Bienvenidos (Welcome) to Latin America

The Andes, Amazon, Galapagos, Central America & Antarctica -- the treasures of Latin America are endless! Latin America is made of many different countries, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Galapagos, and Peru are just a few. Follow us as we take you through some of these amazing destinations and what a honeymoon in Latin America can be like!

Let’s start with South America!

Visit the Amazon: Whether you want to trek through untamed trails in the jungle or just relax in a hammock surrounded by armies of fearless hummingbirds, Amazon travel offers you an exotic experience that will alter your perception of the natural world. Amazon tours take you down a winding stream in a dugout canoe and lift you high into the rainforest canopy. While in the jungle expect to see howler monkeys and macaws, and possibly the elusive jaguar. Amazon lodges, provide both adventure and serenity: twilight hikes in search of nocturnal creatures, swims in pristine lakes and black water creeks. Amazon travel is all about discovery! Interested in an Amazon River cruise? River cruise ships are specially designed to ply the shallow waters of rivers around the world. These ships offer comfortable cabins with lower beds and private facilities. Some offer luxurious suites and deluxe onboard amenities such as lounges and bars, fitness facilities, and spacious public areas.

Next, let’s introduce you to Argentina: Argentina differs region-to-region, offering a diverse landscape of glaciers, fjords, inlets, lakes, forests, and desert landscapes. Northern Argentina tours showcase unique desert landforms, deep gorges for excellent hiking, and thunderous Iguazu Falls, whose billowing cascades tumble through lush subtropical rainforest. On a southern Argentina tour, you'll greet awe-inspiring scenery at the end of the world, Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, where you can board a cruise passing through colorful port towns, verdant fjords, and rugged, glacier-topped mountains. As you hike this diverse terrain, including the illustrious Fitz Roy Range, you'll realize the true essence of natural beauty. Argentina  provides some of the best trekking in the world!

On to Chile: Chile offers a stunning variety of landscapes. From the haunting, echoing landscapes of the Atacama desert to the temperate rainforests in the South and the majestic peaks of Torres del Paine, there's a tour in Chile for any adventure traveler. Base camp trekking in Torres del Paine provides striking views of the Patagonia landscape, including the intimidating spires of Paine, themselves. Of course, no Chile tour is complete without visiting one of the country's many enormous glaciers--one of which you can witness while hiking through a Chilean forest. There are several different ways to explore Chile, if you prefer you can explore on foot, or relax on a well-appointed cruise ship. The options are numerous.

Check out Ecuador: Ecuador includes historic haciendas, abundant wildlife and hospitable locals. If you're an active adventure seeker, you can take an Ecuador tour that includes biking in a volcano's shadow, hiking in the Bellavista Cloud forest, whitewater rafting through the western Andes, and hiking among the volcanoes of Cotopaxi National Park. Or maybe your preferred Ecuador adventure is sea kayaking into the untamed depths of the Amazon jungle. The colonial towns of Quito and Cuenca make for tamer Ecuador tours, where you can amble down cobblestone streets and shop at the local markets.Where else can you bird watch in the Amazon while simultaneously relaxing in the bar and lounge?

Of course, no trip to Ecuador is complete without visiting the famed Galapagos Islands.

So…..on to the Galapagos: Come see the islands that Charles Darwin made famous! Traveling in the Galapagos beckons every birder, nature lover and curious traveler. Each day on your Galapagos cruise you leave your yacht to explore these uninhabited island treasures. The naturalist guide shows you the diversity of Galapagos wildlife and teaches you about the area's natural history. Each island is filled with Galapagos travel highlights: snorkeling with playful sea lions, admiring the amusing blue-footed Boobie, whale-watching, or hiking to lava tunnels on Santa Cruz Island. Travel with us to the Galapagos Islands and visit one of the most undisturbed ecosystems in the world!

