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Beach vacations are relaxing but you also want adventure!


Beach vacations and honeymoons are lovely and many couples dream of relaxing on a tropical beach in an exotic locale. But variety is the spice of life, and after a few days working on a sun kissed glow you may find yourself craving activities. So here are some tropical vacation and honeymoon ideas that offer relaxation, romance and active adventures you’ll talk about for years to come!

Picture yourself on the lush tropical island of St Lucia in a stunning open air sanctuary with private pool or a luxurious overwater bungalow with butler service. Both settings provide everything you need for a pampered, relaxed and romantic vacation and the beautiful island of St Lucia offers a wealth of exciting excursions and adventures. You can:

  • Hike the beautiful and rugged Pitons
  • Zip line through the dense green rainforest canopy
  • Island hop to Antigua, Barbados or Grenada
  • Take a mud bath near a dormant volcano
  • Sail to nearby Martinique
  • Snorkel, scuba or snuba on colorful coral reefs

Sound outstanding?  You can have it all:  luxurious accommodations, butler service, beach time and some really awesome escapades. Here’s another exotic beach adventure combo –

Few places on earth match the incomparable beauty of the South Pacific and Fiji offers a private island vacation within a reasonable budget. The main island of Viti Levu has mountains, rivers, a lush fertile interior and long stretches of coral rimmed coast so you can enjoy:

  • shark diving
  • white water rafting
  • horseback riding
  • zip lining
  • a jet ski safari
  • cave tours

But Fiji’s real gems are the tiny outer islands where your accommodation will be a beachfront bungalow steps from the sea, tree house amidst a lush tropical jungle or overwater bungalow suspended above a coral reef. Activities on the outer islands center on the beach and water but you can also

  • hike or swim at the Bouma waterfall
  • visit a pearl farm to see exotic colored pearls cultivated by hand
  • explore a local village and meet the chief
  • drop a fishing line in the water and bring home dinner
  • snorkel amid an amazing soft coral garden
  • kayak from one island to another

Then kick back and relax with a good book, climb into a hammock for a snooze, share a cup of kava with the locals and enjoy a vacation where time no longer matters.  You won’t be the first to shed a tear when it’s time to say goodbye.

Now, picture yourself in Belize, where you can mix your beach vacation with:

  • climbing ancient Mayan ruins
  • caving with hard hat and headlight in eerie darkness
  • river rafting beneath iguana-filled trees
  • hiking through jungles that ring with the hoots and hollers of howler monkeys

San Ignacio in Belize is a fantastic base for jungle activities with easy access to Tikal plus unique adventures like the challenging Actun Tunichil Muknal tour.  Then, after a few days in the interior, head for the beach! You can choose a lovely spot on Ambergris Caye or a more unique, adventurous setting.

Reached on a road that is more pot hole than dirt, Hamanasi offers beachfront and treehouse accommodations luxurious enough for an awesome honeymoon or vacation and you’ll have a choice of unique adventures like bird watching, hiking in a jaguar preserve, exploring mayan ruins and world class snorkeling and scuba diving. On a single dive I saw spotted eagle rays, free swimming green morays, hawksbill sea turtles, nurse shark, 300 pound grouper, lobsters large enough to feed the resort, thriving coral and hundreds of colorful exotic fish.

Relaxation in a warm climate, beautiful water, and luxurious pampering in a romantic atmosphere are some of the reasons the beach vacation is so popular but remember…  You will gather your favorite travel stories from trips that also include adventure, planned or unplanned.

My personal travels have taken me to hundreds of beaches all over the world plus adventures in Patagonia, Kenya, Machu Picchu and the Amazon, Australia, Greece, Italy and more. I hope you’ll call or email and allow me to help you find the perfect combination of experiences for your vacation or honeymoon. We can have a grand adventure planning it together!

Best spot for a small destination wedding Victoria House Belize!


Victoria House Wedding (1)

Destination Weddings are growing in popularity and there are so many fantastic destinations to choose from. Some of the more popular destination wedding venues are Sandals Resorts in the Caribbean, Couples Resorts in Jamaica and various “adult only” properties in Mexico. But if you want a unique destination and are planning a smaller wedding (5-20 guests), then you might want to consider Belize and specifically Victoria House Resort on the island of Ambergris Caye.

