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!

If you’ve spent any time at all trying to plan a trip online, you probably know how confusing travel pricing can be. There are hundreds of websites all claiming to have some special offer or lower price than you can get anywhere else. And there are literally as many myths about travel pricing as there are people selling travel. So today what I would like to do is dispel some of the myths, and give you the scoop on how travel pricing really works.

Myth#1-Using a travel agent means I am going to pay more than I would if I booked it myself:

Fact- While it may be true that some travel agents do charge fees or mark up the prices; for the most part the price you get from your travel agent should be the same as the pricing that you find online on the hotel’s or airline’s site. Agencies also have relationships with preferred suppliers which may give them access to specials and promotions that you may not be able to find on online sites. Just last week we saved a client over $800.00 just by being able to give him a free upgrade certificate we received from a hotel’s sales rep.

Good to know-most hotels guarantee they won’t offer a lower price on their site than an agency is able to secure.

Myth #2: I can get discounts online that I can’t get from an agent:

Fact: Many hotels and cruise lines have a very strict no discounting policy because they want all agencies, both online and offline, to compete on service rather than price. One online giant was recently issued a stop sell by Sandals because they were illegally discounting Sandals’ pricing. So if an agency offers you a price that sounds too good to be true, it may very well be. And the hotel may not honor that deeply discounted price upon arrival, as one couple learned upon check-in for their wedding in St Thomas. They had to cough up over $1200 to cover what they thought was a travel deal they had purchased online. Again special pricing is offered to agencies and suppliers based on relationships, and in some cases, sales volume.

Myth #3-If I shop around, I can get a bunch of agents to compete for my business.

Fact: Your trip has four parts to it-airfare, hotel, transfers and insurance. Your travel agent doesn’t own any of those four companies, or set their pricing. However, your agent should know how to put your package together in a way that offers the most value and the best price.

Good to know-I actually had a guy yell at me once because he called the hotel and got the same price I had given him. The hotel shouldn’t cost more from a travel agent that it does from the hotel. But again, be concerned if it’s significantly less.

Myth #4-You can find everything you need to plan your trip from Trip Advisor and an online site.

Fact: While there is a lot of good info online, there’s also a lot of misinformation online. Online review sites in theory are a great idea. But unfortunately they’ve fall prey to all kinds of abuse; such as favorable reviews written by staff members, to unscrupulous shoppers who didn’t get a discount they thought they deserved. Here’s the thing to remember-no online reviewer is basing their professional reputation on the outcome of your trip. Your local travel consultant is. Who are you going to trust?

Ok, so now that we’ve cleared up the pricing misconceptions, why wouldn’t you use an agent?!

Fact #1: the average couple spends 30 hours doing research for their trip.

That’s like having a part time job! Do you have that kind of time? Probably not! Using an experienced travel consultant can save you a lot of time and stress!

Fact #2: agents can see red flags that most consumers miss.

Here’s a great example. Last week Bernie had a couple call her about a “great deal” they found online.

This “fantastic” deal would have had the clients staying at 3 different mediocre hotels in a 7-day period! The other thing the “incredible” deal didn’t reveal was that the clients would have to overnight in Rome on the way back from Naples.  So that would add another hotel stay, bringing the total hotel number up to 4.  Due to the flight schedule they would not arrive home until the day they were supposed to have returned to work.  Another “perk” of the package was the rental car that was included.  Navigating the cliffside hairpin turns on the Amalfi Coast is not for the faint of heart, especially when one isn’t used to driving a manual transmission car or driving in a foreign country.  After realizing there was more to the “fabulous” online deal than she’d anticipated, the client had us take the reins to plan their dream trip.  Now they are scheduled on a relaxing trip where they have private transfers, a single 4-star hotel with amazing sea views for the entire time, and sightseeing excursions in which they will not have to do any driving.

So while a “cheap” trip may look like a good idea initially, there are almost always other factors to consider.  We’re confident that Gretchen and Bill will return home with many fond memories of the time they got to experience “la dolce vita” for themselves rather than all the time they had to spend checking in and out of hotels for that “great deal” they found online!

Fact 3: A travel consultant’s role is to advise and create a great experience.

There are two different business models in the travel industry-those who sell travel as a commodity based on price, where you do all the research and hope for the best; and those who regard your trip as an investment, and treat it as such. Here at Bliss, our belief has always been that being cheap is easy-anyone can come up with a lower price if they’re willing to spend countless hours doing it. Consistently creating honeymoons and anniversary trips that people are still raving about six months after they get home is much more challenging. We’d rather be known for the latter.

A couple of days ago I had a bride come into my office for a honeymoon consultation. I sensed some hesitation on her part, so I decided to dig a little deeper into what some of her concerns were about the honeymoon planning process.

This particular bride had recently attended a bridal show. And following the bridal show, she was bombarded with telephone calls from companies who claimed that she had won a free honeymoon. While a free honeymoon may sound exciting, the sad truth is that these companies that claim to give away honeymoons, are really just

There's nothing worse than realizing the honeymoon you thought you were getting isn't what you wanted

trying to sell you china or fancy cookware. In exchange for purchasing several thousands of dollars with of kitchen items, they’ll send you off to a mediocre resort where you can endure countless timeshare presentations on what you thought was going to be your honeymoon.