And last but not least…..Peru: Travel to Peru and experience ancient ruins, ancient traditions, and ancient jungle! Plan your Peru tour to trek the Inca Trail, wander the charming Cusco markets, and explore the steamy Amazon rainforest. If Machu Picchu tours sound too arduous on foot, no problem! Machu Picchu travel can also be done by train. These Peru tours present the dramatic visage of the Inca ruins and the friendly faces of the Inca descendants. You'll be confronted with exotic flora and fauna in the verdant cloud forest, as well as the snowcapped mountains that tower like the ancients of old over the Sacred Valley. Your Peru travel experience will illuminate the dynamic culture, history, and landscape of the Andes and Amazon!

A MOROCCAN HONEYMOON - Romantic, thrilling, exotic

Are you looking for a honeymoon destination that is romantic, authentic and offers enriching experiences? An active vacation with sensational thrills? A vacation to satisfy your passion for travel and unusual sights?

How about Morocco?

Located in North Africa, Morroco has a coastline on both the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea and has so much to offer. Art and culture, hiking and trekking, crafts and shopping, desserts, golf, beaches, amazing spas, and festivals and museums.

Join us as we take you to some of the amazing cities you can visit.

Casablanca

Casablanca is a beautiful located in the western region of the country. The city, which is also the capital city of the Grand Casablanca region, shares its border with the Atlantic Ocean. It is not only a capital city, but it is also the biggest city and an important port in Morocco. Casablanca is home to around 2.9 million people. Besides its economical impact, Casablanca is a famous tourist spot. Thousands of tourists visit this city from all over the world. There are various attractions - towers, mosques, city halls and many other interesting spots - in Casablanca.

Fes

Step back in time to the Middle Ages as you visit one of the most imperial, timeless and untouched cities in the world. Fez El Bali (Old Fez) – is the cultural heart of Morocco. Explore some of the 9,000 narrow lanes, alleys and souks (markets)that make-up the labyrinth of the city’s old quarter, originally founded in the 8th century AD.

Merzouga

Travel by road into the Sahara Desert. Cross the picturesque Atlas Mountains. Pass through the Ziz Valley and the oasis city of Erfoud, one of the largest oases in Morocco. Here, you get a powerful sense of its proximity of the desert, and the vantage point from the East Fort boasts splendid views over date palms, the Ziz and the desert.

Set off from the oasis and enter the desert. Proceed to the great sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi. Enjoy a reception with mint tea and pastries before beginning your explorations of the sand dunes via camelback. View a spectacular sunset over the desert dunes of Erg Chebbi.<

Skoura

Visit a local date palmary and nearby villages in Ouarzazate, and venture out into the superb Draa Valley with its wonderful Kasbahs.

Marrakech

The “Pearl of the South” Marrakech was once the capital of an empire that stretched from Toledo to Senegal. Called the “Pink City” because of the color of the local earth used in its construction, it is a city of labyrinthine alleyways, secluded palaces, museums, mosques and markets. The city’s gardens are still supplied with water from 11th-century underground irrigation canals. The Djemaa el Fna, the city square, is full of dancers, fortune-tellers, musicians, acrobats, storytellers and snake charmers. Koutoubia, the 12th-century mosque dominates the Marrakech skyline. The Ben Youssef Medersa, with its mosaics, marbles, and carved woodwork forms part of Marrakech’s UNESCO-listed medina, now a World Heritage site, crammed with architectural masterpieces. Most of the city’s architectural attractions are inside the Medina, the old walled section of the town. Visit the El Badi Palace, which took twenty-five years to build, the 12th-century Koutoubia minaret; and the Saadian Tombs, which display a very high level of decoration, using traditional stucco and delicate Granada-style carving, typical of classical Moroccan buildings. Tour the Bahia Palace, residence of the grand vizier Si Ahmed Ben Moussa and a masterpiece of domestic architecture which provides insight into how the privileged lived in the Imperial city in 19th century. You can also stop at Dar Si Said, one of the most beautiful palaces and home to the museum of Moroccan Arts and Crafts.

Oualidia

Oualidia is the center of Morocco’s oyster industry and offers one of Morocco’s largest areas of abundant bird habitat. Oualidia is an ideal place to swim and surf, sample delicious seafood, or simply relax and walk on the beach.

A New England - Rhode Island Honeymoon

Ever think about honeymooning in Rhode Island? From Block Island to Providence, Weekapaug to Newport, this tiny New England state offers romance and luxury all within driving distance for East Coast newlyweds.

