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How Do You Want Your Wedding Reception To End?

breanna.gunn@gmail.com (Jamie Dawson) — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:35:43 +0000

At the end of a wedding reception, traditionally the bride and groom have chosen a slow, meaningful song to dance together to while all guests form a circle around them and show their love and support for the newlyweds.

This is a fine ending to the night – as wedding DJ’s we see it all the time. If you are traditional and want a romantic finale to your evening, then by all means, dance to that special song from your high school prom when you realized you were in love, or the song that played during your first date.

In fact, if you are a true romantic, a new idea for ending your night is having a last dance after the last dance. What this means is, have your last dance with all of your guests whether you dance just as husband and wife or you invite all guests to join in with you.

Photo by Cregg Anarino

Then, have your wedding DJ ask all guests to step outside of the reception room as he/she plays the final dance song of the evening – for just you and your new husband or wife.

Your wedding will go by in the blink of an eye and with so much excitement buzzing in the room, it’s often difficult to find a moment to take a step back and realize what this day means. By having a last dance after the last dance, it gives the two of you a few minutes to dance alone and reflect on the start of your new marriage and the party you just had in honor of you.

Mark Your Exit

Depending on your reception site, you may even have all guests lined up and waiting with sparklers for you to make your exit from the dance floor. This makes for a fabulous picture as well!

However, if you want to shake the tradition up a bit and finalize your party with an upbeat, I don’t want the night to ever end kind of vibe, then we suggest having two last dance selections.

Choose a special song that has meaning, or that you just love, to be your second to last song of the evening. You can either keep the tradition of dancing amongst a circle of your friends and family, or invite all guests to join you on the dance floor for the last slow song of the night.

Then, for the final song of the evening, have your wedding DJ play a selection to get everyone pumped up and remember what a blast they had at your reception. (This is also a great idea if you are having an after party and want to rev up your guests for continued partying). Songs such as “Time of My Life” by the Black Eyed Peas or “Take Me Home Tonight” by Eddie Money are both great choices for ending your night.

Whichever way you choose to end your wedding – slow and romantic or upbeat and crazy, make sure to relax and enjoy every moment of your special day!

Congratulations and best of luck!

Jamie Dawson is co-owner of Avid Entertainment – a husband and wife owned Wedding DJ company out of Massachusetts. On a weekly basis, Jamie aims to provide valuable and/or entertaining wedding planning information to engaged couples on Avid Entertainment’s blog page.

Bixi Bicycling In Montreal

David Webb — Wed, 09 May 2012 21:28:48 +0000

A for-rent bicycle tour of Montreal, Quebec, is the best way to see the city - originally posted on Across and Abroad - The Ultimate Outdoor Adventure & Travel Blog

A short, unexpected summer shower washes sweat from the brows of Montrealers reeling from 30-degrees-plus temperatures and 60 per cent humidity. It’s twice as hot and twice as humid today, in Quebec’s largest city, as it had been when I departed Vancouver the week previous. But the midsummer storm has cooled the air, encouraging me to tackle Montreal the way it was meant to be seen: via velos!

Montreal By Bike

 
Throughout Montreal, banks of bicycles — called Bixis — are available for on-the-spot, automated rental. Simply slip in your credit card, take an available bicycle (velos) and ride. When you’re done, return the Bixi to any rental station you see. A simple $5 fee allots riders a 24-hour rental period, with some nominal additional fees for multi-hour rides. (A full day’s worth of bicycle sightseeing could cost less than a single taxi fare.)

Plateau Mont Royal

Plateau Mont Royal could be Montreal’s quintessential urban bicycle destination. One of Montreal’s hippest neighbourhoods, the area is characterized by wrought-iron staircases, brick and stone architecture, cafes, open-air restaurants and boutique shopping. Once off Rue St. Denis, the main route into the area, traffic is calmed and bikes outnumber cars. I find it to be a perfect introduction to bicycling Montreal. I feel I should tuck a baguette under my arm, and wave “Salut mon amies!” as I pass café patrons whiling away the hours in gossip and laughter. I resist, and begin an uphill grind to the east of the Plateau. 

Mount Royal Park

 
A gravel pathway, wide as two-lane-road, winds around Montreal’s Crown Jewel — Mount Royal Park — leading cyclists, joggers and strollers on a sweaty jaunt to the 233-metre summit. Designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead — famed architect of both New York’s Central Park and Vancouver’s Stanley Park — 692-acre Mount Royal Park can easily be a day-trip in itself. I take a leisurely roll around Beaver Lake, up past the famous Chalet Mont Royal and into my top park-picks: the non-denominational Mount Royal Cemetery and the Catholic Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery. Some may find it morbid, but I love historic cemeteries; the real history of a region is always within those who lived and died here. Plus, historic cemeteries are usually set in the most gorgeous real estate, such as the northern slope of Mount Royal. 

Vieux Montreal

 
Bixi bikes have terrible brakes — something I discover first-hand during my 40 km/h scoot down the southern side of Mont Royal. I pinch both front and back with every ounce of hand strength I can muster and ease to a stop inches before the urban traffic of Avenue du Parc. Even through downtown Montreal, though, bike travel is easy — stick to the main bike routes and you’ll be fine. I arrive at Vieux Montreal (Old Montreal) moments later, park my Bixi at a bank outside Jacques Cartier Place and step into Europe. Four-hundred-year-old stone buildings, bistro patios, a symphony playing in the streets — this is the Montreal of your dreams. At the waterfront, would-be Cirque du Soleil performers try-and-fail on the tourist trapeze. It would be perfect, if it had just a few less tacky souvenir stores to offend the eyes. 

At this moment, the sun reappears. I’ve been riding all day; I’m hungry and tired. Ahead, a wooden sign juts out from the stonework: Montreal Poutine. Hmmm — I think I’ve earned a plate…

Guilt-free poutine? Just one more benefit to putting pedal power on Montreal.

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15 Things I Learned In Indonesia

Lindsay Anne Williams — Thu, 03 May 2012 05:57:54 +0000

Indonesia is the fourth largest population in the world and home to the largest enclave of Muslim people. Indonesia is made up of 17,508 islands and about 300 different ethnic groups.

Lakes Change Colour - Atop the Kelimutu volcano on the Flores Island is where three crater lakes change colour." Tiwu Ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People) is usually blue and is the westernmost of the three lakes. The other two lakes, Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens) and Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched or Enchanted Lake) are separated by a shared crater wall and are typically green or red respectively. The lake colors vary on a periodic basis. Sub aqueous fumaroles are the probable cause of active upwelling that occurs at the two eastern lakes." (Thank you Wikipedia).

Flat tires are patched up over a campfire - Indonesia roads are ruthless and damaging to your car. But, should you have a tire blow out on you, to watch the process in which locals repair tires is interesting and heartwarming.

Scooter Scams are common - Be mindful of where you keep your scooter parked and make sure that you lock it. Scooter shops have been known to steal back their bikes from you, then demand you pay a fee for its disappearance after you explain your misfortune to the 'thieving' shop.

You can drink Cat-Poo Coffee – On the island of Bali there is a process of making coffee that involves the excrement of civets (a type of cat). It is properly called Kopi Luwak and is arguably the most expensive coffee in the world. The coffee beans are eaten by farm civets that then poop them out. The crappy beans are then collected and roasted for coffee production.

The World’s Worst Road Is Here – In Kuta, Lombok the main road that runs through the town and up and over towards Mawun Beach is possibly the most pot-holed road in existence. Out of our scooter group of three, there were three topples due to the dangerously rugged terrain. According to the Kuta, Lombok locals the road is expected to see repair by 2013.

I Could Live On Gili Trawangan Forever – Gili T, as it is called for short, has no motorized vehicles operating on it; you get around by bike, horse and carriage or by foot. You can walk the entire island in about two hours.

Continue reading the list here.

Water Palaces of Turkey

Deniz — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 09:31:35 +0000

I recently spent a long weekend at Spa, the Belgian city whose name became eponymous with the thermal well-being centres, or spas. It’s a lively little town surrounded by forests, springs and a small lake. The town is famous for two things, first one is Spa-Francorchamps, the Formula 1 circuit and the second is the Thermes de Spa, the big spa complex complete with pools, jet fountains, massage and rest areas. The fast boys with their expensive cars were not around that weekend so we opted for the spa option and spent a few hours relaxing in the pools and took a small tour around the facilities. There we came across the inevitable steam room or hammam as called by the people in these parts of the world.

Well, with all due respect to my foreign readers a hammam is not a crowded steam room where one has trouble breathing after three minutes. The word hammam signifies the Turkish bath, a large complex dedicated to well being, sanitation and as most things Turkish, a place for socializing and enjoying life. It’s embedded into the cultural fabric of the land and its people through generations.

When Turks first came to Anatolia in the 10^th cc, one of the things they were pleased to find in this new land were the Roman baths which provided similar structures to their cleansing rituals that were born both from their Asian roots and the Islamic culture in which hygiene is not nice to have but essential.

With the rise of the Ottoman domination and enhancements in architecture and fine arts the hammams turned into monumental buildings. The Sultans and Pashas, often after a successful mission to bring civilization to the newly captured territories or sometimes as presents to their favorite concubines, commissioned famous architects to build hammams and they were widespread throughout the empire. Many cities in Anatolia got their fair share. Most of the hammams in larger cities were adorned with exquisitely crafted ceramics and tiles and it was quite common to find gold and precious stones to be used in the hammams built in the palaces.

After successful restorations most of them are still in use today, populated by locals and tourists alike and increasing their popularity by adopting the old customs in accordance with the modern tastes and styles. An example is the ultra stylish Hürrem Hamamı, the 16th century hammam complex ordered by Süleyman the Magnificent to Mimar Sinan, the most celebrated architect of the time, for his favourite wife, Hürrem. Reopened after an expensive restoration, it combines the best features of hammams and spas in its beautifully structured marble rooms and terraces.

During the reign of the Ottoman Empire, apart from being a place for sanitation and relaxation hammams were playing important roles during some special events. Special customs and rituals took place at hammams to signify the important days such as preparation to feasts, weddings and even the start of a military service. Such days were planned carefully in advance and invitations were sent. Apart from the usual washing, massage and entertainment functions, such occasions were celebrated like major events with gifts and donations.

Today, many hammams offer bridal packages as a part of their usual service and the tradition continues in the form of bachelor parties where young locals start their stag or hen parties by relaxing at a hammam before going to clubbing.

In the relatively closed life of the Ottoman women, the hammam was filling a big vacuum for entertainment, showing off to neighbours, keeping up with the latest gossip and even finding suitable brides for one’s sons. After all, the hammam was the perfect place to examine one’s future daughter-in-law not only for her physical beauty but also for her behaviour and abilities. Even the wives of the rich, who had private baths in their houses, frequented the common hammams. Usually a weekly affair, the preparations for a hammam visit typically started one day earlier. Apart from the typical hammam set of peştemal (a light linen cloth to wrap around the body), takunya (wooden sandalets), hammam tası (a copper bowl to pour water), scented soaps & oils and henna (for hair as well as hands), delicious pastries , fresh fruits , refreshing lemonades and sherbets as well as musical instruments were prepared to enjoy this ‘girls-day-out’.

Similar to the Roman baths, a typical hammam consists of three interconnected rooms; the sıcaklık (the hot room), the ılıklık (the warm room) and the soğukluk (the cold room).

The sıcaklık is the heart of the hammam. It’s usually built under a large dome with small windows to provide natural light and accomodates the göbek taşı ,a large heated marble stone to lie down and relax, eyvans or niches with marble basins that provide hot and cold water and halvetlik, small private rooms if you choose to escape from the prying eyes. Best of all, it smells heavenly with the soaps and aromatic oils, instead of smelling of chloride that's common to pools.

It’s also my favourite part of the hammam, mainly because of the light which changes from powerful to mystical in different parts of the great marble rooms but also for listening to the gentle sounds of running water while lying down on the göbek taşı as the heat slowly sinks into my muscles. It's total relaxation.Afterwards, one continues to the ılıklık to have a kese - think a bubbly form of Swedish massage applied with a rough piece of cloth called kese to increase blood circulation. Because the body is still warm, instead of feeling raw the next day, you feel great. The chic hammams of today offer many different types of aromatherapy massages, facials and bubble baths, but the traditional kese is still one of the best if you complain from sore muscles. It’s followed by washing with soaps and oils.

The kese is always applied by tellak, the attendant acting as a private masseur and helps with the scrubbing and washing. Traditionally, the hammams had separate sections for women and men called haremlik and selamlık and the tellaks who served in these sections were either women or men depending on whom they serve. In Ottoman times it was quite the norm for the tellak boys to carry out sexual favours as a part of their services to their male clients and some of them were the favourites of merchants, soldiers and poets. Their salaries and tips reflected their abilities and popularity. In his book Hubbanname (Book of Beautiful Boys), the 15^th century poet Fuzuli paid homage to the beauties and abilities of his favourite tellaks in quite some detail. Today the pleasures of hammams are slightly more conservative but still many.

The hammam tradition also caught the imagination of the visiting foreigners. Among them, the 18^th cc French painter Gerome had created many nude hammam paintings while visiting Istanbul and other cities under Ottoman rule, later exhibited as a part of his Orient collection. His courage and imagination together with his technique must be praised, for the punishment of getting caught in the harem section of the hammam was death.

After all the washing and scrubbing is done the best way to relax is to follow the footsteps of countless people through centuries; change into a dry peştemal and enjoy a refreshing drink or a bite at the soğukluk. Today, the soğukluk usually comes complete with a vitamin bar, a coiffeur and a small boutique for a bit of shopping, a la hammam.

Some things never change, only get better with time.

Fantastic Formals (Smoothing the way for family picture time at your wedding)

hillary@hillaryharvey.com (Hillary Harvey) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:47:22 +0000

Fantastic Formals?? An oxymoron, you say? Not so!

It’s true, people tend to dread the family picture time during a wedding. It’s one of the things I hear most often. People say they don’t like to pose. People live in fear of having to keep their large families in line. But the formals don’t have to be the part of the day you get through. And they don’t have to be stiff! Let’s not even call it “formals”! Because there are certain things you and your photographer can do to make the family pictures stress-free… and even fun!

Timing is Everything

When organizing the timing for family pictures, tell the family members who will be needed that you’re starting half an hour before you really plan to be. (This is actually a great rule of thumb for every aspect when timing the wedding ceremony – the hair and makeup, the guests, even the officiant! Half an hour isn’t too long to ask people to wait, especially when they have drinks and people to talk with.) It’ll help your loved ones automatically factor in for traffic and other unforeseen delays or mishaps without compromising your wedding day schedule.

When scheduling your family pictures, find out when sunset will be at that time of year. You’ll lose your workable ambient light about half an hour before sunset, so either schedule it earlier in the day or just know that your family photos, bridal party and solo pictures will need to rely on flash for lighting.

Remember that receiving lines add time. If you have 150 guests, it may take half an hour or more to greet them all as they exit the ceremony site. Build that time into your schedule. If you’re doing a cocktail hour and pictures immediately after the ceremony, you might want to skip the receiving line (in favor of getting to your cocktail hour instead). In that case, you can visit the tables during the reception.

Make time for solo portraits with your new spouse after the ceremony. Beforehand, you may be nervous and have a lot on your mind. But afterwards, you can relax together, which will make better photos. The more time you leave, the more fun you can have with it. You neverk now, it might be the only 15 minutes “alone” together that you get all day!

Keep it Simple

The more people you have to coordinate during family pictures, the more time-consuming it can be. Save extended family photos for the party. Assign one person in each group to be the photographer’s go-to person. Given them a list of people needed for the shot, and ask them to gather everyone up during the party. Then they can grab the photographer, the photographer can grab you, and you’re in the shot and back to your party in no time!

If you don’t want to be posing in photos all night, keep your picture list to the bare necessities. Just list groupings and combinations of people that are absolutely key. Remember, it takes 2-3 minutes per photo set-up, so 15 combinations is about 30-45 minutes.

You want to leave your photographer a little wiggle room to improvise, so s/he can jump in and capture those wonderful emotional moments between you and your family that are bound to happen. That’s the stuff you really want!

Be Inspired

One thing I love to include in my wedding photography packages is a site viewing. Just like it sounds, the couple and photographer meet at the wedding venue for a tour prior to the big day. If the photographer hasn’t been there before, s/he can get to know the grounds and scout out good picture spots. And even if s/he has been there a hundred times, the site viewing allows the photographer and couple to chat about the logistics of location and timing away from the pressure of the wedding day, so everyone knows the game plan ahead of time. (Of course, the plan can sometimes go out the window on the actual day, depending on what’s going on.)

A site viewing allows the photographer and couple to learn more about each other’s aesthetic and vision, so the photographer is in a better position to make those shots that you will always cherish.

If you’re the kind of person who is haunting wedding planning sites and blogs (like this one!), then you might want a photographer who will consider you a collaborator. Share your ideas, send him/her pictures you’re drawn to and let him/her in on the personal details about your love story and family that can add to your pictures of the day. A collaborator-photographer will consider your ideas and aesthetic, allowing it to inspire him/her to make truly personal photos for you. But remember that your photographer is a professional and knows what will work or won’t, given the lighting, backdrop and timing of the day. It’s not always possible to recreate a photo, and sometimes the best pictures are the ones that weren’t planned or expected. As with everything having to do with your wedding day, make your preparations, and then let whatever happens happen. If you can let go of needing to be in control once the day has started and can trust your vendors to do their thing – the thing you hired them to do for you - everyone will be able to get into a good groove, and you’ll have a lot more fun!

When you’re well-prepared, organized and inspired, your family photos can be a fun part of your party – a moment to celebrate the emotions of the day with your very close family and friends. And in 20 years, when your family make-up is bound to have changed, you’ll be so glad you took the time to make those pictures!

Hillary Harvey is a freelance photographer specializing in wedding photojournalism. Though born in Brooklyn to a long line of Brooklynites, she is a tried-and-true valley girl, having lived most of her life in the Hudson Valley. She also lives online, so catch up with her there!

Bridesmaid 101: 10 Ways to Rock Your Bride’s Socks Off

breanna.gunn@gmail.com (Jill Tooley) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:29:48 +0000

As a bridesmaid, you don’t have as many responsibilities as the Maid of Honor. But that doesn’t mean you get to sit back and let everyone else do all the work, either! Bridesmaids should always show a genuine interest in the wedding and in the bride’s needs, and they should also be respectful of upcoming deadlines. It’s no cakewalk!

Here are 10 things you can do, as a bridesmaid, to lend a hand for the wedding:

Ask questions

It’s best to get questions cleared up right away. Is the chosen bridesmaid dress style/color a mystery to you? Find out. Are you curious which groomsman you’ll walk with? Ask. Heck, even if you’re unsure of where or when the wedding is, then ask. You need to know these things!

Don’t get overzealous

It’s fine to plan ahead and ask to help out with the bride’s wedding decisions, but don’t step on anyone’s toes while doing so. If you have a stellar suggestion, then bring it up to the bride (or the Maid of Honor) before carrying it out.

Keep your criticisms to a minimum

Do you hate the venue? Are you disappointed that you have to wear that shade of purple? Don’t freely offer your negative opinions or complain about decisions that have already been made. Remember, it’s HER wedding, not yours.

Bond with the MOH

The Maid of Honor is instrumental in any wedding planning – she takes care of business and stays up to date with goings-on. Get to know her sooner rather than later and you’ll feel more “in the loop.”

Do your research

It never hurts to study bridesmaid tasks, even if you think you’ve got a solid grasp. A better informed bridesmaid is a more effective (and conscientious) bridesmaid!

Know all the facts

You should know about the dress you’ll wear, the procession order, the color scheme, the times of important events, and anything else that affects your performance at the wedding. Refer to #1 and ask plenty of questions if you need help.

Don’t miss a deadline or appointment

Nothing’s worse than a bridesmaid who half-asses everything! If you want to be a part of the wedding, then act like it. That means buy your dress and shoes on time, show up to fittings and other appointments, and be ready to roll when you arrive.

Always be reachable

You’re making things more difficult for the bride when you don’t respond to her texts, phone calls, or emails. She should be able to reach you to ask questions or give you updates, and she won’t be able to do that if you constantly ignore her.

Be professional

You’re an extension of the couple when you’re in the wedding party – whether you like it or not. Don’t swear like a sailor, say rude things to the guests, or act in a sloppy manner when you’re in view/earshot of an audience. This goes for the reception, too.

Support, support, support!

The best thing you can do for the bride is to support her throughout the wedding planning process. Be a shoulder to cry on when she needs it, and don’t give her more work than she already has by being difficult.

If you honestly care about the bride and the wedding, then it shouldn’t be a tough task to follow through with any of these tips. Being a bridesmaid is more than putting on a dress and smiling for the camera! The lucky couple will love you even more if you do your absolute best in all aspects. And above all else, don’t lose sight of why you were chosen as a member of the bridal party. Your cooperation is needed and appreciated – always. So get to it!

Do you have any concerns about being a bridesmaid? Are there any more tidbits you’d like to offer for seamless wedding plans?

In addition to being a Maid of Honor veteran, Jill Tooley is Head of Content and Social Media at Quality Logo Products, where you can snag the coolest wedding favors and personalized items. Connect with Jill on her company’s promo blog for more handy tips!

Understanding Malaysian Cuisine: 5 Things to Order at a Mamak Stall

Chattering Kitchen — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:16:41 +0000

Understanding Malaysian Cuisine: 5 Things to Order at a Mamak Stall http://chatteringkitchen.com/2012/04/02/understanding-malaysian-cuisine-5-things-to-order-at-a-mamak-stall/

A famous saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” can be altered in this case to state “When in Malaysia, eat like the Malaysians do”. To truly understand the culture of a new country, its best to put yourself in their shoes. Immerse yourself in their traditions, dip your fingers into their cuisine and most importantly, associate with the locals in their comfort zone. Following these rules, the best place to gauge a part of Malaysian culture is to eat at their local mamak stalls. Why I say “a part”, is because three races live harmoniously side by side in Malaysia; Chinese, Indian and Malays, each with their own distinct cuisines and habits. Mamaks represent the cuisine and lifestyle of the Indians that migrated to Malaysia centuries ago.

