With 249 fabulous reviews in Wedding Wire (14x award winner) and 179 on the Knot (12x award winner), My Vacation Lady is the top rated honeymoon planner located in New Jersey!

What does this mean for you?

• You are working with the best!
• You will be working with professional travel advisors who know their stuff!
• You will be working with travel advisors who have been there, done that and experienced it!
• We have contacts all over the world to help you get the best once in a lifetime experiences!
• We won’t send you to a website to book your honeymoon.  We’ll work with you personally so that we can envision your honeymoon dreams and turn them into reality!

When you are looking to plan your honeymoon, destination wedding, anniversary vacation, babymoon, bachelor or bachelorette party, let the team at My Vacation Lady help!

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As of Jan 1, 2025,  Nicole Gilbert, is now the owner of My Vacation Lady.

Nothing will be changing for our clients.  You’ll still get the same great service from out team of travel professionals.

Nicole can be reached directly at nicole@myvacationlady.com

Mindy Gilbert will be remaining on our team as a travel advisor.  She can be reached at mindy@myvacationlady.com

We look forward to helping you plan your next vacation or honeymoon!

********We are WEDDING WIRE and The KNOT approved*********

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Four Seasons in Maui

Why is Hawaii our most requested Honeymoon Destination?

For those of you how have been reading My Vacation Lady’s blogs for a while, you’ll know that we LOVE Hawaii.  Been there 10 times. With all the exotic locations in the world, why has Hawaii been our top honeymoon destination for the past decade?

• Hawaii’s climate is world class and year-round. Yet, almost every climatic zone known on the planet is represented somewhere on the islands.  Did you realize that you might be able to go snow skiing and snorkeling in the same day on the Big Island?
• Hawaii’s beaches are absolutely amazing: white, red, and black sand, with huge crashing waves or gentle surf.  The Hawaiian Islands are great for surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, deep sea fishing and stand up paddle boarding.
• Nature at its best – Hawaii’s valleys and shores are a nature lover’s paradise. Mountain trails go on endlessly and expert guide services and naturalists are available to travelers for specialized tours and excursions.  Between gorgeous sunrises and spectacular sunsets, the outdoors is your playground.  Each island has so much to see and do that you’ll never be bored in Hawaii.

• Volcanoes – Where else can travelers get up close and personal with one of the planet’s most awesome forces of nature?
• The Aloha Spirit – the attitude of friendly acceptance and the way of life that makes the Hawaiian Islands famous. “Aloha” means joyful sharing of life, hello, goodbye, and so much more.
• Activities galore – golf, hiking, kayaking, surfing, swimming, snorkeling, zip lining, fishing, windsurfing, its all here and it’s all done with the Aloha spirit.
• So familiar and yet so exotic – Hawaii is part of the United States. That means US currency, no passports and driving on the correct side of the road. The food, culture and language are all familiar and relaxing. Yet around every turn is some element of the exotic, from the Aloha culture to the strong influence of Asian cultures and heritage.
  

  Rainbow Falls

• Waterfalls- with some of the  most beautiful waterfalls, each island has its own captivating waterfalls.  Some are even close enough to drive or walk up to.
• Dining – Hawaii is a feast. Some of the world’s great dining opportunities and a wonderfully fascinating mix of native, Pacific Rim and continental cuisines.  Farm to table is prevalent in Hawaii, as well as sea to table.  You won’t get much fresher fish than at the restaurants who buy it from the fishermen who caught the fish that day.
• Hawaii isn’t as far away as you might think.   Only six hours from the West Coast, getting to Hawaii can take less time than traveling to Europe from New York .  There are now nonstop flights from NYC, Boston and Atlanta if you are on the east coast.
• Hawaii is for most budgets – from first class luxury accommodations to condo-style hotels, we can work with many honeymoon budgets

When you are planning a honeymoon or vacation to Hawaii, call a specialist.  My Vacation Lady can help turn your Hawaii honeymoon dreams into reality.

**********WEDDING WIRE and THE KNOT APPROVED**********

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What are the Northern Lights?

According to Wikitravel.com

“The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon that can paint the night sky with unearthly, surreal color. “

Alaska

Since you can only see them at night, you want to come when there is the most darkness—from September until about mid-April – in the Fairbanks area.