Sophisticated, trendy, young and hip, the many towns and cities of Rhode Island can give honeymooners a great start on their marriage journey. And, there are many places, both historic and new, where couples can decide to hold their wedding too. Invite guests to your wedding and everyone can enjoy what Rhode Island has to offer.

We know of many fabulous properties in Rhode Island not only to hold your wedding but also where you could stay in honeymoon paradise!  In fact, there’s one property in particular that has recently been meticulously reconstructed. The building was built in 1868 and evokes a timeless elegance that captures the residential ambiance of the area’s turn-of-the-century summer estates. With the new reconstruction, which took great pains to maintain the original Victorian structure and feel, the property now provides today’s discerning travelers with the most modern amenities available.

The French Riviera - A Honeymooners Paradise

The sun, the sea air, the luxury, the romance, the night life. This is what a honeymoon is all about and you can find it all on a honeymoon along the French Riviera. The waters are clear, the sunsets are magnificent, romance and jasmine are in the air, the style is sophisticated and trendy, the beaches are perfection.

And since the hottest months for marrying are still summer months, leaving for your honeymoon in June, July or August to the French Riviera offers the best weather. A little sooner (April or May) or a little later (September and October) – still great weather and a better value.

There’s not a more romantic place on the planet. You can linger in a sidewalk café in one of the coastal cities like Nice or Cannes, enjoy adventure in the casinos in Monaco, visit museums, galleries and shop, shop, shop. Golf, hike, sunbathe. Take a tour of the coast, take a ride in a yacht.  There is so much luxury in the resorts and so much to see you will want to return again and again. The French Riviera has it all.

Visit our Featured Destinations page this month to learn more about the French Riviera and call or email or live chat with us to learn about hotels, flights and specials.

THE AFRICAN SAFARI HONEYMOON - Romance and Excitement

One of the still truly exotic honeymoon options available is the African safari. Often, many won’t even consider it because 1) they think it is too hard to plan 2) they think it is too far away 3) they think it is dangerous or scary 4) too expensive 5) too dirty.

None of these things are true – well, almost none….it can be pretty dirty, but what’s the fun in clean anyway. But, the reality is the planning should be handled by professionals, the journey is no farther than any other destination fantasy spot, the danger factor is controlled by education, tour guides and good information and the expense is reasonable considering the experience.

The biggest challenge is actually seeing one of the cornerstones of the safari, which is the annual migration of the wildebeests – a display of more than 2 million animals moving in unison over the African plains in search of grass and water. Zebras and gazelles and just about any African animal can be seen on the migration, but often, travelers are disappointed upon arrival to learn they won’t be seeing the herds.

What happened? Bad information, freak of nature, just dumb luck? There’s never a guarantee to seeing the migration, but a best case scenario and good planning offer you the best options when trying to calculate this natural phenomenon.

We have created safaris to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Typically, the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers the best opportunity for seeing a resting or moving herd between December and March. Often, the herds settle in the Serengeti’s southern plains to give birth and so December through April/May offers a great chance to see the herds start moving again. Before that, in September the herds are in the northern areas of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and in Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve. If there is a lack of rain, the herd may travel north or west to Kusini and Naabi Hill on the border of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area. April and May are considered off seasons because of the rain, but there are several lodges that offer great views of the long grass plains and woodland of the western Serengeti almost up to Lake Victoria.

The migration is just one adventure on an African safari. Other great locations for animal site seeing and other exciting adventures include Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Zambia. You can relax in high luxury with the comforts of a spa-style lodge. Eat great food in luxurious surroundings and witness the softer side of nature. Or, rough it and take the adventurous route to explore the African plains, the hot dusty landscapes of the desserts, the clear cool waters of the jungle or the snow capped mountains. You can cruise the Nile, hike, photograph wildlife and the most stunning scenery in the world, and enjoy golfing, bird watching, cycling. There’s no end to the options.

Some caution, though. African safaris take planning and discipline. We are expert global travel professional and can build a safari for you with all of your top needs attended to. Planning takes about 6-8 months so be in touch the minute you decide that life won’t be complete unless or until you travel on that Range Rover in the heart of the African plains.

