Celebrity Style Vacation - Guest Blog

Over-water bungalows may only seem like a dream. However, for many followers of the Bachelorette on ABC, last week's show probably had you wishing for a destination filled with clear, blue water and amazing island sights in real life. If you're anything like me, I pictured this to be an expensive venture but Eva, owner Tailored Travel Services, talks below about this gorgeous location in real terms.

Where To Go?

So you’re planning your honeymoon and want to go somewhere unique, tropical, very romantic and off the beaten track but you have a budget?


How about Tahiti? Yes, Tahiti! You can have the amazing experience of the French Polynesian islands and still stay within budget. At Tailored Travel Services, we always recommend contacting your trusted travel agency to assist you with planning your special experiences. We like to focus on what you would like to do while on your honeymoon to make it just right for the both of you! Here is some useful information to get you started on dreaming about your honeymoon in The French Polynesia.

French Polynisia?

French Polynesia consists of 118 islands and atolls. The Society islands are the islands most popular to visitors which include the high-rising islands of Moorea, Huaine, Raitea,Taha’a, and Bora Bora. Although the official language is French and Tahitian, English is commonly spoken. The overwater bungalows with panel floors showing you a view of the incredible waters below you are famous and very memorable!


How Do We Get There?

These beautiful islands are located south of the equator and are in the same time zone as Hawai’i. Located half way between California and Australia; the flight is surprisingly under 8 hours from Los Angeles airport. With non-stop flights departing daily from LAX, you can get to Papeete’s Faa’a airport on the main island in no time at all!

What Do We Pack?

With the average temperature at 79 degrees, the breezy, sunny days make the French Polynesia ideal for comfortable, natural fabrics. Packing loose fitting, casual clothing are a good idea. Your favorite sundresses for ladies along with a sports shirt and slacks for gentlemen should be great for the evenings.

Don’t forget to pack your:

• Sunblock
• Reef-walking shoes
• Insect repellent
• Prescription medicine
• Camera

As always, leave a little room for some souvenirs. Remember that Tahiti is well known for their beautiful Black Pearls! You can also expect o find products made with coconut, monoi oil, vanilla beans, wood carvings, and woven hats.

What Do We Do?

Make certain to speak to your travel agent about the wonderful activities available and reserve them before going. Since there aren’t too many companies offering the activities and they tend to sell out reserve as soon as you can. This will ensure you get to do the activities you want to enjoy!

You can try a few of these activities:

• Ray feeding
• 4 x 4 excursions
• Sailing
• Snorkeling
• Shark feeding
• Scuba diving
• Jet skiing
• Sunset cruising
• Horseback riding
• Deep sea fishing
• Bicycling
• Parasailing
• Helicopter touring
• Waterskiing
• Glass-bottom boat touring
• Windsurfing
• Dolphin Interaction
• Circle island touring
• Mountain exploration
• Relaxing

So you’re probably wondering, can we really afford this? Here is an example of a stay in the French Polynesia’s Bora Bora.

INTERCONTINENTAL BORA BORA and THALASSO SPA

From $3799 per person

• Roundtrip economy airfare from Los Angeles to Bora Bora
• 1 Night InterContinental Tahiti, Garden View Room
• 5 Nights InterContinental Thalasso Bora Bora, Emerald Overwater Villa
• Daily breakfast and dinner for 2 persons on Bora Bora
• Breakfast for 2 on Tahiti
• 25 minute spa treatment for 2 on Bora Bora

Contact your certified honeymoon specialists at Tailored Travel Services to help you with your honeymoon.

A Turks and Caicos Honeymoon

BLUEman: The Male Perspective

There is nothing better than sand between your toes, crystal clear blue water, a nice cold beverage, and a sunny day.

This is why I chose to vacation this past week with my wife in the Caribbean, particularly the Turks and Caicos Islands.

This is also a great place to honeymoon with many different resorts to choose from, including three here on the Turks and Caicos Islands: Grace Bay Club, Parrot Cay Resort and Spa, and Beaches.

Grace Bay Club is an adult only hotel with nearby family villas. Every single room of the adult only hotel features a view of the ocean. The hotel’s newest bar, known as the Infiniti Bar, stretches 90 feet to the shores of Grace Bay Beach.

Parrot Cay Resort and Spa is located 575 miles southeast of Miami. This celebrity visited 5-star resort can only be accessed by small boat. An ocean facing room is a great way to spend a week at your private island destination.

At Beaches you might not be as secluded away from children traveling with their parents as you are at the other two resorts. The upside to Beaches however is the all-inclusive package. For one price, you can book your airfare and hotel, and have all your food and beverage included. Plus, any water activities.

If you want the adult only vacation, and Turks and Caicos is your place to honeymoon, definitely check out the Grace Bay Club or the Parrot Cay Resort and Spa.

If the Caribbean sounds like the place for you to honeymoon, check out the Travel Channel’s 21 Hottest Caribbean Escapes or their Top 10 Caribbean Resorts. No matter which one you choose, you’re sure to get your wedding off to a great start with a honeymoon in the Caribbean, Turks and Caicos or not.

