Hawaii Honeymoon

Your Hawaiian honeymoon is about to begin. Holding your beloved's hand, you sit back and close your eyes as the airplane lifts into the sky. In a few hours your honeymoon begins--for real--in Hawaii.

Perhaps it is tranquility you seek, wandering along trails or gardens amidst the fragrant smells of tropical flowers. Or perhaps it is exquisite food in a romantic restaurant that excites you.

With its warm weather and the beauty of its tropical scenery and pristine beaches, Hawaii is the most popular honeymoon destination in the United States. The four main islands are Oahu, the Big Island (Hawaii), Kauai and Maui.

For those who desire a more active time together in Hawaii, you can swim, snorkel, surf, sail or scuba dive. You can golf at some of the world's top golf courses. There are many tourist activities to be seen, including Polynesian cultural events, dinner cruises, helicopter
sightseeing tours and submarine rides. You can also sea kayak and mountain bike and hike through lush vegetation or volcanic hillsides.

The diversity of Hawaii is so great, that you could spend weeks on these islands and still not see all of its wonders. Knowing that your time will be limited, I have included a brief summary of each island along with two of the most highly rated honeymoon hotels or resorts on each island.

Oahu

Honolulu's Waikiki beach is perhaps the best-known beach in the U.S. Honolulu has many excellent restaurants, cultural and historic sites, fine hotels, nature trails and beaches. This is an exciting place if you want to be active during your stay.

Many people who visit Hawaii for the first time choose to arrive via Honolulu. By Hawaiian standards, Honolulu has reasonably priced accomodations and many opportunities for inexpensive flights or all-inclusive packages. Also, on Oahu's North Shore, some of the best surfing in the world can be found.

Two of the best honeymoon hotels on Oahu are in Honolulu.

The Halekulani, is a modern, airy hotel--a refuge, really. It has been operating since 1917, and is the only hotel in the state that has received a five-star rating from AAA. Outstanding service and excellent dining are the hallmark of the Halekulani.

The Hyatt Regency Waikiki across from Waikiki beach has excellent views of the beach, the surfers riding the waves, along with views of Diamond Head. You will be in the center of the action.

Big Island (Hawaii)

The Big Island has the most diverse ecology of all the islands. In the Waipio Valley, you can ride horseback, viewing huge waterfalls, thousand foot cliffs and black sand beaches. At Volcanoes National Park you can see the world's most active volcano, Kilauea.

The Kona coast (west side) is a seventy mile stretch of black lava-covered coastline, noted for its coffee and world-class deep sea fishing.

The summit of Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain in Hawaii, offers stargazing opportunities unlike any other place in the world.

As for honeymoon hotels, here are two of the best:

The Kona Village Resort on the island's west side is a nearly perfect honeymoon destination. Located on the beachfront, this hotel offers thatched-roof bungalows. You can swim, snorkel, explore marine life, attend a traditional luau or get a massage, all within this resort. Travel and Leisure Magazine has rated this as one of the world's top 50 romantic getaways.

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows in Kohala offers many unique features. Palm trees and flowing pools greet you as you enter the atrium around which the hotel is centered.

Oceanfront rooms have dazzling views. With its accomodating staff and many services, this resort is exquisite. It features two of the island's best golf courses. The South course, built on a lava flow, has spectacular views.

Maui

Maui has both world-class resorts and rental condominiums to choose from amidst natural wonders.

Here you will find Haleakala National Park, Maui's main natural attraction. Hawaiians recognize the mountain as a sacred site. Many people drive from sea level to the 10,000 foot summit of the crater to watch the sunrise.

Along with the natural beauty on the road to Hana, Maui boasts some of the best beaches on the islands. It also has several top-rated (PGA Tour) golf courses. Snorkeling and scuba adventures abound on the west and south shores of the island.

If your vision of the perfect Hawaii honeymoon is to get away from it all and still have many comforts and conveniences, Maui is the place for you.

Hotel Hana-Maui, on the east coast of the island, is noted for its seclusion and luxury service, so if you want to slow-down and relax, this hotel is sure to please you.

Hotel Hana-Maui is a long drive from Kahului airport over twisting roads. If you wish to forego this adventure, flying into Hana airport from Honolulu is your best bet.

The Four Seasons Maui at Wailea is an exquisite property with an open courtyard of reflecting ponds, fountains and gardens. Nearly all the rooms have ocean views and lanais where you can watch the sunset and see whales in winter.

You can have a massage in the privacy of your own cabana, listening to the waves rolling in on Wailea Beach. Also, surrounding the hotel are great restaurants and shopping, in addition to the beach.

Kauai

Kauai, the Garden Isle, is covered with flowers and tropical vegitation unlike anywhere else.

There is no nightlife on this island, simply the magic and beauty of tropical paradise with emerald valleys and golden beaches.

The natural beauty of the island can be found along the NaPali coast or in Waimea Canyon. Called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea Canyon, with its reddish lava beds bursts with ever-changing color throughout the year.

This island offers miles of trails through tropical forests and along ocean cliffs, and has many opportunities for watersports and outdoor adventures.