Mamak Stall

Mamak stalls are akin to open air food courts that are found at every nook and cranny of Malaysia, serving hawker-style food. Their popularity soars far beyond any hospitality establishment as they are packed with people at all hours. You will never find a mamak stall empty, be it 5pm or 5am. Tamil Muslims that migrated from South India set up these outlets serving halal food, hence you can see the South Indian influence in the dishes served at these places. The concentration in mamaks is not on the ambiance or decor but strictly on food; delicious food at very cheap prices. Buzzing with chatter, mamaks are the place to be to discover the beauty of Malaysian cuisine. Their menu is vast with vegetarian as well as non vegetarian dishes, but here are my top five favorites.

Roti Canai

Pronounced ch-nai, a visit to any mamak stall would be incomplete without this dish. The signature order in every mamak stall, Canai is literally translated into “flatbread”. It is a mix between an Indian paratha and roti. The flour dough, mixed with eggs, water and oil, is twirled until it turns into a thin sheet and them cooked on a hot griddle laced with oil. The end result is a crisp yet moist and fluffy flatbread. Served with lentils and any sort of meat curry, the best way to eat it is with your hands. Break a piece and dip into the curries and enjoy a piece of heaven. It is so light, you may end up eating more than you would have imagined. But then again, it is a sin not stop eating good food.

Roti Canai

Thosai

My absolute favorite dish at a mamak stall is a thosai. Known as dossa in South India, this dish is evidence of the influence of South Indian cooking on Malaysian Cuisine. Adopted directly from the flat-iron pans of Chennai, thosai is the South Indian version of crepes. The batter is made from crushed wheat flour and urad lentils, it is spread on a round pan in circular motions. Once it starts to brown, the thosai is flipped to cook the other side. A perfectly made thosai should be thin and crisp. Served with coconut chutney, lentils and fish curry, it is a match made in heaven. Scoop the coconut chutney with the thosai and dip it into the fish curry; couldnt ask for a better bite. Starting at RM1.40, it is a complete meal at barely any cost.

Thosai

Nasi Briyani Ayam

Malaysian cuisine is very heavily centered around rice. Their most popular dishes are fried rice (nasi goreng) and nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk), both available at mamak stalls. For a spicy version, order the nasi biryani. However, this is not to be mistaken for Indian biryani, which includes a plethora of herbs and spices including saffron threads. Instead this is a milder version, cooked with vegetables, curry leaves and barely any spices. The chicken that is served with it is crispy and batter fried, with most of the spices mixed into the batter. The best time to eat this dish is either at lunch or dinner time when it is freshly made at the stall. It may be low on spices but it is surely full of flavor.

Nasi Briyani Ayam

Murtabak

It derives its name from the Arabic word Muttabaq, which means folded. In essence, it is folded flatbread filled with eggs, onions, ground beef and spices. It tastes like a fat, fluffy omelet, but it is actually made in a wheat pastry. The layer of pastry that envelopes the egg is so thin, that you can only taste the egg and meat mixture. While the pastry is being cooked on the wok, the egg mixture is poured on top. The chef then needs to quickly fold the pastry so the egg mixture does not seep out. It requires a high degree of skill to make this dish, without breaking the outer pastry. At the end all the effort seems to be worth it. One always associates eggs with breakfast, but this dish can be eaten at any time of the day. Normally it is served with lentils and curry, but I prefer to eat it on its own. Its own flavors are so bold that it does not need an accompaniment. It is a winning combination; egg and flat bread cooked together.

Murtabak

Teh Tarik

All the food needs to be washed down with the famous Malaysian tea. Teh Tarik literally translates into “pulled tea”. Once the tea is brewed, a sweetened creamer is added and then it has to be tossed from one cup to another to enhance its flavors and create a froth. One sip and it works wonders to miraculously relieve you of any lethargy or tiredness. The taste, however, is an acquired one. It resembles the flavors of ripe dates but delicious nonetheless. Initially, it was too sweet for my taste, but tell them to reduce the sugar and it turns into the perfect cup of tea. Perfect way to start or even end your experience at a mamak stall.

Teh Tarik

This list is far from exhaustive. Mamaks serve Chinese inspired dishes too like Tom Yum Soup, Mee Goreng Ayam (Fried Noodles with Chicken), Rojak (tofu salad with a sweet peanut sauce), curried vegetables to name a few. Hungry after a night out, mamaks are the best place to go to fill your stomach. You cannot experience Malaysia in its entirety if you do not dine at a mamak stall. The buzzing atmosphere with chatter across the cooking stalls, the clinking of metal cutlery, coupled with flavorful food makes it a true representation of Malaysian culture

Been there, haven’t done that – 5 things you shouldn’t miss in Berlin

Andy Higgs — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:15:24 +0000

In our mission to inspire and inform Grown-up Travellers we continue our series of articles containing ideas for alternative things to do and see in well-known destinations. So far we’ve been shared tips on London, Stockholm and Copenhagen and upcoming articles will cover Amsterdam, Oslo, Chicago and New York.

All good stuff. But today it’s the turn of the German capital, right?

You got it. Berlin has so much to see and do, both sides of the former wall. Regular readers will know I lived there for a couple of years, and have taken some pictures to show how much the city has changed since 1990. You should also have a look at this article on Ostalgie and how to cure it before you go and get hung up on all that Trabi love. But if you also want to do something a little less off the tourist trail, read on…

5 things in Berlin your friends won’t have heard about *

* er, I’d be fairly confident betting that they haven’t, anyway.

Katteschmaus

Image (c) Suddeutsche Zeitung

Located right on the banks of the River Spree in Kopernick on the outskirts of Mitte you’ll find the former soap factory, squat and now ubercool entertainment sport KaterHolzig. The compound contains a club, rooftop café and a gem of a restaurant in Katerschmaus. If you arrive at night finding the latter can be an adventure, but don’t give up. You’ll find clues in the graffiti-covered industrial ruins that lead you through an ‘adults-only playground’ past art installations, wooden shacks, a ship in the middle of a dance floor, beds, couches, beach huts, huge leather sofas, homemade furniture and old vending machines until you climb the stairs and open the door to the restaurant itself.

Image (c) Berlin.Unlike

You’ll be greeted by the sound of happy guests enjoying themselves and a visual as well as gastronomic feast. The grungy appearance of both the locale and staff (tattoos and piercings are clearly obligatory) contrast with both the excellent food and attentive service.

The seasonally-inspired menu changes on a weekly basis and usually features provincial specialities as starters and main courses. The desserts are worth the journey alone and the wines are well-chosen to accompany the food. This “cat’s feast” is ver popular; I was lucky to grab the last table and reservations are definitely advised.

Image (c) Angelikabooks.com

Make sure you give this place a try for an unusually successful combination of Berlin alternative and gourmet food in a highly unique setting. Rumours are that the building will close for renovations in a couple of years so don’t hang about either.

Katerschmaus – KaterHolzig, Michaelkirchstr. 23, 10179 Berlin. Reservations 030 51 05 21 34. Open Tuesdays-Saturdays from 1900.

U and S Bahn Jannowitzbrucke. Check website for details: http://www.katerholzig.de/restaurant/

Schlangenberger Strasse

The motorway disappearing under the apartment complex – image (c) Andy Higgs, Grown-up Travel Guide

Berlin’s mayor at the time famously said that “if the devil wants to do harm to this city, he will make sure that another Schlange is built”. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for this slightly nuts architectural experiment, but it certainly remains a revolutionary slice of town planning. It is the only example of its kind in the world – an apartment complex built on top of a motorway in the 1970s. Others were planned, but perhaps due to the reaction to “the snake” and its huge budget overrun never got off the drawing board.

Yes, the autobahn is in that tunnel there, halfway through the complex - image (c) Andy Higgs, Grown-up Travel Guide

The scale of the project becomes clear when you visit this part of Wilmersdorf in western Berlin. 1064 apartments sit on top of 600 meters of motorway. The sound and vibration proofing are so efficient – well this is Germany – that even when standing directly underneath the motorway all that can be heard is a low drumming sound – and for the residents above there is only silence.

And out it comes the other side, after some 600 meters under the 1046 apartments - image (c) Andy Higgs, Grown-up Travel Guide

The Schlangenbader Straße property remains the largest connected residential complex in Europe and is well worth a visit. Berlin offers many architectural curiosities and another, more central one can be found at Pallasstrasse – see the photo and brief description here.

Schlangenbader Strasse, Wilmersdorf, Berlin. U-Bahn Breitenbachplatz

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autobahn%C3%BCberbauung_Schlangenbader_Stra%C3%9Fe

Breakfast on top of the Reichstag

Image obtained from Flickr.com under Creative Commons (c) SIRDS

Okay, it’s time to share one of my top tips for Berlin. I’m sure you are planning to visit the Reichstag and climb its impressive glass dome walkway when you visit the German capital. After all, it’s an amazing sight and free too. The only problem is that the queues can be horrendous. But if you know how, you can skip them and enjoy an extremely heart breakfast on top of the building at the same time!

The German Bundestag is in fact the only parliament building in the world to house a public restaurant, situated right next to the glass dome with superb views over the city.

Image (c) Andy Higgs, Grown-up Travel Guide

The restaurant Kafer serves quality modern German cuisine accompanied by German wines – but perhaps the best bet is breafast. Simply email them before visiting to book a table between 0900 and 1015 and turn up at the main entrance. If the weather is good sit outside on the terrace and try to make it through the full breakfast with Sekt (sparkling wine) while admiring the panoramic view over the city.

Image (c) Andy Higgs, Grown-up Travel Guide

Note that you will have to provide your full name and date of birth when booking and that you should bring ID for security clearance purposes. You will have to go through an airport-style body and baggage check before being escorted into the building, where you can pick up a headset and audio tour for the dome. It’s a wonderful experience and you’ll then be free to visit the dome afterwards and walk off a few calories…

Restaurant Kafer, Reichstag Building. Reservations email: kaeferreservierung.berlin@feinkost-kaefer.de Breakfast 0900-1015 Lunch 1200-1430 Tea 1530-1630 Dinner 1830-0000.

U Bahn Bundestag. Check website for details: http://www.feinkost-kaefer.de/dt_bundestag10/

We hope you enjoyed this article so far - click here to read the rest!

http://grownuptravelguide.com/been-there-havent-done-that-5-things-you-shouldnt-miss-in-berlin

A chance for a blogger to work with European Apartment Rental Company Fall 2012!

Sherry Ott — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:59:30 +0000

For the next month I’m going to be heading to four different European cities, on my stint as the first official ‘Go with Oh’ guest blogger. I’ll be starting off in Rome, followed by Venice, heading on to Vienna and finally spending two weeks in Berlin. Open House Group, the company behind the ‘Go with Oh’ campaign, are putting me up in their holiday apartments in each city.

They are giving away weekly prizes (ipods, etc) for people who provide me travel tips on Twitter. Meanwhile, they’re running a massive Facebook competition, open to everyone, for a chance to win a choice of four prizes (an iPad, Panasonic camera, 500€ worth of holiday accommodation or 500€ worth of Samsonite luggage). Please help me out by passing these on to your audience!

But I’ve saved the best for last. The hunt is on to find my successor. This autumn/winter they will be sending another blogger (and a friend) to follow in my footsteps as the next ‘Go with Oh’ blogger, take a look here. You get to choose which four of Open House Group’s 10 European destinations you’d like to stay in and the dates are pretty flexible. This is a great chance to travel through Europe for a month in style and work with a fun company to capture and promote your travels!

More info on the Blogger competition found here

It runs until April 13th and you can enter multiple times!

Good Luck!

Tempted by Chocolate in Óbidos, Portugal

Julie Dawn Fox — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:25:39 +0000

An attempt to beat the crowds at last year's international chocolate festival in Óbidos backfired on me. Having been warned that the town's narrow medieval streets would be teeming with families on Sunday afternoon, I decided to delay my visit until the following day, hoping things would be a bit calmer.

I arrived on Monday morning to find the town almost deserted except for gangs of cleaners busy removing sticky chocolate-smeared and cherry-stained rubbish from the gutters and overflowing bins. Had I bothered to check the official website, I would have discovered that the activities only run from Thursday to Sunday during the three-week event. This year, it's only from Fridays to Sundays.

Kicking myself for making such a stupid mistake, I stomped past the shuttered ticket booths and glowered at a vacant stall shaped like a giant cup cake. My bad mood quickly evaporated, however, when I noticed that one or two stands were still open for business offering chocolate-filled doughnuts and glistening, gooey cakes that oozed dark brown sauce. I hadn't missed out on all the chocolate, after all.

: Year-round reminders of the chocolate and cherry influences in Óbidos

Óbidos is also famous for ginja, a rich cherry liqueur. I found it impossible run the gauntlet of the signs and stalls in the main tourist street without trying a shot of ginja in an edible cup which is made of, you guessed it, chocolate. The combination of slightly bitter dark chocolate and syrupy cherry is scrumptious.

: Ginja in a chocolate cup

Mounds of handmade truffles and pralines on display in one of the more permanent chocolate shops near the Santa Maria church lured me inside. Derek has been working there for ten years and since I was the only customer he was happy to chat while I deliberated over what to buy.

“The festival has changed over the years and I think they’ve lost the plot a bit,” he said when I explain how I missed it. "They used to give out tasters but now you have to pay for everything, and that’s on top of the €7 you pay to get in.”

“So what do you get for the €7, then?” I asked.

“Well, there’s entertainment, and the chocolate sculptures. They’re usually the best bit. Some of them are very impressive. This year the theme is the heritage of Óbidos so instead of the Taj Mahal, there’ll be models of the castle and churches and things. And they usually have some kind of fashion show with girls parading around in chocolate jewellery and clothes. Several people told me they didn’t think it was worth the entry fee this year.”

: Image courtesy of j craveiro on flickr.com. For more of the love story of Pedro and Ines, click the photo

This made me feel a bit better about missing the event but judging by the photos, the chocolate sculptures are quite spectacular. Good enough to make me want to visit the chocolate festival myself to find out whether it's worth the entry fee, anyway. This year, the theme is Disneyland® so I just hope Mickey doesn't melt in the heat. Here's a taster of the sculptures for 2012.

You Tube video of sculptors in action, 2012. Click to see a chocolate Johnny Depp and more.

This year, I've planned ahead, done my research and booked a hotel for a Sunday night so that I get the best of both worlds; a chocolate Sunday followed by the calm, clear streets of this gorgeous medieval city on the Monday. The many festivals hosted by Óbidos, such as the medieval fair in July, the opera festival in August and the Christmas fair in December are fun but I also like to have quiet time to roam the streets without hoards of people getting in my way.

It only takes about an hour to get here from Lisbon , making it a popular day trip. If you're travelling under your own steam, I'd recommend getting here in the morning, before the coaches, or late afternoon, after they've gone again.

: Quiet streets of Óbidos

For more information about the 2012 International Chocolate Festival, including times and prices of workshops and events, click here.

To find out more about other Óbidos events throughout the year, click here.

Navarino Island: An Experience at the World’s End

Pablo Dutilh — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Last November I had the chance to visit the World’s End. Touristically speaking, the Argentinean city of Ushuaia is considered “the world’s end”. Nevertheless, some miles further south in the Chilean side is Navarino Island, home to the southernmost inhabited place in the world. That place is, Puerto Toro, capital of the district of Cabo de Hornos, with only 3000 inhabitants. From there I flew over the last portion of land in South America: Cape Horn Island, a place with only a handful of people living in the area: The man in charge of the lighthouse and his family.

Despite my experience in the tourism business, this trip was a real surprise. Arriving at the end of Patagonia and understanding what goes on there was a wonderful experience. It’s a pristine place with stunning landscapes, most of which have never been intervened. There are also deserted areas, which were once inhabited by the aborigine Yagán (also known as Yámana) culture, the intrepid nomad canoers of the world’s end. This culture remained hidden for thousands of years, interacting in harmony with one of the wildest places in the planet, only a few miles away from the Antarctic.

In the island you can find the last descendents of the Yaganes. A case in point is Rosa Yagán, the last person with a 100% Yagán bloodline. Also know as Lakutaia Le Kipa (her name in the Yagán language), she lives in Villa Ukika, the Yagán village in Puerto Williams. Through her message and craftworks, she has been able to keep her culture alive, being one of the few survivors of the extermination of her race, a massacre caused by the action of the conquerors , who destroyed the community with their contagious diseases and their sadistic “sport” slaughter.

This is how a millennial culture disappeared in less than 200 hundred years. Today’s remains of the Yagán culture, such as these genetic heirs and the Yagan settlements (Conchales), are a rare find. The Yaganes used to build their huts and use them as storage areas for their canoes. These settlements were fillled with shells, which in turn gave name to their “Conchales” (‘concha’ is Spanish for shell).

From a nature’s point of view, the island is a pristine place where man has not exploited the natural resources, mainly due to its difficult accesses and extreme weather. The human population is concentrated on the north shore of the island, on the bank of Beagle Channel, leaving the rest of the land in a state of intact conservation. The island’s surface area covers 2.500 km2, almost one third of Chiloé’s surface, but containing only 2% its population. These features make it a really wild landscape, away from civilization and the human influence.

Having this in mind, Navarino Island is an ideal destination for trekkers. There is also has a 2000 mt mountain range, with a rock formation called “Dientes de Navarino” in its highest points (Navarino’s Teeth), and a 5-day trekking circuit to go around its bases. This excursion goes through beautiful, quiet landscapes, lakes, and forests, unlike other destinations which are usually crowded by hundreds of visitors. In this place you are alone, you and nature face to face.

On top of all this, the island is a place of scientific interest, containing 5-7% of the world’s moss and lichens, beautiful species that can be found all over the island and Cape Horn. This is complemented by majestic lenga and ñirre forests, surrounded by huge swamps filled with peatbogs and flooded areas that create an amazing landscape of rocks, forests, lakes, rivers, and bogs. A wonderful mosaic of colours.

TIPS

I can’t end this column without telling you about the infrastructure and services you will find in the island, elements that make this trip a dream come true. Firstly, the island has an airport with regular flights connecting it to Punta Arenas. That is to say, getting there is easy. Moving within the island is easy too: there is a road that connects all its villages and can be covered on a bike (82 kms in sum).

Puerto Williams has many hotels, but I only stayed in Lakutaia, the best hotel in the island, being a high quality lodge, comfortable, cozy, with a very good service, and located very close to the town and its airport.

A must visit is the great Martín Gusinde Museum, founded in 1975, and recently remodeled. Its walls reflect the history and traditions of the Yaganes, with displays that let you know who they were and how they lived. Another place you cannot miss is Omora Ethnobotanical Park, known for its wonderful miniature forest, an interpretive trail where you can observe several moss and lichen species. Btw, bring a magnifying glass.

TECHNICAL INFO

Flights: Punta Arenas – Puerto Williams, Mondays to Saturdays at 10:00 am. Plane tickets from $120.000 (on sale through our website).

By sea: 28 hr navigation aboard Yagán Ferry. Departures every Wednesday from USD 186

Season: best from November to March, for the more adventurous, winter has a very cold, but stable.

Accommodation: there are several options in town, and availability is not a problem. We recommend Lakutaia Hotel.

Equipment required: A good, warm jacket, wind-rain-proof pants, trekking shoes, beanie, gloves. Wear a thermal first layer and take a map because finding one in the island is not easy.

What to bring: the usual stuff, good wines, personal delicatessens. The subject is a bit restricted. You can find everything, but only the basics.

Berlin: How to cure ‘Ostalgie’ in three easy steps

Andy Higgs — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:30:00 +0000

Ostalgie? What’s that, some kind of infection?

Not exactly. In the words of Wikipedia, Ostalgie is a German term referring to nostalgia for aspects of life in East Germany. It is derived from the German words Ost (east) and Nostalgie (nostalgia).

Oh right. ‘Good Bye Lenin’, Trabants and pining for the good old days of the GDR…

Amongst other symptoms. The trouble is that visitors to Berlin can quite easily miss learning about the realities of life on the other side of that infamous Wall. This is particularly true of younger tourists who did not experience the Cold War era. Berlin has done a good job in selling itself as a place to party with a little history on the side. Nothing wrong with that, but just as the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe should be on every itinerary to the German capital to ensure that the horrors of the Nazi past are not forgotten, these places convey the dark side of East Germany in a way that provides a much-needed counterpart to the idiotic spectacle of actors in uniform posing for photographs outside the fake Checkpoint Charlie guard house.

But this Ostalgie – it’s just harmless fun, isn’t it?

Certain aspects of it are – but the most dedicated Ostalgie supporters are probably too young to remember life in the GDR. Plenty of them grew up in West Germany too and one of the most famous stores selling replica and genuine GDR products sprang up in Hamburg…

That’s a long way from the former border…

Quite. Yet a desire for food products or other items which disappeared from the shelves after reunification is understandable for people who once enjoyed them. It has also brought some employment to hard-hit areas in the former GDR and saved manufacturers who would otherwise been forced to close. I have no issue with this; I also think it’s great that the wonderful Ampelmännchen was saved in all his/her forms and even spread into western Berlin. It was a shame that it was a West German who founded Ampelmännchen Ltd and made a fortune selling everything you can imagine plastered with the symbols but that’s the free market for you.

Ostalgie (understandably) erases the totalitarian regime from the picture – but we must not. Back in 2003 when the nostalgia was at its height, several TV programmes glorified life in East Germany, the most controversial being a chat show led by the “beautiful face of socialism” Katherine Witt.

As well as former pop stars, politicians and regular east German citizens sharing their memories a heartbreaking reality check was provided by Erika Riemann who shattered the programme’s rose-tinted sentimentality. She was just 14 when she was imprisoned by the communist regime for defacing a portrait of Stalin hanging in her school by painting a red lipstick bow over his moustache. She suffered over eight years of rape and torture as a ‘political prisoner’ in three East German prisons including the former Nazi concentration camp of Sachsenhausen. Riemann, then 73, recalled how she was even forced to endure a mock mass extermination in a gas chamber.