After I Do! It’s Buon viaggio!

Italy is one of the most romantic places in the world. Honeymooning in Italy is a life-changing experience and a great way to start a marriage.

Here at Honeymooons Galore, we can create a “Roman” holiday honeymoon itinerary from the ground up, or you can take advantage of any number of great packages currently being offered.

Here’s just a taste of specials running right now. The food, the wine, the romance, the glory of Italy can be yours.

Right now, we know a tour operator giving $600 off per couple on ANY of their 2010 air-inclusive vacations to Italy. But you must book by May 28, 2010!

What about a 14-day First Class touring vacation starting at $3199* land only. You and your spouse will visit Italy’s most romantic cities: Rome, Sorrento, Venice, Lake Maggiore, and Florence. See places like St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the mighty Colosseum in Rome, cruise the canals of Venice by private launch to St. Mark's Square and marvel at the famous Leaning Tower in Pisa.

Maybe an 8 day First Class touring vacation from $1725* land only to Rome, Venice, Lake Garda, and Florence.

There are many, many tours and specials running right now. All of the great cities of Italy are covered.

Don’t wait to book your romantic honeymoon.

Avoid the HONEYMOON NIGHTMARE and Enjoy an Amazing Trip

Many have heard, or experienced them on their own. THE TRAVEL NIGHTMARE! Nothing puts the kibosh on a romantic honeymoon faster than finding the unexpected.

Whether it’s the I-ordered-the-honeymoon-suite-and-this-room-is-awful-scenario, the getting-somewhere-that-looks-nothing-like-the-beautiful-photos-on-the-web-site scenario or the getting-bumped-from-a-flight-on-a-no-name-airline scenario or worse, the getting-stranded-or-rerouted-for-days scenario -- the horror stories are endless.

Who do you call? What do you do? When there is no travel specialist in the mix, choices are limited.

Of course we encourage the use of travel specialists – we are travel specialists. It’s how we earn our living. And, a honeymoon is the trip of a lifetime so it must be perfect!
But, we have seen and heard enough of the horror stories to want to do our very best to help newlyweds avoid the traps and we continue to advocate the use of qualified travel specialist. Here’s why:

Travel consultants can provide advice and service and have a built-in knowledge reserve that you just can’t get off the Internet.

Don’t know when is a good time to travel to Europe or one of the islands? A professional can tell you in a second when to, and more importantly, when NOT to travel to a certain place.

In today’s viral world, many think it’s easy to book online. But, let’s face it, when looking on the Internet, all resorts, beaches, rooms, cruises look perfect. The difference couples booking with us at Honeymoons Galore, for example, might experience is that every one of our travel specialists has traveled the world. They can help you sort through the pretty pictures and really get down to what will work for you and what won’t. A computer screen can’t do that for you.

Something else to consider is that recent media reports show a shift from booking travel on the internet mainly because people are discovering that they don’t necessarily save time or money and there are so many unanswered questions and limitations. The reality is that couples have enough to worry about, you will surely want professional help with the honeymoon. Plus, if sudden changes arise or a problem crops up during the trip, calls to Honeymoons Galore, will get answered around the clock and on weekends. Not so with Internet services. And nothing spoils a honeymoon faster than being unhappy with an element of the trip.

Our travel specialists are constantly updating their skills and visiting places. Recently, our consultants recertified as specialists in more than a dozen categories including certification as honeymoon and destination wedding specialists, spa and golf specialists and have either visited or earned certificates of achievement for their knowledge and understanding of countries and islands and their travel markets including in places like Egypt, Thailand, Tahiti, Barbados, Antigua, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Turks and Caicos, among others.

And, more importantly, professional consultants, particularly our group, work diligently on your behalf to find upgrades. Because we know managers at nearly every resort any where, we find all options and opportunities to get our customers on the concierge level. You will be treated exceptionally well if folks know it is your honeymoon. It’s all stuff that almost never happens when you book yourself.

Let’s face it, a honeymoon is considered one of the single most important trips in one’s lifetime, but can be a terrible way to start a marriage if circumstances are not what you expected. Let a travel specialist ensure your honeymoon is perfect.