Start looking about an hour and a half after sunset, but peak activity is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. solar time. (Solar time is 2.5 hours after clock time during daylight saving time (and 1.5 hours after during standard daylight time. That means the best time for seeing the aurora during Alaska’s winter is 11:30 p.m.–3:30 a.m. with the peak at 1:30 a.m. During Alaska’s spring and fall (September and March), the best time to view the aurora is 12:30 a.m.– 4:30 a.m.

Canada

Northern Canada will be the best location to see the Northern Lights.  Optimal viewing is September through April, when solar activity is highest, from just about anywhere away from urban light pollution, particularly our dark sky preserves.  Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories (north of Alberta and Saskatchewan)  is one of the best spots to see the Northern Lights but take a heated seat— it can hit 40 degrees C below zero!

Finland

The best place to see the Northern Lights in Finland is in the northern Lapland area, which is almost entirely located within the the Arctic Circle. During the winter months, the sun rarely comes over the horizon, you can expect to see the Finland Northern Lights with regularity, and other peak seasons include February through March and September through October.

Greenland

The northern lights is often seen around midnight and is best experienced on a dark, clear night in the period from September to the beginning of April.  If you are traveling during this period, you may see the northern lights from anywhere in the country, while in South Greenland, the northern lights can be seen from as early as the end of August

Iceland

Norway

The city of Tromso in northern Norway is probably the best place to see the Northern Lights.  Situated about 220 miles inside the arctic circle, every year during December and January, the sun never rises above the horizon.

In Norway, the northern lights as visible most frequently in late fall into  winter and early spring but the best months are October, February and March. Even though you might be able to see the northern lights from all over Norway, it is definitely best to make your way north, as daylight hours become lesser and you are physically closer to the display.

Sweden

The Northern Lights appear around early September  until the end of March all over Swedish Lapland.   If you are there for winter activities like as skiing, dog sledding, or snowmobile excursions, there’s a good chance you might see them.  For the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights, try checking out the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko National Park.

Check out some of the great pictures of the Northern Lights

The Team of travel professionals at My Vacation Lady  works hard to help our clients plan their dream vacations and honeymoons by getting to know our clients dreams.

Always remember, we are

**********WEDDING WIRE and THE KNOT APPROVED**********

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Did you know that the time between Christmas and Valentine’s Day is the biggest time of the year for new engagements?  You’re in good company if you just got engaged.

This is a really exciting time for you and your fiance with lots to think about, like all the wedding plans.  Once some of the excitement has settled down and you can start focusing on the wedding plans, one of the important things to remember to put in your schedule — your honeymoon.

Most brides and grooms spend countless hours, days, weeks and months planning for their wedding, making sure it is perfect down to the last detail.

Planning a honeymoon can be long and tedious as well, so why not turn it over to a honeymoon specialist who can do all of that research and work for you.

Many wedding “how-to” books seem to leave the honeymoon as an afterthought and suggest planning it about 4-6 months before the wedding.  That may be a bit too late for you to get the best availability, pricing and choices.

Please take a look at our suggestions that were carefully put together to enable us to plan your dream honeymoon stress free!

 12+ months before the honeymoon

• Start to dream. Start discussing what each of you wants for your dream honeymoon. You need to agree on a general theme (e.g. tropical or cosmopolitan, romantic or adventurous), then you can let your imaginations soar.
• Get out your calendar- Determine how long your honeymoon can be and schedule the time off from work. Remember that honeymoons to distant destinations like Tahiti and Fiji will require more than a week because of travel time and time zone differences. No matter where you go, try to plan a day or two after the wedding before you travel and try to plan a day or two after the honeymoon to recuperate before heading back to work.
• Budget realistically- you’ll need to include airfare, transfers to the resort and then again back to the airport, your hotel accommodations, sightseeing, meals, drinks and spending money.  We have helped honeymooners with budgets of $4000-25,000 but you need to be honest with yourselves and your honeymoon specialist on what you can afford or would like to spend on your honeymoon.
• Don’t shortchange yourself- Five years from now, you’ll still be talking about that wonderfully romantic dinner on the beach or the in-room Jacuzzi. Book the type of room that will create memories for you.  Believe me, hearing the waves against the shoreline, while enjoying a view of the sunset over the ocean will be immensely more romantic than one of the parking lot!

