If you like to go on holiday each year, you may go to Spain or to France or even to the Caribbean wherever you go you always think oh I wish I could stay and live here. Well now that's what many people are doing, there packing their old lives up in the UK and moving on to new pastures usually in and around Europe. I think many people move to Europe because there not too far away from the UK and so can easily hop on a plane or a boat and visit family and friends.
Planning a luxury honeymoon is a challenging proposition. There are so many destinations to choose from, each offering a very different experience, and of course you want a romantic honeymoon that you'll remember forever! But whether you are looking for a desert island retreat or a cultural city break, an ultra luxury experience or an unspoilt wildlife holiday, there are some countries that are just made for a luxury honeymoon - here are five of the best...
May has finally arrived, and while the weather may not have caught up with the season in Northern Europe yet, we can be in no doubt that summer is on its way.
To me, summer equals summer holidays, and so it will soon be time for us to pack our suitcases and head off on that much wanted (and needed!) break somewhere warmer, less familiar and hopefully more luxurious than we are used to at home.
Cruise holidays remain popular and if you fancy sunning yourself aboard a luxury cruise ship this summer, now is the perfect time to start browsing the routes available so you can reserve your spot before the prices increase.
With just 2 days to go until the arrival of May, the 2012 wedding season is about to burst into life as brides and grooms from every corner of the globe head up the aisle to say their "I do's".
May and September tend to be the busiest months of the year for weddings in the UK, and if you are one of the lucky ones marrying your sweetheart this year, why not take advantage of the rainy weekend, stay indoors, and book your dream honeymoon holiday to somewhere warm and exotic!
When it comes to the cost of your honeymoon, it seems the sky is the limit. After researching all morning the average spend ranges between $3000 and $7000 for a two week break, and many savvy newlyweds now ask their guests to contribute to their honeymoon fund rather than buying a gift, so that they can splash out on a memorable holiday and enjoy those first weeks as man and wife - a great idea!
So with your perfect partner, honeymoon budget, and your wedding dates all planned, the only thing left to decide where to go! So without further ado, here is our list of Top 5 Honeymoon Destinations for 2012 Weddings...
Mauritius
Mauritius is not just one of our favourite honeymoon destinations; it tops most other lists too! A paradise bathing in the Indian Ocean, it is perhaps the most romantic holiday spot in the world. Sophisticated resorts with endless spa treatments, powder white sandy beaches, warm sunshine, and indulgent dining venues - what more could newlyweds want!
Caribbean
The Caribbean attracts honeymooners from all over the world, and with such an amazing choice of beautiful islands, it is no wonder that it remains such a popular destination. If we were to choose one island for a truly romantic honeymoon, it would have to be Anguilla. Laid back, relaxed, and breathtakingly beautiful, this tiny island has it all.
Santorini, Greece
The Greek Islands are picture-postcard perfect during the summer months, and Santorini with its stunning blue and white buildings, cobbled streets and abundance of wild flowers is a wonderful place to spend a romantic holiday with a loved one.
South Africa
Those looking for something a little bit different should consider South Africa for their honeymoon. Combining a city break, a wine tasting tour and perhaps a safari, is a great way to celebrate your marriage, and you could always add-on a week in neighbouring Mauritius to get the best of both worlds!
Australia
If your honeymoon is going to be your 'holiday of a lifetime', why not take the plunge and head down under to Australia! A magnificent country that has something for everyone, Oz is a wonderful place to visit, and there is nothing more romantic that drinking a glass of wine together while watching the sun set over Ayres Rock.
Wherever you decide to go on your honeymoon just remember, "Short honeymoons are better than no honeymoons, but long honeymoons are best of all" - enjoy!
Wendy Kaufmann is the owner of Equatours Limited. A family owned and family run business specialising in unique travel experiences to countries below the equator.
Fully bonded tour operator, our packages are inclusive of all travel arrangements, accommodation, insurance and a personal travel guide is with you every step of the way to make sure your trip with us is a holiday of a lifetime.
For more information please feel free to visit our Blog http://www.equatourslimited.me or our website http://www.equatourslimited.com
We would love to hear from you.
A Quick Guide to Informal London Speech
By Roberta Stuart
If you are staying in a Hyde Park hotel, London offers the chance to experience a variety of language use that you may find interesting - and depending upon where you come from, not always easy to understand!
Here are a few examples of what you may hear.
