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.

Fijian Honeymooning

Fijian accommodations offer sun drenched beaches, friendly attitudes and crystal clear water. For a honeymoon, Fijian accommodations are simply one of the best options available for romance, seclusion and sun.

Fijian Honeymooning

Fiji is a group of islands that are officially known as the Republic of the Fiji Islands and it is located in the southern Pacific Ocean. Fiji is an archipelago that contains 322 islands and 522 islets, but only 106 of these are permanently occupied. The capital city of Fiji is Suva, and this city is located on the island of Viti Levu ? one of the two most populous islands in Fiji. Vacationing in the islands of Fiji can be a romantic and very private experience, and the many Fijian honeymoon packages offer couples a great way to take their first trip as man and wife.

All Fijian honeymoon suites and rooms are perfect for couples who want to have an exotic and unique honeymoon vacation. One of the most luxurious and romantic destinations on Fiji is the Vatuele Island, a five star accommodation located on a Fijian island that is completely surrounded by a coral reef. Situated on three quarters of a mile of white sand beach, the Vatuele Island has a few strict policies for their guests. They include no telephones, TVs, cash transactions (charge to your room), newspapers or even shoes! This combination of relaxed atmosphere and no outside invasions make this resort a great place for lovers who want to shut out the world. Additionally, since there are only 18 bures (bungalows) located at the resort, there is a sense of personalized service and luxury that's not always found at other hotels. The many different types of cuisine, some served in a cave or on a lagoon, make this destination very appealing to those who want a full sensory experience.

Another great Fijian honeymoon package is located at the Lalati on Beqa Island. This destination, which is situated on ten acres of white sand beach in a rainforest setting, has only seven bures ? which makes for a very private honeymoon spot. Activities at the Lalati include such water sports as scuba diving and canoeing, and a spa on the premises allows couples to have a relaxing massage or dip in an infinity pool.

Choosing Fiji for your romantic honeymoon is a great choice. This beautiful Pacific island nation offers atmosphere, climate and amenities that are perfect for couples who want to spend some time really getting to know each other, and be alone to just enjoy each other's company. Fijian honeymoon packages are so idealic, they are third most popular choice amongst all honeymoon destinations.

Richard Rspad is with http://www.resortspadestinations.com - information on spa resorts

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.

Cruising For Your Honeymoon

Taking a cruise for your honeymoon provides an opportunity for you to start your married life in a state of relaxation by exploring the unknown and enjoying all the amenities a cruise has to offer.

Cruising presents the comfort of five star luxury accommodations and provides unending excitement, adventure, the opportunity to get to know each other and to make new friends aboard your sea adventure.

A honeymoon cruise package may include:

1. Champagne and Strawberries in your Stateroom upon boarding
2. Canap?s or other treat delivered to your cabin on the evening of your choice
3. An exclusive Honeymooner?s party for you and the other newlyweds aboard the ship
4. Honeymoon Photographs
5. Champagne breakfast in bed on the morning of your choice

Destination options are limitless and depend upon your taste ? be it the romantic hills, historical monuments, beaches, tropical rain forests, foreign history, the list is endless. All cruise lines offering honeymoon packages have exquisitely appointed suites, gyms, swimming pools, spas, salons, shopping and casinos to pamper the cruiser and energize the mind, body and spirit.

You have the option to take a short weekend honeymoon with a three or four night cruise, or extending it to a long and luxurious getaway aboard a seven, 12 or even 30+ night cruise!

There?s no need to be concerned that you won?t know what to do or what to bring on a cruise, there are many resources available online and directly with the cruise line to assist you in packing, activities planning and leisure options. And fear not, should you forget to pack an item for your honeymoon, the cruise ship will have shops onboard at which you can purchase anything from basic necessities to luxury items and souvenirs for friends back home.

Considering the option of only having to unpack once, visiting multiple locations, and being able to spend some quality time with your new spouse aboard a self-sufficient floating city, you can?t go wrong planning a cruise for your honeymoon!
Rebecca Sherman is an editor at ModernWeddingPlanner.com Our Free Wedding Planner and Wedding Planning Guide has sections to track guest information, RSVP?s, budgets, shower and wedding gifts and More! Plus export your data to Excel.

Make your honeymoon an everlasting experience

Honeymoon is the most wonderful time of every couples life. It is a time to move away from all the hustle and bustle and to relax in the arms of your partner in your own world. Such a special occasion demands some planning. Planning can make your honeymoon worthwhile.

Talk amongst yourself and discuss which is the place that both of you like. If you both want to keep your honeymoon confined to your state, surely United States is a perfect place to enjoy the exclusive moments. You can opt for the breathtaking city of New York, the dynamic city of Las Vegas, Chicago with its adorable summers or the ecstatic Michigan Avenue South in winters. If you are an admirer of beaches, the spell bound beaches of Miami are always a perfect and open option. Honeymoons within your state are relatively less expensive than those planned abroad. But the excitement and the exuberance is the same in both the cases.

If you want to freak out abroad with your partner, there are several places to go. The awesome and romantic places in New England like Marthas Vineyard, Cape Cod, Newport, Maines seacoast and so forth have their own charm that magnetizes the honeymoon couples. Not to forget are the superlative and incredible Niagara Falls and the Great Smoky Mountains. These are some of the evergreen honeymoon destinations that are thronged and adored by the couples.
Besides your discretion also consider the weather and the climatic conditions of the place you plan to explore. For instance in the case of extreme cold a move to a warm and cozy destination is an excellent idea.

Budget is always the highest parameter to plan any thing. Just calculate the amount that you can spend on your honeymoon without a second thought. If you have a low budget, try to minimize the luxuries. For instance staying in a five star hotel, traveling through Cruise etc. can be cut down upon. You can take up an average hotel room and eat the food at a local restaurant. But dont commit the mistake of staying at your friends or relatives house. For that will leave you with least privacy and tremendous frustration. It is also better not to opt for a place, which is too expensive according to you for this can land you into soup.

Always decide the means to travel to your destination according to your budget. If your budget does not allow you to take a first class seat in the plane, go for a second class. If you propose to stick to your state, driving is never a bad option. Generally during the wedding season all the airlines, cruises and travel agencies provide some special packages especially for the honeymoon couples. These packages provide ample of facilities and at a comparatively low cost than usual. It is a nice idea to avail these opportunities.

Take a travel agent that can advise and inform you about the different honeymoon spots, latest and beneficial packages, the cost etc. according to your budget. You can also search it out yourself at the internet.
Last but not the least avoid taking heavy luggage with you. This gives a chance to shop around and buy memorable things from your honeymoon destination. If you are making a trip overseas get travel insurance done to have a carefree and happy journey. Also keep all the essentials like your credit cards, medicines, creams, camera, some foodstuff and the like for it is better to have your own things than to hunt for them at a new place.

So keep these tips in mind that make your honeymoon best amongst the rest!
Mansi gupta writes honeymoon travel topics. Learn more at http://www.dreamhoneymoonspots.com.