 9 months ahead

• Hire a honeymoon expert- This is way too important a vacation to book it online! Working with a honeymoon specialist is a good idea as they know which resorts cater to the honeymoon crowd.  The honeymoon specialist should ask a lot of questions about what the two of you want for your dream honeymoon before making any recommendations. Be honest about budget and expectations and then relax. Your honeymoon specialist will get to work for you!
• Book it! Review the options, choose a honeymoon package, then place your deposit with your honeymoon specialist.  That’s one more thing off the wedding to do list! Booking this far in advance will get you the best pricing, the best choice of room categories and the best flights. Plus, as an added bonus, when the wedding plans start to get hectic, you can relax and envision your fantastic honeymoon knowing it’s just waiting for the two of you!

 6 months ahead

• Get your travel documents in order. If you don’t already have a passport, apply for one now. If you do have passports, check the expiration dates to be sure they will be valid when you travel. A good rule of thumb is that your passport should be valid for six months beyond your return date.  In fact, some countries require this, so check with your honeymoon specialist or visit the State Department Web site at www.travel.state.gov. Also check to see if you will need any visas and shots.

3 months ahead

• Review current luggage requirements- Check the luggage you have available against your airline’s luggage requirements. You will need to check both size and weight limits.  Airline rules are strict, so borrow or buy new luggage if you have to. We suggest using large rolling duffle bags instead of the huge suitcases.  They weigh less and you can pack more in and, hopefully still be under the weight restrictions.  Some new pieces of luggage have built in scales so you don’t have to guess at how much the bag weighs.  This will help avoid extra charges at the airport.
• Check the TSA website for what is allowed in carry on luggage- Currently liquids and gels must be 3 oz or less and must fit in one quart sized zip lock bag per person.
• Start planning your wardrobe- If you have any questions about the dress expectations at your honeymoon destination, contact your honeymoon specialist. Be sure to bring a sweater or light jacket (planes and air conditioning can get quite chilly), along with sturdy shoes, like sneakers, for sightseeing, walking and hiking. If you plan to go horseback riding, you’ll need a pair of blue jeans as well as closed shoes (no sandals). We recommend two to three swim suits for both of you. Swimsuits may not dry as quickly in tropical climates as they do at home, and it’s uncomfortable putting on a damp swimsuit. Bring along a couple of gallon size zip top bags to transport damp swimsuits home in!  Make a list of what you want to bring and check what you still need to purchase.  Have some fun shopping for your honeymoon wardrobe!
• Buy sunscreen and toiletries that you’ll want to take with you- Sunscreen is a must! While a nice tan can be very sexy, there is nothing romantic about a sun burn!  We also suggest bringing aloe and some body moisturizer to protect your new sun tan. If you are traveling in the tropics, bug repellant with DEET is a high priority.

2 months ahead

• Make final payment. This is as easy as calling your honeymoon specialist and saying go ahead and use the credit card on file!   Make sure that if you are using a debit card, that the final payment doesn’t exceed your daily limit, so please check with your bank ahead of time.  A credit card authorization form will need to be filled out for both the deposit and final payment and returned to your honeymoon specialist.  This basically says that you agree to pay the charges on the authorization form for the honeymoon booked on the reservation.

3 weeks ahead

• Copy everything- Make a copy of your travel arrangement and your passports and leave it with a trusted family member or friend. Be sure to give them your honeymoon specialist’s contact information as well.
• Put a hold on your mail

 2 weeks ahead

• Take out your list and get packing- Two weeks will give you enough time to pick up anything you need and still attend to all the last-minute wedding details. Be sure to pack an extra tote bag for those souvenirs and gifts you’re bound to bring home.
• Cross-pack- This is so important!  We recommend putting half of your clothes in each other’s suitcase.  This way, if the airline misplaces a suitcase for a day or two, neither of you is completely out of clothes!
• Consider your carry-on carefully- Pack your tickets, passports, money, personal items, and a complete change of clothes in your carry-on bag. Also, this is where you will want to pack your glasses, contact lenses and any medications that you will need.  Please put any valuables, like jewelry and your camera, in your carry on and not in your checked suitcase.
• Alert financial managers- Call your bank or credit card company to let them know that you might be using your credit card, debit card or ATM out of the country. This way, you’ll avoid your accounts being frozen for what appears to be suspicious charges! Advance notification may also provide protection if unauthorized charges show up.
• Review your honeymoon documents- If you have any questions, contact your honeymoon specialist as quickly as possible.  Make sure you can find the emergency contact phone #’s you might need while on your honeymoon, as well as the phone # for the travel insurance company.
  • If you want to add any excursions or tours to your package, now is a good time to do it.
  • If you want to make any spa, golf or restaurant reservations to your Hawaii honeymoon package, let us know.
  • Double check to make sure that you have vouchers or confirmations for all components of your itinerary.

