If you watched the 100th episode of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, you may have noticed that he escorted several of his Parisian Chef friends (Eric Ripert and Joel Robuchon) to La Mouff.  It was then and there I knew I was in good company for restaurant choices and true first class food at a simple price.

So grab your honey and go to this charming enclave. The nearest Metro Stops are Place Monge, and Censier-Daubenton.

Posted by: Katy Kennedy, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email: Katy.k@travelstoreusa.com

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

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