From such horrendous stories as hers right down to the everyday oppression meted out on its citizens, the GDR regime and its Stasi secret police scarred a generation for the rest of its days. It is this senseless waste – this abuse of a country’s own people that stays with me most of all after visiting these places. Forget sports or industry, the crowning achievement of the GDR was surveillance – its unrivalled ability to keep tabs on its own citizens. When the regime finally collapsed in 1989 the Stasi had 91,000 full-time employees and 180,000 informers in East Germany – by way of comparison the Gestapo (while more ruthless) only had 7,000 in its ranks.

Theo Mitrup, who runs a support group in Berlin for those persecuted under the communist regime, explained the problem with Ostalgie thus, “it’s very difficult for some people that the GDR is being glorified in this kind of way. There’s nothing wrong with recalling the past – indeed – people even probably have happy memories of everyday life under the Nazis – but it’s a question of balance. This nostalgia seems to ignore the oppression, the secret police, the intimidation – history somehow is being rewritten.”

On the other hand, many see positive aspects in East Germans finally being allowed to reminisce in a positive manner. It’s easy to understand that many people in the east yearn for the secure jobs and futures offered by the regime when unemployment remains high and capitalism seems to have failed them.

Okay, so where should I go after my Trabi safari to get a balanced view of the GDR?

As well as such essential and well-known sights as the Mauer Museum and DDR Museum, make sure you don’t miss these:

Step One: Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer (The Berlin Wall Memorial)

Forget the East Side Gallery. To fully comprehend the physical division of the city visit the Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse.

Officially opened on the 50th anniversary of the Wall being built, it contains the only section of the Wall with the ‘death-strip’ intact and you can see how the border fortifications developed until the end of the 1980s. The events that took place here together with the preserved historical remnants and traces of border obstacles on display help to make the history of Germany’s division comprehensible to visitors. There is also a bookshop that also shows a short film, a documentation centre with a comprehensive interactive exhibition and a viewing tower.

Often overlooked, the nearby Nordbahnhof S-bahn station houses an exhibition on the ‘Ghost Stations’ which were closed off while the city was divided – the U-bahn passed through without stopping and guards could be seen in the dimly-lit stations.

Visitor centre, Bernauer Straße 119, 13355 Berlin. S-Bahn, tram or bus to Nordbahnhof, U-bahn to Bernauer Strasse or Naturkunde Museum. Free admission.

Check website for details: http://www.berliner-mauer-gedenkstaette.de/en/index.html

Step Two: The Stasi Museum

Next, take the U-bahn to Lichtenberg and the enormous Stasi headquarters site. One of the buildings is now open to the public and houses an excellent museum; the sickly colours and dated décor make it hard to believe it was in use until 1990 and Stasi chief Erich Mielke’s apartment and office is just as he left it. The exhibits range from spying equipment to a van used for surveillance and all bizarre points in between.

Here the divergence between quaint communist ideals and brutal oppression is clear – you’ll find yourself smiling at the propaganda and toys for children one moment only to recoil in horror the next when you see a photograph of a would-be escapee who had his feet blown off my a mine and was left to bleed to death.

Ruschestraße 103, Haus 1, 10365 Berlin. U-Bahn to Magdalenenstrasse. Admission 5 EUR.

Check website for details: http://www.stasimuseum.de/en/enausstellung.htm

Hope you enjoyed this article so far - to see the rest of the post (and the third step!) click here: How to cure Ostalgie

Accessible Spring Break Ideas for People with Disabilities

Michell Haase — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:58:50 +0000

Accessible Spring Break Destinations Bring Families of People With Disabilities Together for Fun and Adventure!

It's almost that time of year again! Spring Break gives kids a much needed break from school, and droves of families hit the road for a change of setting. When you have a family member with a disability, additional research and planning is necessary to ensure that everyone will have a great time. However, there are many accessible destinations that will provide your family with fun memories to last a lifetime, and we will provide you with the details to make your planning easier.

Disney World

Of course, we can't talk about Spring Break destinations without mentioning Disney World. Disney is known the world over for its accessibility and great customer service. There is something for the entire family; from the spectacle of the Magic Kingdom, to the serene surroundings of the Animal Kingdom, it is impossible to go to Disney World without finding something that captures your heart. Disney's attention to accessibility is quite good. You can read about ride accessibility here. There are also special viewing stations for the parades. Disney offers additional assistance information for people with a variety of disabilities. They have a comprehensive accessibility guide that goes into great detail which should assist you in your travels. First Aid Stations located throughout the parks provide a private place to attend to any daily medical care like cathing or administering medicine. Transportation on property is accessible, too! I have found that when we go to Disney World, we don't even have to think about access or disability.

Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood

Ft. Lauderdale used to be the place that many of us older folks remember as the Spring Break Capital for college students. Much has changed in the last twenty years. While there are still places to have a wild time, if you choose, Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood has done a great job of building attractions that are interesting for the entire family. There are botanical gardens, boat tours, accessible beaches, and easy access to the excitement of Miami. Shake A Leg Foundation provides excellent opportunities for adaptive water sports in Southern Florida. We recently toured the area for accessibility, and found many hotel options, including the upscale Sheraton Ft. Lauderdale Beach or the economical Hilton Garden Inn in nearby Dania Beach. Hollywood Beach's Boardwalk is extremely accessible, with beach wheelchairs for public use at the lifeguard stations, centrally located accessible parking and restrooms, and mobi-mats to get wheelchairs on the beach. Ft. Lauderdale also has beach wheelchairs for use, and you can find more information about how to access one here.

San Diego

The beautiful weather in San Diego is legendary. However, the accessibility is just as good! There are many great hotels, including the Hilton San Diego Bayfront and Manchester Grand Hyatt. Attractions, like the world famous San Diego Zoo, Sea World, or Safari World, and adaptive recreation possibilities will keep the entire family smiling the entire week! Accessible San Diego is a great resource for accessibility information, and Challenged America and Row of Life offer excellent adaptive sailing opportunities. Go whale watching on the accessible Hornblower, or hop a trolley and tour the city. There is no doubt that you and your family will find endless possibilities in this fabulous city.

San Antonio

Whether it's a river tour of the Riverwalk, learning about the area's culture on the accessible Alamo Trolley tour, or spending the day at Morgan's Wonderland, a fully adaptive amusement park, you can be assured of great family fun! There are several accessible hotels in San Antonio, including the Grand Hyatt Riverwalk and the Westin Riverwalk within close proximity to all of the fun. Nearby Sea World offers the whole family a view into the mystic world of the ocean. Its accessible shows and interactive experiences will provide a day of adventure for everyone.

Spring Break Skiing in Colorado

Would you rather hit the slopes than the beach? Skiing in Colorado is a blast for everyone! Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, Keystone Adaptive, Telluride Adaptive, and National Sports Center for the Disabled are just some of the facilities that offer the family an opportunity to ski or snowboard in some of the most beautiful venues in the United States! I'm always amazed at the ingenuity of adaptive staff to get anyone of any ability out on the slopes. There are also plenty of accessible options for après ski and lodging in each ski town.

Washington D.C.

Interested in history? American history buffs and museum-philes will satisfy their appetite in Washington D.C. Washington D.C. is one of best accessible cities in the United States with a great bus system, level wide sidewalks, accessible tours and attractions. Be sure to visit the Smithsonian, a free museum system with several buildings that cover everything from art to science or Arlington Cemetery to honor our nation's heros. Interested in espionage and adventure? Go to the International Spy Museum. Visit the National Zoo, cruise the streets of Georgetown, or take in a great meal in the Eastern Market. The Holiday Inn - Washington Capitol and W Washington are fabulously accessible hotels in the center of it all.

Remember that spring break is an opportunity for your family to recharge, share laughs, and build lifelong memories. Go at your own pace, and be sure to enjoy the moment. Let's face it; we all can get overwhelmed with the "stuff" that comes along with disability. Try to make spring break a bit of a respite; put away the doctor's visits, IEP worries, and anything else that may keep you up at night. Pack your sense of humor, your inner child, and get out and enjoy!

Until next time...

Safe travels!!!

The Avenue That Loves People

Gail Walter — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:30:00 +0000

I seldom venture from the posh Parklane Hotel here in Dongguan. It’s grand enough to take it personally. The surrounding avenues and architecture are monumental, a person could get lost crossing the road. So I am reluctant, you understand. And I normally arrive late on a muggy southern China night and leave early the next morning so there has been no need. Today is different. They will pick me up in the smart car tomorrow. I arrived last night. That’s a whole day. The size and weight of this hotel is smooth, heavy and closed like a high-class prison, I must escape.

I walk round the shiny black capsules picking up busy people to drop them off at considerably less shiny factories. I skirt the complicated fountain and the carefully arranged dull green of the gardens and head for the broad expanse of avenue. It has taken me all day to muster the courage to leave my cultivated captivity.

I have stood indecisive in the room far above, staring out the window that won’t open, across the vast avenue lined with disciplined, wan greenery, at the bulk of a shocking pink shopping mall. To the left is the elevated hotel swimming pool surrounded by the kind of worrying green they have at mini golf venues. There is not a soul around.

Down on ground floor I make it across the immaculately landscaped sidewalks, dodge through the barely disciplined traffic and take a swift left away from the shouting pink of the mall.

That’s when I notice a real avenue, the kind painters paint and sketchers draw. The light falls differently here. It bounces off the faithful repetition of tree upon tree turning the air silver green, the pale pattern of white trunks almost spectral. I am at least a century from the brash cacophony of the mall.

I look at my watch. It’s 4.30. I start walking down the center. I stroll like I belong but see no sign of another foreigner like myself, not one. This is not where tourists go.

Even the workers here seem caught in a surreal pause.

I see the benches. I notice small parties of people beginning to arrive. Mostly they are elderly and slow, some of the feet that shuffle and swing wear old, worn slippers, surprised to be outside.

Men sit on one bench, all five of them, women on another a decent distance away. The pattern is repeated all down the avenue. They sit every which way, crossed legs swinging. The conversation is not animated the way it is when you tell something the first time. It is unhurried and unsurprising. No-one turns to each other aghast. Not much gesticulating, more the air of an upright but companionable afternoon nap. A very small, very old women perches at the end of a bench, facing out. She is looking down the avenue like it is her life.

The women are more subdued than the men. For years they have been at home at this time, tending to serious things, food and children. They look a little wrung out, a little tired. Their clothes are dated, more communist drab than the sharp assertive garb of their children. The shirts are like faded men’s shirts the pants are no-nonsense synthetics with sagging-bottoms, once a color like mauve or pale blue.

The men’s benches are livelier, like a pub if you ditched the beer and held it outdoors. The men face inwards, they even laugh, they’re passing the time like they always have. A perpetual pall of smoke hangs over them.

Young people march swiftly through, six abreast, like invading conquerors. Men, shiny and new in immaculate white shirts, black pants, black shoes, black computer bags. The young women click sharp black heels and dare to sit alone in bright, assertive colors on benches.

It is 5.30 and getting dark. There are many people out here now, I cannot turn around. I am drawn into this other space, this rare opportunity to glide through and pretend to be unnoticed, seeing different people doing the same things under a different sun. I must get to the end of this avenue before I let myself turn round.

I am loping almost now. Light and delighted. This is where all the city people are now, away from the monumental architecture that dwarfs them, away from the drab exertion that fades shirts, held now in this timeless tunnel of green that will be gentle with them.

On the way back to the hotel I pass an officer in a parked police car. His mouth is open, his eyes are closed. The law is asleep. I pass the shouting pink mall because I have to, garish pink and blue balloons flinch to the beat of distorted music so loud you can’t hear it. I look around, there is no-one here…

First Comes Love, Then Comes… Pregnancy Boudoir?

hillary@hillaryharvey.com (Hillary Harvey) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:37:13 +0000

Weddings are often like that schoolyard song - there’s a sequence to them. And with the average age of wedding couples creeping closer to 30, many times the newlyweds are hot to start a family right away. So perhaps a natural next thing to think about trying is a little prego boudoir. It makes a great anniversary gift!

Making the Most of your Pregnancy Shoot

Timing is key to a great pregnancy photo shoot. The best time to do a shoot is when you are big enough to be sporting a nice, recognizable bump, but not so close to your due date that you’re not feeling as physically comfortable or, worse, miss the shoot if the baby arrives early. Different body types, family histories and the way a woman carries the baby in her body (more internally, lower, higher, etc.) dictates how her body will look and react during pregnancy. Even the same woman with multiple pregnancies might find each one of them very different from the next. So this is a generalization that should be considered with a grain og salt: sometime between 7 and 8 months of pregnancy is often ideal for photos of the sexy mama.

If you’re doing your pregnancy shoot on location at your home, schedule it for a time of day when the natural light is brightest ot hitting the windows. That’ll give your photographer more to work with, and give you softer, less commercial-feeling pictures.

Talk to your photographer ahead of time about his/her vision for the shoot. You might even do some website research on other photographers’ blogs and websites or on sites devoted to pregnancy and parenting. You can share with your photographer the images that appeal to you and get ideas for poses you might want to try. Starting the collaboration with your photographer ahead of time will help you both to prepare, as well as start a rapport to build on at the shoot.

What to Wear and Prepare

When doing a photo shoot at your house, it’s helpful to straighten up first, especially in spaces that have good light. Have some cozy couches and your bed prepped for pictures, as well as anywhere near a window, by minimizing clutter around them, arranging pillows and blankets, and hiding unnecessary elements away. With just a few areas tidied, even, you can jump in and out of the various backgrounds with minimal setup. This ability to flow will mean more relaxed, fun photos.

Set out a bunch of scarves, blankets and clothes with drape and texture (but downplay the patterns) that you can play with. Wear form-fitting clothing in solid colors or black to show off your shape and help you look slim, and have your favorite lingerie or bathing suits at the ready for when you feel warmed up. Most of all, choose things to wear that make you feel comfortable and sexy.

Are the Kids All Right?

This might be your second or third pregnancy, or perhaps your partner has a child from a previous relationship. Or maybe you’re less inclined to do a secret boudoir pregnancy shoot and just want some nice portraits. Whatever the case, it’s good to consider ahead of time whether or not you want to include the whole family in the shoot. If so, the shoot might function more like the formals on your wedding day, with a variety of shots taken – people in different combinations, you alone, portraits, body shots, boudoir. You can do it all, and probably in just an hour or two!

When it’s the kids’ turn, remember that they will respond to your attitude. Depending upon the ages of the children, they might be more or less pose-able. If you can, keep your stress level and expectations low, and help them to see the shoot as a fun family event or game. Let kids wander in and out of picture time, and have something ready to keep them busy while you do some photos alone with the photographer. Don’t worry, a pro photographer will be able to grab some great shots with the kids even within a limited or intermittent timeframe.

Maybe you don’t feel as sexy and lovely as you usually do, but pregnancy is a really special time. When the baby comes, you’ll realize how amazing it all was and how fleeting. It’s so great to look back on your body’s shape with baby and a pro photog will know how to capture your best form. Who knows? You may even come away from the experience feeling gorgeous and powerful.

So go ahead and gift it to the one who will always share this new little love with you.

Photos in this post with the e logo are by Ellie Leonardsmith.

Travel Tip Tuesday: PLNNR

Ashley Dillon — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:29:02 +0000

See more at aandbctheworld.com

Travel Tip Tuesday: Plnnr

I keep stumbling upon these great websites that are making pre-trip preparations a whole lot easier! The latest one I found is Plnnr, which basically customizes itineraries based off of your preferences.

*the downside: Plnnr is only available in certain cities.

First, you pick your city:

Second, you pick the number of days you will spend and then the theme of your trip (either with kids, outdoors, the best of, or culture)

You then move onto your trip "intensity." Intense is waking up at dawn and not stopping until you hit you pillow at 3:00am...The next page is selecting the type of hotel you want to stay at (based on stars).

Then...Voila! Plnnr does its magic and gives you an itinerary for each day of your stay!

I think its quite Brilliant (and if you have an ipad, you can wander the streets with this little puppy pulled up and safely avoid looking like a tourist with a big map)!

My best travel experience in 2011

Rene Frederiksen — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 11:24:48 +0000

I spent around 35 days in the USA on road trips in 2011.

A total of three trips: easter in Texas and New Mexico, summer on Route 66 from Chicago to LA (and back) and New years in Miami and Key west.

All great trips that expanded my horizon and provided an abundance of great experiences.

By far the best travel experience I had in 2011 was the night I spent in the Grand Canyon Caverns Suite on Route 66.

It is a hotel suite that has been set up 220 feet below the ground in Grand Canyon Caverns.

An unbelievebla experience!

Like many of you in here, I have a travel blog/site where I document these things. My site is in danish but I have translated the post I wrote about the suite and you can read it here, should you be interested: A night in Grand Canyon Caverns Suite

Word to the Bride

benedets@gmail.com (Hillary Harvey) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:45:32 +0000

When I was planning my wedding (years and years ago), I wanted the process to be really fun. I wanted it and all the decisions my then-fiance and I were making to reflect our excitement about our future together. Unfortunately, I found myself too easily overwhelmed by all the details involved. I’d only been to two very non-traditional weddings at that point, so my own wedding was essentially the first wedding I’d ever attended!

One of the biggest surprises to me was the expectations involved with weddings: that my husband and I had but hadn’t known about, that our families and friends had for us, and that just seemed to generally be in the air when I mentioned that I was engaged. My husband and I had never hosted such a big event before that, and it was daunting to juggle all the elements.

But in the end, there were some lovely surprises, too. I am not one who enjoys the spotlight, and my family isn’t religious so the thought of my wedding ceremony, itself, sent me into a total state of panic and sleeplessness during our planning. But on the day, the ceremony ended up being my most favorite part. My husband and I chose really inspiring readings that I still think about from time to time, as well as meaningful music. We wrote our own vows, and I was so blissed out at saying and hearing them. I always tell people now that I could have stayed at my wedding ceremony all day, just gazing at my handsome new husband.

Thinking about all of my own ups and downs in my wedding planning, I recently asked several clients if they’d like to share what they’d learned from their weddings. Here’s what they had to say…

Keep it Simple

Bigger is not necessarily better when it comes to wedding parties. I would think twice about having 12 people in the party: too many personalities to deal with and keep track of. I would NOT let them keep their own cameras on them during the formal pictures. Let the photographer do their job, and then they can go and do their own thing. I also would have had my father stick around while dealing with the party so someone else besides me could try to get them to be where they needed to be for pictures and cooperate. – Laurie, married April 2009

Choose Vendors You Can Trust

We had made playlists for reception and dinner music that our DJ played, but they had asked us if they could use their own music for dancing/fun stuff. Everyone still talks about what a fun party that it turned into - everyone was dancing and having a great time. The music matters!! – Christina, married June 2010

Prioritize Your Budget

I knew it would be expensive, but I was floored at how it all adds up. We prioritized on what was most important for us and put our money towards it. In our case, it was having as many guests attend as possible. The inspirational sculpture, Opus 40, in Saugerties, NY, was an alluring venue. Its location and beauty brought all our guests together. It's cliche, but it is true. Having all these people you have known your whole life come out to witness and celebrate in your wedding is worth every penny. – Mitzie, married September 2010

Work out the big issues first, then go down to details (because there will be millions if you plan it yourself). Most important details: good music, good photographer, good food, good booze, good people - and everything will work out great! – Christina

Do It Together

The best surprise was how involved my husband was in the planning. It was a great test of communication and compromise to help prepare for marriage (which is going wonderfully!) – Christina

Through this head-banging process, we really blossomed as a couple and decided what it is, exactly, we want for our marriage; for ourselves. - Mitzie

In the end, the wedding planning process, even with all the stress, expense and overwhelm, seems a well-designed first step in creating a marriage. My husband and I had been together 5 years before we were married, but there were many things we’d never talked about before. And those conversations and compromises we made back then, almost 13 years ago now, set an important foundation for the marriage we began on our wedding day.

I hope you, too, enjoy the ride!

Tipping Etiquette Around the World

Ashley Dillon — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

http://www.aandbctheworld.com

Travel Tip: Tipping Etiquette

After figuring out flights, booking hotels and manically reading lonely planet, I feel like I arrive in a new place ready and well-read... but once I sit down to grab a bite to eat, I always forget what to do once the bill comes.

That's where Mint comes in: They have an awesome Tipping Etiquette Infographic: check out the link to see a much bigger version than the one below!

When I was in Korea, I remember sitting at lunch eating something delicious and staring at the bill trying to figure out what to leave as a tip, I wish I had known that you don't tip! Do you think you would end up feeling bad just walking away and not leaving the waiter/waitress anything?

Only in Norway…some lessons I’ve learned from living up here

Andy Higgs — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:28:36 +0000

At the time of tapping this out I’ve been living here in Trondheim, central Norway for the best part of 14 years. It’s been quite a roller-coaster ride as during that time I’ve got married, become a father to two children, learnt the language, worked in the restaurant business, started my own business, moved house untold times before finally having a home built here and settling in. Amongst other things.

During this time I’ve become integrated. I know this to be the case because I passed the test which involves having to answer yes to the following questions:

Do you accept that dinner is eaten at 4 p.m.?

Do you consider rice pudding to be a main course, not a dessert?

Do you consider skiing to mean cross-country, not downhill?

Do you take your shoes off whenever you go into someone’s house?

Have you stopped converting all prices back into pounds and then nearly dying of shock?

On that basis I feel I am eminently qualified to impart some pearls of wisdom and unusual facts about Norway and its lovely people gained during my years up north.

You do start thinking and dreaming in Norwegian.

It’s true. I remember our German teacher telling us that this a sure sign you had turned the corner when learning a new language. I was 13, disliked German, disliked the teacher even more and absolutely did not believe her. I’m sorry for doubting you, Miss *****.

You actually can get to like brown cheese.

Perhaps even harder to believe for ‘outsiders’ trying it for the first time, but let me say this: if my Norwegian wife can get to like Marmite, you can get to like brown cheese. Just don’t think of it as cheese.

You can walk diagonally over crossroad junctions.

