A few weeks ago I had the chance to spend a week in Punta Cana and see some of the resorts down there. During a long ride between resorts the wonderful taxi driver, Juan and I had a conversation about the resorts that I had been to and what I thought. We chatted a bit about the features and amenities at each resort. In closing he said it could be summed up with 6 words “The difference is in the service” – and he was right. The resorts all have similar features and amenities to offer their guests but the difference between them is as simple as the service. Service sets apart the great resorts from to extraordinary ones. Simple tasks being handled without you even having to think about them are what make your experience extra special.

I was able to experience two resorts while in Punta Cana and I want to share my story with you so you can better understand what I mean by service makes the difference.

Here is a perfect example of where service makes the difference. While dining at Resort #1 we would constantly have to find someone and ask for our water to be refilled. We would spend half of our meal looking for a waiter to flag down to get some more water.  Now you might think, this lady is crazy, it is just a glass of water, but think of how much time I had to waste trying to find a waiter to get a simple glass of water. Now let’s travel to Resort #2 when we arrived at the lobby they had bottles waiting for us, as we walked around the resort the different restaurants and bars offered drinks without me having to track someone down to get it. It was effortless. This was a very enjoyable experience; I could enjoy my surroundings without having to worry about what I was going to do about water as it was always there for me.

Now you are scratching your head going so I should base my honeymoon on if they will get me a glass of water without asking. Yes – well at least on the principle, on your honeymoon you want it to be everything you dreamed of and more, the last time you dreamed about your honeymoon did it involve you chasing a waiter around the dining room for a glass of water? Service is a huge factor in what makes a great resort extraordinary. The lack of service can make for a long (and thirsty) week.

When you are deciding on a resort take into consideration not only what features and amenities it has but also and most importantly what type of service it has. This will set the mood for your entire honeymoon, make sure it is a good one!

If you need help debunking the great mystery of extraordinary service talk to your Bliss Honeymoons Expert today and we will get you on the right track to your perfect honeymoon!

#Hilary Wallace

When it’s time to plan a honeymoon, the world is your oyster. There are so many places to go and so many things to do both at home and abroad.

But, what happens if you, your honey or both of you happen to be vegetarians or have other dietary concerns? Where can you go to ensure first-class romance with a menu that delights, too?

Fortunately, there are some great destinations you can go to where your dietary desires will be taken into account while adventure, romance and alone time will remain the top priorities.

Here are just three suggestions for great vegetarian friendly honeymoons:

• Cruises – Pick a cruise, any cruise and chances are you’re not only going to have an incredible honeymoon, but you’ll get to enjoy some amazing vegetarian cuisine the entire time you’re on board. Cruise vacations are among the best for vegetarians because of the extensive menu selections and the care that’s taken to ensure passengers’ dietary needs are catered to perfectly. Keep in mind there are cruises available to just about any region of the world imaginable, too. This means you pretty much have your pick of destinations while ensuring your preferences are kept in mind.
• Europe – Just about every major tourist destination in Europe has resorts, hotels and bed and breakfast locations that are either 100 percent vegetarian or equipped to cater to a vegetarian menu. From the countryside of England and the historic ambiance of Italy to the majesty of Paris, there are places to stay that will make sure your every whim is catered to perfectly. Just check with your honeymoon travel agent or the resort in question to make sure your needs can be accommodated. Honeymoon specialists, in fact, can let you know exactly what resorts the recommend for special dietary requests.
• America – If you’d prefer to stay a little closer to home for your honeymoon, you’ll find that’s more than possible, too. From the casinos of Las Vegas to the big city hotels in New York, most major resorts offer vegetarian options.  Again, your best bet is to work directly with a honeymoon specialist to locate the perfect resort for your special escape.

Just because you and/or your honey happens to be a vegetarian doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a trip of a lifetime. You’ll find that most hotels and restaurants the world over are more than willing to offer some incredibly tasty vegetarian options for travelers. There’s no reason to worry no matter your destination of choice. Just work with our honeymoon specialists to find the perfect place to spend your once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

The only thing nearly as stressful as planning a wedding is making sure the honeymoon is perfect from beginning to end. After all, it’s your special time together and you do want to make sure no detail is left unattended.