The day before

• Attend to last-minute details- Re-confirm your flights within 24 hours and print out your boarding passes. Re-confirm your transportation to the airport.  Double check your carry on bag to add your last minute cosmetics.  Carry your passport on your person or hand bag rather than packing it.

Day of departure

• Get ready for take-off- You must arrive at the airport early enough to allow for security screening.  International flights generally require you to be there three hours before departure.
• Wear comfortable travel clothing- If you are leaving in the winter and going to a warm climate, dress in layers so that you will be comfortable on your ride to the airport, on the flight but you’ll be able to shed the heavy clothes when you arrive in your tropical destination.
• Drink up- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated both before and during travel.
• Relax and go with the flow. The wedding is over and now you can enjoy each other’s company!

 My Vacation Lady is the top rated honeymoon specialist located in New Jersey according to the couples on Wedding Wire and the Knot.   When it comes to your honeymoon, we won’t be the first to tell you that it should be special but we are the right honeymoon specialists to make is special!

**********WEDDING WIRE and THE KNOT APPROVED**********

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The problem is—– so does everyone else. That’s why the winter months are the most expensive time to travel to somewhere tropical and beachy. There are some ways to get away that won’t break the bank.

Here are 5 tips on how to plan an affordable winter getaway:

1. If you can be- Be flexible with the dates you can travel.  Avoid holiday weekends- Martin Luther King’s Birthday, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, and definitely  avoid Christmas and Easter week and Spring Break.  Airfare will be much higher than other travel dates.  Check on which days of the week the flights may be cheaper and plan accordingly.  If you can save a couple of hundred $$ by traveling midweek, that is more money to spend having fun.
2. Book as far in advance as possible.  A lot of resorts will offer early booking discounts to those that book early.  Also, as flights fill up, the prices tend to increase or you won’t get the flights you want so booking early is always a good idea.
3. Book an all inclusive resort.  Since meals and beverages will be included, while it may seem like the price is higher, your out of pocket expenses will be less.  Also, many all inclusive resorts will include non motorized water sports and entertainment so you’ll have more to do without spending a lot of money.
4. Look into some off season destinations.  While islands like Bermuda may not be beach weather in the winter, the weather is still moderate and it’s a great time to get some good deals at the resorts.  If you play golf or tennis or want a relaxing spa getaway, destinations like Bermuda may be just the place to be— moderate prices, nice weather and less crowds.
5. Check out some adventure destinations.  When everyone is trying to soak up the sun on the beach, try an adventure vacation in Costa Rica, Belize, or Panama.  While not known only for beaches, they offer a combination of beach and adventure and the prices may not be as high as a week at an all inclusive beach resort.

The best thing to do is to consult a trusted travel adviser who can guide you to the best destination and resorts for you based on your dreams and budget.  The team at My Vacation Lady has decades of experience planning our client’s vacations and honeymoons so give us a call to help you get out of the cold this winter.

Always remember that we are

**********WEDDING WIRE and THE KNOT APPROVED**********

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• Planned to go into effect January 8, 2025, the United Kingdom (England, Scotland,Wales, and Northern Ireland) is adding Electronic Travel Authorization requirements for US and Canadian passengers.

For Detailed Information see here. This new entry requirement will affect all U.S. and Canadian travelers going to the United Kingdom, including those who have layovers or connecting flights in any UK airport. This ETA will also be required for those transiting through the UK, even if you do not pass through border control. The cost of the UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is £10. Once approved, the ETA is valid for multiple entries into the UK for up to two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. This allows travelers to visit or transit through the UK for short stays, such as tourism, business, or short-term study, during this period. If you are a U.S. and Canadian passport holder, you may apply on the ETA app or online beginning November 27, 2024.

• Starting in 2025, Americans visiting the Schengen Area of Europe, will need to apply for an ETIAS.

The ETIAS authorization is designed for individuals traveling for tourism, business, transit, or medical reasons.  It is valid for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period in the Schengen Area.  The cost is estimated to be 7 Euros Per Person.

Check this website for the ETIAS process for American Citizens.

• Flying domestically within the US will require the REAL ID starting on May 7, 2025

REAL ID-compliant cards will have of one of the following markings on the upper top portion of the card. If the card does not have one of these markings, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won’t be accepted as proof of identity in order to board commercial aircraft.

