Honeymoons in Sedona - Expect the Unexpected

Congratulations, you?re getting married. Now comes the hard part. No, I?m not talking about the wedding. I?m talking about choosing a great place for your honeymoon.

There are of course the usual suspects: Hawaii, Belize, Fiji. But, what about a place in America?s own backyard? When you think romance ? think Sedona.

If you?ve never been to Sedona, then you?re in for a real treat. The most spectacular red rock scenery awaits you, in addition to world-class resorts and close proximity to one of nature?s greatest wonders ? the Grand Canyon.

Known for its stunning red buttes, Sedona is located in northern Arizona only 130 miles from Phoenix, 40 miles from Flagstaff, and approximately 125 miles from the Grand Canyon. Of course, you never have to leave Sedona to have a fabulous honeymoon, but making a day trip to the Grand Canyon would make for a great outing.

Sedona is home to many incredible resorts, including L'Auberge de Sedona, which has been named one of the "50 Romantic Retreats in the World" by Travel + Leisure magazine. What can a honeymooning couple expect at L?Auberge de Sedona? Guests have their choice of several different spa packages from which to choose, including the Red Rock Renaissance Package, which includes two 1-hour massages in the privacy of your own cottage, breakfast each morning for two delivered to your cottage?s porch, and two L?Auberge signature bathrobes to take with you. You can also choose the Amore package, which includes a tasting menu at L?Auberge Restaurant for two, breakfast each morning at L?Auberge Restaurant for two, and champagne and strawberries delivered to your room upon arrival. For more information call 1-800-272-6777.

Another award-winning place to stay in Sedona is Casa Sedona, a 16-room bed and breakfast inn which has received the AAA 4-Diamond award for 9 consecutive years. Casa Sedona offers a special Honeymoon Package which includes 3 nights in a king or queen room complete with a balcony or terrace, and fireplace, as well as a full two-course breakfast served to you either in the garden or by the fireplace, and a complimentary dinner for two at Savannah?s, one of Sedona?s finest restaurants. Of course, your honeymoon wouldn?t be complete without a tour of Sedona, so your honeymoon package includes a two-hour jeep tour so you can view the red rock backcountry close up. For more information call toll free 1-800-525-3756.

There are numerous outdoor activities to choose from in Sedona, including the many jeep tours to view the red rocks, as well as hot air ballooning and visiting Slide Rock State Park. Slide Rock is just plain fun. No matter what wonderful amenities your first-class resort may have, this natural waterslide in Oak Creek is a must-visit in the hotter summer months. Fees are $8-$10 per vehicle, $2 per person to walk or bicycle in.

What time is the best time to visit Sedona? If you?re squeamish about the heat, you might want to avoid July through August, as temperatures can get up to the high 90s and low 100s. This is also the monsoon season, so you can expect some thundershowers. But, for those of us who enjoy a good summer rain, this can be an exhilarating time of year. Fall and Spring will find lovely weather, while the winter months can dip into the 30s.

Whether it?s for the red rocks, the resorts or the outdoor adventures, Sedona will certainly not disappoint.

Diane McCalley is creator of Honeymoon Vacations, where you can learn about such things as Fiji Honeymoons.

5 Travel Tips for your honeymoon

1. Set a budget, go to a travel agent and find the best and cheapest travel packages available. After all this is your honeymoon you want it to be special but you also don't want to come back from your honeymoon, and then realize that you are broke and have to live off bread and peanut butter for three months.

2. Arrange all you honeymoon plans before hand, you don't want to run round and make travel arrangements on the day of your wedding. Make your reservations at least 4 to 6 months ahead of time, to get the most suitable rooms and the best flight times.

3. Don't go to a particular destination, at the wrong season. Your time their will be boring, uninteresting and u will wish that your honeymoon was over. Plan ahead and find out which season is suitable for a great honeymoon.

4. Don't check in your wedding dress at the airport, take it with you on the plane. You don't want to arrive at your destination and find that your dress has disappeared. This will only upset u and u will start thinking about funny little things, like this is a sign that u shouldn't get married. Please take your dress with you on the plane we don't want you to leave your husband to be, high and dry at the altar.(the same goes for the groom)

5. Take all your documents with you in your handbag. Don't leave it in the hands of airport officials. When your luggage disappears, all you will get from them will be a look of confusion. Goffe Holt is a travelholic. Visit Africa Honeymoons

A Fiji Honeymoon: An Insider's Look

Aruna Halpin is one of the top Fiji travel specialists at TheBigDay Travel. Aruna shares her insider's knowledge of Fiji in the following interview.

In Fiji, where can we get the most for our money?

Fiji offers a wide variety of places to stay, from low budget to world-class. You'll benefit from bulk rates by taking a package tour instead of paying the higher "rack rate" the hotels charge.

You will get the most for your money at Qamea, Tokoriki, Matamanoa, Namale, Malolo, Maravu, Castaway, Mana, Jean Michel Cousteau and Matangi.

Where do the celebrities go when vacationing in Fiji?

Wakaya Island - Canadian industrialist David Harrison Gilmour bought the island for US $3 million, and in 1990 opened The Wakaya Club, with nine spacious cottages starting at USD $2,000 double plus tax, all-inclusive (five-night minimum stay).