Fortunately, there is a better way to make sure a honeymoon is as perfect as it can be. Collaborate directly with a travel agent and the work, worry and often some of the expense of enjoying a few days or even a few weeks away can be reduced to a blissful minimum.

So, what can a honeymoon travel expert do for you and your sweetheart that you might not be able to tackle alone? Here are three of the best reasons to consider working with a travel agent when it’s time to map out a romantic adventure:

• Their destination knowledge – You might have a perfect geographical location in mind for your honeymoon, but do you know the best place to stay to enjoy real quiet time? A skilled, experienced travel consultant will. In fact, the very best can tell you a whole lot about some of the most popular – and even exotic and unusual – destinations. They know, for example, where you can enjoy high adventure, what hotels will treat you like royalty, where you can get the best service and a whole lot more. Combine your desires with an expert in travel’s knowledge and your honeymoon will be perfect from start to end.
• Their ability to save you money – Believe it or not, you can save money by working with a travel agent to book your honeymoon. Not only do they know the best places to stay and things to do in locales all over the world, they also know how to save their clients some serious cash. In doing so, they open the door for you and your sweetheart to enjoy even more while you’re away.
• Their ability to take the worry off your shoulders – When a honeymoon planner oversees honeymoon planning, the work, worry and stress is removed from your plate. All you have to do is guide the agent in the right direction by stating your wishes and the agent will take care of the rest.

Planning a honeymoon doesn’t have to be extra work associated with your big day. Consult one of our experts and you will just have to show up and enjoy your time away.

Best Holiday Season Honeymoons

There is just something incredibly romantic about saying “I do” during the heart of the holiday season. After all, it’s a time of joy, thankfulness and giving, so why not tie the knot and double the reasons to celebrate? Honeymooning during the holidays can also be an incredible experience – for couples who know where to go to celebrate.

So, what destinations should holiday honeymooners put on top of their lists? Here are just a few ideas where romance and the holidays can go hand-in-hand:

• Paris – It can easily be said that there’s never a bad time to visit Paris – especially for couples in love. Even so, the holidays are an exceptionally beautiful time of the year to check out the City of Lights. Imagine taking in the holidays at Notre Dame Cathedral, skating on an open-air rink while holding hands and touring the city’s many shops and restaurants as they’re lit up for the holiday celebration. A leisurely stroll along the Champs-Elysees becomes spectacular this time of year as holiday lights lend twinkling beauty to the night. It just doesn’t get more romantic than that. Keep in mind that if you do go, Paris does get pretty cold at Christmastime. Plan for it when you pack.
• Italy – There are few places in all the world that offer the romance, the history and the beauty of Rome. Christmastime, in fact, is one of the best times to visit this amazing destination. Select Rome for your holiday honeymoon and you’ll be able to see a towering Christmas tree lit up just outside the Colosseum, view the Vatican in its holiday glory, buy presents from street-side vendors and more. Rome does get pretty chilly this time of year, so plan on packing for cold weather and prepare to snuggle just a little closer.
• Jamaica – If cold weather and historic destinations just don’t appeal, why not spend your holiday honeymoon on the beach? Jamaica delivers highs in the 80s and lows in the 70s throughout the holiday season, which means it’s a perfect getaway for those that would rather sip a margarita on the beach than shovel snow. Plus, this tropical island paradise does deck itself out in grand fashion for the holidays. When it comes to romance, Jamaica is hard to top. Just picture warm tropical breezes, beautiful oceanfront scenery and sunsets that are to die for!

Getting away for a holiday honeymoon offers a world of possibilities. Just let your imagination wander to select the perfect spot to celebrate the season and your sweetheart.

If you want a honeymoon that’s oh so classic and still a little bit exotic, there is no better place in the world to escape to for romance than Paris. The City of Lights is the quintessential destination for lovers.