Sydney, Australia: A Great Place to Honeymoon

BLUEman: The Male Perspective

One thing to look forward to immediately following your wedding is that perfect honeymoon. There are plenty of places you could go, but one that may come to mind is Sydney, Australia.

Sydney is a great place to go. It all starts with a 13 to 14 hour flight over the Pacific Ocean. That is a long flight, but a great way to pass that amount of time in the plane is to take the night flight. That way, you can sleep as you fly over the ocean, and when you wake up, chances are you’ll be landing not too much later.

There a great beaches and great tourist attractions to make the most of your Sydney honeymoon.

Take for instance the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Did you know that you can do a hiking experience up to the top of the bridge? This hiking tour lasts a little over an hour, and rain, wind or shine, it will go on. But don’t worry as you will be secure to the bridge via a rope and chain.

If you want to take most of your time enjoying the beaches, check out Bondi Beach and Manly Beach, the two most popular in Sydney. If you head to Bondi Beach, be sure to stop at Nikos Restaurant Bar for great tasting fish and chips and a cold Blue Tongue Langer. Nikos is located right on the main road and you can have a nice outdoor patio seat overlooking the beach.

To get to Manly Beach, you’ll need to take a quick 30 minute ferry ride out of the Circular Quay district. Once to Manly Beach, you can exit the ferry and take a nice outdoor walk by many shops and restaurants before getting to the beach. If you like to surf, this is a great beach to do it at.

Want to get close up with a Koala? You can at the Taronga Zoo. This zoo is located a short ferry ride from Circular Quay as well and is a great place to see alot of different animals.

After a long day enjoying Sydney and its surroundings, how about a nice glass of wine? Gazebo Wine Garden in Elizabeth Bay is a great place to try different cheeses and enjoy wines you might not get anywhere else. I suggest you try the Chandon NV Rose Sparkling wine, a combination on pinot and chardonnay.

A great place to find lots of eats, and home to the Sydney Aquarium, one of the world’s largest, is Darling Harbour. You can try a great Rocket Sandwich for breakfast at Nick’s Café, or enjoy a nice appetizer of potato wedges with sweet chili dipping sauce at the Waterfront Grill. And of course, you’ll need a little dessert at the Lindt Chocolate Café.

So whatever you decide, pick up a travel book for Sydney and do your research, as this is one place to visit that might just make for an unforgettable honeymoon.

The Groom’s Duties

BLUEman: The Male Perspective

Congratulations man…you’re engaged! Now ask yourself: what's next?

Today, the modern groom doesn’t just sit back and say to his bride to be “Yes, whatever you want” when it comes to the wedding. You do have some responsibilities that fall on you, more than anyone else, including:

• Choose your best man and groomsmen
• Discuss the style of your wedding with your bride to be and make sure you both know the attire you want to have. Do you want the wedding to have a laid-back feel, or do you want it to be formal?
• Transportation – make sure you assist in arranging this for the bride to get to the ceremony, along with everyone else in your wedding party. If your reception is a drive away from the ceremony location, you’ll need transportation to get your entire wedding party there
• Arrange for accommodations, if needed, for out-of-town guests (ex. Room blocks at a specific hotel)
• Gifts – purchase for both your bride to be and for your groomsmen
• Obtain the marriage license – without it, your wedding is not official
• Plan the rehearsal dinner and prepare to make a toast at the rehearsal dinner thanking everyone for coming out to your wedding

Besides the duties specific to the groom, here are ways you can get involved in the planning process of the wedding with your bride to be:

• Determine your wedding budget and make a plan to stick within the budget. What are the most important things in your wedding to consider, i.e. planner, photographer, flowers, DJ, etc.
• Select a date, time and location for your ceremony and reception
• Create your guest list and make sure to not go over the number of guests you plan to have
• Book an officiant or minister for your wedding
• Work with your planner to hire the vendors for your wedding day

One of the things a groom should work on, and not wait to the last minute to do, is plan the honeymoon. Discuss where it is you both want to share your first week or two as a married couple. And make sure to follow our tips to planning your honeymoon. By booking at least six months out, you’re likely to save a lot more money than booking a month or two out.

Until next time, this is the BLUEman, signing off.

Destination Love || Belize- The New Honeymooner Spot

As you dream about the new lands to discover on your honeymoon, try to imagine a far away destination. Honeymoons are no longer just a trip to Hawaii or a local beach resort. For some honeymooners looking for adventure, a honeymoon in Belize just may be the ticket. The key to enjoying a destination honeymoon is great planning skills with the help of a travel planner or someone like my BLUEman (he planned our entire honeymoon-see last Monday’s Google mapping blog). Your wedding day will fly by faster than your heart will admit. Getting married is a day that most girls dream about but dream farther into the time after your wedding. I’ll also share some advice from my recent honeymooners, Daris and Jason, who visited Belize and had the most amazing experience.

Now, let’s get started on your honeymoon!

TRAVEL BUG- (This is a great thing! - I’ve said before)

Traveling abroad may seem scary with culture differences, but head to Belize and you’ll discover that English is the official language spoken. Once you arrive, the currency exchange is easy and you usually can exchange money at the airport. The accommodations in this resort lining area provide amazing food, scenic views, and numerous activities to keep you entertained.