Last year I sent clients of mine to check out Belize and Victoria House specifically, as a possible option for their destination. They came back so excited about the resort and the island, so we proceeded to get them booked. Victoria House offers a variety of accommodations for guests from basic hotel room type options, to casita suites and even several villas with multiple bedrooms with private plunge pools and kitchens. When you pick a smaller boutique resort like Victoria House, you get a very personal atmosphere where everyone knows your name on the first day. The service is amazing and my client’s wedding day and all the details were totally taken care of by the Victoria House staff. They were happy to be able to relax and be laid back on their big day, knowing everyone was taken care of just as they wanted. Here are their comments once back from Belize:

The wedding and accommodations at Victoria House exceeded our expectations. Victoria house was able to accommodate our every request, especially Tony’s mom who likes to cook her own food (even on vacation, so it was nice to have the kitchen). Javier was a great coordinator and made sure that everything we wanted or had requested was taken care of. The wedding was laid back and pretty much stress free. (Except for when it rained in the morning but it cleared up quick.) Two hours before the wedding and we were still lounging by the pool. =)

Everyone had a great time and we can’t thank you enough for helping us with all the arrangements! You are truly awesome! Melissa and Tony

Like most resorts in Belize, Victoria House is not an all inclusive resort so if you are looking for a resort that is not all inclusive, this destination is a great choice. The island has a tiny town called San Pedro which is home to many great local dining establishments. There are very few cars on the island so most people either walk or get around by golf carts!

A few other reasons to get married in Belize are:

  1. It is easy (no blood test required like Mexico)
  2. Documents are in English
  3. From an activity standpoint, Belize is home to some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world, as well as Mayan ruins, jungle caves etc. located in the interior of Belize.

We work with clients from all over the country with all kinds of budgets and wish lists for their dream destination wedding. Give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 or you can email us by filling out a Request A Quote form on our website www.totemtravel.com . We have destination specialists for many parts of the world and we are happy to use our expertise to help you get the experience you want and at the best price!

 

Where to Honeymoon in the Winter Months of December, January and February.



Click for Slideshow of Hamanasi Resort

If you are asking yourself where would be the perfect location to honeymoon or vacation in the winter months of December, January and February, take a look at Belize in Central America.  In our coldest winter months, Belize offers warm sunny weather, white sand beaches, romantic accommodations and interesting cultural activities.  So if you’re wanting to escape the winter weather and enjoy a romantic tropical honeymoon or active eco vacation, Belize has it all!

Belize’s climate is perfect in January and February with highs in the 80’s, loads of sunshine and minimal rainfall.  You’ll find luxurious beachfront resorts ideal for a romantic couple, exotic jungle lodges and a huge variety of fun land and water activities.  You can explore ancient archaeological sites of Mayan temples, the second largest barrier reef in the world, living coral gardens, tropical rain-forests alive with hundreds of species of birds, plants and animals, as well as beautiful sun-drenched beaches.

From the island of Ambergris Caye to the coastline in Southern Belize, there are many great resort choices for a December, January or February honeymoon.  One of our favorite resorts in Belize is Hamanasi Resort where you have access to water activities like snorkeling, diving and river rafting as well as land activities such as caving, hiking in the rainforest or a visit to Mayan ruins.

Another fabulous resort for a tropical vacation or honeymoon would be Ramon’s Village on Ambergris Caye. This island is only 25 miles long and is home to the charming town of San Pedro.  This is the destination for you if you want to be on the beach and want to spend your days snorkeling and diving.

If you are planning on honeymooning in December, January or February and would like tropical warm weather, white sand beaches and adventurous activities, Belize has got it all!  Send us an email or give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 to help plan your Belize honeymoon this coming winter.

Costa Rica & Belize offer adventure for families and honeymooners


Central America offers a special mix of eco and adventure travel with all the creature comforts necessary for an outstanding family vacation or honeymoon. Costa Rica and Belize are the most popular destinations and both are peaceful countries that welcome tourism.

In Costa Rica you’ll find rainforests, jungle, pristine beaches, exotic animals and active volcanoes. Many vacationers have too little time to see it all, but a very nice itinerary combines a few days near Arenal Volcano or the Monteverde Cloud Forest with some beach time on the Guanacaste Peninsula or near Manuel Antonio or Corcovado National Parks.

Belize is home to one of the world’s largest barrier reefs and offers active adventurers a full range of land and sea activities. The diving and deep sea fishing are world class, you can hike in the lush, dense interior, or explore nearby Mayan ruins. And, when it’s time to slow down, you can pick a lovely quiet stretch of beach and simply relax!

Jobs in tourism are highly sought in Central America so it’s not unusual to find a botanist conducting your nature walk or marine biologist leading your snorkel trip. Area guides are proud of their country and enjoy sharing their special part of the world. So take advantage, ask questions and enjoy the experience!

Available accommodations range from basic to luxurious and include traditional hotels, cabanas, lodges and villas. There are a number of guided tours offered for every interest and independent travelers can choose a self drive itinerary or include ground or air transfers in a package.

The weather is warm year round but there is definitely a “green season” so contact our Central America specialist, Linda, when it’s time to plan your trip. She’ll help you plan the perfect adventure!

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