Should you and your intended find yourself exploring the possibilities a Parisian honeymoon has to offer, you’re going to discover this city was practically made for romance. From its beautiful geography and its majestic architecture to its amazing entertainment possibilities, it is simply impossible to top this destination when a trip abroad is in order for a newlywed couple.

One of the biggest considerations you and your sweetheart will have to make after deciding upon Paris to celebrate your wedded bliss is where to stay. The truth is some Parisian destinations are just a little bit more romantic and memorable than others.

Here are three possibilities that are well worth your consideration for making a honeymoon dream come true:

• Le Royal Monceau – This splendid hotel combines old world architecture with very modern room designs. Located in the heart of the city, it provides honeymooners with magnificent views of Paris’ major attractions. The hotel itself offers visitors rooms that are designed with romance in mind. Should you prefer a little more room to roam, the suites here are crafted to please. You’ll find they are so well designed that going outside – even in Paris – might be a hard choice to make. To ensure visitors enjoy the “royal” treatment, the hotel also features onsite dining, room service, a spa and much more.
• Shangri-La – At this stunning hotel, you and your sweetheart will enjoy first-class treatment every step of the way. The hotel features standard rooms that aren’t so “standard” by American classifications. It also offers guests access to 27 different suites that are designed to provide amazing views of the city. Old world charm and classic French styling are found throughout. The hotel features its own restaurants and bars and also has an onsite fitness center, among other amenities.
• Anywhere – Paris is famed for its romantic backdrops, amazing entertainment and world-class dining. Work with a booking specialist to find a resort to accommodate your distinct wishes for your honeymoon and you just can’t go wrong.

It’s your honeymoon and you want everything to be perfect. If jet setting to the City of Lights is your plan, you’ll find that Paris offers plenty of great places for honeymooners to go to enjoy

It’s your honeymoon and you want it to be special! With that in mind, chances are pretty strong you don’t just want to book a room in any old place. If you and your sweetheart have something “exotic,” and amazing in mind, Greece just might be the place to visit.

A Greek island honeymoon has all of the ingredients that make a trip of a lifetime: beautiful beaches, outstanding weather, spectacular resorts and plenty of memorable sites to tour. This country is famed for its cuisine, history and romantic backdrops. From the beauty of the coastline to the majesty of the Parthenon, there is no other place like it in all the world.

If you’re not sure why Greece would be right for a romantic honeymoon adventure, here are three reasons to consider this destination:

• It’s unusual – Beachside honeymoons are not at all out of the ordinary. Beachside honeymoons along the legendary Aegean Sea, however, are not quite so common. If you’re looking for a place that’s distinct and still has all the major ingredients for a romantic time you’ll never forget, this is a destination well worth considering. You can almost bet your friends won’t have olive trees, ancient ruins and the turquoise waters of Greece in the backgrounds of their honeymoon photos.
• The weather – Greece enjoys an incredible Mediterranean climate. This means you can visit just about any time of year and expect to enjoy some pretty great weather. Summers are warm and dry and winters tend to be pretty mild. You might catch a little rain in the winter months, but that just gives more of a reason to stay indoors and enjoy some private time at the resort you select.
• It’s accommodating to many tastes – It doesn’t matter whether you intend to soak up some rays and get sand between your toes or you want to visit some of the world’s oldest historic sites, you’ll find something to do in Greece. The Greek islands are famed for their world-class, all-inclusive resorts, stunning waterscapes, outstanding service, quaint villages and more. It’s almost impossible to not find something to love about Greece. If staying in is your desire, you’ll even discover that the best all-inclusive resorts in Greece make this a very easy option to pursue.

Your love is legendary; why not celebrate it in the “birthplace of the gods?” A Greek island honeymoon has everything you require to create a romantic trip you will never forget.

If you’re looking for a picture-perfect, romantic backdrop for your upcoming honeymoon, Jade Mountain is the place to stay. Located on the beautiful island of St. Lucia in the Caribbean Sea, this getaway destination blends tropical seaside scenery with all the amenities lovers need to create memories that will last a lifetime.