If you don’t have a REAL ID compliant driver’s license, these will also be accepted by TSA”

• State-Issued Drivers License or State-Issued ID
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

The Team of travel professionals at My Vacation Lady can help guide you through your vacation or honeymoon planning process.  

********We are WEDDING WIRE and The KNOT approved*********

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From the team at My Vacation Lady, we wish you a wonderful holiday!

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So how do we make our client’s honeymoon special?  

How can we make this a vacation that will create memories to last a lifetime?

The team of honeymoon specialists at My Vacation Lady work a bit differently than many travel agents.  We take the time to get to know our clients before we make any recommendations.  All of the honeymoons that we recommend to our clients are customized to fit their dreams and budget.  During our initial consultation, we ask very specific questions about your likes and dislikes and what EXPERIENCES you want during your honeymoon.  We’ll take the time to really talk about what you would love, what would make your honeymoon special.

Not every honeymoon budget is large enough for Tahiti, Fiji, Hawaii, the Greek Islands or the Maldives but we can make your honeymoon special, even in the Caribbean or Mexico or on a cruise.  From extra little touches to the type of room or suite we recommend, they are all designed to make your honeymoon special.

My Vacation Lady works closely with our suppliers and hotel managers to alert them of your arrival and to let them know that you are our special clients.  While we can never guarantee upgrades or extra amenities, we work hard to make sure that our honeymooners are very well taken care of.

If making your honeymoon special is important to you, you need to choose the right honeymoon specialist.

Anyone can plan a trip, but My Vacation Lady will help plan your honeymoon experience!

If you want your honeymoon to create memories to last a lifetime, contact My Vacation Lady and see why we are the top rated honeymoon specialist located in New Jersey on both Wedding Wire and The Knot.

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You will need advance reservations to enter and park (if needed) at Diamond Head State Monument.  These reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance.  Please use this link to make the reservations- https://gostateparks.hawaii.gov/diamondhead/about

Just some info on hiking Diamond Head Crater?

• An extinct saucer shaped crater, formed about 300,000 years ago and it’s a National Landmark.
• One of the most widely recognized hikes on Oahu
• Diamond Head Crater climbs about 560 feet up to the summit.
• .8 mile hike to the top
• Once at the top, enjoy a panoramic view that extends over half of the island.
• Open 6am-4pm and the gates close at 6pm.
• Reservations give you a window of 2 hours (6-8am, 8-10am, 10am-12pm, 12-2pm, 2-4pm or 4-6pm.   If you are parking a car, you must arrive within the first 30 minutes of your reservation period.
• Prices for tourists have gone up- well what hasn’t?
• $5 admission per person (non resident) and $25 per car.  Under 3 are free.  So if you are walking in, it’s only $5 each but if you drive and park, you will be paying both parking and admission.
• The trail starts on a paved trail but will soon turn into a dirt path, uneven in some spots and the last 10th of a mile is all stairs and very steep.
• There are a number of lookout points where you can rest a bit before continuing up to the top.
• The first set of stairs is just a few minute walk after the first look out and this is the shorter one– only 74 stairs.
• After climbing the first set of stairs, you’ll be at the entrance of the 225 foot long tunnel.  It’s dark so bring a flashlight with you.
• Once you get out of the tunnel, the 2nd set of stairs, this one longer with 99 steps will be just ahead.  There’s a rest area and look out point after exiting the tunnel so you can catch your breath before heading up this steeper set of stairs.
• After a bit more of a climb, you’ll soon be at the observation center at the summit with some fantastic views of Waikiki and Oahu.

Insider Tips:

• Best at sunrise (thanks to cooler morning temperatures)
• Great whale-watching from December to March for the low admission price.
• Bring water and sunscreen.  There are no water fountains along the hike and there is very little shade.
• Don’t pass up the visitor’s booth for some interesting history, it’s role in World War I and, of course, bathrooms, water fountains and some vending machines.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes.  This is not a hike to do in flip flops (or Hawaiian slippers)
• You will get some fabulous views from the top of the crater so make the effort to go to the top.

My Vacation Lady is a Hawaii Destination Specialist so if you are interested in a vacation or honeymoon to Hawaii, contact us.  Our personal approach to vacation and honeymoon planning can turn an OK trip into a great experience!

Here is some history about Hike up Leahi- Diamond Head.

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