This warrants an explanation. At crossroads, often the lights go green for pedestrians simultaneously. So to save time you can walk across the junction diagonally. This blew the mind of a mate of mine when he was visiting and is indeed rather neat. I still can get slightly nervous doing this though as it just seems, well, wrong…

You can’t just spontaneously go and buy a bottle of wine.

No. Anything over 5% alcohol and you have to plan a little. You can only buy such strong stuff from the government-run liquor stores which close at 6pm (at least they do here in Trondheim, if you live in a smaller place you may need to travel to buy it.)

Despite all the restrictions, the streets of every major town in Norway resemble the ‘Night of the Living Dead’ when the clubs and bars close.

Shuffling zombie-like through the streets, drunken folk try to make their way home via the local (and exceptionally tolerant) kebab shop. And you thought it was just in Blighty…

If the holiday falls on a Sunday, you’re screwed

In England, if a public holiday falls on the weekend you get the Monday off instead. Not here.

There is no such thing as ‘going out for a drink’.

Many years ago I made the mistake of inviting two people from the restaurant I worked at ‘for a drink’ after work. Within fifteen minutes it had escalated into an all-night session with about 17 participants. There is no ‘soft’ drinking culture or pub tradition, and only a minority drink sociably or because they actually enjoy it. Or at least it seems like that. And don’t even think of taking your children to the pub on a Sunday for a family outing.

You get paid a lot.

Yes, you do. My hourly wage for making pizza was higher than some middle management friends were earning in the UK. But it is more expensive of course. But you still get paid a lot.

The social benefits are astounding and the taxes are far lower than you think. Don’t tell anyone…

Maternity leave can be a year (a YEAR) on 80% salary or 10 months on 100% salary. Sick leave can last 12 months if necessary. My total deductions are less than in the UK. Shh!

Packed lunches are thoroughly depressing.

The Norwegians will whip out a ‘matpakke’ (packed lunch of sandwiches) pretty much anywhere. It’s a strange tradition in such a rich country, but starts early (few schools have canteens). I guess it’s a good thing, but sweaty cheese on limp bread in a plastic box that’s been festering half the day should only be for emergencies.

The Norwegian sense of humor is very close to the British.

And generally very good. Obviously I’m generalizing about both and just like in England there is of course a dividing line between run-of-the-mill and alternative – or good – comedy. Get on the right side of the line and you’ll be fine.

Not everyone has a cabin and a boat.

Contrary to popular belief, not all Norwegians have country cabins and a boat to zoom around in. Either that, or I managed to marry into the only Norwegian family that doesn’t…

People really do wear the bunad (Norwegian traditional costume) although not all the time.

Yes they do, especially on 17th May (Norway’s national day) and for other major events like weddings, confirmations etc. And there is a version for men, which I am told would suit me. That’s not going to happen.

The paper boy comes early, but the postman comes late.

For some inexplicable reason Norwegians expect to be able to read the daily paper at 4.30 a.m. but consider it fine to wait until they get home from work to read the mail (which is delivered around 1 p.m. in our case)

Not everything is great…

It’s cold quite a lot.

-but most things are.

It’s way warmer than you’d expect too. And it’s true what they say, at least to an extent: “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing”. Yes, that sounds better in Norwegian.

I could go on, but I’ll leave it there for now. A follow-up piece is surely on the cards, probably before too long.

For a great introduction to crossing cultural boundaries, look out for ‘Lilyhammer’ with Steven van Zandt. Yes, that one, from the Sopranos and Bruce Springsteen’s band. A rather different tale than my own (thankfully) it does however highlight many of the ‘typically Norwegian’ traits we foreigners face when moving here. If you can’t get to see the series, at least watch the trailer:

What have I missed? What have I got wrong? Probably plenty on both counts, so let me know by adding your comments!

All images obtained from Flickr.com under Creative Commons License. From top: (c) xoiram42, per/color line, Henning Kumle. Video (C) Netflix/NRK

How to Read Minds and Make Dreams Come True as a Maid of Honor

breanna.gunn@gmail.com (Jill Tooley) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:27:04 +0000

Didn’t you know that Maids of Honor are supposed to be mind readers? They’re supposed to round up the rest of the bridesmaids, plan the bachelorette party and bridal shower, cater to the bride’s requests, and still find time to lay the smack down when things may not go as planned with vendors or venues. Without oodles of patience and a keen eye for detail, Maids of Honor could end up being completely lost.

The truth is, you can’t exactly read the bride’s mind no matter how determined you may be to do so. But I can get you pretty close. Here are a handful of tips I’ve learned from being a dedicated MOH!

Maid of Honor Tip #1: Do Your Research and Stay One Step Ahead

My first MOH experience gave me a crash course on the subject of wedding research – I had exactly 5 months to coordinate everything and I had no clue where to start! I scoured the internet for articles about Maid of Honor duties and temporarily flipped my lid after seeing how much had to be accomplished. However, after closer inspection, many of the articles included outdated information that my bride didn’t care to include. So, I compiled my own to-do list based on info from several different sites, specifically tailoring it to her specific needs. I ended up with a more precise list that wasn’t nearly as overwhelming as I’d expected.

Once you have that list, it’s important to prioritize those tasks and then get to work on them immediately. It’s never too early to start thinking about the bachelorette party (some venues fill up months in advance) and the bridal shower, but there will be plenty of smaller, manageable tasks to handle as well, like helping her with ideas for personalized items or suggesting bridesmaids’ shoe styles. And just think: you’ll have more time to focus on the big projects once you get the minor ones out of the way!

Even if you’ve previously been a MOH, you still have research to do. Brush up on your knowledge and you’ll be that much more efficient because of it.

Maid of Honor Tip #2: Always Communicate with the Bride and Respect Her Authority

Never assume that your wedding preferences match those of the bride! Verify everything with her first (unless it’s a secret bachelorette party or shower, in which case it would be a good idea to probe her for preferences without tipping her off) and make sure she doesn’t have anything else to add to your list.

Don’t let your personal opinions bleed into your decisions too much; remember, it’s her wedding and she’ll let you know specific things she likes or hates. It’s one thing to talk her out of a potentially disastrous decision, but don’t urge her to get a hairstyle she’s on the fence about or convince her not to get the type of cake she wants – your job is to support her, not to influence her. Trust me, these things have a way of backfiring! You do not want to get accused of ruining any details after the fact.

Maid of Honor Tip #3: Be Firm with Bridesmaids and Vendors if Needed, but Don’t Be Overly Demanding

We’ve all heard horror stories about uncooperative bridesmaids and vendors. Hopefully you’ll get lucky and end up with a group of perfectly-organized, on-the-ball individuals, but that’s incredibly rare. There are usually a couple of bad eggs in the bunch that’ll try to jeopardize your master plan. Don’t let them!

Did a bridesmaid neglect to order her dress a day before the cutoff date? Call her and stress the importance of it without accusing her of indifference. Did the bachelorette party venue get back to you with prices for an incorrect head count? Let them know they made a mistake, politely ask that they correct it, and ask them to re-send the confirmation with the new totals. Yelling and pointing the finger at people will only make them shy further away from responsibilities. Be firm while conveying the urgency of the issue but avoid unnecessary confrontation; no one will want to help you if you’re rude to them!

Extra tip: It’s always a smart idea to pad deadlines for those super slackers! If dresses have to be ordered no later than June 1^st, then tell the bridesmaids the last day is May 15^th. This gives you some leeway in sticky situations and provides some peace of mind.

Maid of Honor Tip #4: Be Attentive and Don’t Let the Bride See You Panic on the Big Day

Are you secretly freaking out because you noticed the venue failed to put out cake-cutting utensils (this happened at my own wedding and at a friend’s) or because the kitchen mixed up a few meals on the placecards? Don’t immediately go running to the bride with the news; it’ll only frazzle her and make her upset. Step up to the plate and take care of unexpected situations as best you can –while keeping her best interests in mind – and only involve the bride if absolutely necessary. Panic doesn’t exactly set the mood for having a good time, and her enjoyment is the most important of all.

Oh, and pay attention to every detail you can take in, from the setup of the reception hall to the servers’ attire and behavior. It’s your job to take care of business if there’s something lacking, because the bride will surely be distracted and overwhelmed with other things!

Maid of Honor Tip #5: Over-Prepare for the Unexpected

Emotions will be running wild once the big day finally rolls around, which means items will be forgotten. As a MOH, you’ll want to think like a responsible mom with quintuplets; that means you have to prepare yourself for every possible crisis you can imagine. Pack an overnight bag with commonly-overlooked necessities like nail polish remover, Q-tips, cotton balls, petroleum jelly, deodorant, razors, toothpaste, dental floss, nail files/clippers, lotion, tampons/pads, and shampoo/conditioner. You can even throw in extras like energy shots or bottled water. This won’t go unnoticed!

Don’t forget to eat during the whirlwind of preparation and encourage the bridal party to do the same. Snag some bagels and cream cheese, fresh fruit, and non-messy snacks for people to munch on while they’re getting ready. It’s not a good idea to skip breakfast on the wedding day…dinnertime will be a long way off!

A Maid of Honor wears dozens of hats, such as bridesmaid shepherd, party planner, and go-to problem fixer. The job may seem overwhelming at first, but it’s much more manageable when everything is split up into bite-sized tasks. The bride is counting on you, so remember to keep your cool and stay organized even when things seem chaotic!

In addition to being a Maid of Honor veteran, Jill Tooley is Head of Content and Social Media at Quality Logo Products, a leading supplier of personalized items and wedding favors. You can connect with her on Twitter and on her company’s promo blog.

Passing along a HARO - couples who want to vacay in London!

Mary A Huff — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:34:37 +0000

If you've never used HARO, please go to www.helpareporter.com before you reply to this query.

Want a trip to London? Check out this HARO!
27) Summary: New Travel Channel series "Vacation Hunters" casting people for London episode!!!
Name: Danielle Gretz Travel Channel
Category: Travel
Email: query-1uoe@helpareporter.net

Media Outlet: Travel Channel
Deadline: 7:00 PM EST - 3 February
Query:
Travel Channel series casting couples (with kids and without)
who want to go to London or who have been planning a vacation to
London!

Leopard Films USA, producers of hit shows such as "House Hunters
International," is looking to cast couples ages 25-45 (with kids
and without) who are planning/want to take a vacation to London
in February.

By participating in this show, you'll be able to test out 3
different kinds of ways of experiencing London. Our expert tour
guide will be taking you around to different hotels,
accommodations and resorts while explaining the pros and cons of
each so that you can eventually select your favorite option and
head off on your dream vacation!!!

To apply, please respond ASAP with the following information:
-Name
-Contact numbers (home, cell, work)
-Email
-Location (city and state)
-Age
-Who you'll be traveling with (kids, husband, wife, boyfriend,
girlfriend, etc.) as well as their names and ages
-Have you ever been to before?
-Tell us about past vacation disasters
-What do you like to do on vacation? What does your partner like
to do? Similarities? Differences?
-What is your max budget for this trip?
-How do you think The Travel Channel could help you and your
family/partner have your dream vacation?
Requirements:
Outgoing, fun and UPBEAT personalities!!!

Paradise Found on the Island of Women - Isla Mujeres

Chrystiane Mallaley — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

About a year ago, I began doing some research on how best to use a soon-to-be expired Aeroplan flight credit for anywhere in Canada, the U.S., or Mexico.

The winter chill had set in here in Fredericton, so I immediately envisioned a getaway to a warm and beachy destination. With the flight already covered and a plan to travel on my own, an all-inclusive, mega resort experience didn't appeal.

My main search criteria were: 1) a safe and secure destination for a solo, female traveler; 2) easily accessible; and 3) cheap!

A small island off the coast of Cancun met all of my requirements and more. Isla Mujeres is Spanish for the Island of Women. The name stems from the island's historic role as a sanctuary to the Mayan goddess of fertility, Ixchel.

Isla is only 650 metres wide and 7 km long, therefore easily explored by foot, bicycle, scooter or golf cart. The island's vibe is very warm, friendly and laid back, definitely a far cry from the glitzy excess of Cancun's hotel zone.

Sure, I had a little anxiety about making the trip on my own, but that quickly melted away as soon as I got to put my toes in the powdery, white sand of Playa Norte.

With the right destination and information, solo travel can be a perfect way to get precisely what you want out of your vacation, and best of all, you get to set the pace!

Chi Chi & Charlie's - Playa Norte

How to get there:
Isla Mujeres is located 8 miles off the coast of Cancun. From the airport, grab a cab or a pre-arranged private shuttle (I've used Best Day) to transfer to the Puerto Juarez ferry terminal.

With the fresh Caribbean breeze and warm sunshine, you'll feel like your vacation is officially underway as you sip your first Corona on the top deck. There's a good chance that there will also be some live music as well. Buy the beer at the ferry terminal and carry it on board.

Where to stay:
There are plenty of accommodations options on Isla - beach front on Playa Norte; in the heart of El Centro where many of the restaurants and shops are located; the residential area Colonia La Gloria, mid-island; or the rocky shores of Punta Sur at the southern end of the island.

If you want to be where the action is, you'll want to choose a hotel in Centro, on or near Playa Norte.

I've stayed at, and plan to return to Hotel Las Palmas. Las Palmas is located only a block from the main street of restaurants and bars - Avenue Hildago; and a 2 minute walk to the beach.

The hotel is owned and operated by a mother-daughter duo of Kate and Safari, who hail from British Columbia, Canada. Don't hesitate to seek their advice on anything related to Isla, they are the most friendly and helpful hosts a solo traveler could hope for.

You will find Las Palmas' rooms clean and comfy with great beds, air conditioning and hot water pressure. The rooftop patio has lovely loungers and a plunge pool for a quick dip to cool off.

Chat with other guests over coffee each morning in the colourful courtyard.

Where to eat:
You do not want to tie yourself down with an all-inclusive dining plan on Isla! You will find a surprising number and variety of food experiences to choose from. Whether it's the freshest fish caught daily; street tacos; or the traditional Yucatan dish of cochinita pibil which is available at the local mercado (market) on Sundays; you will want to take advantage of the opportunity to eat your way around the island.

Read restaurant reviews on Trip Advisor before you travel and make a list of places you would like to try.

What to do:
The beauty of Isla is that you can do as much or as little as you want.

Ordering and studying a Map Chick map prior to your trip will be a huge help in familiarizing yourself with the layout of the island and the places you are likely to visit. The maps are very detailed and well worth their cost of $10 U.S.

Here are just a few ideas:

1) Watch the sunrise from the boardwalk on the eastern side of the island, and the sunset between Playa Norte and Playa Sol.

Sunset on Isla

Sunrise

2) Get a little Zen with some yoga. There are many options for classes on the island, for people of all skill levels.

Yoga under a rooftop palapa at Elements of the Island - http://www.islamujeresyoga.com/

3) Spend a day sipping cervesas, reading a good book, and people watching on Playa Norte.

4) Sample fine Mexican tequila with new friends. This can easily prompt some dancing at the beach party held nightly at Poc-Na Hostel.

La Adelita Tequileria, Avenue Hildago

5) Rent a golf cart to check out the whole island. You will want to make your way to Punta Sur, the southern tip of the island. There are some spectacular views from the walking path and a small Mayan ruin and sculpture garden to visit.

6) Relax and enjoy your vacation in paradise!

I will be returning to Isla for a week of R&R this coming Friday. Stay tuned for more posts about my latest 'fun in the sun' adventures!

The Proper Way to Eat Chocolate

Kim Steutermann Rogers — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:48:20 +0000

“There’s a proper way to eat chocolate,” Koa said. “Take a piece and rub it around in your fingers to aerate and warm it up. That brings out all the flavors.” That also explained why the tips of Koa’s fingers—and now mine—were brown.

I gave my husband three cacao trees five years ago for our anniversary. Now, after a visit to the Garden Island Chocolate farm, I know why they are nothing more than three sticks in the hard-packed ground where I live on Kauai.

The scientific name Theobroma cacao translates to “food of the gods” and “the chocolate tree.” In America, we refer to the plant and all its products before processing as “cacao.” After processing, the seeds, whether in liquid or solid form, become what some call the “food of the gods,” what others call a “super-food,” and what still others call a daily necessity, but in all cases, its most common name is “chocolate.”

There is only one place in the United States where cacao is grown: Hawaii. And there are only two growers who see cacao to its final state in a “bean to bar” process. One is Garden Island Chocolate on Kauai. The other is The Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory—with a slogan, Remember: Chocolate is Aloha—located on Hawaii (Big) Island.

You might call the gift of a cacao tree the gift that keeps on giving or—with a wink and a smile—self-serving. But the truth is I am not the chocoholic in the family. Although I admit, the more I try different types of chocolate, especially with various food pairings—much like wine—the stuff is growing on me. And, so, very much in keeping with my character, my first stop in my Organic, Sustainable, Mostly Plant-Based Hawaii Farm Tour of 2012, I decided to start with dessert.

Garden Island Chocolate is located on Kauai’s east side, above Kapaa, along a meandering rural-residential road, far off the beaten track that leads to typical visitor destinations, on the 30-acre property of Ein Rogel Farms.

On the covered lanai outside a farm building, we sat around a table decorated with roasted cacao beans, bowls of cacao nibs, bars of chocolate, mini jars of chocolate syrup and a box of chocolate truffles—a veritable choco-palooza. A medium brown cat, named Cocoa, of course, weaved between our legs, leaving a scent my two dogs would later spend long, intense minutes deciphering. Outside, water raced over a wide waterfall and down the stream adjacent to the property.

The farm’s chocolate maker, Koa, passed around a plate of nibs in two of the farm’s eight varieties—criollo and trinitario. Nibs, Koa explained, are chunks of cacao after it’s been fermented, dried and roasted. Basically, almost chocolate.

Next, he passed a plate of the farm’s Spicy Pepper chocolate, made with allspice and chilies as a tribute to the ancient Mayans who are credited with figuring out how to turn a cacao pod shaped like a mini football into the flavor we call chocolate.

“Good connoisseurs don’t use adjective to describe chocolate,” Koa said. “They share a memory or a feeling. Chocolate connoisseurs don’t say it tastes like a plumb with black currants. They might say something like, ‘It smells like that sunny day when I was on the swing and the grass was freshly cut.’”

I tasted a piece of Alaea Sea Salt, and it will always remind me of the tooth-smeared, chocolate smile of Susan Garden, visiting from Napa, California, wearing a straw hat on her head, fingers as smudged as mine, and laughing throatily as she made sure not to let a few stray grains of Hawaiian sea salt go to waste.

Another of the tours guides, Jesse, explained, “Chocolate is a processed food, like coffee and wine. Its quality is a combination of a great product and proper processing. Like the ‘third wave of coffee,’ quality chocolates are single origin, so you can taste the terroir.”

The Hemp Seed and Mint was next.

Jesse explained that mission of Garden Island Chocolate is simple: To produce the best chocolate in the world.

Hence, their chocolate is made up of 80% chocolate. “When you get below 60 or 50 percent cacao, you can’t really taste the quality of the chocolate.”

Jesse describes the operation at Garden Island Chocolate as an artisanal, small batch maker. They follow organic and sustainable agricultural standards and practices. What they don’t grow themselves, they source from other Hawaii farmers. For example, their sugar comes from the last working sugar plantation in Hawaii—Maui.

The Macadamia Nut & Coconut chocolate may have been the last bar to get passed around, but it wasn’t the last of the chocolate.

Speaking of sugar, Jesse explained, if a chocolate bar is labeled as 80% cacao, then 20% of the bar is made of sugar. He also pointed out that you’ve got to read the ingredient label. The “80% cacao” banner on the front of the bar really means “cacao and cacao derivatives.” Derivatives like cocoa butter.

So, of course, I flipped over the bar in my hands to read the ingredients of Garden Island Chocolate’s Spicy Pepper chocolate bar, and they read: organic Kauai grown cacao, organic Hawaiian sugar, organic chili peppers, organic allspice, organic Kauai grown vanilla beans.

And, then, I accepted the first truffle: Lilikoi. And that’s when it may have happened--when I became a chocoholic.

How often do you really and truly come across something that’s good—and I mean really good--and good—and I mean really good—for you?

Koa explained, chocolate has more flavanols (antioxidants) than any other type of food. (Flavanols help blood flow and strengthen the lining of the blood vessels.) Chocolate has over 400 chemical compounds, including theobromine, a muscle relaxant; phenylethylamine, known as the love drug; and anandamide, known as the bliss chemical. No wonder chocolate is considered a super-food.

Second truffle: Pina colada with Tahitian lime.

The key in retaining the health benefits to chocolate, though, is in keeping it pure. That’s why Garden Island Chocolate grinds the beans by hand using a stone melanger. “It’s like the difference between fresh-squeezed orange juice and orange juice made from concentrate,” said Jesse.

Third truffle: Honey.

There’s so much more than chocolate on this tour. Before we even got to the tasting room—a covered lanai—we toured the farm: soursop, lychee, rambutan, atemoya, breadfruit, mangosteen, fig, tropical peach, papaya, tangelo, lilikoi and vanilla. We tasted: papaya, navel orange, tangerine, grapefruit, avocado, pomelo, rambutan, abiu, cacao bean, Surinam cherry and macadamia nut. The tasting started with the tiny fruit—oblong in shape and Christmas red in color—called Miracle Berry. For good reason. But that story will have to wait for another day.

I returned home with a bar of chocolate for my husband and a bit of knowledge. Cacao is an understory plant. As such, it prefers shade, wind-protection and plenty of water. Our cacao trees receive: sun, wind and drought-like conditions. It’s not like we didn’t do our homework. The bananas that were supposed to provide shade turned out to be dwarfs. The wind-blocks got ripped out in a big storm, and when the one-time healthy saplings got stripped of their leaves, we didn’t re-build their protection and, over time, stopped watering them. Hence, twigs sticking out of the ground.

But that’s fine with me. Making (good) chocolate is no small endeavor. I’ll just pick up a bar of Garden Island Chocolate next time I have a hankering. Which could be tonight.