The service is excellent, the snorkel superb, and there's scuba diving, nine hole golf course, a swimming pool, and an airstrip for charter flights (USD$1,200 roundtrip per couple from Nadi). Only game fishing and massage costs extra.

As you might expect at these prices (Fiji's highest!), it's all very tasteful and elegant-just ask Pierce Brosnan, Russell Crowe, Tom Cruise, Celine Dion, Bill Gates, Nicole Kidman or Burt Reynolds. It's sort of a country club for the rich and famous, rather than a trendy social scene.

When compared to Hawaii or Mexico, what sets Fiji apart from other destinations?

Fiji's comparatively inexpensively priced vs. that of destinations such as Tahiti and Hawaii. The largest resort in Fiji only has about 400 rooms - very small in comparison to most hotels in Hawaii.

One of Fiji's main attractions is the many small islands scattered around the coral reefs. Resorts on these small islands are quite common, especially in the Mamanuca Group, visible to the west of Nadi Airport. Beach side villas and traditional thatch bures are the most popular style of accommodation in Fiji. English is widely spoken. The snorkeling and diving are some of the best in the world. All in all Fiji is very exotic, quiet and serene.

What's the best time to go to Fiji?

Fiji (http://www.thebigday.com/TravelShop/Fiji.asp) enjoys a tropical climate year-round. If you're coming from North America, you should try to set out between April 26th to June 17th, or July 19th and August 26th, because that's when airfares on Air Pacific and Air New Zealand are at their lowest levels.

The airlines have made late April to August their low season because that's winter in New Zealand and Australia, their main destinations, but by a happy coincidence June to October are the coldest and driest months in Fiji. You'll miss the hurricane season, which runs from November to April. The hotels/resorts offer low prices in February and March as most are vacant.

Do you suggest any "hidden gems" in Fiji?

In recent years, smaller luxury resorts have multiplied in remote locations such as Vatulele Island, Royal Davui Island, Toberua Island, Taveuni Palms Resort, Beqa Island, and Wadigi Island.

Prices at the "boutique" resorts begin at several hundred dollars a day and rise to four figures, so some care should be taken in selecting the right one.
Aruna Halpin is one of the top Fiji travel specialists at TheBigDay Travel (http://www.thebigday.com). Aruna lived in Fiji for over 20 years, and was recently married there as well. Aruna shares her insider's knowledge of Fiji in the following Q&A session.

Heavenly Honeymoons--Advice and Tips for That Perfect Getaway!

Getting married is one of the most anticipated and exciting times of your life. And your honeymoon can be the most exciting and romantic trip you will ever take, since it represents a celebration of your love, your new marriage, and the lifetime commitment you have made. How do you get that "perfect" honeymoon? As with everything else that involves marriage, it is vitally important that you talk with your future spouse. Communication between partners is absolutely essential in a strong and enduring marriage--whether it be about financial decisions, the in-laws, or raising the kids. That communication channel can begin with the planning of the wedding ceremony and certainly with the decisions concerning the honeymoon.

Finding out what your future spouse has for honeymoon expectations and matching them with yours is a good place to begin when planning a honeymoon. Do you want to go around the block, or around the world? Do you want the honeymoon to be exciting and adventurous or lazy and relaxing? Do you want to save money, or really splurge on a big ticket vacation? Do you want sunshine or snow? (Hawaii or the Canadian Rockies) Do you want to marry in the same place you plan to honeymoon? Answering these questions can help insure that your honeymoon will fulfill your wildest dreams.

Remember, the best reason for a honeymoon is to rest, relax and regroup after the stresses and rigors of planning and conducting your wedding. The peace of mind which it can bring is worth every penny. Even if you are already living together, you will need to get away and relax after all the work you have done to get to this point. Do not treat your honeymoon like another vacation; it is a very special time! A time to bond, to set new directions, lay out goals as a married couple, and to renew your romance.

According to ancient traditions, the word "honeymoon" is based upon the practice of newlyweds drinking mead, called bride ale, which was produced from fermented honey. This beverage was consumed during the first month (and therefore "moon") of marriage. The fermented drink supposedly increased virility and fertility and, consequently, the first month of marriage was referred to as the honeymoon. It is only within the last 50-60 years, however, that honeymoons have gained wide popularity. With so-called "honeymoon destinations" emerging--Cancun, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Tahiti, Italy, Las Vegas, New Orleans--these post-wedding trips offered ordinary citizens a taste of what it was like to be wealthy. Chances are good that honeymoons are here to stay.

Romance is not just roses and candles. If you are adventurous newlyweds there a many ways to enliven your honeymoon. Scuba diving, snowmobiling, parasailing, skydiving, or couples' bungee jumping are a few of the ways to spice up your honeymoon and return home with unforgettable memories of that golden getaway.

An important word of advice: don't be afraid to mention the fact that you will be honeymooning when you're making reservations for a restaurant, hotel, or cruise. Announce it when you arrive. Tell everyone! You're happy and you're in love. Special accommodations and gifts, ranging from upgraded rooms to flowers or free champagne are often given to honeymooners.

Larry Denton is a retired history teacher having taught 33 years at Hobson High in Hobson, Montana. He is currently Vice President of Elfin Enterprises, Inc., an Internet business dedicated to providing useful information and valuable resources on a variety of timely topics. For a cruise ship full of information, resources and advice about honeymoons, visit http://www.HoneyMoonHaven.com