Over the years, we’ve complained to many a bridal show organizer about these organizations. Rather than offering brides a valuable service, they’ve racked up countless BBB complaints, and duped more than one couple into believing they were get something that they weren’t . And, much to our frustration, they’ve made many couples who attend a bridal show suspicious of anyone offering honeymoons.

So, if you’re looking for someone to help you plan your honeymoon, but don’t want to get duped, here’s some questions to ask of a potential travel services provider:

1.       How long have they been in business?

2.       What professional certifications do they carry?

3.       What professional organizations do they belong to?

4.       Did they ask a lot of questions about what you’re interested before making a recommendation, or did they just throw a resort at you based solely on price?

5.       Have they been to the resort or destination that they’re recommending within the last 3 years?

6.       Is your package complete, with airfare, hotel, transfers, and insurance?

7.       What is their specialization? Do they usually plan fishing charters, or do they have a lot of experience with the romance travel market?

8.       Will they be available to you while you are traveling should something come up?

9.       Will they manage flight schedule changes for you?

10.   Do they offer a “no walk” policy, so you’re not at risk of getting bumped to another hotel upon arrival?

Here are some big ole red flags!

1.       If they ask you to pay in cash for your trip, run!! Your credit or debit card offers the most protection. Never pay a travel agent in cash for your trip. In some states, it’s even illegal for a travel agent to take cash for your travel package.

2.       If they ask you to purchase something in order to get a free trip, run! A legitimate travel company will not try to sell you household items in exchange for a “free trip”.

3.       If they only recommend one resort chain, and don’t seem to know about anything else-again, this is a big red flag. If an agent is only offering one resort chain, they’re working in their best interests, not yours.

For more great tips, check out our Top 10 Booking Blunders!

If there is one challenge that almost all engaged couples share, it’s where to come up with the funds to pay for their honeymoon. And while nine out of ten couples would love to ask for money for their honeymoon, finding a tactful way to ask for cash is hard! Fortunately this problem can now be a thing of the past, thanks to a honeymoon registry.

Let’s face it… weddings can drain your bank account faster than you can say “I do”. Many couples have considered postponing their honeymoon because they just can’t see how they can afford it. Your honeymoon registry offers tactful way for you to ask for money from your wedding guests, and its fun for the guests too!

Once you’ve nailed down the details of your dream honeymoon, your travel agent can set up an account for the two of you. Your registry can be customized to your honeymoon destination with items like spa treatments, golf, zip lining, an upgraded room, etc. You’ll be provided with a link to your share with your family and friends, so they can easily jump online and make a contribution to your honeymoon registry.

Your guests will love it because they can purchase a wonderful gift with just a few clicks of the mouse with no boxes to ship and nothing to gift wrap. They can even leave you a message telling you what they’ve purchased and offering their best wishes for your fun in the sun.

The gifts in your registry are not physically purchased or set up. You’ll receive the gifts in the form of a check from the registry company. It’s secure, easy for you and your guests, and a sure-fire way to get you and your honey where you want to go.

Let’s face it-we’ve all given gifts that we suspected to end up being re-gifted. Great honeymoon memories are always a welcome gift. Your guests will be honored to be a part of the memories that you’ll have for a lifetime.

There are several ways to ensure your guest feel like a part of it all. Once you return post pictures of your trip and of the two of you enjoying some of the activities on you registry. Or, send postcard Thank You notes from your location. Unlike a gravy boat, a honeymoon gift creates memories you can share.

Now that you know how you’re going to manage you honeymoon budget, contact one of our romance travel experts to start planning your dream honeymoon today!

A couple of times a week we’ll get a phone call or an email from someone who is just looking for a price on a honeymoon or wedding package. Some have seen a place online that they think looks nice, others may have heard about a place that a friend or family member enjoyed.

Your honeymoon is one of the most important trips you’ll ever take. But all too often we see couples focusing on finding a good deal on a honeymoon without really taking into consideration if that resort or destination is  really a good fit for them.

There are a million intangibles to consider when planning a trip. What kind of people does this resort attract? Will there be other honeymoon & destination wedding couples there, or will there be a million screaming kids in the pool? What is the food like? If you’re a vegetarian or have special dietary needs, can they assist you, or will you spend the whole week living on chicken nuggets and Jell-o Jigglers? Which rooms offer the kind of privacy and amenities that you’re looking for? Does it really look as good in person as it does online?

Just as each couple is unique, each destination offers it’s own culture and lifestyle. Here at Bliss Honeymoons, we travel several times of year to check out the resorts that we recommend, and are able to match our clients with the right destination for them, based on factors that go far beyond the price tag. How? Well because unlike an online site that is happy to relieve you of your hard earned money without knowing the first thing about you, we take the time to get to know our clients before we start making recommendations. The results? You’ll wind up with a honeymoon or anniversary package that you’re thrilled with, rather than a pile of regret.