Kim Steutermann Rogers lives on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai with three chickens, two dogs and one husband and is woefully inadequate at growing cacao. She is, however, growing adept at eating chocolate. You can read this story about chocolate at her Hawaii travel blog, View from Here.

12 ways to tell when you travel too much

Carol Perehudoff — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:37:51 +0000

1) Have you ever gone alone to a hotel bar in Paris, Seoul and/or Budapest and been mistaken for a hooker?

Yes.

2) Do you have a luggage docking station in your home?

Yes.

3) Do you always ask for extra pages when you get a new passport?

Yes.

4) Have you ever said on video that you’re in one country when you’re actually in another?

Yes. I said I was in Costa Rica when I’ve never even been there. Luckily, it was edited out.

5) Do you know what the Travelers’ Century Club is?

Yes – it’s for people who have travelled to 100 or more countries.

6) Have you ever considered joining the Travelers’ Century Club?

Not seriously.

7) How about the Mile High Club?

Not.

8) Have you lost count of how many countries you’ve been to?

Yes.

9) Have you ever overstayed a visa?

Yes. In Thailand, but they’re very nice about it if you pay a fine. Don’t quote me on that.

10) Have you ever been mistakenly given a scientific visa for a country instead of a tourist visa and gone anyway?

Yes. India. It made me feel very intelligent.

11) Have you ever travelled around a country with an air ticket in a different name?

Yes. In Egypt. I took the place of someone on a conference and the organizers never changed the name on the domestic flights. It made me feel very shady. And nervous! Surprisingly, no one blinked.

12) And finally – have you ever had a complete conversation with a taxi driver and not realized you’re speaking different languages until a third party points it out?

Of course! Sign language and a smile trumps words. Happy travelling.

Real Wedding: Fall Flare at The Grandview

breanna.gunn@gmail.com (Michele Diggelmann) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:03:33 +0000

Michele & Ryan

Location: The Grandview, Poughkeepsie, NY

We got married in a small, adorable Roman Catholic church in the town of Pawling (St. Johns). I picked this church because it's my church and I just absolutely LOVE it there!

Afterwards, we headed over to the Grandview in Poughkeepsie for our reception and we were speechless! The service we received was out of this world! They made my visions come true with the set up and they were right there if we needed anything. Our reception (even though I know it was our wedding!) was honestly one of the BEST Iíve ever been too! People are still raving about the view of the Hudson River and the Mid-Hudson Bridge and the FOOD! We had five stations of different foods that we picked. Each station had several different things on them. People RAVED about this because they got a little bit of everything. My thinking was that Iíve been to so many weddings were I didnít care for my dinner and youíre stuck until the cake comes out. Here you had so many choices.

Photographer: Surprise Photography

She was absolutely AMAZING (as always). We did our engagement pictures with her and Ryanís family had a family shoot with her. She does beautiful work! She is also such a sweetheart! Anthony is my 3 year-old son and I thought I was never going to get him to sit still for a picture. But Melissa to the rescue! She was outstanding and we had a blast working with her!

Entertainment: Next Generation, Mahopac, NY

It was great! People danced the whole wedding. There was never a slow down. The guys that were working for us were so much fun and so lively! They also had a great set up and a slide show of our personal pictures. Seeing pictures of us as kids and grandparents who couldnít be with us that day added a great touch to the night. [first dance, kids dancing, dancing, dancing guys, dancing guys2]

Dress: Maggie Sottero

I got it right before she discontinued making it. It was purchased at a little shop called Brides Fanatasy, which sadly is recently closed. The women there were dolls! They made my experience of finding and buying ìthe dressî everything it should be!

Shoes: Ivanka Trump

My adorable hubby purchased them for me on Zappos. They were these one-of-a-kind Ivanka Trump pumps. I say one of a kind because if you saw the pictures of them, they were the new millennium Cinderella slipper!

Jewelry

My jewelry was also purchased at Brides Fantasy. I highly recommend that if you donít buy your jewelry at the same shop, bring it with you and try it all on with your dress. It helps to bring the whole picture together.

Hairpiece

My hair piece was also purchased a Brides Fantasy. I was going sort of vintage with my look so I had (what looked like old) combs with plenty on gems. They made me feel like they were off the Titanic. My veil was purchased by surfing the internet. In stores veils can cost you almost $200. Mine cost $35, but you would've never known!

Tux: Menís Wearhouse

The boys got their tuxes from Menís Wearhouse on Rt.9 Poughkeepsie. My husband did a great job picking the styles and colors to match my girls!

Bridesmaid dresses: After Six

I got my girls to order their dresses from PerfectBridal.com. They were After Six dresses for $160. They got them in plenty of time to go wherever they wanted to get them altered. It worked out perfectly!

Cake

Our cake was supplied by The Grandview, and it was delicious! I had picked an octagon shape and supplied them with fake fall leaves that they assembled on the cake, which was chocolate, with chocolate mousse and butter cream frosting. People kept asking me if it was the real wedding cake because it looked so amazing and it was!

Flowers: DIY

For my Flowers I got silk flowers from Michaels on Rt.9. They were absolutely beautiful and we got to keep them forever!

Hair and makeup: Shara Studler

My hair and makeup was done by a good friend of ours, Shara Studler. Her husband Justin was a groomsman. She stayed overnight and we got to work at like 6 am. Why so early? Because we got married at 10am! She did an amazing job. I would have been lost without her!

Inspiration

My color and theme inspiration basically came from the season. Fall and vintage were my key words. I ìmadeî my own centerpieces. I bought cast iron pumpkins from Michaels a year in advance, and put an orange candle in them. Since I couldnít have a candle directly on top of the linen, I found brown plates and placed the pumpkins on top of them. On either side of the pumpkins I purchased mason jars and filled the bottoms with a small orange votive and orange and clear glass pebbles. Then there were a few fall leaves (fake, of course) scattered along the tables. The girlsí dresses were a beautiful orange color. It was called Clementine but it was very muted with a wide lace ivory sash. I also purchased the flower girl dresses online and they matched perfectly!

Michele's advice for future brides

I would have to say although I put a lot of time, thought and effort towards basically everything and Iím well aware that a lot of people donít have that kind of time, it was really important to me that I helped create the day. Walking into the reception area and seeing my centerpieces come to life was really special to me. I would love to do it again, but who has that kind of money?!

What would you do differently?

Since I had our son with me the morning of the wedding and both flower girls, plus my four bridesmaids, two matrons of honor, my mother, my father and my hair dresser (the lovely Shara), it was a little crazy! I definitely either would have had the kids go to a family memberís house or had a babysitter with them all morning. I love my niece, but having her crying on my dress while I was getting it laced up isnít exactly how I envisioned it! J Thatís ok. Kids are kids and they are darn cute! All in all it was a beautiful day and I couldnít have been or be happier to be Mrs. Diggelmann!

Thimphu to Paro and hiking the Tiger’s Nest

Arnab Maity — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:57:06 +0000

A bracing wind gushed into the narrow recess carved out of rocks, muddling the prayer flags, which had joined hands to cross the adjacent gorge. A cliff stood tall in front, cradling a monastery on its lap. A wave of chants cascaded from a distance soothing the mind into a trance. An artist’s fingers captured the stunning vista with the strike of a pencil, sketching the Taktsang Goempa, one of the holiest places in Bhutan, which every Bhutanese wants to visit at least once in his life.

Air Travel I - Wonder & Woe

Kevin Kato — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:30:00 +0000

Three weeks ago I flew from Newark, New Jersey to Tokyo’s Narita Airport. (If this were a facebook status update I’d simply say ‘EWR-NRT’, assuming such snark has not yet become passé.) It had been a while since I’d flown –six weeks almost – so it took no time for the incongruous wonders of air travel, like the burn of a jalapeno, to rip into my senses once again.

Of course, the physics alone are mind-boggling. I’m sure Orville and Wilbur never imagined an eight-million-pound plane, loaded with another eight million pounds of people, luggage and processed dinner omelets, could make it over a sand dune let alone the Pacific Ocean. Legalized extortion (commonly known as the fuel surcharge) notwithstanding, that we can in twenty-four hours get from any semi-major city in the world to any other semi-major city not currently steeped in rioting and/or armed conflict is nothing less than an everyday miracle (until we figure out those wormhole things). Yet people will still complain about the dinner omelets.

However many times I’ve flown, the experience still makes me giddy. Feeling the lunge and thrust of a plane leaving the ground; looking down on land and water lying six miles beneath my squished nose; being able to doze off while hurtling through the atmosphere in a metal tube held together with bolts no thicker than my thumb; human accomplishments in aviation are indeed a wonder to behold.

Which makes the prevailing thought processes driving the whole air travel culture that much more incongruous.

‘This is a bicycle,’ I said as I laid my tandem, disassembled and all bungeed up tight in a bicycle bag, on the conveyor belt/ scale thing at the check-in counter. (I have no idea how those two can be combined.) ‘It’s kind of fragile,’ I told the woman.

‘Do you want me to put a fragile sticker on it?’ she asked, oblivious or maybe just used to the fact that her red neck scarf had a bow the size of a Cessna on it.

‘Yes, please do.’ It had made the trip to Thailand fine, wrapped in foam inside a heavy cardboard box. But that box and all the foam were now in a dumpster in Chanthaburi somewhere, and I was a bit apprehensive about the protective qualities of my thin nylon sack. ‘Yes, a fragile sticker thing would be great.’

‘Okay, please sign this for me.’ The woman slid a small rectangular form across the counter at me.

‘What’s this?’

‘It means we are not responsible if we break your bicycle. Please sign at the bottom.’

Whoa. ‘Wait a minute, why wouldn’t you be responsible?’

‘Because you are saying it is fragile.’

I'm no psychology major…wait, yes I am. And I’m sure we covered logic in there somewhere.

‘Well yes, of course. I am telling you it’s fragile so you don’t break it.’

‘You are saying it is fragile because it is not packed properly. So if it breaks you can not hold the airline responsible. That is why we need you to sign that.’

So I tell them it’s fragile so they don’t break it, and my reward is signing a little form that says it is okay if they break it. These airlines must have lawyers working for them or something.

‘What if I don’t sign this?’

‘Then I take that fragile sticker off,’ said the woman, disregarding the red pterodactyl attacking her throat.

‘So then if my bicycle is damaged I can hold you responsible?’ (I made it a point to say you.)

‘No, the airline (she made it a point to say airline) would not be responsible.’

‘Why not? If you break my bicycle…’

‘Because without a sticker we don't know that it is fragile.’

I ended up signing the form.

On the up side, since I was flying an Asian airline, the beer was free. And since this was not a Chinese airline my bicycle made it through okay. Not perfect, but okay. (Note to anyone traveling by bicycle in Thailand: there’s a big cardboard box and lots of foam in a dumpster behind the restaurant by the side of the road where the bus from the airport drops off people going to Chanthaburi, please help yourself.)

On the other hand, the following conversation took place at the check-in counter of one of the American airlines, all of which have the audacity to charge for beer. This was last Fall while checking my family in for our flight from Tokyo to L.A.

‘Excuse me,’ I said, showing my flight info sheet to the check-in woman, a large blue tuna fish can pinned to her hair, noticeably off-center. ‘There’s no meal for the baby.’ I meant it as a subtle, helpful hint.

‘That’s correct,’ she replied. ‘There’s no baby meal.’

It’s obvious when someone is ending a conversation, even in Japanese.

‘Okay, well, we’d like to request a meal for the baby.’ Two meals, really, though I figured I didn’t need to point that out.

‘No, I’m sorry. We don’t offer baby meals.’

‘...He gets a regular meal?’ I knew this couldn’t be the case but neither could the alternative. So I thought.

‘No, there is no baby meal on this flight.’

‘On this flight?’

The woman stared, cock-eyed like a confused puppy so that her tuna can was now sitting on the highest point on her head.

I tried again, without the sarcasm (which was already becoming increasingly difficult). ‘You mean, you have nothing for the baby?’

‘Yes.’ (Which, translated into English, means no.)

‘No food for the entire eleven-hour flight?’

‘Correct.’

‘You’re kidding me, eleven hours and the kid gets no food.’

‘There is no baby meal.’

‘No crackers.’

‘Yes.’

‘Not even a piece of bread?’

‘You can give him some of yours.’ (They probably don’t mean to, but Japanese people can come across as terribly magnanimous at the worst times.)

‘But he gets nothing,’ I said.

‘That is correct.’

(At this point I had to switch to English.) ‘Are you flipping serious?’

No answer.

‘Infants get nothing?’

‘Meals are reserved for people in seats.’

‘...You mean he’s not a person if he isn’t in a seat?’

‘I did not say that.’

‘What do you think he is, a carry-on?’

Silence. Sarcasm is clearly non-existent in Japan.

‘For eleven hours…more than eleven hours, he gets nothing to eat.’

‘Yes, I’m sorry.’

‘You’re sorry? Don’t be sorry, just do something. He’s a real live person. He needs to eat.’

‘There’s nothing I can do.’

‘You can give me back the four hundred dollar fuel surcharge I had to pay for him.’

‘The fuel surcharge applies to all passengers.’

‘And all carry-ons with hair?’

If I ever teach in Japan again I am teaching sarcasm and only sarcasm.

‘Great, so he’s a human being - a full-sized human being - when it means four hundred dollars for you, but when it comes to meals he’s a piece of luggage.’

Blank face. I had to try in Japanese. She still didn’t understand me.

I pointed to my older son. ‘You gave him meals when he was a baby.’

‘United has never given baby meals.’

‘United? What do you mean United? This is Continental!’

‘Sir, I’m sorry, we don’t offer baby meals.’

To be honest, I had plenty of food in my backpack for the kid. My wife always packs enough sandwiches and rice balls and crackers for the five-hour bus ride to Tokyo, the three hours until we are in the air, the entire pan-Pacific flight and lunch the next day in New Jersey. But my wife’s overzealousness provides an airline with neither reason nor excuse not to offer something in exchange for their four hundred dollar shakedown on my sixteen-pound kid.

‘Let me guess, you don’t offer diapers anymore either, do you?’

‘United stopped offering diapers several years ago.’

‘Why do you keep talking about United? United is United, this is Continental!’

‘We follow United’s policy for infants.’

It was my turn to stare cock-eyed. I wanted to ask her if she could make my kid a tuna sandwich.

‘So this is what you are telling me...’ I motioned to the guy at the next check-in window, two hundred fifty pounds easy even without the Louis Vuitton carry-on. ‘My baby pays the same fuel charge as him?’

She glanced over. 'Yes.' Then she thought for a moment and turned back to me. ‘But that man doesn’t get diapers either.’

Okay I made that last part up. But the point remains. For all the advancements in air travel technology – self-check-in, a hundred movies on-demand, special plastic bags for liquids to keep any would-be terrorists from making a bomb – there remains a noticeable void of human intelligence here.

Or maybe the airlines and their lawyers really are smart enough to know just how much they can get away with because we are never going to stop flying.

Until we figure out that wormhole thing.

By the way, Continental and United Airlines are merging, in case you hadn’t heard – or been personally introduced to the circus in progress. This would account for the odd logic the woman with the tuna can was tossing me – though I wish she’d explained why my kid was now legally both a human being and a piece of luggage.

I swore after this encounter with United-Continental’s cherry-picking, profit-driven policy decisions I’d never fly either airline again. Of course I said the same thing about all Chinese airlines not too long ago, for their baggage-handling non-policies. But the reality is that my air travel decisions are savings-driven. Until the day I can afford to fly business class on whatever airline tickles my fancy I’ll have to live with the prevailing air travel culture while I continue staring out the window, marveling at how fast we are going, how beautiful the world looks from six miles up, and how many movies I have at my fingertips.

And hey, the coffee’s free.

Note to the alert reader: Yes I know that while I mentioned at the beginning of this post that three weeks ago my senses were reintroduced to the capsicum-like effects of air travel, neither of the above instances occurred three weeks ago. This is because I have to go feed and change my carry-on and thus have no time to delve into my latest air travel adventure, involving both the bold statements slathered across the pages of my recent in-flight magazine and the finer print lurking below. This will be covered in an upcoming post – probably the next one as I am not planning to fly for another two weeks, almost.

Real Wedding: Gorgeous Pops of Color at The Venetian Yacht Club

jengarry@besthudsonvalleyweddingever.com (Jennifer Garry) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:30:19 +0000

Katie & Steve, October 9, 2011

As cliché as it may sound, I truly have been planning my wedding ever since my first walk down the aisle as the flower girl at my parents' wedding. My dad still jokes to this day that my new husband Steve was the final missing piece to all of my wedding planning! After becoming engaged I realized it was even more fun planning a wedding with the love of your life to help (and of course a bridesmaid here and there!).

Two of my friends have had amazing weddings with unbelievable pictures, so of course my very first phone call was to Ulysses Photography. I wanted to have them shoot our wedding so bad that I called them before I even had a wedding date picked! Having already known Jenni and Ulysses from previous weddings, it was more like having our pictures taken by our friends.

Before I could book them we had to pick a venue, which ended up being The Venetian Yacht Club, which sits on the Great South Bay of Long Island. Knowing that we were going to have pictures outside with gorgeous views of the bay, we decided on an early fall wedding.

The date is also special to me because, being a John Lennon fan, I knew I’d be getting married on his birthday! Another really special touch was that we had our ceremony at St. Patrick’s Church, which is the same aisle I walked down for my parents' wedding as their flower girl.

I really wanted my wedding to not be the usual cookie-cutter wedding and instead opted for some unique touches. I never really saw myself in a big ball gown dress, and after trying on my Reem Acra Grecian-style gown it was love at first sight! I also wanted to add a little drama by wearing my navy Badgley Mischka shoes as my “something blue.”

Another place I knew I had to go to for some unique ideas was Bayview Florist. When Steve and I walked into our reception hall, we were just blown away by the centerpieces with white lilies and roses spilling out of their water and crystal filled vases.

Steve and I have been together for four years and I don’t think we have stopped laughing or having fun together since, and that was exactly what we wanted our wedding to feel like. I really feel that we made that happen with our photo booth from Ovations. They made us an album of all of the crazy pictures taken by our friends and family, and to this day it cracks us up every time we look at it.

I know my dad jokes about Steve being my last piece of the planning, but it ended up being the surprise of his entire family coming over from England, Spain and Australia. Having all our family and friends in one room celebrating with us really made our special day the most unforgettable one that we have ever had.

Vendors

Photography: Ulysses Photography

Flowers: Bayview Florist

Ceremony Location: St. Patrick's Church

Reception Location: Venetian Yacht Club

Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas

Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Bride's Dress: Reem Acra

Bridesmaids Dresses: Ivy & Ashh

Cake: Sweet Fifi

Makeup: LJ Makeup Artistry

Hair: Gina of The Hair & Makeup Studio

Real Wedding: Rustic Elegance at Onteora Mountain House

jengarry@besthudsonvalleyweddingever.com (Jennifer Garry) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:06:50 +0000

Jessica Cummings and Ashlin Halfnight, September 3, 2011

Our wedding in Woodstock was a dream come true, from start to finish. We were looking for a rustic setting, woods and sky and fresh air, but with convenience and class... somewhere people could feel relaxed but pampered. Onteora Mountain House was all that and more... and everyone who came was stunned.

Our ceremony went off without a hitch, except for the fact that our best man forgot the wedding rings... which added the perfect dash of drama to an otherwise smooth and enchanting start to the wedding day. After leaving the church with Jessica waving out of the sunroof of the getaway car, we headed back to Onteora to start the party. On the heels of Hurricane Irene, we chose the Dark and Stormy as our specialty cocktail, but as the night wore on plenty of sweat, laughs and tears were in evidence, but thankfully, no raindrops at all.

Ulysses and Jenni from Ulysses Photography were awesome, capturing the ceremony, reception, and intimate details throughout with a compassion, vision, and humor that was beyond compare. Our florists, Steven Bruce Design were so cool and chill in the lead-up, even with the added complications of power outages and road closures, and the end results were perfect and beautiful and exactly what we'd imagined. We could not have asked for a better day to celebrate our love.

Vendors:

Photography: Ulysses Photography
Flowers: Steven Bruce Design
Caterer: Blue Mountain Bistro
Location: Onteora Mountain House
Stationery: Minted
Dress: Jim Hjelm
Bridesmaids dresses: After Six
Music: Boss Systems
Hair: Courtney Benedetti
Makeup: Jennifer McCarthy

The Fondue Train

Vanessa Martin Randin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:37:53 +0000

If you’re looking for a fun weekend activity in the Swiss canton of Fribourg, The Fondue Train (or ‘Le train retro’ as it is known in French) may be just the ticket. It combines everything that’s admirable about Switzerland – impeccable organisation, a simple culinary concept, good wine and a picture perfect backdrop against which to enjoy it all.

I took The Fondue Train – run by the canton of Fribourg’s transport authorities – for the third time last autumn and was surprised to find I hadn’t tired of the experience.

The leisurely 40-minute ride on the bright green electric train, from the main station in the town of Bulle to the sleepy village of Montbovon, gave us enough time to enjoy a pre-lunch aperitif as we trundled through the Swiss countryside. It had been a long week and I could feel my shoulders relax as I sunk into my seat with my glass of wine and watched the little villages and the open fields with Fribourg’s signature black and white cows, roll by.

Read the full post at Chickstravelflicks.com!

Cycle culture: why you are more likely to be run over by a cyclist than car in Amsterdam

Margaret Antkowski — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:23:29 +0000

North Americans can learn a few things from Amsterdam natives when it comes to cycling. The first visible lesson is the benefit of cycling around a city and what that does to your waistline.

During my recent visit, I noted that most people - young and old - were slim and fit. I felt like the lumbering, big Canadian gal in their company.

Amsterdam has long been known as a city of cyclists. Statistics from 2003 showed that 85% of Amsterdam residents rode their bike at least once a week.

Aside from the regular cardio workout, cycling is preferred for a number of other reasons:

It's cheap: no huge insurance required; gas power is not needed, only human power; a bike is much less expensive than a car; no need to pay for parking.
You can always find a spot to leave your bike in Amsterdam - from bike stands to the many bridges along the canals.
Amsterdam, and other cities in The Netherlands, are not huge. You can easily cycle to work in about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the "bike traffic" during the morning rush hour (8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.).