With its all-inclusive packages and breathtaking scenery, Jade Mountain is a destination like none other. If you’re wondering why so many honeymooners adore this resort, here are three reasons to consider it for your upcoming romantic escape:

• The on-site pampering you’ll enjoy – When you’re on your honeymoon, you don’t want to worry about the little details that tend to go along with vacationing. The Jade Mountain resort makes sure you don’t have to. The hotel was designed by architect-owner Nick Troubetzkoy to create a sense of harmony for guests. The rooms take advantage of the incredible Caribbean view, offering guests unfettered visuals of the sea and the lush tropical mountains that St. Lucia is famed for. At the resort, you can count on first-class pampering throughout your stay with beautifully appointed rooms and topnotch guest care. While staff members are always available to assist you, you can count on having as much alone-time as you desire.
• The amenities – The private beach-front is enough to capture most travelers’ attention, but Jade Mountain doesn’t stop there. Guests enjoy access to spa services, infinity pools, activities such as snorkeling, tennis, swimming, walks, hikes and more. The rooms are designed to serve as “sanctuaries.” Private infinity pools and decks create a careful balance between the inside nature of the rooms and the outdoor beauty the Caribbean is known for. On-site and in-sanctuary dining is also available with menus that are designed to please even the most finicky of eaters.
• The nearby attractions – Select the Jade Mountain for your honeymoon and you will find the wonders of St. Lucia at your fingertips. This tropical getaway is famed for its stunning outdoor adventures. Visitors here can take in such wonders as the twin peaks of the Pitons, Sulphur Springs and more. Visitors to the island nation will also find plenty of nightlife, entertainment and dining adventures available to them.

Finding a perfect honeymoon destination doesn’t have to be difficult. Jade Mountain offers tranquility, romance and plenty of pampering for newlyweds in all-inclusive packages that make planning a pleasure.

Here at Bliss, we like it when our clients challenge us to come up with something different. It’s not that our most popular travel packages are fantastic, but we understand that some clients really want to experience something they’ve never done before, and likely won’t have time to do again. So, we’ve come up with 3 unique packages, offered by G Adventures, that will boldly take you where you’ve never imagined going before! If you’re looking for a unique honeymoon or place to renew your vows, this is it!

Napa Valley by Bike-Italy and France may be wine’s ancestral home, but it maintains a cozy little address stateside, too. Best seen by bike, California’s Napa Valley is America’s wine country, and while our adventures are built around the vineyards, there’s plenty of fun to be found on the outside of the bottle here. A great combination of activity and leisure, this adventure will have you biking your way through the rolling hills to wine tastings at a trio of renown vineyards, exploring small-town markets in search of delicious locally-grown produce and whiling the evenings away around a bottle of your favourite vintage. This is indeed California, but trust us—it ain’t no dream!

Cycle Cuba-Cycling through pincushion hills, sampling Cuban rum at the distillery, hearing Cuban salsa music float through the streets of Havana, walking across one of Cuba’s famed white sand beaches while gazing out across the crystal blue Caribbean.Leave the resorts of Varadero behind and discover the real Cuba on this eight-day active adventure. Get your blood pumping cycling the hills of the Guaniguanico and El Rosario mountain ranges and marvel at scenic vistas that will take your breath away. Tour a tobacco plantation for a taste of iconic Cuban culture. With its lush scenery, vibrant culture and incredible beaches, this active cycling adventure will have you exploring a side of this island few rarely get to know.

Cinque Terre Coastal Walk-Walking narrow coastal trails with magnificent sea views, sampling the local cuisine and wines, staying in a Cinque Terre village.

Separated from the rest of Italy by the impressive landscape you’re here to hike, the rugged villages of the Cinque Terre still remain a world away from the bustle of Rome. Follow coastal trails and discover villages clustered on windswept cliffs and perched above beautiful coastlines. Hike and swim by day and sample the fresh seafood and local delicacies by night. For the active traveller who wants to experience a real slice of Italian life, this compact adventure tops the menu.

To learn more about these and our other exciting romantic get-aways, contact our experts today!