ADVENTURE – HERE YOU COME!

Once on your way, remember your scuba gear as you explore the second largest barrier reef in the world and the infamous Deep Blue Hole, says newlywed Daris. Look into scuba classes at your local sports shop before you leave to make sure you’re prepared. Daris recommends if you travel through San Ignacio, be sure to stay at the Mystic River Resort and take in the ancient Mayan ruins in Caracol or Tikal. Bring a few pairs of hiking shoes and your bathing suit! Other outdoor adventures include zip lining, canoeing, kayaking, and horseback riding. During the evening you enjoy on-site cuisine and also learn about the different constellations for those star gazing lover’s.

Another great spot to discover is in San Pedro at Ramon’s Resort or La Victoria Resort, says newlywed Daris. Enjoy your honeymoon at this location: snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, sunset cruises, cave tubing (sounds like fun!). I started thinking about the show Man vs. Food when Daris explained the best food spots they loved in this area. Here are some of their recommendations: Mango’s, Caliente’s, Elvi’s Kitchen, the Blue Water Grill, Sunset Grill, and El Forgon.

BOOK YOUR HONEYMOON!

The first big trip as newlyweds should be high on your list. Be sure to book your honeymoon around the same time as you order your wedding dress (at least 6 months in advance). The most cost-efficient and time-saving way is to book with a travel planner. I’ve heard numerous stories in the last few months of couple’s who didn’t have a planner during the Mexico traveling scare and didn’t know their honeymoon room was closed down until they arrived. For most couples, once you book your trip, you don’t worry too much about it until you board the plane after the wedding. Check out some local travel planners in Arizona such as Tailored Travel Services, All About Honeymoons, and Camelback Odyssey Travel to help you book a dream honeymoon!

Sandals Resorts...An Easy Honeymoon

BLUEman: The Male Perspective

Continuing with the theme of honeymoons, here is one that is sure to alleviate a lot of stress in planning that perfect honeymoon, and allow you to enjoy your first week as a married couple.

I’m talking about Sandals All-inclusive Honeymoons.

You who might think $$$$ when the all-inclusive word is spoken…think again. That $$$$ sign can quickly become $$ for the same vacation many others select.

Take for example some current specials going on right now, including 65% off your weekly room rate.

For a Honeymoon Concierge Grand Luxe Beachfront Walkout Room at the Sandals Regency in St. Lucia, you could get a week stay for $4,760.00, normally priced at $11,900.00.

On top of that, based on that room type, they will throw in a $250 Red Lane Spa Credit so you can indulge in a couples massage.

So whether you select Jamaica, St. Lucia, Antigua, or the Bahamas as your honeymoon destination, you will enjoy every minute of it with the Sandals All-inclusive Honeymoon.

Here is something else you should know. Blueprint Affairs can help you plan your Sandals Honeymoon. Simply email info@blueprintaffairs.com and we can start to help you plan that perfect honeymoon.

Destination Love || Honeymoon Planning

Your wedding plans are near complete. The DJ is lined up, the venue is going to be a hit with your guests, and now you sit back and ask, what’s next?

Have you thought about your honeymoon?

Recently, Blueprint Affairs had the pleasure of sitting down with Tailored Travel Services to find out the top places to honeymoon and some helpful tips.

Honeymoon Destinations

According to Eva Guibert, CEO of Tailored Travel Services, the top three spots for Americans to honeymoon outside of the States is the Almalfi Coast and Venice in Italy, the islands of Maui and Kauai in Hawaii, and Bora Bora in Tahiti.

In addition, Arizona brides tend to look at Los Cabos and Cozumel, Mexico as honeymoon destinations as well.

How About a Travel Agent?

“When you’re going to start planning your honeymoon, consider going with a licensed and industry insured travel agency,” Guilbert stated.

The advantage of booking with a travel agent, especially one that specializes in the area in which you honeymoon, is they have the experience in putting together the kind of package you need to make your honeymoon truly special.

If you book a travel agent, Guilbert said that you should “plan to meet with them if you can, or at least speak on the phone several times or by email.”

Having a travel agent plan your honeymoon may not only save you time, aggravation or stress, but also money. Travel agents are there to put the plans of the honeymoon together for the busy bride and groom.

Going out of the Country?

Nowadays, if you plan to take a honeymoon outside of the States, you need to make sure you have a proper form of ID, i.e. a U.S. Passport.

“Your travel agent should be able to let you know what will be required for travel,” Guilbert remarked. “But you should also look into the consulate of the country you’d like to go to for detailed information.”

If you plan to travel to what might be considered a “questionable country,” make sure you look at the U.S. Government Travel Warnings.



Links:

Almafi Coast: http://www.amalficoast.com/

Venice: http://www.venice-tourism.com/en/visit-venice.html

Maui: http://www.visitmaui.com/

Kauai: http://www.gohawaii.com/kauai

Bora Bora: http://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/islands/borabora/bora-bora.asp

Los Cabos: http://visitloscabos.travel/

Cozumel: http://www.cometocozumel.com/

Passport: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Travel Warnings: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html