For tourists visiting Amsterdam, you can rent out a bike to see the city like the natives. MacBike, with their red bikes, makes it easy to spot a native. You may want to get out of their way if you are on foot - it all depends on how comfortable they are with the rules of the road.

Amsterdam natives who cycle are a varied bunch - from the single person riding alongside a friend, chatting; the mom with a baby in a cloth sling wrapped to her torso; the young, fashionable working gal with stiletto heels; to the 70 year old plus granny with a storage space at the front wheel for her groceries.

For me, the most shocking images of cyclists were the father with a young toddler sitting in the back seat, waving at people passing by, and the young men and women, puffing away at a cigarette while cycling away. Some decorate not only themselves in garish colours, but also their bikes (think pom-poms, scarves, silk flowers etc.). Most bikes are beaten up, rusty and simple with footbrakes and one speed - definitely not worthy of stealing. Nobody wears a helmet while cycling - not even little kids.

A few tips about cyclists for tourists walking on foot in Amsterdam:

Keep an eye out for the bike lanes when crossing the bigger roads. You will see them clearly marked out with bike signage on the ground. Look both ways, just in case.
Always look when crossing any one-way street. Just because it's a one-way, sometimes you will see a cyclist going the wrong way and they may smack right into you.
When walking along the quieter canal streets with small sidewalks, if you venture on the road, glance back to see if a cyclist isn't right behind you. Otherwise, they may just run right into you. Also check at corners when crossing to get to the bridge as you may not see a cyclist turning into your path.

Probably the best pastime in Amsterdam is to sit at a corner cafe and watch the many different types of cyclists ride by. Good times while having a cup of coffee!

An accident waiting to happen - tourists use the bike lane to snap photos, right in the path of cyclists.


Pedestrians need to be aware of cyclists in Amsterdam's small streets. In this case the tourists on the red MacBikes who don't stop for anything or anybody.

This is one of the older people I saw riding her bike.

Shoesday: Funky Wedding Shoes

jengarry@besthudsonvalleyweddingever.com (Brea Gunn) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:02:29 +0000

Happy Shoesday, everyone! Did you have a fabulous weekend? I saw quite a few friends, and one of my dear, dear friends was wearing shoes that were just about as fun and funky as mine.

See, shoes with some spunk and creativity always make me smile.

They’re a great way to show off your personality in small doses. I like small doses of fun and funky, especially for an important and elegant ocassion such as your wedding.

It’s important to make a style statement on your big day, and these shoes definitely do not lack in personality.

From top left: Poetic Licence Charm School Pump, Poetic Licence Love Letter Pump,
Poetic LicenceSpectacle Pump, Poetic Licence Date Night Pump

How to Wear Funky Wedding Shoes

The best advice I can give about exactly how to pull off the perfect pair of funky pumps is to do it with gusto. Yes, I just used the word gusto.

Enjoy the moment, and be proud of your unique style and fun shoes. I think that shoes should be all about fun (it does help if they’re functional, but that can be ignored if they’re spectcular).

From top left: Poetic Licence Exclusive Delight Sandal, Poetic Licence Girl’s Best Friend Pump,
Poetic Licence All Tied Up Pump, Poetic Licence Feel The Rhythm Pump

I love bright colors, especially for shoes. Can you tell? There’s just something so bright and happy when you’re wearing fantastically over-the-top shoes. The best part? (at least for me) You can rewear any of these styles, which makes them multi-functional (a huge win in my book!).

From top left: Poetic Licence Dance All Night Pump, Poetic Licence Birdcage Pump,
Poetic Licence Tempt Me Bootie, Poetic LicenceGlamming Up Pump

Don’t you just love the bright colors and little details?

Brea Gunn is a blogger and writer living in Houston, TX with her husband and son. When she's not hyperventilating as a result of chasing her son, Smalls, you will find her immersed in any one of her writing projects. Her current obsessions include shoes of any kind, healthy eating, fashion, and sewing. According to her husband, she is very opinionated. Brea doesn't always agree with him.

Literature While Abroad

Travelin' Bunny — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 12:14:15 +0000

A recent blog about Great Books from one of my favourite travel bloggers has inspired me to write about my own literature while abroad experiences.

view from the balcony in Quepos, Costa Rica

My first memory of reading whilst on holiday is from my 2006 trip to Costa Rica. I was spending a week in a rural village on a volunteer vacation. I read "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" with a headlamp, underneath mosquito netting. Afterwards, I detoxed at a resort for a few nights and read "The Time Traveler's Wife" on a balcony, with an amazing view of the Pacific.

For some reason, the combination of reading while travelling created a deeper memory for me and I remember aspects of that trip because of those books that I would've otherwise forgotten by now.

At Shakespeare and Company

A more recent example of this would be my trip to Paris over Christmas 2010 and New Year's 2011. Reading "Gertrude and Alice" provided me with a whole new level of understanding of my new location. After reading it, I was able to visit their grave at Père Lachaise Cemetery and stopped in at Shakespeare and Company fully aware of its history, allowing me to feel more connected to the city; like a resident rather than just a tourist.

Similarly, reading "Down and Out in Paris and London" and "The Sun Also Rises" while in Paris allowed me to see a different side to the beauty that I was experiencing. I remember both the books better because of where I read them and I remember Paris better because of the books. Plus, every time I think of those books I'll think of my trip to Paris and vice versa; they are forever entwined in my mind, allowing me to visit Paris again simply by picking up one of those books.

As I prepare for another trip, this time to Rome, the books I decide to bring are as important as any other item I pack. After consulting with Geraldine at Travel Oyster, I've decided to bring "Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling" and "A Traveller in Rome". I'm looking forward to discovering how these books will wind up impacting my experience and my memories.

Berlin's best sushi

Markus Menno Jong — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:30:00 +0000

When one thinks of German cuisine, images of platters of pork sausages, fried potatoes, and saurkraut come to mind. The reality is not so far off though the above images are more associated with the southern German gastronomy. The city of Munich even offers tours of its culinary delights. Northern Germany also offers the standard cabbage, potato and pork diet but works in a bit more fish due to the proximity of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Sushi however is not something you associate with Germany though a growing number of sushi restaurants have been popping up in the German capital in the past decade. Berlin is not really known for its haute cuisine but its more basic fare is of a high standard and usually a simple but quality meal can be found for under 10 Euro. This is now changing as Germany is just behind France with the 2^nd most Michelin Star retaurants in Europe , with Berlin being the city with the most starred restaurants in Germany. Other cities like Munich even offer tours of its culinary delights. My favorite sushi restaurant does not yet have a Michelin star but why it does not is a mystery to me.

The restaurant Uma is located in the world famous Adlon Hotel in Paris Square. Fatty tuna or “Toro”of this quality is not something you would expect to find in the landlocked German capital. The last time I had a melt in your mouth Toro experience like this was at Next to Nobu in NYC. As far as a reputation for quality goes Uma is right up there with Nobu. One pleasant difference is that it is not absolutely necessary to make a reservation at Uma. The name of the restaurant is fitting for the Asian décor to be found inside. Uma is the Japanese word for horse and the center piece of the simple yet luxurious interior is a clay horse dating back to China’s Han dynasty. It is not just the fatty tuna that is sure to please. The selection of steaks are perhaps some of the best in all of Berlin. The menu offers different grades of marbling and of course Wagyu. The food is complimented by a superb wine menu. Although you will spend easily between 50-100 Euro per person you will not be disappointed.

Another of my favorite Berlin sushi spots is Goko. This is not quite as fancy as Uma but all the more authentic for its simplicity. The emphasis here is on high quality fish and they also serve my favorite, “hamachi” or yellowtail which is harder to find in Berlin. You will also not find any rolls here made with mayonnaise or anything else the more hip and trendy places like to do. They offer the classic Bento Box and they also were one of the first restaurants to offer “Oshi” sushi where the rice and fish are pressed together in a traditional box and served in a similar style to nigiri. The quality of the fish and friendliness of the staff are what keep bringing me back. Goko is located in Mitte on Alte Schoenhauser Allee in the heart of the new art and fashion district.

My third sushi recommendation for you is Sasaya. This is also a more purist sushi location though they also have some fancy house rolls which come with a variety of sauces. Like Goko the staff is entirely Japanese and they do offer more traditional dining options such as pillows on the floor and low tables instead of chairs. My favorite roll here is the “crunchy roll” though everything they do is wonderful. Sasaya is located in Prenzlauerberg in the area around Helmholz Platz. Over the past five years this has become one the trendiest and beautiful areas to live. Many fancy shops and restaurants have sprung up around here as it is wedged between the more commercial Danzigerstr and the more residential and hip Stargarderstr. One the west and the east are Schonhauser Allee and Prenzlauer Allee respectively.

There are of course many more places worth mentioning but the above three are my personal favorites. Some people would say Kuchi deserves to be on a list of Berlin’s best sushi but I find most people go there for the hip reputation and the beauty of the staff rather than the quality of the food. Kuchi does have excellent sushi but it is more “California” fusion rather than the traditional style I prefer. All in all the quality of food in the capital is growing rapidly and there are a plethora of fancy new restaurants worth checking out. It is a battle to get to them all and try their delicious offerings but for you my readers I am willing to sacrifice my waistline!

Berlin

Christmas in Kansas City

Nathan Hershley — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:39:41 +0000

The holidays always bring a flurry of activity to Kansas City. The colder weather does not seem to slow anyone down as they journey to The Plaza to witness the annual Christmas lights being turned on, or the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas tree. There are theatrical shows, such as “A Spectacular Christmas Concert” and “The Salvation of Iggy Scrooge.”

On Friday, November 25, The Mayor’s Christmas Tree was lit up by R & B great Janelle Monae and Mayor Sly James. More than 7,200 white lights create a classy representation of the holidays. The tree stands at an immense 100 feet, which makes it taller than the Rockefeller Center tree. Once the holidays are over, the tree is cut into commemorative ornaments that are sold to raise money for Kansas City’s less fortunate.

The Plaza Lights have been a staple of the Christmas holiday for about a century. It started as a single strand of lights of the door of a shop. Now it draws one of the largest crowds of the year as the 80 miles of wires and lights are lit up on the evening of Thanksgiving. It takes approximately 280,000 bulbs that are strung by a 4-man crew starting after Labor Day to produce the breath-taking lighting of The Plaza.

As is tradition in so many place, “The Nutcracker” is another annual staple in Kansas City. Presented by the Kansas City Ballet, it stars two hundred children, students of the Kansas City Ballet, alongside twenty five Kansas City Ballet dancers. This is also the first year for the show to be performed in the Kaufman Center for the Performing Arts. “The Nutcracker” was originally started in Kansas City by Tatiana Dokoudovska in 1972.

The holidays are always a time for people to come out and enjoy what the city has to offer.

www.visitingwanderer.com

Three Hours in Paris

Travelin' Bunny — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:50:05 +0000

view from the Trocadero

My boss is travelling to Paris on Thursday. She's grabbing the first flight there and taking the last flight back so she can get home to her kids (she's a single mom). She has a meeting from 11am until 2:30pm. Her flight gets her there around 9:30am and leaves around 8:30pm which means she's free to roam the streets of Paris from around 2:30pm until about 5:30pm.

She's only ever been to Paris once before, in October for the same meeting and the same three hours. She wandered to the Trocadero for the best view of the Eiffel Tower and bought macarons from Ladurée, both perfectly acceptable things to do during your first three hours in Paris. For her second three hours, she's asked me for some help.

Here's what I'm giving her (her meeting will be near the Jardin des Tuileries, which she visited during her last trip).

Hotel de Ville

Walk through the Tuileries to Place de la Concorde for the Champs-Elysees Christmas Market and be sure to sample the vin chaud.

Take the M1 (Metro) from either Champs-Elysees Clemenceau (mid-market) or Franklin D. Roosevelt (end of market) to Hotel de Ville where you can ice skate for free (small fee for skates rental) and experience a small Christmas Fair.

From here you can do any of the following:

Centre Georges Pompidou

Head north to the Centre Georges Pompidou contemporary art museum (€12). Especially good if the weather is poor; you can store your bag in the cloakroom; wonderful view of Paris from the top floor. The building itself is worth a look, even if you don't go inside, and the neighbourhood (part of Le Marais) is cute, too.
Head south across the Pont d'Arcole towards Notre Dame Cathedral (free to enter, though the tower has an entrance fee). Continue south towards the Latin Quarter, the trendy/hip university neighbourhood near the Sorbonne.
Head east along Rue de Rivoli towards the Marais District, the historic Jewish quarter, which has eclectic shops and cafes. Visit the Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis Church just east of the Saint-Paul Metro station on the south side of the street (one of my favourites). Continue north-east towards the Place des Vosges and Victor Hugo's former residence (a free museum).

Get to Chatelet Les Halles station for the RER B to Charles de Gaulle.

a jewel in the city: santa catalina monastery, arequipa, peru

na-o-mi — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:08:53 +0000

I can be a real cheapskate sometimes.

So when my travel buddy and I were in Arequipa, Peru, and she asked if I wanted to check out the Santa Catalina Monastery, I initially took a look at the entrance fee and scoffed. 35 soles (12$) to get in? I had better things to spend the money on - like dinner!

Besides, just walking around a city is always free. And isn't that the most interesting kind of sightseeing?

Whatever she said to convince me, however, I'm glad she did - Santa Catalina wound up being the most arresting thing we saw in the entire city.

You see, even at less than a million people, Arequipa is busy. Arequipa is loud. You're constantly dodging cars and the cars are constantly honking even when you've gotten out of the way. But inside Santa Catalina, thanks to the looming stone wall which encircles the entire monastery, all sounds are shut out. From the moment you walk in, you're submerged in a city of silence.

Santa Catalina was originally founded as a convent in the 16th century, and witnessing the contrast between it and the city outside feels like stepping behind a mirror. While the nuns have all moved into modern buildings tucked behind the convent's historical centre, the core colonial buildings have been preserved as a heritage site.

The entire property is laid out to mimic a city, with streets named after Spanish cities running through it like a grid. Between buildings are open courtyards framed with marble and housing orange and lime trees in the centre. The walls are all either white, deep red or bright blue, and hidden in the eaves arching above you are delicate painted frescoes ringed in gold leaf.

Tiny, perilously thin staircases run up walls and over roofs, creating byways between kitchens and store-rooms. Pens for guinea-pigs are tucked behind the laundry courtyard, where huge ceramic jugs had been cut in half and laid open to catch water flowing from a central channel. Vines reach up coloured walls and curve over marble placards, and fountains with milky green water serve as make-shift fish ponds between old dormitories.

But it wasn't just the beauty of the convent that struck me - not just the flowers blooming by doorways, or the perfect contrast of red walls against blue sky, or the look of the white stone steeple in the sunlight.

It was the calm.

The entire site was cut off from the chaos outside. All traffic noises were shut out, the pedestrian traffic diminished. Inside, it was quiet. Truly quiet.

And quiet is contagious.

So we walked through the first arch, a thin black 'SILENCIO' painted above us, and went in silence through the first few courtyards and rooms. And as we sunk deeper into our silence, as we began to unwind from the travel exhaustion from the days before, the border crossings and the taxi bargainings and the endlessly sketchy bus rides, the quiet slowed us down. We took a seat on courtyard benches, we lazily people-watched the other travellers passing through, we took the time to stand in front of the murals for minutes on end and really look. We walked languorously, one foot slowly before the other, and let the scenery of vines and flowers and colour soak in around us.

Santa Catalina had been stopped in time, and soon enough it stopped us too.

I suppose I shouldn't be so quick to write off experiences because they cost more than I like. Our afternoon in the convent was exactly what I needed at the time - an opportunity to let the mind stop whirring and soak in the calm of a beautiful setting. We'd reached a certain velocity in our travels and I needed a respite.

Ironically, the calm we found might have even been because of the high entrance fee I was initially so wary of - maybe it scared off potential visitors, as there were far fewer tourists at the convent than at other sights in the city.

That afternoon reminded me that there's a time to budget, and then there's a time to get over it - because even though money doesn't create worth, sometimes it guards it.

(......and at the end of the day, I managed to find that dinner money somewhere ;)

originally posted @ anywhere but home: a [travel] photography blog ♥

Let's Get this Show on the Road

kobus mans — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:15:02 +0000

Start: October 6 - University Place, Washington
Finish: October 10 - Crescent City, California
Miles Driven: 506
Number of Fish Caught and Eaten: 3
Days Camping: 6
Days of Rain: 6

It has begun. Six days down, 450ish to go. In that time we've traveled from our home state of Washington to northern California. It hasn't stopped raining since we arrived in Oregon, Jessica and Kobus spent last night sleeping in a pond now known as Lake LifeRemotely. Our gear is soaked and we're looking forward to a bit of sunshine. READ MORE...

Top 5 Christmas Markets - Europe 2011

Emma Louise Hartley — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0000

The start of the 2011 Christmas season is well under way and soon it will be the time to do that last minute shopping. Christmas markets are famous throughout Europe and you can usually pick up something different. Today I want to give you some of my favorite markets to visit throughout Europe this festive season.

Austria - Schönbrunn Christmas & New Year´s Market

This enchanting market will take place from the 19th of November to the 26 December. Typical Austrian style and a romantic style village the market is full of glittering lights and Christmas feeling.

There are over 75 market stalls selling Christmas lights, decorations and handmade gifts. Take a ride on one of Austria's famous horse and carrages through the cobbled streets followed by Austrian wine and the sound of the choir what better place to get in the mood for Christmas.

Denmark - Tivoli Christmas Market

To get a true flavor of the Danish festive season head over to the Tivoli Christmas Market. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, good food and plenty of shopping. The market venue is ideal for last minute shopping, dinning in one of the 20 restaurants in downtown Tivoli and having a good time. Whilst in Denmark make sure you get to try "gløgg & æbleskiver" a traditional spiced wine accompanied by cakes with jam. Yummy. Starts from the 11th Nov and ends 29th Dec.

Germany - Lubeck Christmas Market

In the heart of the old town of Lubeck more than 400 stalls and stands are set up each year for the fantastic magical Christmas market Germany is famous for. From Christmas decorations, gifts and great food it is also famous for the yearly Fairy Tale Forest where 500 illuminated fir trees shine from a distance. My favorite buy is the marzipan cakes and sampling some of Germany's finest cuisine. Open from 21st Nov to the 30th Dec.

Switzerland - Basel, The Christmas City
If you are heading to Basel in Switzerland you are in for a treat. Known as Europe's Christmas city it has to be one of the most exciting festive trips you will go on. Attractive and a deep rooted tradition of the city is well worth a visit.

The warm feeling of Christmas lights fill the streets with over 100 pine trees decorated. The shops and restaurants also blitz up with the Christmas lights and the shopping is every shopaholics dream. Specialized Christmas shops sell everything you could think of for Santa sacks and stocking fillers and you can even go on guided Christmas tours. Open from 24th Nov to 23rd Dec.

UK - Leeds Caribbean Christmas Fair

Leeds known to be the United Kingdoms financial city comes alive this time of year. The Caribbean Christmas Fair lets you forget about the UK weather with streets full of stalls selling crafts, gifts for the kids, giveaways and competitions.

Wine, liqueurs and different menus for you to try makes this Christmas market a great day out for the whole family. Don't forget to visit Santa whilst visiting. Dates this year are the 26th and 27th of November. Leeds also holds the famous Christkindelmarkt (German market) Open From the 11th Nov to 18th Dec in the Millennium square.

Romantic Honeymoon Spots in Savannah, Georgia

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Tue, 18 May 2010 05:05:00 +0000

Deep in the South lies the secret of romantic honeymoon spots. Savannah, Georgia has many different kinds of experiences for the newly married couple to enjoy after their wedding. Romantic honeymoon spots in Savannah, Georgia exude the calm demeanor of the Southern attitude with all of the hospitality that the South does best.

One of the romantic honeymoon spots in Savannah, Georgia is located at the East Bay Inn. The Romance Package at the East Bay Inn includes a bottle of champagne, two luxurious cotton robes, rose petals on the bed at night, and a gift certificate to one of the many Savannah city restaurants. For three days and two nights you can enjoy staying in one of the inn's spacious guest rooms, enjoying a complimentary breakfast in the downstairs cafe. Or for a longer stay, the Deluxe Romance Package includes all of the wonderful features of a traditional Romance package along with a tour of historic Savannah, an additional gift certificate to a Savannah restaurant, and a half a dozen roses upon your arrival at the East Bay Inn. Whatever the occasion, the East Bay Inn is ready to serve you.

Another of the many romantic honeymoon spots in Savannah, Georgia is found at the Hamilton Turner Inn. This historical inn with modern updates is considered a great getaway for the young couple who is looking for fun night out. The Savannah Hip and Historic Package includes of cultured and hip tours, a couples massage and tickets to the Savannah nightlife. Along with beach adventures, this three night package will certainly keep you busy and enjoying the Savannah scene. A Mansion Luxury and Romance Package includes two nights in a luxury mansion suite, two $100 gift certificates to some of Savannah's local restaurants, a bottle of champagne or wine, chocolates, a bouquet of flowers, and two tickets for a ride in a horse drawn carriage. Savannah's attention to detail keeps visitors coming back time and time again.

For romantic honeymoon spots in Savannah, Georgia, there are many more hotels and resorts to choose from. All of them capture Southern charm and bring out the romance in any couple.

Relaxing With Resort Wedding and Honeymoon Packages in St. Thomas

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Sun, 16 May 2010 05:05:00 +0000

If you're to be married in St. Thomas, then you are already aware of the resort wedding and honeymoon packages in St. Thomas. But, you do not have to be married in St. Thomas to enjoy the luxuries of honeymooning on this island. Resort wedding and honeymoon packages in St. Thomas may be the perfect solution to a newly engaged couple. Specialists can help attend to every detail from the ceremony to the spa services. Resort wedding and honeymoon packages in St. Thomas may provide the perfect atmosphere for a memorable start to a lifetime of love and commitment.