* article content by G Adventures

If your wedding is coming up within the next year or so, you’ve probably been thinking a little bit about your honeymoon.

And if you’ve been thinking at all about your honeymoon, you’ve probably been looking online at resorts.

They all look really pretty don’t they…?

And if you’ve been looking at resorts and pretty pictures of resorts, you’ve probably been reading a lot of online reviews too. And you’ve undoubtedly noticed that there are several negative reviews for the resort with the prettiest picture that you liked the best. Wanna know why?

Because there are dozens of intangibles that determine how much you’ll enjoy your honeymoon that you can’t determine based on photos and price.

Let me explain….

When most people set out to shop for travel online, they’re thinking about price. A nice beach, maybe some good food, and price. But there’s a lot of stuff about the resort that you can’t tell just from the photos and price. Things like rock hard beds, inadequate air conditioning, and really crappy food. They also don’t show you the part of the hotel that is currently under construction-really noisy construction-that starts promptly at 6:00 am every morning. They don’t show you the endless line that you’re going to have to stand in at 7:30 every morning if you want to eat at a real restaurant for dinner instead of a buffet. Oh and the screaming kids peeing in the pool. Yep that’s the stuff is completely left out of all the pictures.

So, you could spend 30 hours or so carefully combing every online review to try to find the perfect place. But let me ask you a question-does anyone on a review site have a vested interest in the outcome of your honeymoon? Will an online site stop you from putting your credit card number in until they’ve made sure it’s the right fit for you? I don’t know of anyone that’s ever happened to, do you?

So, rather than taking a gamble with your honeymoon, don’t you think it makes sense to maybe talk to someone who has been there? I mean in person, not a review site, but a real person, with tons of experience, who knows that if you’re a salsa dancing vegetarian who is afraid of heights that the resort with the prettiest online photos is or isn’t the right resort for you?

Here at Bliss Honeymoons romance travel is all we do. And unlike a random online site, we take the time to make sure that the trip that you’re about to book is a good fit for you-with the right amenities and services that are going to make you feel totally comfortable, before we let you put a deposit on your trip. And we’ll also take care of the little things that no one else thinks about, like getting you from the airport to the hotel, setting up your honeymoon registry, and making sure the resort knows that you’re there for a trip of a lifetime.

So, if you’re ready to start planning your amazing honeymoon, destination wedding or romantic get-away, click here to schedule your free consultation today.

Click here to read reviews from couples who booked with us, and had a great time.

Want to learn more? Download our free report ” Top 10 Booking Blunders” by clicking here.

Here at Bliss Honeymoons we know that it’s the little details that really make your trip memorable. So we’ve uncovered some amazing amenities that are sure to make a lasting impression.

Can You Feel the Love Tonight?

Guppy Love provides guests at most Kimpton hotels with the option to request a live goldfish to stay overnight in their guest room. Guests never have to worry about caring for their fishyfriends with hotel staff on-hand for daily feedings and care, allowing travelers the opportunity to enjoy stress-free bonding throughout their stay.

Mirage Hotel, Tattoo bar

Now you can wear your vacations memories forever by making a stop at the Tattoo Bar at the Mirage hotel. Great for those wanting to permanently commemorate their big win or Vegas wedding, the Tattoo bar offers expert tattoo service and a fun experience for those that just like to watch.

Technology butler, Ritz Carlton

There’s nothing more aggravating than arriving at your destination only to discover that you’ve forgotten your cell phone charger, or that your trusty laptop refuses to connect to the internet. Part geek, part super hero, the Technology butlers at Ritz Carlton will ease your techno-stress, track down parts; fix broken connections and more, getting you back to the beach in record time!

Arrive in style. Bond style.

At the Six Senses resort in Zighy Bay, they could transfer you from the airport to the resort by car. Or limo. But instead, they have you paraglide into the resort from a 962 foot ledge from Zighy Mountain. Nothing says “ I have arrived” like paragliding into your resort!

Have you experienced a unique travel amenity that really made an impression? Post away!