A room with a view is the dream for most holiday makers. Whether you want to escape and wonder over stunning valley landscapes, culture rich cities or breath taking beaches, there are a wide range of accommodation options which will offer the view for you. French Alps
Whether you stay during winter or summer, the French Alps provide a beautiful backdrop to your holiday property. Providing you with various activities during any month, you not only get a stunning view but a chance to try out skiing, hiking or even rock climbing. Most of the chalets available will provide you with private balconies so you can take in your surroundings even better, or enjoy drinks under a clear sky, overlooking the mountain tops. Rome, Italy
Over look the winding street, crowd filled markets and Italian vineyards, from a private apartment or rural villa. Central Rome is packed full of rich Italian culture, where you can explore the Colosseum and art museums, all of which are in easy access from stylish apartments. However if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the centre, Rome's outskirts spoil you with rustic and remote Italian homes. The outskirts include places such a Lazio and the Latina Province. Surround yourself with beauty that is Italian and you will be enchanted.
Although there are a ton of gorgeous beaches in the world, there can only be ten that stand above the rest. So who's high ranking as the top ten most gorgeous beaches in the world? Keep reading to find out.
10. Whitehaven Beach, Australia
One of the most secluded and cleanest beaches in the world, Whitehaven requires you to travel by boat and you're not allowed to sleep on it. The sand is so white that you might need sunglasses to block the reflection off the sand.
Image via WikipediaMontserrat is a mountain range in northern Spain, in the heart of Catalonia, near Barcelona. The mountains are extremely beautiful, whimsical stone shapes at times resembling castles made of wet sand or huge statues that inspire you both with fascination and horror. A Benedictine monastery is situated in the mountains, which can be accessed by foot from the valley of the Llobregat river through a mountain trail. This place has been attracting pilgrims and tourists since long ago, and in 1892 a rope way was built from the town Monistrol de Montserrat to the Monastery. It was later replaced by a cable car, but the old funicular still carries travelers from the monastery to the top of the Santa Magdalena Mount, from where a trail leads you to the hermitage of St. Jeroni.
The Monastery of Montserrat was founded in 1025 by abbot Oliba of Ripoll and Cuxa. The first small Catholic churches and chapels appeared here even earlier, in the 9th century. Then the land was conquered by Muslim Saracens as they were called. Abbot Oliba apparently led the construction of the monastery, he was a famous architect and had a great influence on the development of Catalan architecture, introducing elements of the Lombard style. In particular, under his leadership the monastery of St. Michelle de Cuxa was expanded and rebuilt. The Montserrat has seen many renovations, it was once destroyed by the Napoleon's army and then re-built again. The last renovation dates to early 20th century. Currently the convent accommodates about 100 Benedictine monks. There is also a hotel for pilgrims.
The monastery houses a statue of Black Madonna (La Moreneta), the sacred object of pilgrimage. According to legend, the statue was carved by St. Luke and then moved to Spain by St. Peter. In 718, the statue was hidden in the mountains of Montserrat from the infidels, Saracens, and then was lost. In 890 La Moreneta was miraculously discovered by shepherds in a cave where they saw mysterious glow and heard angelic singing. At this place a chapel was built and the cave was named Santa Cova.
The statue, currently housed in a monastery dates from the 12th century. There are various theories explaining the strange black color of the Madonna and the child, but none of them is sufficiently substantiated. It is likely that the statue was darkened by the soot from so many candles which were lit around it for days and nights over centuries.
Black Madonna was the pilgrimage destination for so many historical personalities, including St. Ignatius Loyola, who hung weapons at her altar and embarked on the path of religious asceticism. In 1881 the statue was canonized by Pope Leo 13th and declared as the patron saint of Catalonia. It is believed that the Black Madonna can help women find the happiness of motherhood, that is why there are so many women and young couples visiting this monastery.
The gallery of the monastery contains a small yet rich collection of classical (El Greco, Caravaggio, Morales) and modern (Degas, Picasso, Dali) paintings.
The extensive library of the monastery was almost completely destroyed during the Napoleonic wars. Currently, the library contains over 400 original manuscripts, including Egyptian papyri, rare medieval manuscripts, as well as the famous collection of hymns Libre Vermille (Red Book), compiled by monks of the monastery in the 14th century to be sung by pilgrims during the night vigils.
In the church of Santa Maria de Montserrat degli Spagnolo two of the Pope Borgia family were buried: Callistus III (1455-1458) and Alexander The 6th (1492-1503).
by John Petersons
There are many different options for villa rentals in Sicily. One of the most popular is the seaside villas. Any property boasting a seaside location should either be on the ocean's edge or within a minute's walk to the water. Much of Sicily's coast line is of the sandy beach variety, but there are also areas speckled with rocky coves for those less inclined to sunbath and more inclined the watch the waves break across the shore. There is a huge variety of waterfront villas. Some are renovated stone farmhouses. Another used to be a frantoio, or olive-oil press. There is even an old castle available. The prices on some of these accommodations can be a bit steep, but since they sleep anywhere from five to fifteen, the cost can be split up between multiple friends or families.