Resort wedding and honeymoon packages in St. Thomas begin with the planning of the wedding. Beachside accommodations can be made, along with a more traditional setting as well--including a chapel. In many cases, these weddings tend to be smaller and more intimate--thus details can be attended to more easily. After a planner has figured out what the couple would like in terms of their wedding, arrangements will be chosen and made, leaving the newly engaged couple to relax and dream of their big day. Of course, details like the dress and the tux will still need to be chosen and fitted. But these are all the more exciting when you can dream of saying 'I do'on a beautiful beach.

And after the perfect ceremony and memorable reception, the couple can then experience the next part of resort wedding and honeymoon packages in St. Thomas--the honeymoon. As if you weren't relaxed enough, the staff at any of the various St. Thomas resorts will make sure that every need is fulfilled and every desire is answered. You are the stars of your honeymoon, and every measure will be taken to assure your satisfaction. Spa treatments are available--some can be done within the privacy of your own room. Of course, you room will be luxurious with wonderful views of the island. You may never want to leave.

But as all good things must, resort wedding and honeymoon packages in St. Thomas will end. But not without numerous memories of this beautiful beginning to your marriage.

North Carolina Cabin Jacuzzi Honeymoon Rental

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Sat, 15 May 2010 05:05:00 +0000

For a North Carolina cabin Jacuzzi honeymoon rental, a couple has some decisions to make. As newlyweds are always treated with the utmost luxury and additional features, finding a hotel or cabin that doesn't suit your needs may be difficult. A North Carolina cabin Jacuzzi honeymoon rental may be the perfect retreat into the wilderness that you and your new spouse need.

For a North Carolina cabin Jacuzzi honeymoon rental, the Timberwolf Creek Bed and Breakfast offers large cabin-like suites for the newly married couple. An Affairs of the Heart honeymoon package includes deluxe accommodations in the King Jacuzzi suite along with champagne, chocolates, and red roses. Rose petals are given for long hot baths. In the morning, a candlelit breakfast will be served in your room, or on the deck in warmer seasons. The deck overlooks several small waterfalls for a beautiful way to start your day. You can then explore the Smoky Mountains or lounge around until dinner. Dinner will be prepared at J. Arthur's--filet mignon, salmon, or other delicious offerings await you along with a carafe of wine. This package will certainly make you feel like royalty.

And another North Carolina cabin Jacuzzi honeymoon rental is found at the Pilot Knob Inn Bed and Breakfast. Here, you will be treated to an oversized hot tub in your honeymoon suite along with king size bed and fireplace. The breakfast is included in the morning, and the secluded location will keep your romantic mood throughout your stay. And for another Jacuzzi-loving couple, the Mast Farm Inn provides all the goodies of a honeymoon package with bath products for your jetted hot tub. If you would like, a couples massage can also be arranged--or one of you can enjoy the hour all to yourself. With generous vouchers for romantic dinners, you are sure to feel pampered.

A North Carolina cabin Jacuzzi honeymoon rental can be found or can be arranged upon your request. Most locations and innkeepers are more than happy to help you out with your honeymoon planning. North Carolina is beauty and quiet with luxury and style.

Mountain Resort Honeymoon : Idaho

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Fri, 14 May 2010 05:05:00 +0000

For a mountain resort honeymoon, Idaho has much to offer. With scenic views and majestic mountains, the entire state of Idaho resembles a postcard much of the time. The Sawtooth and White Cloud Mountain ranges overlook tourists and guests, making for unbelievable pictures as the sun rises and sets. This Rocky Mountain region is host to a variety of wildlife species as well as vegetation and lush greenery. When you choose a mountain resort honeymoon, Idaho is a very good choice.

For your mountain resort honeymoon, Idaho offers the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch. Though not a resort in the traditional sense of the word, guests have found the accommodations more than adequate. Set in one thousand acres of beautiful countryside, the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch provides guests a relaxed atmosphere with handmade furniture and home cooked meals. The honeymoon cabin has a rock fireplace and one bed. There are no telephones to disturb your visit and breakfast and dinner are included in the reservation. Local musicians provide entertainment most nights of the week. And you can choose to sit with other guests, or take advantage of a intimate table. There is a weekly BBQ where guests dine outdoors (weather permitting). And as for activity, guests can enjoy hiking, horseback riding and fishing at Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch.

For another option in a mountain resort honeymoon, Idaho also has the River Cover Bed and Breakfast for your honeymoon adventure. This bed and breakfast lies on the banks of the Spokane River cove and provides wonderful views from many of the suites. Rooms are spacious with separate sitting rooms to let you gaze out at the nature scenery. A fireplace can help to start a romantic evening indoors or spend time in the separate hot tub that overlooks the water. It's secluded and soft music can be heard when you are in the tub. And maybe you want to do a bit more than lounge around, activities include one of the longest paved bike paths for afternoons of quiet rides.

For your mountain resort honeymoon, Idaho has all of this to offer and more. For romance and quiet surroundings, Idaho is the perfect choice for honeymooners.

Luxor Hotel Honeymoon Suites In Las vegas: For The Couple That Wants More

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Tue, 11 May 2010 05:05:00 +0000

Luxor Hotel honeymoon suites in Las Vegas have captured the beauty of Egypt without all of the travel required. Rooms are spacious enough for kings and queens, while still providing an affordable way to see something exotic. The Luxor Hotel honeymoon suites in Las Vegas are incomparable to any others.

With the thirty story pyramid, Luxor Hotel honeymoon suites in Las Vegas are hard to miss. The statues, ten story sphinx, and hieroglyphic detailing make is hard to remember that you are in the United States and not Egypt. The building is fantastic to behold as the Egyptian re-creations fill your vision. The laser bean light atop the massive pyramid reflects into the sky and can be seen ten miles into space. Five acres of sand covered sunning decks are at the rear of the hotel alongside heated pools and rentable cabanas. Spa services are available in the Luxor as well as IMAX and live show theaters, nine restaurants, fitness center, King Tut museum, and much more.

Luxor Hotel honeymoon suites in Las Vegas are as lavish as their surroundings. You can choose between a Spa Suite that is located inside the pyramid and includes Egyptian decor and king size bed, a Junior Suite that includes a separate bedroom, sofa, couches, and wet bar, along with hot tub, or a Deluxe Suite that included a view of the hotel or the mountains. There isn't a specific honeymoon suite listed, but the Spa Suite seems to fit the bill. And the staff is more than willing to accommodate your every need--all you have to is ask.

Luxor Hotel honeymoon suites in Las Vegas are the perfect complement if you plan on getting married in Las Vegas as well. The Luxor offers several packages that will take care of every detail. Packages include everything from the bouquet and garter to a night in one of the suites. Pictures can be taken of the ceremony as well as video. Champagne and souvenir glasses also come standard with the wedding packages. With everything that there is to do at the Luxor, you wedding and honeymoon can be a trip to the Nile.

Luxor Hotel honeymoon suites in Las Vegas offer a feast for the eyes and the stomach. Why not book your reservation today and see what Egypt can hold for you?

Lake Tahoe Honeymoon Packages

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Sun, 09 May 2010 05:05:00 +0000

Lake Tahoe honeymoon packages make an already beautiful part of the country even more special by adding those extra touches that we all adore so well. A newlywed couple already feels like two of the most special people on earth after their wedding, so why not lengthen that feeling with a complete package tailored to them? Lake Tahoe honeymoon packages can be custom designed or reserved as listed.

Lake Tahoe honeymoon packages come in a variety of shapes and sizes. At The Ridge Tahoe resorts, packages can include three to five nights in a deluxe hotel suite including a king sized bed and sitting area. The Ridge Deluxe Romance Package is a three night stay and also includes dinner for two, a champagne basket, and two one hour massages for the couple to enjoy. The Ridge Ultimate Romance Package features all of the previous goodies with two additional night and a tour of the Emerald Bay area. And for the ultra-special package, the final Ultimate Romance package combines the best of all of these packages while substituting a one room suite for the couple. Absolute luxury--all because of your being newlyweds.

For another option in Lake Tahoe honeymoon packages, the Cal Neva Resort Spa and Casino offers their own Romance Package for a newlywed couple or any couple that wants to spend some romantic time together. Couples will enjoy two nights in the premiere Room--featuring a king sized bed. A bottle of champagne, rose petal turndown and box of gourmet chocolates will be greeting the happy couple when they arrive. In the Lakeview Dining Room, the newlywed couple will enjoy dinner, and breakfast both morning will be served in the same dining facility. T-shirts from the gift shop are also included with the package. Guests can choose from a half an hour massage or other sport activities--boat cruise, horse back ridinig, etc. as part of the romance package.

Lake Tahoe honeymoon packages incorporate the romantic mood with some fun goodies to bring home. Although that's not the only reason you should go to Lake Tahoe, it certainly adds a great touch.

Kauai: Wedding, Honeymoon, Romance

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Fri, 07 May 2010 05:05:00 +0000

When planning for you big day, Kauai, wedding, honeymoon, and complete coordination should jump into your mind. Although often thought of as a premiere resort location for your honeymoon vacation, Kauai can also provide wedding planners and scenic views for that most special of days. So when you begin to think of Kauai: wedding, honeymoon, and romance should also be in the back of your thoughts.

In Kauai, wedding, honeymoon, and bridal packages are all available. At Coconut Coast Weddings, couples can rest easy knowing that the finer details of their wedding are being handled. From the Barefoot and Basic Wedding package that includes two flower leis, an officiant, scenic location, certificate, and pre-wedding consultation to the Orchid Wedding with photos, video, photo album, limousine ride, private location, musician, champagne toast and souvenir glasses, nearly anyone can find the wedding ceremony and price that suits them. Of course, you can tailor the package to your specific instructions. Wedding receptions can be held in beautiful outdoor settings with a wedding cake and entertainment provided as well. No detail is too small when you're planning a wedding. And similar packages exist at Christian Hawaiian Weddings, Bali Hai and Tropical Dream Weddings. They are all worth a look.

And after your Kauai wedding, honeymoon details are personalized to your taste preference. The Poipu Kai Resort blends island beauty with modern conveniences. Its four star rating for its condominiums will assure you of their high standards of excellence. But there's also Kiahuna Plantation where you can both enjoy the white sand of the beach or the nearby golf courses and shopping. Nihi Kai villas are very popular for their secluded atmosphere--perfect for the new couple. Or maybe the oceanview rooms at Whaler's Cove are more to your liking. And there's also the Lawai Beach resort with its superior staff and access to snorkeling adventures. All of these hotels and so many more await you and your husband or wife.

After your Kauai wedding, honeymoon, and walks along the beach, you will return home as blissful as they day you became engaged-- maybe even more so. Hawaiian breezes will carry you home wrapped in memories.

Uncovering Honeymoon Suites in Springfield, MO

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Wed, 05 May 2010 05:05:00 +0000

When looking for honeymoon suites in Springfield, MO, the newlywed couple is usually interested in experiencing the history of the area as well as relaxing in the comforts of Missouri life. The atmosphere is comfortable and unassuming with friendly people and warm lodging. Honeymoon suites in Springfield, MO are likened to the days of simpler needs, but with modern touches to fulfill any desire.

Located in the Ozark Mountains, one of the many honeymoon suites in Springfield, MO is the Badger House Bed and Breakfast. This home is in the standard 18th century colonial style, capturing the beauty of a previous era in the United States. The suites provide modern decks to view the mountain side while the hot tubs can soothe away any post wedding tension. The honeymoon suite includes a heart shaped hot tub and a private entrance along with one of the many breathtaking views from the private balcony.

Other honeymoon suites in Springfield, MO can be found at The Amish Country Inn and Breakfast. Although honestly, this inn is located a half an hour from Springfield in Seymour, MO, the drive is well worth the ambience. Built in the early 1900s, the rooms offers nostalgia with all of the modern conveniences--cable, for example. What is notable about this establishment is that is owned by a gentleman who is also a professional photographer. This is a great treat for a newlywed couple who wants to capture their honeymoon in a quality photograph.

If you're looking for things to do, the area surrounding honeymoon suites in Springfield, MO can provide a list of options. You will be in driving distance of Laura Ingalls Wilder's childhood home--the author of "Little House on the Prairie." Or you could visit the Exotic Animal Paradise. There's also natural caverns to explore deep in the trenchs of the country side. A little bit of history, a little bit of nostalgia, and little bit of fun--all are found in Missouri.

And there are many other honeymoon suites in Springfield, MO, but this is a sampling that is sure to have you scrambling to find more. Cozy and romantic honeymoon suites await you in Springfield, MO and the Ozark Mountains.

Honeymoon Mobile Home Park, Dunedin, Florida

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Tue, 04 May 2010 05:05:00 +0000

For getting outside of Honeymoon Mobile Home park, Dunedin, Florida offers many options in the area and surrounding areas. Dunedin is a great place to begin a honeymoon adventure. There are many packages and opportunities to explore Dunedin and its surrounding areas. Outside of the Honeymoon Mobile Home Park, Dunedin, Florida can present a wealth of options for the young and active newlyweds.

Just outside of Honeymoon Mobile Home Park, Dunedin begins to show its possibility. At Sail Honeymoon, you can plan a boating excursion along the waters of Dunedin and near to Clearwater. Boat options include a trimaran that seats three people and can be sailed with only a little bit of instruction. If you've always wanted to sail on the open water, this is the opportunity for you. The sail allows guests to feel the speed of the wind as the sail catches the breezes and takes you on a memorable journey. Or perhaps you'd like to try kayaking--that too can be arranged. Although this is more of a solo adventure, you can try to sail side by side to keep yourselves together. There is a kayak trail available for you to navigate as well. Rates are reasonable for all of these water adventures.

Once again, going past the Honeymoon Mobile Home Park, Dunedin offers more fun for the newlywed couple. Honeymoon Island is the usual destination of couples that like to paddle. Right outside of Dunedin, couples can rent a boat and head out to the island. In the 1930s a developer came and built some bungalows for honeymooners to enjoy and thus the name stuck. Like a lot of state parks, Honeymoon Island State Park provides a good day at the water, relaxing in the sun. Activities like canoeing, biking, and trails can be enjoyed throughout the year. And camping is always a good option for the adventure loving newlywed couple.

Stepping away from Honeymoon Mobile Home Park, Dunedin, Florida can offer a great trip during your honeymoon. And it will make for great pictures of you and your new spouse in front of the sign that says Honeymoon Island.

Honeymoon Getaways In Penn

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Mon, 03 May 2010 05:05:00 +0000

With all of the beauty of the Poconos, honeymoon getaways in Penn. are fast becoming a leading choice. Known for their beauty and their luxurious accommodations, many hotels and resorts in the Poconos area are offering great deals and packages for the newlywed couple to enjoy. Honeymoon getaways in Penn. are trips not easily forgotten.

For one of the honeymoon getaways in Penn., couples can plan their adventures at the Caesars Pocono Resorts. These resorts certainly know how to show a newlywed couple a good time by offering fun rooms with posh amenities. The seven-foot tall champagne glass whirlpools notwithstanding, this resort boasts planning specialist to personally help you with planning the perfect trip, heart shaped whirlpools, in suite fireplaces, and personal swimming pools. All of these extras add up to a personalized and romantic getaway for you and your new spouse. The Champagne Honeymoon package has been rated one of the sexiest honeymoon vacations. A gift basket that includes a camera, photo album, and journal, vouchers for horseback riding, postcards with postage included, honeymoon t-shirts, a firelog for your fireplace, champagne, and Pocono Love Bath will greet you when you arrive. No detail is too small for Caesars Pocono Resort.

Or maybe you're looking for something less ornate; honeymoon getaways in Penn. can also be found at the Chatelaine Bed and Breakfast in Pine Grove Mills. With themed rooms and the comforts of home, a quieter couple can find their honeymoon trip relaxing and comfortable at the Chatelaine. The spacious rooms and wilderness views make any room the perfect fit for a newly married couple. The Dawn Facing room gives the couple the perfect view of the rising sun, while the Swan Room provides Victorian details for making every visitor feel like royalty. Breakfasts can be had in the bed and breakfast or a short drive will take you and your new spouse to local dining fare.

Whether it's a Vegas feel or a country delight that sparks your romantic side, honeymoon getaway in Penn. can provide just the right details for the right beginning to your lifetime of love.

A Few Sexy Honeymoon Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:05:00 +0000

Every honeymoon includes romance, so why not try a few sexy honeymoon tips to spice up your special time as newlyweds? You don't have to be over the top to put your new spouse in the mood for romance and love. Location, location, location is the first of a few sexy honeymoon trips. Maybe you have a special spot that you like to visit as a couple, or maybe trying new things and places brings more spice into your life. Factor these ideas in when choosing a honeymoon location and then try these other sexy honeymoon trips.

It has been said that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and another one of the sexy honeymoon trips helps use that old adage. It is certainly true that missing someone can cause stronger feelings upon their return, so why not use that to your advantage? Spend some time apart during your honeymoon and then rejoin each other in the evenings for a desire drenched dinner, followed by quiet romantic time. Feed each other dinner, drink some wine, and sit close to really intensify your desire for the honeymoon suite.

Once you arrive back at the hotel after your long, delicious dinner, another one of the sexy honeymoon tips is to set the mood. Having a room with a fireplace is always sexy, but lighting some candles can also provide a complimentary glow and create wonderful shadows around the room. Perhaps you have a hot tub in your hotel suite, then filling it with warm water and sharing a soak can be all the enticement that you need for anything that may go on after you both dry off (if you do at all!).

The key to sexy honeymoon tips is to make sure that both partners are enjoying their time. Talk with your new spouse about what makes him or her feel sexy and go from there. These tip don't need to cost a lot of money to cause a night of unbridled romance; they just require some thought. Even the mere planning of a romantic evening can be intoxicating for both of the planners.

Sedona Honeymoon BB Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:05:00 +0000

When you're deciding on places to stay for your Sedona honeymoon, BB might be the places for you. (BB can sometimes stand for bed and breakfasts) In the magnificence of the red rock surroundings, nothing seems nearly as special, but many of the bed and breakfasts around would like to prove that theory wrong. Sedona honeymoon BB may provide the perfect place to lay your head and rest your feet after exploring the vortexes and the red rock majesty.

One of the first Sedona honeymoon BB is the Abode Hacienda. With five different themed rooms, the Adobe Hacienda offers southwest charm and Native American decor. Local artists' work is featured around the bed and breakfast. Fireplaces are available in each room along with free long distance--though you probably don't want to talk to anyone during this trip. The grounds are well kept and many of the outer structures frame the existing natural features of the land. An outdoor dining area is available in warmer months, but the inside dining area is equally wonderful. Breakfast is served in the traditional southwest style and coffee and juice will be ready to fill your stomach before a day of hiking in the red rock.

Another Sedona honeymoon BB possibility is the Southwest Inn at Sedona. A luxury ned and breakfast with six available suites, the Southwest Inn offers hot tubs in some of the rooms and a pool and spa for all of the guests to enjoy. Many of the rooms include a gas fireplace and the second story rooms have balconies with views of the Sedona red rock country. The honeymoon package includes two nights in a room with a king sized bed, hot tub, and fireplace. A gift certificate to the Heartline Cafe is included as is a deluxe continental breakfast. A guided jeep tour is included to make sure that you enjoy every aspect of the beauty of red rock country.

Sedona honeymoon BB are situated in such beautiful skylines that it's hard to improve upon the environment. However, these bes and breakfasts (and the others not mentioned) help to make your stay one that stays in your memory as warm and comfortable.

For A Secluded Honeymoon: Kauai, Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:05:00 +0000

When you're looking to experience a secluded honeymoon, Kauai, Hawaii offers many options for a newlywed couple. Located in the beautiful group of Hawaiian islands, Kauai offers tropical landscapes and crystal blue water. After a busy week of relatives and obligations, the best remedy is a secluded honeymoon. Kauai, Hawaii will help to soothe away any remaining stress and exhaustion that you might have.

Private rentals are usually thought of as helping to make for a secluded honeymoon. Kauai, Hawaii has miles of such places that are waiting for you to open the door. On the north shore of Kauai, a few specific rentals can be found and are good examples of what is available throughout the island. A Treetop studio can be the perfect fit for newlywed couple. These include a Jacuzzi hot tub and a full kitchen area for a home like feel. Two screened decks provide views of the bamboo forest and river.

Another possibility for a secluded honeymoon , Kauai, Hawaii retreat is a Riverview Retreat. This setup included a Jacuzzi as well, but also provides hardwood floors, cathedral ceilings, and the sounds of the river through your bedroom window. A large screened balcony rests over the river and adjacent to the two bedrooms. Or you might like the Sundeck Studio that is much smaller than the other rooms available, but offers a secluded deck with outdoor hot tub. And the Big Room is a much larger space for the couple who likes to spread out. Like the others, it includes the sounds of the river and the privacy of your own space. This larger Big Room is best suited for two couples or a family on vacation.

Of course, this list does not include every property that is right for a secluded honeymoon. Kauai, Hawaii is a large area and different budgets may be able to find different properties. The overall message with finding a property that is secluded and quiet is to ask the renters if they allow children. Sometimes children and larger groups of people can make for louder noises and less of a feeling of romance.

Scottish Honeymoon Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:05:00 +0000

For your European honeymoon adventure, a Scottish honeymoon hotel captures the elegance and old time tradition that is found in the culture in Europe. Capturing the charm and the beauty of the countryside, this area has become a favorite of newlyweds. With the Perthshire Highlands and the great expanses of rolling green hills, it is easy to get lost in the scenery that makes up Scotland. And a Scottish honeymoon hotel is just the right choice to celebrate your the beginning of your new married life together.

A Scottish honeymoon hotel that has been highly regarded with awards is Taychreggan. Located in the foothills of Scotland, this hotel has proven that it can combine the history of the eighteenth century with modern touches without taking away from the overall feel. The stone house and courtyard have been restored to their original splendor. With forty acres of gardens and its own bay, the sight of a sunset can evoke feelings of sheer awe. The hotel can arrange a picnic lunch for you or a fishing trip. Say hi to the hotel mascot Chreggan who prances about, cheering guests as they pass. Thankfully there are plenty of guests to take her on the walks that Chreggan so likes to take. During the day, you may wish to visit one of the many historic castles and admire the architecture of a earlier time.