Priceville Hotel on the North Shore's NaPali coast is richly furnished in a casually elegant style. It sits on a cliff between the crystal-blue waters of Hanalei Bay and the volcanic mountains. Most rooms have ocean views. With access to Puu Poa Beach, spas, tennis, river and
ocean kayaking, you can do as much or as little as you like. Private dinners on the beach are available if you desire a romantic evening together, and money is not a concern.

The Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort and Spa is on the South Shore. The grounds are exotic, and the multiple pools are incredible, meandering through diverse vegetation and terrain. With a golf course, multiple spas and five restaurants, you will never have to leave this resort if you don't want to. Of course this all comes with a high price tag, but if you are looking for luxury on your Hawaiian honeymoon, this is the place.

I hope your honeymoon in Hawaii is all that you want it to be. Remember: "There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved." -George Sands

Bob Freer shares his love for travel through his writings. His current passion, Hawaii travel, is described on his website, Hawaii-Travel-Online.com [http://www.hawaii-travel-online.com]

Ten Destinations For Your Honeymoon

The pre-wedding jitters are long gone, the bachelor's party is no longer the bride's main concern, the dress was fabulous and everybody enjoyed the party. Even nature was on your side: you had a beautiful sunny wedding day. Now you can relax and enjoy your partner's company without having to worry about the guests, their accommodations or anything else for that matter. And yes, your boss and other work related stuff are included! Worrying about deadlines and the economic crisis is a big "no-no" on your honeymoon. And that is the only thing you should focus on right now. And since location is everything, here is a list of great places to choose from.

If you and your spouse are both in love with the sea then you should definitely consider honeymoon packages that include a beach resort. Visit the sandy powdery beaches in Bora Bora, for instance. This small island in French Polynesia is surely a dream honeymoon destination for newlyweds. Bora Bora is known for its tranquil ambiance but tourists also may participate in recreational activities such as boating, swimming windsurfing, jet skiing or scuba diving. That sounds tempting, doesn't it?

But how does "azure waters, white sand beaches, unmatched tranquil atmosphere combined with colorful culture and delicious dishes" sound? The place matching such a great description is Barbados. This Caribbean island attracts honeymooners from all parts of the world. The incredible scenery certainly plays an important role in the island's attraction but the fact that weather is always sunny makes Barbados the perfect choice for winter honeymoons.

If you are looking for a more secluded location but you are still hang up on the Caribbean, Aruba is the place for you. It provides ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling without excluding shopping, dining and clubbing.

Feel like eloping somewhere far off the coast of Africa? Seychelles is a good choice for those with an adventurous spirit. Its magical islands offer honeymoon couples an unforgettable experience. With its white powdery beaches and top class honeymoon resorts, Seychelles is a good destination for those whom want privacy and seclusion during their honeymoon. Just keep in mind that all that dining on the beach is quite expensive.

Mauritius ranks high in every "top honeymoon destinations" list. That is mostly because it represents the perfect combination of white sand beaches and mountains, nature reserves and wildlife parks. Other reasons for people to consider it an unique destination are the delicious local dishes and the wonderful nightlife experience it provides.

Thailand made it into the "top ten honeymoon destination" recently. Great beaches, serene atmosphere, exotic locals and, of course, that delicious Thai cuisine attract newlyweds from all continents. Most popular destinations in Thailand are Bangkok, Pattaya, and Koh Samui Island.

Tired of all these sunny beaches sceneries? Then how about some mountain tops covered in snow? Austria is the country; Vorarlberg and Tirol are the popular areas. You could also consider skiing in Salzburg province, Upper Austria and Carinthia. Kitzbhel and Lech are the jet-set resorts. Those traveling on a low budget might enjoy cross-country skiing quite a lot. When done with those winter sports, art enthusiasts can enjoy Vienna´s numerous museums and art galleries.

In the mood for some Victorian Gothic architecture? Then how about a trip to England? Forget about London, everybody goes there. Try something different, perhaps Birmingham. Believe it or not, "the workshop of the world" has had a vibrant and varied musical history over the last century. The city is often described as the birthplace of heavy metal music and in the 1970s also saw the rise of reggae. And, while you are there, why not go check out Warwick Castle, National Motor Museum or Shakespeare´s House?

Romance can be reveled in any environment, right? If that's the case, who says you can't ignore all those "Top Ten" and your travel agent's advice and choose an unusual destination for your honeymoon. New York is great in any season: frenetic nightlife, all sorts of cultural attractions and some serious shopping opportunities.

Your honeymoon must be unforgettable and, of course, unique. Then why go for the crowded places? Why not choose a more unusual destination, such as Suriname. Only a few even know this country exists and that's precisely what makes it attractive. Suriname is located in South America. It's a luring mix of linguistic diversity and eccentric architecture. It's everything you would expect for a former Dutch colony to be. Add its rain forest and fledgling ecotourism industry and there you have it: a great honeymoon destination for the adventurous newlyweds. Plus, can you imagine people's faces when they realize they haven't even heard about the place you chose for this special getaway? Priceless!

The Paragon Hotel was built in 1903 and is one of the magnificent asian weddings in birmingham hotel, a perfect example of Victorian Gothic architecture.