Rental companies often designate some of their villas as family properties. These properties are generally larger, sometimes having sleeping accommodation for twenty people, and come with private pools and grounds. Many of them are located near child-friendly attractions such as Mount Etna and its theme park, Etna Land. On the north coast is Palermo, a town known for its puppet theatre. Regardless of the surrounding attractions, every family villa comes equipped with satellite television and a DVD player.
With its azure seas, craggy cliffs and stunning sunsets, Sicily is a natural location for a honeymoon. There are many smaller, but no less exquisite, Sicily villas available for newlyweds to find the romance they are looking for. These properties may be set on a private beach or amidst the rolling hills of vineyard country. Cleaning service will be weekly, instead of daily, to ensure maximum privacy. In addition to a pool, they will often boast a Jacuzzi.
For those, who wish to experience more of Sicily's city life - the villas in and around the famous town of Taormina are a perfect option. Taormina was made an integral part of the Grand Tour a couple hundred years ago, and since then, luminaries such as Goethe and Steinbeck have made Taormina villas their home away from home. Some of these villas are apartments in the restored historic city center, while others are just a short walk or drive away.
Whether you're looking for a family vacation, honeymoon retreat, or just a relaxing week in the sunshine, Sicily villas can meet all your holiday needs.
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is a vacationer"'s dream come true. This island has it all: year-round warm climate, beautiful beaches, charming Old World towns, vineyards, amazing cuisine, and a variety of charming sicily villas available for rental.John Petersons has been contributing to leading magazines for the past 10 years. He's also an accredited researcher on the subject for leading research institutes in the US.
Image via Wikipedia
Winter most certainly started early this year and by now most of us are in need of a holiday. Being as this is one of the most expensive times of the year for travel, it's advisable to sit and consider a few options before booking.
Chose a destination.
Contrary to popular belief, traveling to common destinations like the Caribbean during high season can be the best time to go. Many airlines will provide several daily direct flights. Due to the frequency, they want to fly full so getting a good deals is common.
Are you open to staying at a hostel?
Hostels are not only for backpackers. Most hostels offer both dorm-style accommodations as well as private rooms. You can easily get a private room (with television and bath) for $20 per/person per/night. That adds up to a massive savings over the course of a one or two week holiday. Due to their rising popularity, many hostels now have pools. As well, they offer kitchens (cooking utensils included) where their guests can cook and mingle. The difference in price between a hostel and a hotel could easily be enough to pay for your entire airfare.
The all-inclusive - is it worth it?
You need to ask yourself if you will you actually use it? All-inclusives are a great way to go if you are not on a budget, consume a lot of food, want your activities planned or need child care. If, however, you are a single person or a couple just needing a break away from it all, you may want to reconsider this option. The difference in cost between an all-inclusive and going your own way is substantial. Hotels charge for everything whether you use it or not. So, if you prefer to make your own way, eat local and tour yourself, you can easily save thousands of dollars per person by not doing an all-inclusive.
Staying central as opposed to staying beachside.
This is a big one. Hotels charge for their amenities, their location and their view. So if you are of the independent type and don't require satellite television and heated towels, I would seriously consider staying central in your chosen destination. Central hotels are usually located along main throughways in cities, meaning you can walk pretty much anywhere you need to go and local transportation is convenient. These hotels always offer great deals.
Taking local transportation...it's fun.
Consider an additional adventure by learning to take local transportation. Buses go directly to tourist destinations. If you know where you would like to go but are unsure how to get there, it's easy enough to do a little on-line homework before leaving home. Print your findings and take them with you. You will be surprised at how easy it is. If worse comes to worse, keep your hotel address on your person and take a taxi if you get lost. Local buses will cost between $1 and $3 dollars to get you around with almost door-to-door service. A local map...free.
Being flexible with travel dates.
This too can be the make-or-break of your trip. Weekend departures are the most sought-after days so flying on a Friday or Saturday generally ensures the most expensive seat. Mondays and Tuesdays are significantly less expensiSearch Amazon.com for Vino Con Vistave.
Found a great deal on travel that you can't pass up?
Fantastic travel deals don't always happen at the most financially opportune times. So when you find a great deal that you can't refuse, a loan might be an option to consider. But remember, when you get back from paradise, there will be payments to make, so weigh the pros and cons and decide whether escaping a long, bleak winter is a good enough reason to increase your debt load.
If you consider some of these travel suggestions, there is a very good chance you will be able to afford your vacation with ease and return home happy, relaxed and possibly even debt-free!
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_b.png?x-id=59f816a9-7bdc-42f1-820f-f3237c8ba398)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_b.png?x-id=82ade58d-8466-4f9e-a30f-170a460160be)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=d6a190f4-c5bc-4d59-8604-6953c1ad7609)