Another Scottish honeymoon hotel that is worth a look is Farleyer Restaurant and Rooms. Newlyweds are whisked into the romantic mood of this hotel the moment that they walk into the door. Rooms are large and decorated in authentic Scottish ways. For the honeymooning couple, a bottle of the house wine will be served to you upon your arrival. If you'd like to look around the grounds, walking, hiking, cycling, and Off Road Driving can all be arranged by the Farleyer staff. Of course, there is golf as well as horseback riding and fishing.

Newlyweds have described a Scottish honeymoon hotel as evocative, breathtaking, and romantically comfortable. Perhaps you too will write in a guestbook from Scotland and let everyone know how many anniversaries you spent there, remembering your honeymoon of so long ago.

San Antonio, Texas Honeymoon Suites

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:05:00 +0000

If you're headed down south for your honeymoon, San Antonio, Texas honeymoon suites might be the perfect fit for you and your new spouse. With southwestern charm and service, few guests are ever dissatisfied with their Texas experience. And with the city of San Antonio, the active newlywed couple can be satisfied as well. San Antonio, Texas honeymoon suites are great places to spend your after wedding vacation time.

San Antonio, Texas honeymoon suites can be found at the Hawthorn Hotel. These suites include a luxurious Jacuzzi hot tub and king sized bed. The spacious room includes such hotel amenities as fitness center, convenience store, and laundry. But for the real fun, guests can enjoy the outdoor pool with sundeck and patio. This area overlooks the area's famous River Walk. Tours along the River Walk can be arranged through the hotel. A complimentary deluxe breakfast is served every morning and on Wednesdays, a complimentary cocktail hour is provided as well. This hotel is not as personality driven as some of the local bed and breakfasts, but it will certainly provide everything that you need.

Another of the San Antonnio, Texas honeymoon suites can be found in the Arbor House bed and Breakfast. the original structure was built in 1902 and recent additions have renovated the building. Each of the five rooms has its own personality and flavor. For the newlyweds, they may enjoy the Honeymoon Suite that includes a Jacuzzi hot tub and large sitting room. The room also features a balcony that overlooks the building. A free continental breakfast arrives at your door each morning. And the suite also features a king sized bed with mirrored headboard. Any of the other rooms may also be rented and include comparable conveniences. The Jacuzzi room also has its own hot tub, as noticed in the name.

San Antonio, Texas honeymoon suites help to keep your romantic mood alive and kicking. With lavish accommodations and easy access to tours and fine dining, San Antonio is quickly becoming a city of lovers--both old and new.

Staying In San Antonio Honeymoon Suites

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:05:00 +0000

San Antonio honeymoon suites offer the fun-loving newlyweds comfort and style, fun and history. With so much to do, the areas surrounding the San Antonio honeymoon suites are almost overwhelming in their opportunities. It's a good idea for the new couple to sit down and list all of the available options to make sure that they don't miss anything when staying in San Antonio honeymoon suites.

History is a great choice when emerging from the San Antonio honeymoon suites in the morning. From the Mission San Jose to Casa Navarro State Historical Park and King William Historical District, the choices are endless and the knowledge to be learned--infinite. Many of these areas offer tours and guided walks so that you can learn and catch the sights and sun of San Antonio, Texas. A word of caution: Don't forget the sun screen!

Or how about San Antonio itself? The area that includes San Antonio honeymoon suites has much to offer as well. The River Walk is a popular day trip for many newlyweds and visitors alike. Stretching along the river banks, this tour includes sightseeing and gift shopping as well as dining opportunities. With the faint sounds of a Mexican band in the background, you can be sure to enjoy this tourist attraction. And remember the Alamo. This mission church was the site of the memorable battle for Texan independance. The church has been restored to the original form and now houses tours and a gift shop along with historical information.

The San Antonio Museum of Art houses many beautiful works for those newlyweds that want a little relief from the Texas sun. Or for the more eclectic taste, the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum houses 4000 horns for people to examine. Many golf courses and resorts also surround the San Antonio honeymoon suites, so the guys can have some time to themselves if the woman wants a day of shopping on her own.

With everything there is to do in Texas and the San Antonio area, San Antonio honeymoon suites can be the perfect places to stay--offering comfort and history without tremendous expense or stress.

Romantic Honeymoon Places In PA

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 06:05:00 +0000

When beginning the planning of a honeymoon trip, you may find that there are many romantic honeymoon places in PA to explore. Pennsylvania is a tremendously rich state--full of history and geography. So, finding quiet, romantic honeymoon places in PA becomes a simple task.

Romantic honeymoon places in PA vary from region to region and taste to taste. Some newlywed couples enjoy nature, the Pocono Mountains region may call to them. Not only is the area amazing to look at, but it also houses some of the more lavish accommodations. The famous couples only resorts and inns provide that romantic atmosphere that comes with a suitable environment that is catered to your specific needs. For a country inn or a bed and breakfast, you might look into Crescent Lodge for its attention to detail--candle light dinners, hot tubs, and fireplaces. Or maybe you'd prefer French Manor or Meadowbrook Inn and Restaurant. All of these and more are geared toward providing a romantic setting for your honeymoon.

Other romantic honeymoon places in PA include the Sunny Rest Lodge when clothing is entirely optional--if you're a more open couple. The Fernwood Hotel and Resort offers suites with all the amenities and activities that you might desire-- swimming pool, fitness center, horseback riding, rafting trips, paintball, and more. The active and fun-loving couple can fill their days with play and exploration. And the Roebling Inn on the Delaware offers luxury and romance within its secluded cottages or river view suites. A couple can feel right at home in the splendor of natural surroundings. Not too far from the inn is a popular viewing area for bald eagles and other birds.

But perhaps romantic honeymoon places in PA bring to mind cottages and cabins--you're right. Both cottages and cabins are available throughout the state. The list includes Babbling Brook cottages which are surrounded by Child's National Park and scenic waterfalls. Or you might find that Bilmar Cottages on Lake Wallenpaupack provide more of the romantic setting that you and your new spouse crave.

The Poconos and other parts of Pennsylvania harbor the most romantic honeymoon places in PA. Because the area has become so popular, more and more places to open each year, providing more opportunities and possibilities for you to spend a romantic vacation together with the one that you love.

Romantic Honeymoon Places Are Anywhere You Want To Go!

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:05:00 +0000

Finding romantic honeymoon places is simpler than many couples realize. Many honeymoon hotels are geared toward making sure that a couples' experience blends privacy and romance. Many honeymoon suites in many romantic honeymoon places are decorated with rich colors and include hot tub Jacuzzi baths as well as two person showers and fireplaces in some cases. Romantic honeymoon places are anywhere that you decide to go.

Some couples find that historical locations lend themselves to being perfectly romantic honeymoon places. It's no secret that France and its Eiffel Tower has been the setting for many a marriage proposal and a lovers paradise. Italy has also been regarded as a city of love with its rich architecture and scenic displays of art and sculpture. But Greece will not be ignored with it's dramatic buildings and delicious meals--some of which are said to be aphrodisiac in nature.

But Europe is not alone in romantic honeymoon places, the smaller islands within the Indonesian area provide seclusion and spectacular views. The United States also boasts romance with its smaller New England bed and breakfasts that provide a home-like comfort and a small town comfort. And there's always Hawaii for scenery unlike any other state and Polynesian culture that invites romantic thoughts. The mystical feel of India can also produce romantic thoughts in the shadow of the Himalayans and all of their splendor.

This list is not meant to be inclusive, but to give you a few ideas about some romantic honeymoon places. Many hotels are decorated in a style that is foreign and can simulate all of the luxuries of another country without the necessary passport. But some countries do lend themselves to a more romantic feel and should definitely be explored. Sometimes just getting out of one's normal environment can increase loving feelings and desire.

When all is said and done, the most romantic honeymoon places will be wherever you and your new spouse decide to go. Basking in the glow of a new marriage is the best ingredient for romance and love--the new location is just a fun way to get there.

For a Romantic Honeymoon: Montana

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:05:00 +0000

If you're looking for a romantic honeymoon, Montana harbors some of the finest bed and breakfasts in its big sky country. A place where personal service and home-like settings strive to make every person feel like a part of the family, for a romantic honeymoon, Montana is the place to be.

Bed and breakfasts are the ultimate in planning a romantic honeymoon. Montana offers some in every corner of the state, so let's start with Big Fork. This city has both Burggraf's Countrylane Bed and Breakfast and O'Duachain COuntry Inn to choose from. If you're headed into Bozeman, Cottonwood Inn Bed and Breakfast and Gallatin River Lodge will welcome you with open arms. In Emigrant, Johnstad's Bed and Breakfast Guesthouse can accommodate a newlywed couple, while Paradise Getaway Bed and Breakfast Guest Log Cabins provide the seclusion that some couple desire for their honeymoon.

For more places to go for a romantic honeymoon, Montana also has Headwaters of the Yellowstone Bed and Breakfast in Gardiner. The Hostetler House is in Glendive while Collin's Mansion is in Great Falls. Deer Crossing is in Hamilton, while you'll find The Sanders-Helena Bed and Breakfast in Helena. Bed and breakfasts can offer a more personal touch than larger hotels and resorts. And for the newlywed couple, this attention to small details can help to create fantastic memories. Homecooked meals are available from some bed and breakfast owners while others are sure to put real down comforters on their king and queen sized beds.

And we're not close to being done with listing the possibilities of a romantic honeymoon. Montana is just bursting at the seams with ideas--The Timbers Bed and Breakfast, the Emily A. Bed and Breakfast, The Stonehart Inn, etc. etc. etc. You'll have trouble narrowing down your choices from these wonderful locations. Some bed and breakfasts include fireplaces and afternoon lemonade, while others have majestic views of the beauty of Montana.

So, when you're looking for personal touches and small town feel for a romantic honeymoon, Montana is the state to go to. For the ultimate in romantic honeymoons with a comfortable feel, bed and breakfasts in Montana are the next best thing to heaven.

Revelstoke Honeymoon Suite

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:05:00 +0000

The awesome beauty of Canadian wilderness is truly captured in the grounds surrounding a Revelstoke honeymoon suite. In the quiet calm of Canada, newlyweds can re-find themselves and their sanity after a long week of relatives and preparations. A Revelstoke honeymoon suite offers solace to a weary couple and gives them a chance to rejuvenate and relax in private and tranquil accommodations.

One Revelstoke honeymoon suite is found at Three Valley Lake Chateau Ltd. This establishment was built by the owners, so you know that personal attention is of the utmost importance. The Cave Honeymoon suite offers a unique experience as the entire room is made of rock except for the bed, TV, and toilet. It's truly a fantastic experience and one that needs to be reserved as quickly as possible. Wedding packages are available to make your honeymoon simple. The patios and balconies overlook Bell Gardens and Bell Lake for breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Guests can enjoy the large dining room and cafeteria, plus a heated pool and whirlpool.

For another Revelstone honeymoon suite, the Mulvehill Creek Wilderness Inn and Wedding Chapel might be a perfect fit for you. The serene atmosphere leaves guests feeling as though they can finally slow down and catch up with themselves. This is a great thing for the tired newlywed couple. The deluxe honeymoon suite will wrap you in simple luxury and includes a Jacuzzi hot tub, ensuite bath, and king sized bed. Or you can relax and quiet your mind at the three hundred foot waterfall. Since the owners feel that spirituality is equally as important as physical restoration, local specialists and auto-suggestive training are available to help you unwind completely. Guests may also enjoy the heated pool and hot tub in the splendor of the outdoors. Many other activities and water sports are also available if you should so choose to participate.

A Revelstoke honeymoon suite offers yet another way to unwind after your wedding week. With the relaxed atmosphere and stillness, you should have no trouble reconnecting with your new spouse and making some romantic memories. You may even return to make even more.

Resort, Honeymoon, Mountain--Three Things that Should Go Together

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 06:05:00 +0000

Three things that go together for romance are resort, honeymoon, mountain. Not only do mountains provide the picture perfect background for a newlywed vacation, but they also evoke peace and stillness after the madness of a wedding. And with so many mountain ranges in the world, you're sure to find one that fits your personalities. So for the ultimate in a seductive experience, remember: resort, honeymoon, mountain, and you'll be all set.

For a good resort honeymoon mountain experience, the first place that comes to mind is the Poconos Mountains in Pennsylvania. And for a place to stay, the Split Rock Resort is ready to accommodate you. Seasonal packages are available, and for an example, the Summer Package includes the Wine Festival Weekend, The Race Car Weekend, and the July 4th Weekend--all with their own special events and activities. Rooms are found in rustic cottages or in lakeside rooms with a view of the water. A beach area is available as well as a pool, fitness center, volleyball court, and much more. The Split Rock Resort can cater to a wide array of hobbies. Meals are served in either a formal or an informal setting, and includes a coffee shop as well. Championship golf courses are just a short distance away for the avid golfer.

Another fine resort honeymoon mountain location can be found in Dahlonega, Georgia. The Forest Hills resort offers guests cabin rentals for a secluded honeymoon retreat as well as including fireplaces and hot tubs for your total relaxation. You can also find candlelight dinners, horse drawn carriage rides and spa services at the foot of the North Georgia mountains. Honeymoon packages include champagne and glasses, along with romantic picnics and souvenir photo. Breakfasts are also included in the honeymoon packages.

The ultimate in resort honeymoon mountain experiences are found wherever you'd like--the Poconos, Georgia, Europe, Asia, etc. You don't have to travel far for world class service and activities, nor do you have to be on a beach to feel pampered. Just find a place where you can relax and be spoiled for a bit--you truly deserve it!

Planning Honeymoon in Greece

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 06:05:00 +0000

If you have the luxury of planning honeymoon in Greece, then you can make is a storybook ending to your wedding. Or maybe you'd like to plan a destination wedding in Santorini--that can be arranged too. Whatever your plans, when planning honeymoon in Greece, take into consideration the area's rich history and surround yourself in its romance.

For help in planning honeymoon in Greece, many travel planners and agencies can work with you. But there are many hotels to choose from, so here are a few to consider, along with a few things to do. In Athens, the Hotel Grande Bretagne can offer you an ideal location for sightseeing and tourist tours. After a long restoration, the suites are impeccable and ready to have you call them home. All of the rooms feature nightly turndown service, butler, deluxe bathroom, and bathrobes and slippers. The new Spa and Wellness center can accommodate any desire with a treatment or massage catered to your needs. And don't forget about the many dining options that provide light, healthy options for their guests.

Another option when planning honeymoon in Greece is the Danai Beach Hotel. They offer a honeymoon package that includes a suite overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and pool. You will be transferred from the airport to the hotel by means of private transportation. The elegantly decorated rooms are constructed in an open style to promote a feeling of open-air living, comfort and ease. Romantic songs are featured on the in room CD player and canapes come with the sparkling beverage upon your arrival. One five course dinner comes with the package and includes wine with your meal. One private boat trip to Mount Athos will be provided along with lunch. And olive oil tasting and massage are gifted to the newlyweds as well. You may never want to leave.

For the ultimate in luxury, romance, and history, planning honeymoon in Greece will be the best decision you ever made. That is, of course, next to marrying the love of your life. This is only the beginning of everything Greece has to offer. You could also tour the area by sailboat, cruise ship, etc.

An Opryland Hotel Honeymoon Suite

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:05:00 +0000

On your honeymoon, an Opryland hotel honeymoon suite can be a fantastic experience. Located in the Tennessee wilderness and close to the Smoky Mountains, an Opryland Hotel honeymoon suite can provide charm and comfort to you as a newlywed couple. In an Opryland Hotel honeymoon suite, your every wish and dream can be granted.

An Opryland Hotel honeymoon suite can be found in The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. This luxurious resort features all of the Southern hospitality that you've heard about along with beautiful scenery and modern amenities. Spend your day admiring one of four glass atriums that decorate the resort with lush gardens and winding walkways all at a year- round 72 degrees. Or maybe you're more excited about the twenty restaurants that are available in the resort. Take in a live Grand Ole Opry radio show featuring country and bluegrass music for both of you to enjoy. You can also board the General Jackson Showboat for a night of dancing together under the stars. The Wildhorse Saloon offers line-dancing, while the Springhouse Links offer a little green to the avid golfer. All of this and so much more are available for your honeymoon delight.

Another Opryland Hotel honeymoon suite that you may want to consider is Homestead Studio Suites with its modern amenities and proximity to the Nashville Airport. Located within eight miles of downtown Nashville, the Homestead Suites allow you to take in the city without having to stay in it. Rooms are either standard suites or deluxe suites and although they tend to cater to the long stay business person, these are a great option for a couple that wants to get out more than they want to stay in their hotel room. Amenities included kitchen utensils and cooking gear so that you can whip up a romantic candlelight dinner in your own room. The Opryland Hotel and Opry Mills are within five miles as is the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

So, as you're looking for an Opryland Hotel honeymoon suite, be sure to be near a place that will allow you to take in a Grand Ole Opry radio show--that's the whole reason for coming out there in the first place, isn't it?

Bliss in an Ocean Isle Beach Honeymoon

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 06:05:00 +0000

Ahhh, relaxing at the beach. Now that sounds like the perfect ending to a wedding adventure, and in an Ocean Isle Beach Honeymoon, all of your past cares and stresses will melt into the sand beside you. Found in North Carolina, Ocean Isle brings white sands and carefree days to the newlywed couple. Whether you spend your time on the shore of this barrier island or shopping in the plazas, an Ocean Isle Beach honeymoon can be something that you and your new spouse will treasure for a lifetime.

The Ocean Isle Beach honeymoon is situated on one of the southernmost barrier islands of North Carolina. And although it sits between Myrtle Beach and Wilmington, this area has been successful in maintaining a low-key, quiet atmosphere. Ocean Isle Beach has miles of white sand and acres of marshlands to explore, but what most people bring back from Ocean Isle is the sense of small town camaraderie and friendliness.

With many condominiums and cottages to choose from, an Ocean Isle Beach honeymoon can suit your space needs as well as your desire for pleasant surroundings. There are many golf courses--over one hundred within a forty mile radius, in fact-- that are famed for their quality design and difficulty and can be accessed by the public. Packages are available to help you plan the perfect sampling of golf, enjoying the scenery and getting some exercise at the same time.

An Ocean Isle Beach honeymoon incorporates the small town feel with shopping that is easy to access and explore. Travel along route 17 and you will find a delightful sampling of ocean side shops as well as upscale commerce. And when you finally get hungry from your day, the seafood restaurants that adorn the coast are exquisite examples of how much North Carolina enjoys it's position on the ocean--they sure know how to prepare and present lobster, crab, and more.

It isn't surprising that the choice of an Ocean Isle Beach honeymoon is becoming more and more popular. With everything available to do and easy access to other adjacent beaches and golf courses, it's an easy decision to make.

North Carolina Honeymoon Cabin Rentals

noreply@blogger.com (Travis Matthews) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 06:05:00 +0000

When you're looking to escape into the wilderness and crave some country charm, North Carolina honeymoon cabin rentals can satisfy your needs. In the North Carolina countryside, couples can have total privacy and quiet as they rest and celebrate their new marriage. North Carolina honeymoon cabin rentals are for couples who want to get away from the crowds and just enjoy each other's company.

North Carolina honeymoon cabin rentals can be found at Maggie Valley Cabin Rentals. The newly refurnished Honeymoon hideaway cabin offers the weary couple a full kitchen and dining room for the comforts of home. The full and private deck looks out onto the surrounding forest for picturesque days. On the deck is your own personal hot tub for relieving the cares of the week. Two master bedrooms are located inside with one including its own Jacuzzi tub and majestic views. Couples are sure to relax and enjoy a bit of romance while being out in the North Carolina woods.

Mountain Brook also offers North Carolina honeymoon cabin rentals. Their honeymoon cottages include a Jacuzzi hot tub and personal sauna. With the distraction of phones or television, you and your new spouse are free to explore the river, go fishing, and walk along the trails. A complimentary Amenity Basket and Pamper basket will be awaiting you when you arrive. With small shops and close proximity to many activities, this is sure to be a pleaser. The Great Smoky Mountains or white water rafting are available. And you can finish your days with a candle light dinner while enjoying the still of the surrounding nature.

A Black Bear cabin might be the one that you choose from the many North Carolina honeymoon cabin rentals. It includes access to two private lakes and a private beach, picnic area and it's close to some beautiful natural waterfalls. If you let them know that you are honeymooning, a special treat will be prepared for you when you arrive.

North Carolina honeymoon cabin rentals offer a unique experience of the Smoky Mountain wilderness. In the still and the calm of the forest, you and your new spouse are able to sit and relax and celebrate your new and wonderful life together.

Honeymoon Travel | Vacation Destinations | Packages | Deals

How Do You Want Your Wedding Reception To End?

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Bixi Bicycling In Montreal

A for-rent bicycle tour of Montreal, Quebec, is the best way to see the city - originally posted on Across and Abroad - The Ultimate Outdoor Adventure & Travel Blog

Montreal By Bike

Plateau Mont Royal

Mount Royal Park

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Don’t get overzealous

Keep your criticisms to a minimum

Bond with the MOH

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Know all the facts

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So go ahead and gift it to the one who will always share this new little love with you.

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Do you accept that dinner is eaten at 4 p.m.?

Do you consider rice pudding to be a main course, not a dessert?

Do you consider skiing to mean cross-country, not downhill?

Do you take your shoes off whenever you go into someone’s house?

Have you stopped converting all prices back into pounds and then nearly dying of shock?

You do start thinking and dreaming in Norwegian.

You actually can get to like brown cheese.

You can walk diagonally over crossroad junctions.

You can’t just spontaneously go and buy a bottle of wine.

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You get paid a lot.

The social benefits are astounding and the taxes are far lower than you think. Don’t tell anyone…

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The Norwegian sense of humor is very close to the British.

A for-rent bicycle tour of Montreal, Quebec, is the best way to see the city - originally posted on Across and Abroad - The Ultimate Outdoor Adventure & Travel Blog

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